Amy Melinda McGrath is a former American Marine fighter pilot known for her groundbreaking achievements. She was the first woman to fly a combat mission for the Marine Corps and the first female pilot of the F/A-18 in combat. McGrath dedicated 20 years to the Marine Corps, participating in 89 combat missions targeting al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Her career also included roles as a political adviser, liaison officer, and instructor at the United States Naval Academy.
June 3, 1975: Birth of Amy McGrath
On June 3, 1975, Amy Melinda McGrath was born.
1993: McGrath Graduates High School, Enters Naval Academy
In 1993, Amy McGrath graduated from Notre Dame Academy in Park Hills, Kentucky, and received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. This was the same year that Congress lifted the Combat Exclusion Policy, allowing women to become fighter pilots.
1997: McGrath Graduates from Naval Academy
Amy McGrath graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in political science.
1999: McGrath Begins Aviation Career
After completing flight school in 1999, Amy McGrath began her career as a Weapons Systems Officer. She was assigned to Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 121, becoming one of the first female aviators in the squadron.
March 2002: McGrath's First Combat Deployment
Amy McGrath was deployed to Manas, Kyrgyzstan, in March 2002, flying 51 combat missions in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. This made her the first woman to fly a combat mission in the United States Marine Corps.
January 2003: McGrath Flies in Operation Iraqi Freedom
In January 2003, Amy McGrath was stationed in Kuwait and flew missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing air support, conducting reconnaissance, and participating in air strikes.
2004: McGrath Becomes a Pilot
After being promoted to captain, Amy McGrath completed flight school in 2004, becoming a pilot.
2005: McGrath's Second Tour in Afghanistan
During 2005 and 2006, Amy McGrath was deployed on her second tour of duty in Afghanistan with VMFA 121.
2006: McGrath Makes History as an F/A-18 Pilot
During her second tour in Afghanistan in 2005 and 2006, Amy McGrath became the first woman to fly an F/A-18 in combat for the U.S. Marine Corps.
2007: McGrath Promoted to Major
In 2007, Amy McGrath was promoted from captain to major.
2009: McGrath's Deployment to East Asia
From 2007 to 2009, Amy McGrath was deployed to East Asia.
2010: McGrath's Second Tour in Afghanistan
In 2010, Amy McGrath served her second tour in Afghanistan, this time with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in Helmand Province.
2011: McGrath Earns Graduate Certificate
Amy McGrath received a graduate certificate in legislative studies from Georgetown University in 2011.
2011: McGrath Serves as Congressional Fellow
Upon returning to the United States in 2011, Amy McGrath served as a congressional fellow for Representative Susan Davis, providing expertise on defense and foreign affairs.
2012: McGrath Works at Headquarters Marine Corps
From 2012 to 2014, Amy McGrath worked at the Headquarters Marine Corps in The Pentagon as a liaison between the Marine Corps and the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development.
2014: McGrath's Work at Headquarters Marine Corps Concludes
Amy McGrath concluded her work at the Headquarters Marine Corps in 2014.
2014: McGrath Begins Teaching at Naval Academy
From 2014 to 2017, Amy McGrath taught as a senior political science instructor at the United States Naval Academy.
2014: McGrath Earns Master's Degree
In 2014, Amy McGrath earned a Master of Arts in international and global security studies from Johns Hopkins University.
November 12, 2016: McGrath Inducted into Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame
On November 12, 2016, Amy McGrath was inducted into the Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame.
April 2017: McGrath's Father Passes Away
In April 2017, McGrath's father passed away from cancer at the age of 76.
June 1, 2017: McGrath Retires from Military
Amy McGrath retired from the armed forces on June 1, 2017, with the rank of lieutenant colonel, marking the end of her 20-year service.
August 1, 2017: McGrath Announces Congressional Run
On August 1, 2017, Amy McGrath announced her candidacy for the United States House of Representatives, running as a Democrat against incumbent Republican Andy Barr in Kentucky's 6th congressional district. Her campaign announcement video garnered national attention.
