Thursday March 28th, 2024
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First UAE Female Fighter Pilot

Proving that there's still girl power lurking around the Middle East, Captain Mariam al-Mansouri is making headlines.

Staff Writer

In the latest display of girl power (a refreshing change a few days after the horrific attempted rape video in Tahrir on the day of Sisi's inauguration), Mariam Hassan Salem al-Mansouri has become the first Emirati woman to become a fighter pilot. The Emirati native, 35, may just be the very first woman in the Gulf to hold this rank. In fact, she's not just in the air force, she's a squadron commander – just call her Captain Mansouri (for real though, that's her title).

Mansouri joined the UAE Air Force back in 2007 when it was announced that they were accepting volunteers. Surprisingly enough, considering the conservative nature of her home country, she had full backing from her family. Having always wanted to fly fighter jets for her country, in only seven years since joining the force, she ascended the ranks and made Captain.

A testament to her barrier-breaking ways, she's received several accolades for her achievement, with Emirati Vice President and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashed al-Maktoum presenting her with a medal, in addition to the Mohamed Bin Rashed award for distinguished governmental performance.