NASEEMA
 

Naseema was born in Afghanistan and came to the U.S. as a teenager to get an education. She enlisted in the Air Force in 1985 and attained the rank of master sergeant. She completed her Masters in Management and graduated from Officer Training School, receiving her commission in April 2001.

On Sept. 11, 2001, she was the only Airman fluent in Pashto, the same language spoken by the insurgent group known as the Taliban. Naseema was awarded several Air Medals specific for flying combat missions.