Karen Fuller Brannen (née Tribbett)[1] was the first United States Marine Corps female strike fighter pilot.[2][3]

Karen Fuller Brannen
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPilot
Known forFirst female 'Wings of Gold' recipient.

Military career

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She joined the armed forces in 1994 and left active duty in 2007, but remains a reserve Colonel in the Marine Corps.[4] During her career she attained the rank of major, then progressed to Lt. Col.[5][6]

Civilian career

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After leaving active duty, she started working for Gulfstream.[7][8][9]

Awards

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She was inducted into the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame in 2013, becoming the first marine inducted. She was a USMC F/A-18 pilot for 3 years, before being the first woman to be awarded 'wings of gold'.[10][11]

Personal life

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She married Matt Brannen in 2010.[12]

References

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  1. ^ "WELCOME OUR PERSONALITIES FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER". myaerospaceworld.blogspot.co.uk. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  2. ^ "1990s". www.rit.edu. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  3. ^ https://www.pressreader.com/usa/honolulu-star-advertiser/20150307/282243779060523. Retrieved 4 October 2017 – via PressReader. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ^ "continental marines magazine" (PDF). Q1 2013 marines.mil. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  5. ^ "Lt. Col. Karen Fuller Brannen | Women in Aviation International". www.wai.org. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  6. ^ "pdf file" (PDF). Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  7. ^ Livingston, Brian (26 March 2011). "First female Marine strike pilot visits". Meridian Star. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  8. ^ "Continental Marines Magazine - 1st Quarter, 2013". issuu. 27 October 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  9. ^ Kozlovich, Beth-Ann; Vandercook, Chris. "Hemp Growing Project; First Female F-18 Pilot; SB992; Lā'ieikawai". Hawai'i Public Radio. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  10. ^ "World's first armless pilot in Honolulu for special event". KHON2. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  11. ^ "Aviation for Women - MAR-APR 2017". afwdigital.epubxp.com. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  12. ^ Star, Brian Livingston / blivingston@themeridianstar.comThe Meridian (26 March 2011). "First female Marine strike pilot visits". Meridian Star. Retrieved 4 October 2017.