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Obama takes historic ride on Marine One

WASHINGTON - More history was made at the White House yesterday when President Obama climbed aboard his waiting helicopter: An all-female Marine Corps crew was transporting him to Andrews Air Force Base.

President Obama salutes as he boards Marine One yesterday in a helicopter flight manned by an all-women crew - a first for the U.S.The pilot was Maj. Jennifer Grieves (top right).
President Obama salutes as he boards Marine One yesterday in a helicopter flight manned by an all-women crew - a first for the U.S.The pilot was Maj. Jennifer Grieves (top right).Read morePhotos: Associated Press
    by DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press
    Published 

WASHINGTON - More history was made at the White House yesterday when President Obama climbed aboard his waiting helicopter: An all-female Marine Corps crew was transporting him to Andrews Air Force Base.

It was Maj. Jennifer Grieves' last day in a rotation that made her the first female pilot of Marine One, the presidential helicopter.

To honor her achievement, yesterday's three-person crew was made up of women - another first.

Obama walked across the South Lawn from the Oval Office, climbed aboard the helicopter and shook hands and chatted with Grieves for a few seconds before the doors were closed and the helicopter lifted off for the short hop to Andrews, just outside Washington.

    DS
    DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press