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The announcement comes more than four decades after women first received their wings in the Navy. Capt. Rosemary B. Mariner, the first woman to command an operational naval aviation squadron, earned her wings in 1974, according to the Naval History and Heritage Command website.

Brenda Robinson, who earned her wings in 1980, became the first African American female graduate from the Navy's Aviation Officer Candidate School, according to the nonprofit organization Women in Aviation.

\"PHOTO:
Anne Owens/U.S. Navy
PHOTO: Lt j.g. Madeline Swegle, assigned to the Redhawks of Training Squadron (VT) 21 at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas, exits a T-45C Goshawk training aircraft, July 7, 2020.
>

Swegle, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, is receiving an outpouring of praise and support for her achievement.

\"Very proud of LTJG Swegle,\" wrote Rear Adm. Paula D. Dunn, the Navy's vice chief of information, via Twitter on Thursday. \"Go forth and kick butt.\"

Very proud of LTJG Swegle. Go forth and kick butt. https://t.co/Fmleo7Ajd3

— RDML Paula Dunn (@ViceCHINFO) July 9, 2020

\"Congratulations, LTJG Swegle!\" tweeted Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Saturday. \"You make the @USNavy and our country stronger.\"

Congratulations, LTJG Swegle! You make the @USNavy and our country stronger. https://t.co/9InUQ6MVzJ

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) July 11, 2020

Pioneering athlete Billie Jean King, comedian D.L. Hughley, Sen. Kamala Harris and former NASA astronaut Scott Kelly were among those who also congratulated Swegle.

The Navy did not immediately respond to requests for further details on the achievement.

Swegle's achievement comes as Black Lives Matter protests continue nationwide against racial injustice and police brutality, incited by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody on May 25.

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