On Tuesday May 5th, Lieutenant Colonel Christine Mau became the first female F-35 pilot in the Department of Defense. She is currently the deputy commander of the 33rd Operations Group at Eglin Air Force Base.
Prior to her first real flight in the Lightning II, she was required to go through 14 simulator sessions to familiarize herself with the aircraft flight controls and systems.
Tuesday was the real thing, her first flight in the Twin-Tailed Lightning and she had this to say about what it felt like to release the brakes and taxi out in the new jet:
“It wasn’t until I was taxiing to the runway that it really struck me that I was on my own in the jet. I had a chase aircraft, but there was no weapons system officer or instructor pilot sitting behind me, and no one in my ear, like in simulators.”
Previous to this, Mau was the commander of the 4th Operations Support Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. She had been a Director of Operations for the 428th Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home, the unit training the Republic of Singapore Air Force on the F-15SG.
Here’s a look at Lieutenant Colonel Mau making history in Afghanistan during a particular mission as a Strike Eagle pilot with the 389th Fighter Squadron:
Congratulations, Grinder! Keep up the fantastic work!
Meet The First Female F-35 Pilot
![Meet The First Female F-35 Pilot](https://i0.wp.com/cms.sofrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/150505-F-SI788-659.jpg?fit=3940%2C2599&ssl=1&w=800)
More from SOFREP
Most Read
Trump Assassination Attempt: Navy SEAL Sniper’s After Action Report
![Trump Assassination Attempt: Navy SEAL Sniper’s After Action Report](https://i0.wp.com/cms.sofrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Trump.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1&resize=400,220)
Navy SEALs Secure Major Legal Victory Against Biden’s COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
![Navy SEALs Secure Major Legal Victory Against Biden’s COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate](https://i0.wp.com/cms.sofrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Trident.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1&resize=400,220)
SOFREP Pic of the Day: Blackwater Bird Strike
![SOFREP Pic of the Day: Blackwater Bird Strike](https://i0.wp.com/cms.sofrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BirdStrike.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1&resize=400,220)
Fifteen Nigerian Soldiers Die in Bloody Border Fight
![Fifteen Nigerian Soldiers Die in Bloody Border Fight](https://i0.wp.com/cms.sofrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Nigerien-soldier.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1&resize=400,220)
Geo Hand’s Delta Force Tales – Green Beret Medics
![Geo Hand’s Delta Force Tales – Green Beret Medics](https://i0.wp.com/cms.sofrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Special-Forces-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1&resize=400,220)
Boeing to Develop Advanced E-7 Aircraft Under New Air Force Contract
![Boeing to Develop Advanced E-7 Aircraft Under New Air Force Contract](https://i0.wp.com/cms.sofrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/E-7A-Wedgetail.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1&resize=400,220)
Recent Comments
Join SOFREP Team Room for Insider Access and Analysis
Your Subscription Supports our Veteran Staff
SUBSCRIBE NOWVETERAN-FRIENDLY COMPANIES
Barrett Firearms
Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world.
- [email protected]
- 615-896-2938
- Visit Website
- PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States
Scrubba Wash Bag
Our ultra-portable washing machine makes your journey easier. This convenient, pocket-sized travel companion allows you to travel lighter while helping you save money, time and water.
Pyramyd Air
Our roots in shooting sports started off back in 1996 with our founder and CEO, Josh Ungier. His love of airguns took hold of our company from day one and we became the first e-commerce retailer dedicated to airguns, optics, ammo, and accessories. Over the next 25 years, customers turned to us for our unmatched product selection, great advice, education, and continued support of the sport and airgun industry.
- [email protected]
- 888-262-4867
- Visit Website
- 5135 Naiman Parkway Solon, OH 44139
RecPak
RecPak is a meal replacement for the outdoors that saves you weight, space and time in the most challenging environments, just add water.
- [email protected]
- Visit Website
- P.O. Box 378 Red Hook, New York 12571 United States
COMMENTS
There are on this article.
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.