U.S. Air Force Col. Kristen Thompson, 380th Expeditionary Operations Group commander stands in front of an E-3 Sentry aircraft at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, March 29, 2021. Thompson grew up in Anaheim Hill, California, before she attended the U.S. Air Force Academy as part of the class of 2001. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Zade Vadnais)