Capt. Andi McElvaine from Minot AFB, N.D., was among 83 other graduates of the Air Force Weapons School earlier this month at Nellis AFB, Nev. McElvaine, who graduated at the top of her class, mades history as the first female B-52 bomber pilot. According to the Nellis Bullseye, only 23 percent of the Air Force’s BUFF pilots get to wear a weapons school patch.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.