A lone soldier from the United States made history on Wednesday when she became the first American woman to complete the Israeli Air Force's prestigious pilots course, the US-based NGO Friends of the Israel Defense Forces announced ahead of the graduation ceremony at the Hatzerim Airbase in the Negev.
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Boston native Lt. O., 21 is one of only two women in the latest graduating class of 39.
The pilots course was closed to women until 1994, when IDF soldier Alice Miller, an immigrant from South Africa, petitioned the High Court of Justice to be allowed to try for her wings.
In a historic ruling, the court decided the ban on female cadets was illegal.
Miller did not become a pilot, but her petition has paved the way for women to become both pilots and navigators in the Israeli Air Force.
Lt. O., whose father had been a fighter jet navigator in the IAF, enlisted in the IDF with no immediate family in Israel.
"In addition to making history, it's important to remember that Lt. O. was not obligated to serve in the IDF, but chose to become a lone soldier in order to protect Israel," FIDF New England executive director Luba Loewenberg said.
"Lt. O. demonstrates how one person can secure a future for the broader Jewish community. We are so proud!"
According to FIDF, there are currently about 1,000 lone soldiers from the United States serving in the Israeli military.
Reprinted with permission from JNS.org
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