By LCDR Danielle “Purple” Thiriot
Recently, I had the privilege of being one of nine Naval Aviators who had the honor of paying tribute to a legend in Naval Aviation. On Saturday, February 2nd , we flew four F/A-18 Super Hornets (and one spare) in a “missing man” formation for the funeral of CAPT (Ret.) Rosemary Mariner, the Navy’s first female tactical jet pilot.
CAPT Mariner was in the first class of women to earn wings of gold in 1973. She soon garnered many other “firsts,” including: the first woman to fly a tactical jet, the first woman to serve on an aircraft carrier (where she also earned her Surface Warfare designation), and finally, the first woman to command an aviation squadron. In the twilight of her Naval career, CAPT Mariner diligently worked on Capitol Hill to repeal gender-based combat exclusion laws that had prohibited her from serving alongside her male counterparts in combat.
The week leading up to the flyover was a whirlwind of media and typical flight planning. As we prepped for interviews we learned, along with millions of others, about the accomplishments and lists of “firsts” CAPT Mariner humbly achieved in her life. Word of the flyover spread through the maintenance shops in VFA-32 and VFA-213, and soon, an all-female launch team volunteered to send off the jets on Saturday morning. Many of the maintainers were born after CAPT Mariner’s retirement, yet all were serving in sea-going jet squadrons because of her efforts towards equality in service.
On Saturday morning the mission commander, CDR Stacy “Stigs” Uttecht, briefed the crews, with emphasis on formation fundamentals and timeliness. CDR Uttecht ended her brief with a final word of encouragement from CAPT Mariner’s husband, CDR(Ret.) Tommy Mariner: “Don’t F it up!” Several hours later and 1000ft overhead, it was clear the entire town had shown up to commemorate her life. As we flew overhead, the hills surrounding the rural Tennessee cemetery were full of people paying tribute.
My lasting memory of the weekend came after the flyover when we arrived at CAPT Mariner’s farmhouse and were greeted by over 50 female aviators spanning the arc of Naval Aviation from 1974 to the present. Among them was Tammi Jo Schults, the Southwest Airlines pilot who fearlessly landed a crippled 737 (Flight 1380) last April, who served her first tour in CAPT Mariner’s squadron; CAPT (Ret.) Mary Louise Griffin, who graduated in the second class of female aviators; Carrie Lohrenz, one of the first female F-14 Tomcat pilots; Joellen Oslund, the first female Navy helicopter pilot, and Kay Hire,
Naval aviator and NASA Astronaut. The living room immediately took on the air of a ready room as they welcomed the newcomers and quickly descended into swapping of sea stories, talking with hands, and a spirit of camaraderie and support – right down to the collective concern about the dwindling beer supply. We heard many stories of CAPT Mariner’s mentorship and advocacy – it is true that if an aviator isn’t there to tell her own tales, her friends certainly will.
The company we keep is a reflection of who we are. The incredible assembly in CAPT Mariner’s honor is a testament to her legacy. Although most of the women who participated in the flyover didn’t know her name before her passing, her example is the essence of legacy; she continues to impact those she never met.
Because of CAPT Rosemary Mariner and her contemporaries, all of the female aviators in the “missing man” formation over her funeral have flown combat missions, and none of us are “firsts.” CAPT Mariner’s sendoff was a fitting tribute to her life and legacy.
LCDR Danielle "Purple" Thiriot is a native of Salt Lake City, Utah. In March of 2019, she will join the Pukin’ Dogs of VFA-143 as a Department Head. She has previously served tours as an F/A-18 FRS instructor and Flag Aide.
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