Rosemary Bryant Mariner joined the naval service in 1973 after being selected as one of the first eight women to enter military pilot training. She was among the first female military aviators to fly a tactical jet aircraft and was the first woman to fly a front-line light attack aircraft. In 1990 Mariner became the first military woman to command an operational aviation squadron and was selected for major aviation shore command. She retired after 24 years of military service, 17 carrier landings, and over 3,500 military flight hours in fifteen different naval aircraft. Now a lecturer of military history, Mariner characterizes the entry of women into naval aviation as part of the continuing evolution of the US armed forces in general.

Requests for tickets will begin on Tuesday, Sept 6, 2011.

The GE Aviation Lecture Series is made possible by the generous support of GE Aviation.