Aviation - Women Marine Corps Uniform Collection

Armour earned her wings in July 2001 becoming the Marine Corps' first black female pilot. She was number in her own class of twelve and number one among the last two hundred graduates. After flight school, Armour was assigned to the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California to train in the AH-1W SuperCobra.

Before Captain Vernice Armour joined the U.S. Marine Corps, she became the first African American female to serve as a police officer in Tempe, Arizona. Earning her wings in July 2001, Armour was not only number one in her class of 12, but she was also number one among the last 200 graduates. She became the Marine Corps’ first African American female pilot. In March 2003, she flew with HMLA-169 during the invasion of Iraq becoming the Marines first black female combat pilot. She completed two combat tours in the Gulf.

My childhood dream was to be a mounted police officer and ride a horse downtown. By the time I was 21, I had made it ... During my last year of college, I became a motorcycle cop, riding a steel horse. Then I took a step that changed my life. I joined the Marines.

My stepdad had been a Marine, with three tours in Vietnam; my father had retired from the Army Reserve as a major; and in World War II, my grandfather was a Montford Point Marine -- a segregated unit that contained the first Black men in the Corps.

I had no interest in the military. What changed my mind was a flier offering a free trip to the Mardi Gras for anyone who joined the Army ROTC women's rifle team. During ROTC leadership training in New Orleans, I saw a Black woman pilot wearing an Army flight suit. "Why didn't I think of that?" I asked myself.

I never forgot that image. A few months later, I decided that I could always be a cop, but I wouldn't always have the chance to fly. And I wanted to join the toughest outfit. I called the Marine recruiter and told him I wanted to become a combat pilot. I earned my wings in 2001 -- the first Black female aviator in the Corps.

I served two combat tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom -- eight months the first time and seven months the second -- and was recognized by the Defense Department for a second achievement: becoming the nation's first Black female combat pilot.

We flew close air-support and convoy escorts in AH-1W SuperCobras, spending the night at forward operating bases in hostile territory. Often, we returned to our base in Kuwait with bullet holes in our helicopters. It was an exhilarating -- and rewarding -- experience.

Back in the states at Marine Corps headquarters, I entered a new world as a diversity officer and a liaison to the Pentagon. Speaking at conferences made me realize that people really wanted to hear about my Marine Corps experiences, and I loved sharing them.

I also realized that I couldn't give this my all and still provide what the Marines demanded, and deserved. So in August 2007, I left the Corps to start my own firm, helping companies and organizations improve their leadership practices and bottom-line results.

My company, VAI Consulting and Training, LLC, in Stafford, Virginia, has a list of clients that includes banks, defense contractors, nonprofit organizations and even the Department of Defense. I view myself as a professional speaker and consultant.

Katie Cook is from Severna Park, Maryland, and graduated from W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax, VA in 2004. She attended the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 2008. Katie continued her education at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. and graduated with a Masters of Arts in International Security in 2009.

In the summer of that year, Katie reported to The Basic School (TBS) at Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico, Virginia. She then reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for aviation indoctrination in November 2009. She completed primary flight training in the T-6B Texan II at NAS Whiting Field, Florida, and transferred to Training Squadron 31 (VT-31) at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, for intermediate and advanced training where she flew the T-44 Pegasus. She received her wings of gold in October 2011.

Katie reported to 2nd Marine Air Wing (MAW) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, in December 2011. For her first six months, Katie worked at the KC-130J Aircrew Training Unit, where she trained to fly the KC-130J Hercules. In May of the following year, Katie reported to Marine Aerial Refueling Transport Squadron (VMGR-252), “Otis,” to begin training in the KC-130J Harvest Hercules Armament Weapons Kit (HAWK). While assigned to VMGR-252, Katie deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as a deployment to Africa with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response (SPMAGTF-CR), in support of contingency operations.

Katie joined the U.S. Navy Blue Angels in September 2014 as the first female pilot in the history of the famed demonstration squadron. She served as the Aviation Safety Officer followed by the Officer in Charge of the C-130, affectionately known as “Fat Albert”. While serving as a Blue Angel, Katie was able to provide logistical support as well as fly aerial demonstrations that showcased the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. During her time with the team, she was featured by several national-level media outlets including “Fox and Friends”, “CBS This Morning”, and “The Today Show”.

In February 2017, Katie reported for duty as the Airfield Operations Company Commander with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina. In this billet, Katie and her fellow Marines provided scheduling, fuel, firefighting, and maintenance support for the only expeditionary airfield on the eastern seaboard.

During her time in the fleet, Katie has accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours, including 400 in combat. She has flown missions in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Canada, Djibouti, England, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, South Sudan, Spain, and Uganda. Most notably, she assisted in the evacuation of the US Embassy in South Sudan in January 2014. Her decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, five Air Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various personal and unit awards. In August 2019, Katie transitioned to the Marine Corps Reserve and currently works as a Senior Director of Sales Strategy for Global Public Sector at Salesforce. Katie is married to another Blue Angel alumni, former Major Dusty Cook, USMC. They have three children.

Katie Cook is from Severna Park, Maryland, and graduated from W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax, VA in 2004. She attended the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 2008. Katie continued her education at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. and graduated with a Masters of Arts in International Security in 2009.

In the summer of that year, Katie reported to The Basic School (TBS) at Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico, Virginia. She then reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for aviation indoctrination in November 2009. She completed primary flight training in the T-6B Texan II at NAS Whiting Field, Florida, and transferred to Training Squadron 31 (VT-31) at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, for intermediate and advanced training where she flew the T-44 Pegasus. She received her wings of gold in October 2011.

Katie reported to 2nd Marine Air Wing (MAW) at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, in December 2011. For her first six months, Katie worked at the KC-130J Aircrew Training Unit, where she trained to fly the KC-130J Hercules. In May of the following year, Katie reported to Marine Aerial Refueling Transport Squadron (VMGR-252), “Otis,” to begin training in the KC-130J Harvest Hercules Armament Weapons Kit (HAWK). While assigned to VMGR-252, Katie deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as a deployment to Africa with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response (SPMAGTF-CR), in support of contingency operations.

Katie joined the U.S. Navy Blue Angels in September 2014 as the first female pilot in the history of the famed demonstration squadron. She served as the Aviation Safety Officer followed by the Officer in Charge of the C-130, affectionately known as “Fat Albert”. While serving as a Blue Angel, Katie was able to provide logistical support as well as fly aerial demonstrations that showcased the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. During her time with the team, she was featured by several national-level media outlets including “Fox and Friends”, “CBS This Morning”, and “The Today Show”.

In February 2017, Katie reported for duty as the Airfield Operations Company Commander with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina. In this billet, Katie and her fellow Marines provided scheduling, fuel, firefighting, and maintenance support for the only expeditionary airfield on the eastern seaboard.

During her time in the fleet, Katie has accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours, including 400 in combat. She has flown missions in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Canada, Djibouti, England, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, South Sudan, Spain, and Uganda. Most notably, she assisted in the evacuation of the US Embassy in South Sudan in January 2014. Her decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, five Air Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various personal and unit awards. In August 2019, Katie transitioned to the Marine Corps Reserve and currently works as a Senior Director of Sales Strategy for Global Public Sector at Salesforce. Katie is married to another Blue Angel alumni, former Major Dusty Cook, USMC. They have three children.

HISTORY Aviation

Capt Vernice Armour

Capt Katie Ann Higgins Cook