From combat missions over Iraq to NASA missions in space, Army Lt. Col. Anne McClain is in the middle of a once-in-a-lifetime assignment. Military Families Magazine spoke exclusively with the West Point graduate from her current location at the International Space Station.
McClain, a native of Spokane, Washington, wanted to become an astronaut ever since she was about three years old. A dream she says was inspired by the vast cultural experiences that exist in the northwest.
In 2002, McClain was commissioned as an Army officer and attended graduate school to research the unsteady aerodynamics and flow visualization of free-to-roll nonslender delta wings. Her findings were later published through the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Later, after graduation, she earned wings as an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scout/attack helicopter pilot, logging more than 2000 flight hours across 20 different rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. In 2013, NASA invited her to be among the eight members of the 21stastronaut class.
In December of last year, McClain launched into space as part of the Expedition 58/59 crew and recently participated in two spacewalks, including with fellow service member Air Force Col. Nick Hague.
Lt. Col. Anne McClain is set to return to Earth at the end of June. She is living proof that you can truly become anything you want to be when you grow up with enough commitment and dedication to the goal.
Visit NASA to learn more about current space missions.
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