First ISIS Airstrikes Led By Female Fighter Pilot

She’s a real-life Lady Liberty. Airstrikes against ISIS were led by a female fighter pilot, officials said Thursday.

Maj. Mariam al-Mansouri, the United Arab Emirates’ first female fighter pilot, led the mission when the United States and its allies launched airstrikes against the terrorist group over Syria this week.

“She is a fully qualified, highly trained, combat-ready pilot, and she led the mission,” Yousef al-Otaiba, the UAE’s ambassador to the United States, said Thursday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”

“Actually, funny story is, the US tanker pilots called in for air refueling and asked for the UAE mission, and when they heard a female voice on the other side, they actually paused for about 20 seconds, radio silence,” he said.

The coalition forces, which include five other Arab allies, began bombing ISIS targets in Syria on Monday.

Mansouri, 35, served in the UAE’s army before enrolling in flight training.

“I feel proud, especially that I am part of the first batch. And that encourages me to continue in this field,” she said.

Otaiba said it was fitting that a woman led the mission.

“Do you want a model of a society that allows women to become ministers in government . . . fighter pilots, business executives, artists, or do you want a society where, if a woman doesn’t cover up in public, she’s beaten or she’s lashed or she’s raped?” Otaiba said. “I mean, this is ultimately what this breaks down to.”

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram: @effiongeton