FIRST FEMALE PILOT to fly US Air Force F-35 Fighter Aircraft

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The very first female pilot to fly the US Air Force F-35 fighter aircraft. The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine aircraft.
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Lt. Col. Christine Mau, 33rd Fighter Wing Operations Group deputy commander, completed her first training flight in the single-seat fifth-generation fighter following 14 virtual training missions in the Full Mission Simulator at the F-35 Academic Training Center.

“It wasn’t until I was taxiing to the runway that it really struck me that I was on my own in the jet,” said Mau, formerly an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot. “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.”

And with that, like the other 87 F-35A pilots trained over the last four years at Eglin, Mau thundered down the runway and was airborne as the first woman in the Air Force’s premier fighter.

“It felt great to get airborne. The jet flies like a dream, and seeing the systems interact is impressive. Flying with the Helmet Mounted Display takes some adjusting, but it’s an easy adjustment,” said Mau. “The training missions in the simulator prepare you very well, so you’re ready for that flight.”

The initial flight in the F-35 training syllabus is designed to orient pilots with the physical aspects of flying the F-35 compared to other fighters they’ve flown previously, such as the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-15C Eagle, F-16 Falcon, A-10 Warthog or F-22 Raptor.

Women have served in combat aviation roles in those and other aircraft for more than 20 years.

Mau acknowledged that although she may be the first female in the F-35 program, her gender has no bearing on her performance as a fighter pilot.

Mau joked that the only difference between her and her fellow F-35 pilots is the size of her G-suit and facemask.

They are both extra-small.

“Flying is a great equalizer,” said Mau. “The plane doesn’t know or care about your gender as a pilot, nor do the ground troops who need your support. You just have to perform. That’s all anyone cares about when you’re up there – that you can do your job, and that you do it exceptionally well.”

Mau’s combat experience and technical prowess in the cockpit were the primary draws for her selection to her position with the 33rd Operations Group.

“Lt. Col. Mau brings a valuable level of combat and operational knowledge to our team,” said Col. Todd Canterbury, 33rd Fighter Wing commander. “We’re nearly a year out from declaring Initial Operational Capability with the F-35. We need battle-tested pilots to help us put the F-35A through its paces and ensure we have a trained and ready force of F-35 pilots to feed into our combat air forces.”

Canterbury witnessed Mau’s leadership and combat effectiveness first-hand when they were both deployed to Afghanistan in 2011, where she was part of another important milestone for women in the combat aviation community.

While with the 389th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Mau was part of the first all-female combat sortie. The combat mission provided air support to coalition and Afghan forces in the Kunar Valley, Afghanistan. From the pilots and weapons system officers of the two F-15E jets to the mission planners and maintainers, the entire mission was carried out entirely by women.

“As a service, we need to attract the most innovative and skillful Airmen possible for one reason – it makes us more effective,” said Canterbury. “The broader the net that we cast into the talent pool, coupled with a laser focus on performance, ensures we have the best Airmen in place to carry out the mission. Performance is key, and it’s the standard we hold all of our Airmen to in the Air Force,” said Canterbury.

Video Description Credit: 1st Lt. Hope Cronin

Video Credits: Staff Sgt. Tarelle Walker, Airman 1st Class Heidi Goodsell, Master Sgt. Michael Jackson, Cpl. Owen Kimbrel, Lance Cpl. Casey Scarpulla, US Navy Ship USS Wasp and MC3 Theodore Quintana

Thumbnail Credit: Kristi Mulder Modified by ArmedForcesUpdate
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Qualifying in the F-35 or any plane is only if the pilot meets the standards..looks like she earned it, they don't just give the qualification away..

simonvance
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I retired from the USAF after 21 years. As a T-37 instructor pilot in the mid 70's, I took part in training the first group of female student pilots. Which btw were selected from the AF Nurses Corp. My experience is that the AF is an equal opportunity employer. You get promoted and assigned to jobs based on qualifications and ability. They are not going to risk putting someone in a multi million dollar jet if they are not highly qualified. Yes the AF does like to highlight these women because they want to get other highly qualified people to apply.

TheBanjoFlyBoy
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Thank you Christine for all your hard work!!!

micjam
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Curious as to why this video shows Nicole Malinowski yet she wasn't the first female to fly the F-35.  AND the video about the first female Thunderbird pilot does NOT show N.M. yet she was the first.  Content is correct, but the still photo doesn't make sense.

MrParputt
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I will say damn Damn good job ma'am, flight training is no joke, kudos to her !!

kholmes
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WOMAN?... SHE'S AN OUTSTANDING PILOT PATRIOT..WHO WILL DO MORE THAN ASKED FROM US... AND CONTINUE...."HELLO U. S. SPACE FORCE...!

peterderiemer
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I wonder what Amelia Earheart would say to look at these ladies. She'd be very proud because she paved the way.

captainnice
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Here in Finland we a few female fighter pilots flying FA 18 Hornet. We have even a female squadron commander colonel lieutenant.

patriotrealfinn
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What a strange set of comments here. This is a skilled person flying a technical marvel. For heavens sake, enjoy!

sebofo
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Why do I want to fly? Because it's fun. That's what I always say.

AGJ
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Amazing. Great to have women pilots especially fighters pilots. Go Air Force! Let’s Fly!!⚡️✈️🇺🇸

kathrynmaxwell
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Congradulations Lt. Col Christine Mau for all you have achieved

joedurand
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So precise, smooth. fast and kerosene-economical landings.... This is a very fine machine. It's all over and done with the english Harrier. I envy You to pilot such a marvel.
Congratulations and Respect from France.

rothholz
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What a beautiful sight. Happy for you, thank you for your service and may you have nothing but the best. Safe flying, you go girl!!!!🛫

dheyes
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Thank you for your Service From Sydney Australia . May you all be safe. . You are Amazing . We Have Always Known How Amazing We Are .

leanneblake
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I am from India...here too we have around 20 female fighter pilots..
JAI HIND...⚔️❤️🇮🇳

papasierracharlie
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Why do these comments all sound like they come from adolescence.

harryaxe
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male or female....they are great fighter pilots !

AmWestColl
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Wow so badass! Hopefully one of many to come.

mojogrip
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I know LTC Mau. I'm a Nomad from the 33 FW (now retired). In fighter lingo...she's Sierra Hotel. She's been a Thunderbird and is an excellent officer and pilot. From an old maintenance NCO, she has my respect.

nomadjeff
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