As a Lt. j.g., Madeline Swegle became the Navy’s first-known black woman to become a tactical air pilot when she earned her ‘wings of gold’ in 2020. Swegle is part of a new generation of TACAIR pilots to qualify on the state-of-the-art aircraft launch and recovery equipment unique to the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the electromagnetic aircraft launch system and advanced arresting gear. She completed carrier qualifications in 2020 and is stationed at Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington (2023).

Last Updated: 29 March 2023