Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh led the media briefing on Operation Sindoor, showcasing the pivotal role of women in India’s military leadership. Their involvement highlights the increasing presence and recognition of female officers in national defence operations.
In the above context, a video of a female pilot flying a jet is being shared on social media. The video is shared with a caption suggesting that the viral video is of Indian female pilots who were a part of Operation Sindoor.
A social media user shared the video with a caption that reads, “Two are Indian female pilots who have made Pakistan’s condition in 10 minutes spanning. Jai hind. Hail women power. Watch carefully why Indian people worship women. The name of this great lady is Sofia Qureshi, and the other one is great. Bhomika Singh. (sic)”
SouthCheck found that the claim is false. The viral video shows a US female pilot.
On a Google reverse image search, we found that the same video was uploaded on YouTube on September 20, 2021. The caption stated that the video was of Major Kristin ‘Beo’ Wolfe performing the Air Combat Command F-35A Lightning.
A similar video of Major Kristin ‘Beo’ Wolfe flying an F-35A Lightning was also shared in another YouTube video on December 27, 2023. The caption associated with the video read, “The F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team is a United States Air Force flight demonstration team under the 388th Fighter Wing currently stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Davis County, Utah, United States. The team flies the USAF’s F-35A Lightning II fighter jet at airshows performing air maneuvers that demonstrate the supermaneuverability of the F-35A Lightning II. Examples of these demonstrations include the minimum radius turn to high alpha loop, weapons bay door pass, pedal turn, slow speed to power climb and tactical pitch.”
We also found that a similar video from a different angle was shared by Facebook page of ‘US Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team’ on April 3, 2021, with a caption suggesting that it shows Maj. Kristin “BEO” Wolfe’s practice over Hill Air Force Base.
Taking a hint, we searched with relevant keywords and found that the F-35A Lightning II is the US Air Force’s latest fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter, designed to replace the ageing fleets of F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs. This advanced aircraft offers superior agility, stealth capabilities and sensor fusion, enabling pilots to operate effectively in high-threat environments. With its enhanced situational awareness and survivability, the F-35A ensures the US Air Force maintains air superiority in modern combat scenarios.
According to Air and Space Forces magazine, till now 2025, the F-35A Lightning II is actively deployed across multiple strategic locations worldwide, enhancing the airpower capabilities of the United States and its allies. In the Indo-Pacific region, the US Air Force has bolstered its presence at Kadena Air Base in Japan by deploying additional F-35A squadrons from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, ensuring continuous fighter rotations to maintain regional stability. In Europe, Denmark operates F-35As from Skrydstrup Air Base, utilizing advanced data-sharing capabilities demonstrated during recent exercises. Norway has completed the acquisition of 52 F-35As, employing them for NATO quick reaction alerts and showcasing their versatility by operating from unconventional runways. In the United States, the 125th Fighter Wing in Florida received its first F-35A in March 2025, marking a significant step in enhancing homeland defence and global force projection. These deployments underscore the F-35A's role in reinforcing global security and interoperability among allied nations.
Major Kristin ‘Beo’ Wolfe is a distinguished US Air Force fighter pilot with over 800 flight hours in both the F-22A Raptor and F-35A Lightning II. Commissioned in 2011 through the ROTC program at the University of Alabama, she has held various operational assignments, including at Langley AFB, Virginia, and Hill AFB, Utah. In 2020, Major Wolfe became the first female commander and demonstration pilot of the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, showcasing the aircraft's capabilities at airshows nationwide. She served in this role until March 2024, when Major Melanie ‘Mach’ Kluesner succeeded her. Currently, Major Wolfe continues her service as an F-35A instructor pilot with the Utah Air National Guard, contributing to the training and development of the next generation of fighter pilots.
Therefore, we can ascertain that the viral claim is false.
