Nellis base welcomes 57th Wing's first female commander

LAS VEGAS — Nellis Air Force Base in southern Nevada has welcomed the first woman to take control of the 57th Wing.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that Brig. Gen. Jeannie M. Leavitt officially took command in a ceremony Friday, replacing Brig. Gen. Christopher Short.

Leavitt became the Air Force's first female fighter pilot in 1993 and she piloted in combat over Afghanistan and Iraq. Prior to taking command of the 57th she served as Secretary of Defense Ash Carter's principal military assistant at the Pentagon.

Short will become a senior defense official and attache to the United Kingdom for the Defense Intelligence Agency at the U.S. Embassy in London.

The 57th is the Air Force's largest composite wing, which manages all flying operations at Nellis.

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