1st female Marine One pilot marks last day

[thedrifter]

1st female Marine One pilot marks last day
By Darlene Superville - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Jul 16, 2009 15:42:34 EDT

WASHINGTON — More history was made at the White House on Thursday when President Barack Obama climbed aboard his waiting helicopter: An all-female crew was taking him to Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

It was Maj. Jennifer Grieves’ last day in a rotation that made her the first female pilot of Marine One, the presidential helicopter.

To honor Grieves’ achievement, Thursday’s three-person crew was made up of women — another first.

After walking across the South Lawn from the Oval Office and climbing aboard the helicopter, Obama shook hands and chatted with Grieves for a few seconds before the doors were closed and the helicopter lifted off for the short hop to Andrews.

Details on what Obama president told Grieves were not immediately available.

Grieves, of Glendale, Ariz., was designated a Marine One pilot in May 2008 and has flown former President George W. Bush and Obama numerous times, according to information provided by the White House.

Her co-pilot, Maj. Jennifer Marino, is from Palisade, Colo. Sgt. Rachael Sherman of Traverse City, Mich., was the crew chief.

Obama flew to New Jersey to campaign with Gov. Jon Corzine, who is campaigning for re-election. The president also was addressing the 100th anniversary convention of the NAACP in New York City.

Ellie

[Marine84]

Outstanding!

[thedrifter]

CAPITAL CULTURE: Female helo pilot finishes tour
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press Writer
Fri Jul 17, 9:36 pm ET


WASHINGTON – Jennifer Grieves wanted independence, exposure and something she could be proud of when she joined the Marine Corps. She got all that, and more — including a place in history as the first woman to ever pilot Marine One, the president's helicopter.

For about 40 times in the past 14 months, she has been the one responsible for ferrying President Barack Obama, former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney to and from Andrews Air Force Base, and other points in their world travels.

Her 14-month rotation as a "Marine One" ended Thursday with another first: An all-female crew, led by Grieves, landed on the South Lawn of the White House to take Obama to Andrews for a day trip to New Jersey and New York.

For Grieves, enlisting was not about piloting the president or being the first woman with the responsibility.

"It's just about being a Marine," she says matter-of-factly.

Grieves, 38, joined nearly 20 years ago in her hometown of Glendale, Ariz., seeking broader horizons. Until then, her only exposure to the military was a grandfather who had served in the Navy.

"I think I just wanted some independence. I wanted some exposure. I wanted to be a part of an organization that I could be proud of," she said Friday in an interview with The Associated Press. "I had no idea initially that it would turn into something that I've been more proud of than anything else in my life. I got lucky in that respect, and I made a good decision and it ended up turning out very well."

Grieves came to helicopters by chance. A college mentor recommended that she take an aptitude test. She did, and it pointed her toward flying. She was accepted to flight school and "ended up realizing that I should have wanted to do that ever since I was a kid."

"It's something I love," Grieves said of flying; she can fly three different types of helicopters.

A supervisor who had served in the Marine One squadron recommended that she apply. She joined in 2005, spent a couple of years as a co-pilot and then became qualified to fly vice presidents and visiting heads of state.

She was given the ultimate responsibility, being designated a "Marine One," in 2008.

The native of Alameda, Calif., said she didn't realize the significance of her achievement until her rotation ended Thursday. Next comes leadership school in Quantico, Va., starting in August. Grieves expects to finish in June 2010 and return to flying, either in North Carolina or Afghanistan.

"Yesterday, I realized that it might be significant, and it might be important," she said, adding that she was proud of her crew and all the Marines who support her. "And I guess, a little bit, I'm kind of proud of myself, too."

On Thursday, Obama greeted Grieves and her co-pilot, Major Jennifer Marino, of Palisade, Colo., as he boarded. Once on the tarmac at Andrews, he walked up front and told them how proud he was, she said. He gave her one of his personal presidential coins.

"He said he's always felt like he was in good hands with all of us," Grieves said.

There's little time to get to know the president, but that isn't Grieves' job.

"Our job is to fly him, to be professional, take him from A to B and to take him there safely," she said.

Her first day flying Bush, "I was a nervous wreck. I was extremely nervous," she said.

She remembers he boarded and came to shake her hand. "He kind of did a doubletake," at the sight of a woman in the pilot's chair. They greeted each other and "he smiled at me and I knew. I kind of felt what he was thinking and he walked back to the back and he was great ever since, just like President Obama," Grieves said. "I think the fact that they both have daughters makes it a little more special for them."

Ellie

[Marine84]

I'm proud for her!

That's what I woke up to yesterday and it made my day! There was even a female outside the helo.

That's cool as hell for all of them. OOHRAH MY SISTERS!