I know that some of the women who sign up for the Afterburner Club would like to know how their sisters-in-arms are doing once they join the military.

So I’d like to take a little time and focus on Colonel Dawn Dunlop, an Air Force hard charger who’s done our country a lot of good.

She’s been an instructor and test pilot for most of her career, since 1988 when she graduated from the Air Force Academy and started as a T-38 Talon Instructor.

But when the 1993 ban on fighter pilots being female was lifted, she transitioned over to the F-15E Strike Eagle and flew operationally for 2+ years.

Colonel Dunlop was then transitioned into the F-15 test pilot program because of her knowledge of explaining aeronautic concepts to other people, and eventually oversaw the avionics and weapons testing programs for the F-15.

Oh, did I mention that she was the first woman to fly the F-22 Raptor? Way back in November of 2003, to be specific.

In addition to providing top echelon leadership on air operations in Kosovo and working with Congress to make sure that the Air Force got the best fighters it needed, Colonel Dunlop has done her share of flying.

What makes it especially cool is that she’s now head of a testing air wing at Edwards Air Force Base. She took command of the 412th early in June, but to me the rest of her story is equally inspiring, with both operations and other experience.

So for all you ladies who want to become fighter pilots, get in the Afterburner Club now.