July 16, 2009
Posted: July 16th, 2009 02:11 PM ET

From
 Major Jennifer Grieves is the first Marine One female pilot.
Major Jennifer Grieves is the first Marine One female pilot.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The woman that shattered Marine One's glass rotors, got a special honor on the last day of her rotation as pilot: an all female crew.

Major Jennifer Grieves is the first Marine One female pilot. Her achievement was marked as she landed on the South Lawn of the White House to pick up the President.

The White House press office says Major Grieves, who was designated a "Marine One" pilot in May 2008, has also flown former President Bush.

The two helicopters that always accompany Marine One appeared to fly a special formation on arrival.

President Obama, who is on his way to New Jersey and then on to New York to address the NAACP, saluted crew chief Sergeant Rachel Sherman, then boarded Marine One, where he briefly chatted with Major Grieves and shook her hand.

Co-pilot Major Jennifer Marino was the third member of the all-female crew.

Marine One pilots routinely rotate in and out of the squadron.

Filed under: Marine One


In Texas, The New Testament Ends with the Founding of America • CrazyDrumGuy   July 16th, 2009 4:21 pm ET

[...] One had its first all-female crew today. Yet another glass ceiling Barack Obama sexist-ly prevented Hillary Clinton from shattering. [...]

Island girl   July 16th, 2009 4:16 pm ET

Kudos to her and others like her!

Can a female president be far behind?

Sweety   July 16th, 2009 4:16 pm ET

I am just happy it's not John McCain flying M.O.

Scott, Tucson   July 16th, 2009 4:15 pm ET

Nice to know that those women Marines can kick Obama's butt in just about anything...Semper Fi Marines!

not a Jackson or a Palin fan   July 16th, 2009 4:15 pm ET

Maybe Major Grieves should make a run for it in 2012 instead of that dingbat Palin !

IndyVoter   July 16th, 2009 4:13 pm ET

Cool! Love it!

Tulsa   July 16th, 2009 4:11 pm ET

Robin,
On this I agree with you 100%. Go ladies.
Reality,
This isn't about our president, it's about the women who serve and protect us all.
Willy Brown,
Any one of these Marines could beat you bloody with one hand tied behind their back.
BDavis,
Get a life. These MARINES are the best trained pilots in the world.
Major Grieves, best wishes for your future.

Mickey/Texas   July 16th, 2009 4:08 pm ET

Congratulations ladies! Mr. President you do women proud. And remember ladies..."anything they can do we can do better!"

Mickey/Texas   July 16th, 2009 4:07 pm ET

Congratulations ladies! Mr. President you do women proud. And remember ladies..."anything they can do can do better!"

Brittany   July 16th, 2009 4:04 pm ET

That's my aunt :) we're proud of her. She worked way hard for where she is now. Good job Aunt Jenny we love you :)

CivilianMarine   July 16th, 2009 4:04 pm ET

Marines and those who work with the military know this is a major accomplishment for women in the Armed Forces. Those of you who say "so what" underestimate how difficult a job in such a male-heavy environment is. Congratulations Marines, Semper Fi!

Buffalo   July 16th, 2009 4:02 pm ET

Ladies, you've come a long way since "tailhook." Good for each and every one of you.

Independant   July 16th, 2009 4:02 pm ET

Bravo, you earned it.

Steph   July 16th, 2009 4:00 pm ET

Once again, I am so proud of the men and WOMEN serving our country. They all do their duty every day, and often don't get the respect and admiration they deserve. God Bless America!

Andrew   July 16th, 2009 3:57 pm ET

is she hot and a republican? maybe she should run for the GOP bid. J/K you go girl!

Frank   July 16th, 2009 3:56 pm ET

I guess that allowing women access to military service didn't destroy unit cohesion like the old boy network said it would.

Maybe there is a lesson in that for how we should deal with current disagreements about who should be allowed to serve.

Josh   July 16th, 2009 3:55 pm ET

Congrats

Hilarion T. Benedicto Valle Verde, Pasig   July 16th, 2009 3:53 pm ET

that's another "Women One" heheheh

Joe in Austin   July 16th, 2009 3:53 pm ET

nice honor for both Grieves and Obama

Peoples Voice   July 16th, 2009 3:47 pm ET

You go, Girl. Let me hear you roar.

