Quick Facts
Biography
Sara Annette Joyner is a United States Navy officer. She is notable for being the first woman to command a Navy fighter squadron and a carrier air wing. Her promotion to rear admiral (lower half) was authorized by the U.S. Senate on 25 May 2017.
Early life and education
Sara Annette Applegarth was born on Hoopers Island in Maryland. She is one of four children of Samuel Hubert Applegarth, Jr. (1929–1998) and Sara Jane (McClaran) Applegarth. Her father Cmdr. Hubert Applegarth retired from active duty in the Navy in 1977, having graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1951. The family property in the village of Honga on Upper Hoopers Island was purchased by Sara's great grandfather William Applegarth in 1891.
Sara also attended the United States Naval Academy. She graduated with a B.S. in Oceanography in 1989 and was commissioned as an ensign. Sara then attended flight school and earned her naval aviator wings in July 1991.
Career
Sara Joyner became a fighter pilot in 1996, flying an F/A-18 Hornet. She assumed command of Strike Fighter Squadron 105 from Cmdr. Douglas C. Verissimo on 2 March 2007. She turned over command to Cmdr. Thomas R. Tennant on 9 June 2008.
Sara Joyner later became deputy commander of Carrier Air Wing Three, assuming full command from Capt. Michael S. Wallace on 4 January 2013. The air wing embarked on a deployment aboard USS Harry S. Truman on 22 July 2013. She commanded the air wing until relieved by Capt. George M. Wikoff on 22 December 2013.
Personal
Sara Joyner is married to James Mitchell Joyner IV, her Naval Academy classmate and fellow naval aviator. They have two children. Her husband Cmdr. James Joyner retired from active duty in the Navy in 2014.