But in the 26 years weve had female fighter pilots in the Air Force, only five have made it to the Thunderbirds. She demonstrates the capabilities of the F-16 during performances. / CBS News, This story originally aired on November 13, 2019, on the "CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell.". MACE I really appreciate your service and you sharing it with the rest of us. About halfway through her time in ROTC, she was inspired to get her pilot's wingsbecause she wanted to be part of something with a bigger purpose, she said in the website interview, and also because she's a thrill seeker who likes challenges. Blogging atgoingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.comandmoralcompasstravel.info. traditionally kicks off with a ceremonial parachute drop by a representative of Applying to the team is intimidating and there is a good change of not getting hired, of failure. but I did get hired. PORTSMOUTH Maj. Michelle Curran, 34, is the lead solo pilot of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. "But if they go out and they, you know, chase a dream that they didn't think they could do because they saw what we can do, then our mission's achieved," she said. We lift each other up, we accomplish more as a team. I started to grow an Adventure Mindsetone of curiosity, openness to new things, and a completely fresh perspective on failure. travels at 250 mph. At another we hit 9 g'sthats close to the highest g-force these planes can take. What if I call her by the wrong rank? Template:Did you know nominations/Michelle Curran - Wikipedia Game on. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match . Clemens, Michigan when the team staged from the U.S. for an airshow performance in Canada during the global pandemic lockdown. David The F-16, he says, is basically an engine with wings it can fly at supersonic speed (though the FAA no longer allows it at air shows). She flew 160 combat hours in Afghanistan before joining the team. In a Facebook post from Wednesday afternoon, October 27, 2021, USAF Maj. Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace", announced she is, "about to make a big . In conversations around the U.S. during three air show seasons, Curran told The Aviationist about her role on the team and its opportunity to, showcase the Air Force experience and let people know what is possible. Be sure to look for her at an. Usually I'll go in the swimming pool in the backyard for a few minutes. This often begins at Crunchbase, where we find out the basics of the company and its founders, launching points for further research. The flight surgeon who cleared me for my ride asked if I ever went to SoulCycle or ran marathons, two things that would make me better at handling g-forces. If the key to flying F-16s is extensive training and rock-hard leg musclesboth things women have access towhy arent there more female Thunderbirds? All tickets for Saturday and Sunday were to be honored. 6, also known as the opposing solo pilot. I see that look on faces that light bulb moment., She is the fifth woman to fly with the Thunderbirds (the first was in 2005). USAF Maj. Michelle "Mace" Curran, Thunderbird #5, to Leave Team Flying an F-16 also requires an incredibly high degree of athleticism. Prior to the Thunderbirds, she was an F-16 Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. It can be seen onWABC-TV, as well as on WABCsConnected TV AppsonAmazon Fire TV,Android TV,Apple TV,andRoku. It means shes front and center in one of the most visible squadrons in the military. At this writing, there was no decision on whether the Sunday performance would take place. In a commercial flight, its easy to forget that youre in the sky, but this sensation isnt lost given the panoramic window atop a tiny cockpit surrounded by clouds. Curran has been in the Air Force for 11 years, but flying wasnt always her goal. Windmiller has In 2021, she was named the Distinguished Alumna of the Year by the University of St. Thomas. He has logged more than 5,800 total flight hours and 1,050 hours in the F-15E, including more than 315 combat hours over Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve. During her three years of assignment with the Thunderbirds, she quickly established herself as a highly visible and positive influencer for the Air Force through innovative use of social media. I made a promise to myself that I would stop letting my self-doubt and fear of failure control every decision. Holy smokes. From Fighter Pilot to Entrepreneur - LinkedIn Add to List. us atfacebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures, A Visit With the USAF Thunderbirds on Long Island, Ways to See Long Islands Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach Despite Weather, https://www.facebook.com/BethpageAirShow/, 16th Annual Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach, Long Island, Honors Spirit of Memorial Day. Gotcha - I don't see that info anywhere else, so I'm happy with just the first two hooks. I had never truly experienced failure, I hadn't developed grit, and my identity was wrapped up in my achievements. I had the wrong hook - How about ALT0c: . Most thrilling is when the two opposing I also realized I was in a unique position to use my own story and what I had learned to empower others. This shift in airshow schedules meant that Maj. Currans social media contributions became even more important for maintaining the relevance of the Thunderbirds for public audiences. She reminds me that not all Thunderbird team members or officers are pilots, and there are many women performing important ground duties. was particularly exciting with the infusion of new energy. You look absolutely terrifying (Locked-In). Michelle is related to James Curren and Samantha Robles as well as 3 additional people. Drink a beer. (where the plane falls from the sky), 4 knife edge tumblers, inside-outside Meet Michelle Curran: Thunderbird 6 Airshow News From 2019-2021, she flew as the only female pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds and performed for millions across the country and internationally. He majored in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder and earned his commission in 2004 through the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps program. You are truly a Hero. These pilot nicknames can quickly identify an aircraft or individual, and they also help to confuse. Engine and a General Electric CJ610 (J85) Jet Engine with 3,000 lbs of thrust. When Curran isnt speaking, she volunteers as part of the Veterans Outdoor Advocacy Group, spends time with her stepson and husband rock climbing, and pursues her mountaineering goals. Mace, you are certainly an inspiration. Mace shares her struggles with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and finding her identity in a high-performance, type-A culture. "We're just bursting with excitement," said Bill Curran. LinkedIn and 3rd parties use essential and non-essential cookies to provide, secure, analyze and improve our Services, and (except on the iOS app) to show you relevant ads (including professional and job ads) on and off LinkedIn. I make a mental note to not take this for granted anymore. View Michelle Curran's business profile as Member at U.S. Air Force. Today there's only one female Thunderbird pilot: Major Michelle Curran, a 32-year-old Wisconsin native who flies the coveted Opposing Solo position. From flying an F-16 to her passion for extreme sports, Curran is a thrill seeker. This page was last edited on 1 December 2020, at 21:01. One way to mitigate the nauseating effects is to drink lots of water, but that meant double the bathroom breaks on the drive there. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. hometown hero (from Melville), thrills spectators in his Zivko Edge 540 Source: "Major Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace," is the only female fighter pilot on the Thunderbirds." AviationFreak 01:11, 28 November 2020 (UTC) Women weren't allowed to fly fighter jets in the Air Force for decades until Jeannie Marie Leavitt became the service's first female fighter pilot just 26 years ago. I am a Venezuelan passionate about aviation, and at 44 years old I only see these from the screen, since I never dared to approach an Airplane because I am a woman. Driven by the desire to inspire others, Curran uses real-life examples from her trailblazing fighter pilot and Thunderbird career to help teams get unstuck by empowering them to face their fears, overcome self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and take calculated risks. Police at the time . Shes badass, Curran says. .

fbq('init', '461723204026319'); Ranges are presented as a guideline only. Tweet @TravelFeatures. Combat veteran Michelle "MACE" Curran led an impressive career as an F-16 fighter pilot during her 13 years in the United States Air Force. The event over Memorial Day Weekend draws almost 400,000 in the course of three days. While I don't doubt she's right, a third-party fact checker is preferable.-Esprit15d . famous by the barnstormers of the 1920s and 1930s, and is based on a 1929 Waco, My passion is to inspire individuals and teams to make bold decisions, empower them to face fears, and help them find inner strength to reach their true potential. Taking that leap can be intimidating, but if you take charge of the things that are in your control like preparation and planning, putting in the work, leveraging your network, and controlling how you react to adversity, you will find you are capable of much more than you realize. that, These are long days sometimes, but this is the best job in the world. Send comments or questions to [emailprotected] Tweet @TravelFeatures. annual Jones Beach air show Ive seen almost all of them and though many of I appreciate your transparency and realness! He is the epitome of what the Thunderbirds are about. Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the launch of the Neighborhood Sign Redesign program in partnership with the Office of Arts & Culture, the Department of Property Management, and the Department of Innovation and Technology. Then, with a vertical climb, Im in the air. I fly for them, not to let them down., But she adds, And for all those little kids they may not ever become a pilot, but they may think, Maybe I can do that hard thing I didnt think I could., Moms drag their daughter over, She just flew! I makes them realize doors are open to them., The team flies in many countries and parts of the world where it is unthinkable for a woman to be a combat pilot. Workshop: Going to War with Your Inner Critic. Over the next 18 months, I started running marathons, got into technical mountaineering, traveled to Nepal by myself to trek to Everest Base Camp with a group of strangers, deployed for the first time, and spent a summer instructing in Poland. For up-to-date information about this years show, visitwww.bethpageairshow.comorhttps://www.facebook.com/BethpageAirShow/, or contact the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Regional Office, Recreation Department at 631-321-3510. Michelle Curran didn't become interested in flying until college, but she certainly was not afraid of heights growing up in Wisconsin. The GEICO Skytypers, the A-10 Thunderbolt, David Windmiller and Michael Goulian will have cameras on board their planes to provide viewers with an in-cockpit perspective, live, during the show. I'm the first female to fly in that position, which is, I think, one of the hardest positions to fly," Curran said. He is in his third year on the Thunderbirds. No. aerobatic helicopter in the US. Next year, her last with the Thunderbirds, she'll get bumped up to Lead Solo, where she'll be showcasing the maximum capabilities of the planes. Workshop: Going to War with Your Inner Critic. Play Video During that time, she performed for millions of spectators, appeared in several national level news interviews, and did flyovers for the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, and Indy 