2017: McGrath Criticizes McConnell During Debate
During a debate with Mitch McConnell in October 2020, Amy McGrath criticized his response to the coronavirus pandemic, arguing that he should have used his influence to pass an additional relief bill, similar to the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
2017: McGrath Opposes Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
In 2017, McGrath opposed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, but supported making middle-class tax cuts permanent.
2017: McGrath Concludes Teaching at Naval Academy
Amy McGrath concluded her teaching role at the United States Naval Academy in 2017.
2017: McGrath Retires from Military, Enters Politics
Amy McGrath retired from military service in 2017 and subsequently entered politics.
May 22, 2018: McGrath Wins Democratic Primary
Amy McGrath won the Democratic Party primary on May 22, 2018, defeating Jim Gray, the mayor of Lexington. Her victory garnered endorsements from Gray, the DCCC, and congratulations from former Vice President Joe Biden.
November 2018: McGrath Loses Congressional Election
In the November 2018 general election, Amy McGrath was defeated by Andy Barr, who secured 51% of the vote to McGrath's 47.8%.
2018: McGrath's Congressional Campaign
Amy McGrath campaigned for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in 2018.
2018: McGrath Identifies as Moderate Democrat
During her 2018 House race, Amy McGrath identified as a moderate Democrat, emphasizing her willingness to support good ideas regardless of party affiliation.
2018: McGrath's Stance on Immigration Reform
During her 2018 campaign, McGrath called for comprehensive immigration reform, opposing the border wall and advocating for technological solutions. She showed a willingness to compromise on immigration matters and opposed abolishing ICE.
2018: McGrath Runs for Congress
In 2018, Amy McGrath was the Democratic nominee for Kentucky's 6th congressional district, narrowly losing to incumbent Republican Andy Barr.
2018: McGrath's Stance on Healthcare
In 2018, McGrath expressed her support for the Affordable Care Act, advocating for improvements and a public option. She opposed Medicare for All, favoring strengthening the existing ACA.
July 9, 2019: McGrath Announces Senate Candidacy
Amy McGrath announced her candidacy for the United States Senate on July 9, 2019, via Twitter. She challenged incumbent Republican senator Mitch McConnell. Her campaign launch video criticized McConnell's political actions, claiming he had contributed to the negative state of Washington.
July 2019: McGrath Announces Senate Candidacy
In July 2019, Amy McGrath announced her campaign for the United States Senate in the 2020 election, challenging incumbent Mitch McConnell.
2019: McGrath's View on Abortion Restrictions
In 2019, McGrath opposed late-term abortions and stated her belief that existing abortion restrictions were sufficient.
August 2020: McGrath Supports Policing Reforms
In August 2020, McGrath voiced her support for comprehensive policing reforms, including body cameras, independent investigations, and a national database for misconduct records.
September 2020: McGrath's Campaign Fundraising
By September 2020, Amy McGrath's campaign had received significant financial support from donors, with $43 million going to the Amy for America PAC and $39.6 million to the Amy McGrath for Senate PAC through ActBlue.
October 2020: McGrath Supports Additional Coronavirus Stimulus Funding
As of October 2020, McGrath supported additional coronavirus stimulus funding, including stimulus checks and aid for struggling state and local governments. She criticized the Trump administration's response to the pandemic.
2020: McGrath's Senate Campaign
Amy McGrath campaigned for the United States Senate in 2020.
2020: McGrath's Senate Campaign
Amy McGrath ran for the United States Senate in the 2020 election against incumbent Mitch McConnell. Despite a well-funded campaign, she lost the general election.
2020: McGrath Supports Term Limits
During her 2020 Senate campaign, McGrath expressed strong support for term limits, specifically a two-term limit for Senators.
2020: McGrath Runs for Senate
In 2020, Amy McGrath ran for the Senate, identifying as a moderate Democrat.