First female submariners in Royal Navy's 110-year history
Three women have become the first female submariners in the 110-year history of the Submarine Service.
Lieutenants Maxine Stiles, Alexandra Olsson and Penny Thackray earned their "Dolphins" after months of training, including operations on HMS Vigilant.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond hailed their "huge personal achievement" and said it was "an historic moment for the Royal Navy and our armed forces".
A ban on women submariners based on health fears was lifted in 2011.
A review of concerns that submarines' higher levels of carbon dioxide could carry risks to female health decided the fears were unfounded.
Lt Olsson, 26, from Tranmere, the Wirral, described joining the 165 male fellow crew members of HMS Vigilant as like living "as a very strange family".
"I felt like a little sister to 165 brothers," she said. "At the end of the day manpower is a big thing for the navy - as long as you can do the job, it doesn't matter."
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