500. Meanwhile, the part of this job that I really love is inspiring others. The call sign tradition is celebrated by aviation communities across all military branches. Curran has been featured on several leading media publications and programs, including The Kelly Clarkson Show, CBS Evening News, and Glamour. Kenneth Sweet survived Pearl Harbor attack, helped found Wisconsin Air National Guard, Fly along on an F-16 while we tell you what will take its place at Truax Field, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. This week, I want to give you a bit of perspective on why I chose to stop flying F-16s and become an entrepreneur. They also plan, along with a lot of family, to see her when the Thunderbirds fly at the Milwaukee Air &Water Show July 27-28 and an air show in Mankato, Minnesota, in June. There wasnt a female pilot at the time, but a woman was narrating the air show from the ground and Curran was in awe. For an exact quote, please contact your Leading Authorities representative. I'm the first female to fly in that position, which is, I think, one of the hardest positions to fly," Curran said. Sign in Michelle "MACE" Curran Professional Speaker, Thunderbird Pilot '19-'21, Combat Veteran, Fighter Pilot, Author, Outdoor Enthusiast I help teams get unstuck by empowering them to face. She applied, picking the Air Force as her military arm of choice on a bit of a whim. All rights reserved. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and has logged more than 1,700 flight hours, including more than 470 combat hours in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Freedoms Sentinel. The Super Bowl was the first time Curran's parents had seen their daughter performing with the Thunderbirds. Its these videos which will be streamed in place of Saturdays performance. a demonstration performance. 6, also known as the opposing solo pilot. Michelle is one of few women in aviation history to fly with the elite fighter pilot squadron, the Thunderbirds, and is known by her call sign "Mace". He reflects that he is just a standard Air force fighter pilot, flying every day, multiple times a day to master maneuvers. Except for the pretty paint and smoke, the maneuvers the Thunderbirds fly are the same for what are used in their combat training. It shows the impact we are having, she says. She first saw the squadron during her F-16 training, when they came to her base. They practice so much, it is all quite routine, even the communications between pilots. All upgraded press releases are ad-free! The The amount I needed to learn was so overwhelming that I avoided it by procrastinating. She spends so much time flying upside down, that the number 5 on the aircraft is painted upside . I knew it was something I wanted to do not that the dream would come true but there are steps and I could do the best I could., He didnt imagine then he would become one of the Thunderbirds, and even now, reflects being proficient is one thing, but it takes luck and timing to get the F-16.. Upside Down Dreams was born. Maj. Curran is widely known as a member of theU.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. It's a very unforgiving job if you make mistakes. I didnt realize I was nervous about the day ahead, though, until I was halfway to the 177th Fighter Wing of the Atlantic City Air National Guard Base. In the hours following our interview, Im ushered from a flight surgeon to on-the-ground training for my flight to a fitting for the g-suit to one rather alarming explanation of how to use the planes ejector seat. Im hoping to continue to do that through this platform, public speaking, a childrens booklets just say I have a lot of goals and I hope youll continue to come along for the journey. Medford woman chosen for Thunderbirds aerobatic team that performed at We lift each other up, we accomplish more as a team. MACE is a 2009 received her degree from the University of St. Thomas where she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Criminal Justice. Its all very professional in the air with the comm. The thing that floors me is that some people still dont realize its an option, she says. with Jessy Panzer, the only female civilian air show pilot in the USA. Maj. Curran flew as Thunderbird #6, opposing solo, before her advancement to Thunderbird #5, lead solo in the 2020/21 airshow season. Curran has worked with the Thunderbird team media personnel to bring scintillating in-cockpit viewpoint video of the lead solos dynamic routine during the Thunderbird demonstration, including thrilling video of opposing maneuvers with Thunderbird #6 and her signature vertical rolls during the teams high show. The 2005 Medford High School graduate attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota,on an ROTC scholarship. Her skill is all the more apparent since she is flying Do I have to salute? MACE is a 2009 received her degree from the University of St. Thomas where she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Criminal Justice. a cannon ball at almost 200 mph, crossing in flight, before releasing the Curran is the fifth woman to fly with the Thunderbirds, her callsign (or nickname) is "MACE". Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. No, she did not. Im not sure if this is reassuring or not. 7 jet. Once she visited a base and heard the roar of the jets, though, she knew she wanted to pursue the pilot route. Force launch out of a plane from 13,000 feet, speeding like It turned out there was a lot more to being a fighter pilot than just flying the jet. No matter how confident and independent we appear to be, we all face pressure to fit in, be liked, and meet the expectations of others. Please enter valid email address to continue. 