
In this June 13, 2013 photo provided by the Emirates News Agency, WAM, sMaj. Mariam al-Mansouri, the first Emirati female fighter jet pilot prepare to take off, in United Arab Emirates. A senior United Arab Emirates diplomat says the Gulf federation’s first female air force pilot helped carry out airstrikes against Islamic State militants earlier this week. The Emirati embassy in Washington said on its official Twitter feed Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014 that Ambassador Yousef al-Otaiba confirmed the F-16 pilot’s role. Rumors had swirled on social media that Maj. Mariam al-Mansouri was involved in the strikes, but Emirati officials had not previously confirmed that was the case.(AP Photo/Emirates News Agency, WAM) AP Photo/Emirates News Agency, WAM\n






