Obama's historic all-female Marine One crew
It was another first in presidential history.
When President Obama left the White House on Thursday for Andrews Air Force Base, the Marine One helicopter that lifted off from the South Lawn was piloted by the first female helicopter aircraft commander in Marine One history. Maj. Jennifer Grieves of Glendale, Ariz., flew her first Marine One mission in May 2008, and had flown Obama and then-President George W. Bush.
In honor of Grieves' last day in the rotation, the Marines assigned two other female officers -- Maj. Jennifer L. Marino, of Palisade, Colo., and Sgt. Rachael A. Sherman, of Traverse City, Mich. -- to complete the crew. And that all-female crew was another first.
Marines say Grieves is off to Command and Staff College in Quantico, Va.
When the president boarded Marine One en route to try to salvage Gov. Jon Corzine's reelection bid in New Jersey and to address the NAACP in New York, he stopped to talk to Grieves and shook her hand.
Of course Obama is accustomed to being surrounded by women. At the White House he lives with First Lady Michelle Obama; their daughters, Malia and Sasha; and his mother-in-law, Marian Robinson.
Still, it was a singular moment in girl power when the chopper lifted off.
Perhaps CNN put it best when it called Grieves "the woman that shattered Marine One's glass rotors."
-- Johanna Neuman
Photos: President Obama. Credit: Associated Press.
Maj. Grieves. Credit: Getty Images.
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The all gal force is really creepy. Doesn't the Libyan dictator also have an all gal security force?
Posted by: Incredible Eatable | July 17, 2009 at 08:24 AM
Whatever this idiot does, is "historic". Reminds me of Chauncey the Gardener from "Being There"..
Posted by: Iggy | July 17, 2009 at 09:16 AM
Who the heck cares what sex/race/whatever a person is? Why is this country so steadfast on creating an environment divided on these lines. Stupid.
Posted by: Mike | July 17, 2009 at 09:55 AM
when will there be a first for my demographic: Catholic Eskimos? we've been oppressed for too long.
side note: didn't Austin Powers have all female secretaries?
Posted by: mb | July 17, 2009 at 09:58 AM
I think this is neat and it really has nothing to do with Obama but with the structure of our Military. Way to go, Ladies!
Posted by: Lonni | July 17, 2009 at 10:17 AM
I agree with Lonni. This is outstanding and I ,for one, am very proud of these ladies. Well done MARINES!
A Proud parent of a SOLDIER
Rick 554
Posted by: rick554 | July 18, 2009 at 06:05 AM