Liberty Queen   July 16th, 2009 3:42 pm ET

Awesome! A salute to these Marine One Women Pilots and Crew! You make America Proud!

Nancy, MD   July 16th, 2009 3:35 pm ET

Wonderful, it truly is a new day.

Also an early congrats to Sonia Sotomayor because I know she will be selected as the third female to grace the Supreme Court.

Kudos America

Jeff   July 16th, 2009 3:35 pm ET

I believe someone who has the background and credentials for this assignment is better suited to understand and make decisions (rule) for such an assignment than someone who does not...ha! ha! reference: Sotomayor Hearings. Congratulations Major Jennifer Grieves...for um doing your job....all else is irrelevant. What century are we in?

BDavis   July 16th, 2009 3:30 pm ET

OMG!!!! I'm a straight female and I really hate knowing that women are flying Marine One with the beloved President on board. May the Lord keep him safe.

Rob   July 16th, 2009 3:26 pm ET

Bill Clinton could be overheard saying "Dangit! 9 years too late!"

Jefferson Handcock   July 16th, 2009 3:26 pm ET

So What!

Willy Brown   July 16th, 2009 3:22 pm ET

Now you know who taught Obummer to throw a baseball...

Kimberly   July 16th, 2009 3:22 pm ET

Awesome beyond words! You go girl

Fred Palafox   July 16th, 2009 3:16 pm ET

I deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan with the 25th Infantry Division. During both those tours the Commanding Generals pilot was the same female and she did an oustanding job. 27 months in combat and no complaints.

yuri   July 16th, 2009 3:11 pm ET

That's one for the book, undoubtedly, and we concur with that. More meaningful female recruitments the merrier it is!

Obama: A change U can beleive In   July 16th, 2009 3:09 pm ET

OOORAH FROM ONE MARINE TO ANOTHER. Semper Fi Devildog

Shelby   July 16th, 2009 3:05 pm ET

Nice, congrats ladies!!!!!!

white female   July 16th, 2009 3:02 pm ET

"SWEET"
MR. PRESIDENT YOU ROCK.......KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
Those poll numbers is a joke, we don't care for the lies, about your approval rating dropping, say it not so JOE.(LOL)
You still rate higher than all the others from the past.

GH   July 16th, 2009 2:58 pm ET

That's great! Great job Devil Dawgs!

John Bolles   July 16th, 2009 2:57 pm ET

Marine One

Dave   July 16th, 2009 2:55 pm ET

So glad these republican political leaders are focused on trying to actually get something done over the next four years besides getting themselves elected.

Huh   July 16th, 2009 2:54 pm ET

Now that is Awesome . Go women

kanderson89   July 16th, 2009 2:53 pm ET

Very cool

AK   July 16th, 2009 2:52 pm ET

Congratulations Major Grieves and your staff. About time women all over started to get recognized for their enomous contribution to the world!

gt   July 16th, 2009 2:51 pm ET

dont tell msnbc they will make fun of them,,,,,

HAHA   July 16th, 2009 2:50 pm ET

I hope she is no Ex-Governor Palin!

GI Joe   July 16th, 2009 2:49 pm ET

Way to go ladies !

Twinkle   July 16th, 2009 2:49 pm ET

Hey Jennifer, I hope you know what you are doing.....Take care of my president....thank you!!

No one famous   July 16th, 2009 2:47 pm ET

Congratulations Major Grieves, Major Marino, and Sergeant Sherman!

Semper Fi Marines!

Reality   July 16th, 2009 2:45 pm ET

Before you pat Obama's back, please note she was appointed before he became President.

Robin   July 16th, 2009 2:44 pm ET

YOU GO GIRLS!!! Thank you for your service and my freedom!

Malcom   July 16th, 2009 2:44 pm ET

Nice to see women breaking ne wbarriers. I cannot help but wonder if there would not have been an array of negative comments from readers if the chosen was all African American or Hispanic.

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   July 16th, 2009 2:41 pm ET

This isn't news because the woman of the Armed Services go just as hard as the men.

lil   July 16th, 2009 2:40 pm ET

You go girls. Or should I say ladies. I am very proud of these ladies.

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