INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – An Air Force reservist who's served nearly 1,000 combat hours has been named Indiana's first state coordinator for female veterans.

The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs named Senior Master Sgt. Laura J. McKee on Monday to the post that lawmakers created last year.

McKee is an assistant chief inflight refueler with the 72nd Air Refueling Squadron at Grissom Air Reserve Base. She's accummulated nearly 1,000 combat hours during multiple deployments in support of the war against terrorism.

She'll assume the VA's new post Jan. 26. McKee's duties will include outreach to boost female veterans' awareness of federal and state services and benefits available to them.

More than 33,000 women veterans live in Indiana. The state currently has about 2,300 women on active duty, including National Guard members and reservists.