US Air Force (USAF) combat veteran and politician. She was appointed as US Senator by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, holding the office in 2019-2020 but lost special election to Democrat opponent Mark Kelley. She had previously served as the U.S. Representative for Arizona's 2nd congressional district. McSally retired as a Colonel after a 22 years, distinguished, career in the US Air Force. She was the first woman in US history to command a Fighter Squadron in combat. As a Major in the USAF, Martha was selected as only 1 of 7 active duty officers to be a Legislative Fellow, serving as a defense and foreign affairs adviser to U.S. Senator Jon Kyl. She is a Distinguished Graduate of the USAF Academy and holds two Masters Degrees—one in Public Policy from the JFK School of Government at Harvard University, and one in Strategic Studies from Air War College, where she graduated #1 in her class of 261 senior military leaders.