"I wanted to fly helicopters." (Audio interview, 1:46)
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Lee Ingrid Papanek Lane
Lee Lane in uniform, sitting inside doorway of a helicopter [October 2004]
War: Afghanistan and Iraq Wars, 2001-present Branch: Army Unit: Illinois Army National Guard Service Location: Chicago, Illinois; Balad, Iraq Rank: Chief Warrant Officer 2 Place of Birth: IL
A lifelong adventurer, Lee Lane joined the military to become a helicopter pilot. The first female helicopter pilot in her Illinois National Guard unit, she spent her time overseas zooming across the Iraqi countryside, 50 feet above the ground. Unlike many soldiers in Iraq who were stationed only in one or two locations, her role as a pilot afforded her a unique, ever-changing view of the countrys varied terrain and diverse population.