Lt. Diego McKnight with (from left) grandmother, Valery McKnight, friend, Rosa Lucendo and mother, Hope White
Born in Jamaica, Diego McKnight began his aviation career when he was 17 at the Kingston’s Tinson Pen Caribbean Aviation Center. He was intent on joining the United States Navy and now, at 25, McKnight has been named one of the most highly skilled and best-trained pilots in the world and at one time, he was the only black person in his U.S. Navy squadron. He rapidly advanced to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade and is currently one of only 400 individuals able to operate the MH-60 Romeo multi-mission helicopter, one of the most advanced anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare helicopter in existence. His very proud father, Leighton McKnight, is a well-recognized member of the Western Hemisphere Kiwanis and a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
