Pilot Major Mariam Al Mansouri
The Female Pilot Who Led Airstrike on ISIS
Mariam Al Mansouri was a teenager when she set her sights on becoming a pilot for the Armed Forces.But there was one little hurdle she had to wait several years to overcome - no women were allowed to join up. She bided her time by spending several years working for General Command before becoming the first woman to join the airforce when the academy finally opened its doors to female recruits. Now Major Mariam Al Mansouri, she is the UAE's first female Emirati airforce pilot.
The United Arab Emirate's first female pilot led a mission this week against ISIS in Syria, according to the UAE ambassador to the United States.
Pilot Mariam Al Mansouri, Who Led Airstrike on ISIS, 35, was the first woman to join the Emirati Air Force. The UAE this week joined the United States, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain in implementing airstrikes against ISIS.
Born in Abu Dhabi, Mansouri is one of eight children. She told Deraa Al Watan magazine recently that her family supported her career goals, but she had to overcome gender stereotypes along the way. It likely helped that she graduated from high school with a 93 percent grade average. She attended UAE University, the first of the three government-sponsored universities in the country, and received a degree in English literature.
A recipient of the Mohammed bin Rashid Excellence Award last month, taking home the "Pride of the Emirates Medal", Major Al Mansouri said that as part of her training she had to show she had a high level of theoretical and practical proficiency.She graduate of Khalifa bin Zayed Air College in 2007, the Major is now a veteran operations pilot, working with F-16 Block 60 aircraft.The Nationals says. As for being in competition with her male counterparts, the Major said this was never an issue, saying she "focused on competing with herself to improve her skills".
The United Arab Emirate's first female pilot led a mission this week against ISIS in Syria, according to the UAE ambassador to the United States.
Pilot Mariam Al Mansouri, Who Led Airstrike on ISIS, 35, was the first woman to join the Emirati Air Force. The UAE this week joined the United States, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain in implementing airstrikes against ISIS.
Born in Abu Dhabi, Mansouri is one of eight children. She told Deraa Al Watan magazine recently that her family supported her career goals, but she had to overcome gender stereotypes along the way. It likely helped that she graduated from high school with a 93 percent grade average. She attended UAE University, the first of the three government-sponsored universities in the country, and received a degree in English literature.
A recipient of the Mohammed bin Rashid Excellence Award last month, taking home the "Pride of the Emirates Medal", Major Al Mansouri said that as part of her training she had to show she had a high level of theoretical and practical proficiency.She graduate of Khalifa bin Zayed Air College in 2007, the Major is now a veteran operations pilot, working with F-16 Block 60 aircraft.The Nationals says. As for being in competition with her male counterparts, the Major said this was never an issue, saying she "focused on competing with herself to improve her skills".
"Competing with oneself," she told the magazine, "is conducive to continued learning."
There was also no difference between men and women with regards to training and assignments, she said.
"Everybody is required to have the same high level of combat competence," she said. She also received no special treatment because of her gender. The UAE Ambassador to the U.S. Yousef Al Otaiba confirmed on the talk show "Morning Joe" today that Mansouri led the airstrike.
"I can officially confirm that the UAE strike mission on Monday night was led by female fighter pilot Mariam Al Mansouri,” Al Otaiba. “She is fully qualified, highly trained, combat-ready pilot, and she led the mission.”
As she underwent training, Mansouri previously said there was no difference in assignments for men and women, and she tried not to focus on her male colleagues.
"Competing with oneself," she told Deraa Al Watan magazine, "is conducive to continued learning."
During her studies and career, Major Al Mansouri has met several notable figures, including Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation and widow of the founding President, Sheikh Zayed.
Other dignitaries she has been privileged to meet include the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, who she met at the Dubai Airshow and the International Defence Exhibition.latest news updates
For those women who wish to follow in her flightpath, the Major advised "be prepared as it is a time and effort-consuming field that requires a great deal of passion".
There was also no difference between men and women with regards to training and assignments, she said.
"Everybody is required to have the same high level of combat competence," she said. She also received no special treatment because of her gender. The UAE Ambassador to the U.S. Yousef Al Otaiba confirmed on the talk show "Morning Joe" today that Mansouri led the airstrike.
"I can officially confirm that the UAE strike mission on Monday night was led by female fighter pilot Mariam Al Mansouri,” Al Otaiba. “She is fully qualified, highly trained, combat-ready pilot, and she led the mission.”
As she underwent training, Mansouri previously said there was no difference in assignments for men and women, and she tried not to focus on her male colleagues.
"Competing with oneself," she told Deraa Al Watan magazine, "is conducive to continued learning."
During her studies and career, Major Al Mansouri has met several notable figures, including Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation and widow of the founding President, Sheikh Zayed.
Other dignitaries she has been privileged to meet include the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, who she met at the Dubai Airshow and the International Defence Exhibition.latest news updates
For those women who wish to follow in her flightpath, the Major advised "be prepared as it is a time and effort-consuming field that requires a great deal of passion".
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