CODA pilot part of all-female flyover team during SB 2023
Renca Dunn, Daily Moth Reporter: There were several historical moments that happened during the recent Super Bowl 2023 including having an all-female U.S. Navy flyover team and one of the females is a CODA.
[Video clip of flyover. Credit: 12News.com]
Navy Lieutenant Naomi Ngalle is a CODA, from a deaf family, and one of her sisters is deaf and perhaps some of you might know her. Her name is Arlene Ngalle-Paryani, and she is a deaf social media influencer. We reached out to Lt. Ngalle for an interview about her experience flying over the Super Bowl.
Renca: Hello, Naomi!
Naomi: Hi!
Renca: Thank you for joining us today! Would you mind giving us a quick introduction of who you are and where you’re from?
Naomi: My name is Naomi Ngalle and this is my name sign. I tend to talk a lot! I’m from northern Virginia, the DMV area. Right now I’m in the U.S. Navy, under aviation as a WSO, meaning Weapon Systems Officer. So I’m responsible for communications like navigations and I set up flights to help out my pilots.
Renca: Wow, how cool!
Naomi: I come from a family of four kids, and my mom is Deaf so I am a CODA. And many people might know my older sister LeLe (Arlene). So yeah, that’s her- my Deaf older sister and as is my nephew, so I grew up in a Deaf home.
Renca: Definitely! You’re a CODA, a SODA, and when it comes down to it you're in a Family of Deaf Adults so it’s like you’re a FODA, you know?
Naomi: Yes!!
Renca: You were part of a historic moment, an all-female flyover during the Super Bowl. What was that experience like for you? How did that feel?
Naomi: Wow, crazy! That’s really all I can say, it was crazy. Once we landed after the flyover, I think we all felt this sense of peace. There was pressure leading up to it, like, what if we arrive late? What if our formation is off? What if an emergency happens? You know, like if birds are flying over the stadium, what if we hit a bird? I was so nervous the whole time, so when we successfully landed there was such a wave of relief. Then I could enjoy the moment! We worked and trained incredibly hard for months. I had joined the team about a month prior at that point but I was studying with Google Maps to memorize all the points – it is called checkpoints. We had to do this for timing purposes since the flight is synchronized with the National Anthem. So there’s a ground controller who talks to us to make sure we are on time. This controller will tell us if we are ahead or behind the timeline. And that’s how we kept it going, so that was good. It was a lot of work, a lot of practice and a lot of communication with the NFL regarding expectations and the points we needed to hit. Because the word “brave” is sung for a long time, do we hit our mark as the singer begins with the “B” in "brave”? Or the “R”? The “A” or the “VE”? So yeah, it was a lot of work but I have to say after it was over all I felt was peace.
Renca: Wow, that’s awesome! Did you have a seat waiting for you to watch the game afterward?
Naomi: I did watch a little bit. I was brought back to the field after the third quarter to walk out and say hi and thank everyone. Then after that, we had the opportunity to chat with First Lady Dr. Biden. We met for the first time.
Renca: Oh, wow!
Naomi: I was geeked out about that! After that, we had an empty spot in an area of the stadium to watch the final few minutes of the game. So it was cool. And I must say my number one requirement was to be able to watch Rihanna’s halftime show. That was all I wanted, I didn’t care about anything else! I had to see the halftime show.
Renca: Yes, of course! So you yourself are a Woman of Color, a CODA, and a SODA. How do you feel this impacts your role in the Naval aviation?
Naomi: That’s a good question. In a lot of my experiences, I have felt singled out in a way. When I’m in a room it’s not uncommon that I’m the only Woman of Color. I am half Hispanic and I am Black. My background is not “normal” especially as a woman so it’s easy for me to feel isolated as a result. But then I remember that everyone else is still being judged too and they train the same way as I do. I learned at that moment that I had to step outside of myself and I see this white woman next to me and she is experiencing the same thing as I am with the same training and all. I learned that I need to step outside of myself. Yes, we all have different backgrounds and that is important. Representation is important. We all belong to this area and this space. The sense of belonging is essential for progress.
Renca: Certainly, thank you for sharing that. Now, speaking to your experience as a CODA, SODA, and even a FODA! Do you feel that your experience growing up has affected how you engage as a pilot? Perhaps you have better visual coordination, or you’re able to catch things better?
Naomi: For sure, I feel like I have more receptive abilities when I’m flying. I’m able to attend to a lot of things going on at the same time. So that seriously helps. It also helps me with studying and memorization. There have also been times when I’ve used signing and gestures to communicate with people outside of a plane because they can’t hear me, it gets loud and we can’t hear each other. So we have to use some small signs like emergency, or something simple like how much fuel– sorry. How much gas do you have? (This sign) will mean six, up to (this sign) which is nine. If I did it another way like signing 6 or 9- they may not understand. It can be a little confusing.
Renca: Last question, is there anything you’d like to share with the Deaf community? Many of us are so inspired by your story. Is there anything you’d like to say?
Naomi: Yeah…hello! Thank you Deaf community for allowing me to communicate about being a CODA which I know is not the same as the Deaf experience. But to still be open and to welcome me with open arms, I thank you. Thank you for continuing to teach me, and for pushing toward progress. Maybe one day we can have Deaf and hearing people working together in the military.
Renca: That would be great.
Naomi: Maybe one day.
Renca: Yes, that would be amazing. Naomi, thank you for your time and congratulations on being a part of that historic flyover at the Super Bowl.
Naomi: Thank you.
Renca: Thank you!
Naomi: Much love!
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Renca: Thank you Lt. Ngalle for your time. We congratulate you for being part of that historic moment.