Arts
Wyoming’s only female Army MEDEVAC pilot, Lauren “Lolo” Gurney’s mission is to fly and save lives. Piloting UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, Lauren’s flight journey had humble beginnings, first inspired by watching the movie Dumbo as a child. Between the ages of 9 and 19, she raced cars with her dad and worked as a mechanic in his pit crew; when she was 16, the Sport Car Club of America honored her with the title of “Mechanic of the Year.” Her grandfather, a veterinarian, Korean War paramedic, and former NASA Valkyrie project technician, pushed Lauren to pursue her flight, outer space, science, and medical interests. Enlisting in the Army at 17 years old, she graduated from military college in pre-medicine and, five years later, graduated from flight school. Lauren has served multiple deployments abroad, including combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, where she served as the officer-in-charge (OIC). She’s an active member of the Wyoming National Guard as a UH-60 test pilot and pilot in command. When she’s not flying helicopters, Lauren lives in Moose, Wyoming where she’s the owner and head baker of Jackson Hole Cake Company. A self-taught professional baker and chocolatier, Lauren’s baking business is her creative outlet and joy where she builds relationships around love and connection. She’s baked in every country in which she’s been deployed and loves baking for her local community the most. Portraits and Podcast by Lindsay Linton Buk, Women in Wyoming. © 2019, All Rights Reserved.