Mariam al-Mansouri

Mariam al-Mansouri (; born 1979) is the first female fighter pilot in the United Arab Emirates. She was one of the first women to join the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF) academy, graduating in 2007. She flies an F-16 Fighting Falcon and led UAE mission airstrikes against ISIS over Syria.

Early life and education Al-Mansouri is one of eight children. She earned an undergraduate degree in English literature from United Arab Emirates University. She received the Mohammed bin Rashid Pride of the Emirates medal She said she aspired to become a pilot since high school, but had to wait until women were permitted. Yousef Al Otaiba, Emirati ambassador to the United States, recounted that when U.S. Air Force tanker pilots radioed in to speak with the UAE mission during air refueling and heard al-Mansouri's voice, they were initially surprised and silent for a short time. Spiegel used the title "Operation Wüstenmaid" (Operation Desert Maiden). The German news source started a sort of PR campaign. The Arab states of the Persian Gulf used her example and the involvement of Saudi prince Chalid bin-Salman, pilot of an IDS Panavia Tornado, against extremism. Some statements in a broadcast of Fox News Channel's The Five about al-Mansouri were deemed sexist by international media. The next day, Eric Bolling, co-host of the early evening talk show, apologized for his remarks.

The Times of Israel remained skeptical about the "femme fatale".