Jillian Pearlman grew up on a ranch in the western United States where she spent her childhood happily riding horses and chasing the F-16s that took off from the nearby Air Force base. When she grew of age she joined the Air Force as a test pilot, getting the call-sign Cowgirl and earning the rank of Captain. She was stationed at Edwards Air Force Base, where during testing of the experimental "X-2020"—which unknown to her had an engine reverse engineered from a recovered Manhunter Cult—she lost control and ended up being saved by the only recently returned Green Lantern Corps Hal Jordan, himself a pilot stationed at Edwards as a part of his secret identity. On the base the two began a flirtatious and competitive relationship.