All-female crew flies Obama to Andrews AFB

WASHINGTON, July 16 (UPI) -- The crew who flew U.S. President Obama from the White House to Andrews Air Force Base Thursday was all women to honor the pilot on her last day in rotation.

Obama chatted with U.S. Marine Maj. Jennifer L. Grieves, who last year became the first female Marine One helicopter aircraft commander, the White House said.

The Corps said Grieves' next assignment was at the Command and Staff College in Quantico, Va.

Grieves, of Glendale, Ariz., was accompanied by co-pilot Maj. Jennifer Marino, of Palisade, Colo., and crew chief Sgt. Rachael Sherman, of Traverse City, Mich.

Grieves was designated a Marine One pilot in May 2008, and has flown former President George W. Bush and Obama on numerous occasions, the White House said.