After 9/11, Two Women Pilots Became Each Other’s Lifelines in Iraq

When I was in ROTC in college, I saw a Black woman in a flight suit and knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a pilot. I graduated from flight school on July 21, 2001, when there was no war. But 9/11 happened less than 60 days later, and something in me knew I would be going. I moved into my operational squadron, and several months later, another Black woman joined the squadron, Misca Geter. She was from North Carolina and flew UH-1N Twin Hueys. We were two out of three female pilots, out of 67 pilots in our squadron. We deployed to Iraq together with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. I was involved in the Battle of Najaf, the Battle of Fallujah and the Battle of Ramadi.

My friendship with Misca was a huge support in navigating the environment of being two of only three female pilots. We were like Forrest Gump and Lieutenant Dan. We formed this amazing bond. There were no therapists over there. But I could talk to Misca.​And those were stressful times. Our Marines were going out on patrol. We were on the front lines, where everything was happening.

Whether it was combat stress or stress from the squadron with the guys, Misca and I had each other. All you had were your friends, and she was mine. We lived in the same tent together. We worked out together. We ate together. When things were really hard, she was the one who brought me back to sanity. I have said many times that Misca saved my life on and off the battlefield.

There is a picture that I will always cherish, with her aircraft behind us when we deployed to a forward operating base, which took enemy fire many times. Years later, it feels like no time has passed. It will always be that way.​

Captain Vernice “Junk” Armour started her career in law enforcement and became the first Black female motorcycle police officer in Nashville. Commissioned as a Marine Corps officer in 1998, she graduated from flight school in 2001 and piloted AH 1W Super Cobra attack helicopters during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After serving two tours in Iraq, she is now an inspirational speaker based near Atlanta.​​​​