For the first time in its 50-year history, Marine One helicopter uses all-female crew to fly US president

This article is more than 11 years old

This article is more than 11 years old

The first black US president, Barack Obama, has clattered up through the glass ceiling to set another milestone. For the first time in its 50-year history, the president was flown by an all-female crew on Marine One.

The helicopter took Obama on the first leg of a trip from the White House to New York for a speech to one of the country's largest black organisations.

It was no accident: marine Major Jennifer Grieves was on her last day of a year-long stint as the first female pilot of Marine One. To honour her, another female major was appointed as co-pilot and a female colour sergeant as crew chief.

Obama walked across the lawn from the Oval office, shook hands and chatted briefly with Grieves, who also flew his predessor, George Bush.

The helicopter trip took Obama to Andrews air force base, from where he flew north to campaign for the Democratic governor of New Jersey and to tell African Americans to take more responsibility for their lives.

Grieves is going to study at the marine staff college in Quantico, Virginia, to earn credits towards becoming a lieutenant colonel.

There was no word on who was flying the identical decoy helicopters that travel near Marine One in case anyone tries to shoot down the president.