Page 12 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt April 7, 2017

12 April 2017 NEWS www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
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standing contribution to the role of women in the field of aviation. Mau says she holds this achieve- ment closest to her heart because it culminates the career she has dedicated to flying and her personal goal of enabling young people to achieve their dreams. As a Stinson Trophy winner, Mau joins some of the most influential women in aviation history, includ- ing her mentor and friend Col. Jeannie Leavitt, the first female
fighter pilot.
“To be awarded and recognized
for something that I am passion- ate about is pretty fulfilling,” Mau said. “It’s an object that represents my passion which is flying. I love flying, and I am also passionate about persuading young people to find and pursue their passion.”
While reflecting on her career and the significance of her mile- stone, her pride in her work shone through. She referenced part of a quote from another role model, Vince Lombardi.
“‘... the greatest fulfillment is to work your heart out in a good cause and lie exhausted on the field of battle - victorious,’ embod- ies how I feel about my career. I have worked really hard and I’ve given it my all. I’ve gotten through the hard parts, but ultimately I’ve loved serving my country.”
F-35 Pilot
percent women, under 6 percent of pilots are female. Furthermore, only around 2 percent of fighter pilots in the Air Force are women, a career field that is already facing severe manning shortages.
“It’s a role that I need to honor,” Mau said. “I want to inspire young people, men and women alike, to love aviation. I do what I can to influence them in a positive way and encourage them to pursue these careers.”
Although she recognizes there is a shortage of women in the industry, she is clear that it is not her intention to simply raise the number of women aviators in the Air Force. Her goals, like those of many of the Air Force’s great lead- ers, are to encourage diversity and inclusiveness.
“I want the Air Force to have the best pilots, bottom line,” she said. “In order to get the best pilots we need to recruit the best people. If we want to come up with the best solutions to problems and continue to be an innovative force, we need to have people who think differently and look at problems differently.”
Mau’s most inspired discus- sions, whether it be with boys and girls starting their lives or the men and women she leads,
(from Page 1)
Lt. Col. Chris- tine Mau, 33rd Operations Group deputy commander, looks back to one of her crew chiefs from an F-35A Lightning II Feb. 27 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. In 2013, Mau became the first and only female F-35 pi- lot in the world after flying the F-15E Strike Ea- gle for 16 years. She uses her unique position to embolden and motivate young men and women into the field of aviation.
when I realize this is my job. I was flying home the other day and looked over my shoulder and said to myself ‘Yeah, this is awesome.’”
Her dedication to her craft in the air and on the ground led to her earning the 2016 National Aeronautic Association Stinson Trophy for enduring and out-
during her 20 years of service as she looks forward to the next transition in her life – military retirement.
“Retiring makes me a little emo- tional. Flying fighters is all I ever wanted to do,” Mau said, glumly at first but then flashing a smile. “Every day I kind of pinch myself
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are of the career she has loved in the Air Force. She reached the status of command pilot and ac- cumulated more than 2,500 flying hours across more than five air- craft platforms, 10 assignments and five deployments. Mau re- flects on these achievements and many others she accomplished
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