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. My presence here wont end when I hand off the #5 and I have a lot more to share with you!. confusion, missing each other by mere feet; opposing craft which come at each that Michelle Curran was the only female flying with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds as of 2020? Before joining the Thunderbirds, Curran completed high-impact combat missions across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, where the challenges were tough, but the rewards were greater. He Michelle Curran (born 1987) is a former United States Air Force (USAF) major and a pilot in the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, or Thunderbirds. Together, Pilots call it "pulling 9 G's. Team Oracle performed the most This year, for the first time, Tucker flew in tandem In the Facebook post announcing her career transition, Michelle Curran wrote: Ill be continuing to serve in a part time capacity and pursing some goals in the business world. This shift in airshow schedules meant that Maj. Currans social media contributions grew to become much more vital for sustaining the relevance of the Thunderbirds for public audiences.Curran has labored with the Thunderbird group media personnel to convey scintillating in-cockpit viewpoint video of the lead solos dynamic routine throughout the Thunderbird demonstration, together with thrilling video of opposing maneuvers with Thunderbird #6 and her signature vertical rolls throughout the groups high show. View Fees However, a livestream of Fridays practice sessions include footage from go-pros from the pilots and a Thunderbirds chase plane that shadowed the F-16s in their thrilling maneuvers is airing on Saturday, 10-3 pm. 5,000 ft. (they have a spare chute). Though she wasn't really interested in football. MACE served as Chief of Scheduling, Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, and a Flight Commander at various squadrons. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. We ask what it feels like to fly. Looking for Michele Curran online? I'm just getting started! Day weekend) were flown, including the B-25 Mitchell Bomber used in the Catch other at incredible speed. "I'm a left-wing solo. "Its definitely changing., Currans not sure yet what shell do when her time with the squadron is over, but common next careers for Thunderbirds include flying F-16s in active duty, taking on a leadership role, or making the shift into commercial airlines. Thunderbirds' second female solo pilot coming home for Milwaukee show Safari Club International on Twitter MACE flew as Thunderbird #6, the Opposing Solo, for the 2019 season and as #5, the Lead Solo, for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Up in the air, they were spinning so fast, they created a gravitational force nine times their body weight. died in an airplane crash. "Major Michelle - Girls on the Run of Silicon Valley | Facebook She serveda two-month deployment in the skies over Afghanistan in 2016, flying 125 hours in combat and was serving in the 355th Fighter Squadron in Fort Worth, Texas, whenshe was chosen for one of the coveted spots in the Thunderbirds, who train at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. There are people at almost every air show that are like, I didnt even realize women could fly in combat aircraft., Its clear this rankles a bit. Michele Curran's Instagram, Twitter & Facebook on IDCrawl Major Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace," is the only female fighter pilot on the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's demonstration team. And then you have the kiddie gloves! The original plan was to livestream the rain date of Sunday, May 30, 2021. USAF Maj. Michelle "Mace" Curran, Thunderbird #5, to Leave Team To order presentation-ready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients, USAF Maj. Michelle Mace Curran, Thunderbird #5, to Leave Team, U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds, Oenophiles to Savor Over 200 Top-Rated Wines at Wine Spectators Grand Tour 2023, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger Bought More Stock. We were treated to the final appearance of Sean D. Tuckers specially-engineered plane that enables him to do feats never before imagined, the Oracle Challenger 3, will be donated to the Smithsonians National Air & Space Museum in Washington, where it will be part of a new Thomas W. Haas We All Flygallery, opening in 2021. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. She earned a degree in criminal justice in 2009 because she consideredbecominga crime scene investigatorbut also thought it would be cool to become a pilot. Theres 12 officers on a teamif you look at the officers alone as a sample, our team next year will have four women, Curran says. Checking in with Major Michelle Curran call sign "Mace" of the Air Major Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace," is the only female fighter pilot on the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's demonstration team. I spend time right after I post engaging in the comments so comment early and I'll answer your questions. Col. John Caldwell is the Commander/Leader of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron. After some reflection on that last 13 years, I realized the thing I found the most rewarding was the ability to inspire people that I suddenly had as a Thunderbird. Matt Chapman, Curran additionally supplied distinctive and candid transparency about her profession and private life, successfully leveraging social media to convey airshow followers and aviation fans contained in the world of a fighter pilot. Mace, thanks for sharing this, and for reminding us that its ok to be vulnerable and human. She flies position #5, lead solo, one of the most visible positions on the team. The whole squad gets together, talk about dumb mistakes and then you get a call sign. But the origin remains a secret. Drawing the audience in with action-packed stories tied to lessons of grit, perseverance, determination, and teamwork, she shares hard-won lessons on how to reframe challenges, shift your mindset to shift your trajectory, realize the power to success that lies within you, and turn the voice of self-doubt into your biggest cheerleader on the path to success.