LT. JEANINE MCINTOSH, originally from Kingston, Jamaica and now a resident of Miami, Florida, created history last week Friday when she became the first woman to fly the Coast Guard's C-130 search and rescue aircraft at Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii.
In fact, she is the first African-American female aviator in
the Coast Guard's 215 year
history.When asked about her initial reaction when she was informed of her place in Coast Guard historyLt. JG McIntosh replied, "When I realised that I would be the first African-American female pilot I was surprised and very proud but at the sametime it made me aware that there are still barriers that are yet to be broken for African-Americans and women in
general."
AFRICAN-AMERICAN OFFICER
It was after famed writer Alex Haley enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1939 that Joseph C. Jenkins became the first commissioned African-American officer in the Coast Guard in April of 1943. In 1945 the first five African-American females joined the Coast Guard. Bobby C. Wilks became the first African American Coast Guard aviator in 1957. In 1977 Janna Lambine became the Coast Guard's first female aviator. Now, almost 30 years later, Jeanine McIntosh will have her name inscribed in the record books.
INTEREST IN AVIATION
McIntosh became interested in aviation after enrolling at Florida International University where she received a degree in International Business. Jeanine spent all of her spare time at a local airport "learning as much as I could about flying". It was at this airport that she first became aware of the Coast Guard. After witnessing the its fly, rescue, humanitarian, and law enforcement missions she was compelled to join.
However, she was initially unable to pass the vision test because of her 20/400 vision. Without her glasses she was legally blind. McIntosh chose
to undergo Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) surgery in hopes of securing a Coast Guard pilot training slot . After being awarded the slot McIntosh had yet another hurdle to jump, she couldn't swim.
In just a few months she taught herself to swim well enough to pass the Coast Guard's rigorous swim test. Of her struggles McIntosh reflects, "Overcoming my fear of the water was one of the biggest accomplishments. Conquering so many personal struggles prepared me with the mental drive necessary to complete the extremely challenging flight training regimen."
