Captain Jane Skiles O'Dea was one of the first six women to earn their wings as U.S. Navy pilots in 1974, and was the first woman qualified in the C-130 Hercules.

She completed women's Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, then headed to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, for flight training.

The other five women to earn their wings were Barbara Allen Rainey, Rosemary Bryant Mariner, Judith Ann Neuffer, Ana Marie Fuqua, and Joellen Drag.

During her naval career, O'Dea spoke of her frustration with Congressional mandates that prevented military women from serving in combat.

One of the initial group of six women to complete Navy flight training, O'Dea received her wings in April 1974.