Prior to joining the Thunderbirds, he served as an F-15E Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander of the 334th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. She flies position #5, lead solo, one of the most visible positions on the team. Stay connected. Windmiller, Long Islands She just has one requirement for her life, post-Thunderbirds: I want to keep flying.. "Those women that have blazed the trail for me, they're just regular people that were driven and you know, stepped outside their comfort zone," Curran said. During her three years of task with the Thunderbirds, she rapidly established herself as a extremely seen and constructive influencer for the Air Force by revolutionary use of social media. The meaning behind the stars on Thunderbird jets, Biden awards Medal of Honor to Green Beret for heroism in Vietnam, K9 veteran receives hero's welcome on flight, Black Vietnam veteran's nearly 60-year wait for Medal of Honor is over, Recovering service members lost 70 years in an Alaskan glacier, Navy veteran turns an act of kindness into a mission. September 27, 2019, 5:00 AM. That change is what made me even consider applying to be a Thunderbird. Maj. Curran is broadly referred to as a member of the U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. The Drawing on over a decade in high-performance aviation and her own transformation, Mace teaches audiences what they are capable of when they let go of fear, lean into vulnerability, and make bold choices. Previously, many opportunities had come up that I was drawn to but had stopped myself from pursuing because of the risk of failure that came with them. Applying to the team is intimidating and there is a good change of not getting hired, of failure. but I did get hired. Im also excited to get into the general aviation world and hopefully also try my hand at helicopters. Like us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures. Crunchbase always contains a descriptive blurb about each company, and, Weve detected you are on Internet Explorer. So now, Im not only anxious about puking or passing out in front of a badass pilot but also concerned Ill be late to meet this badass pilot. From flying an F-16 to her passion for extreme sports, Curran is a thrill seeker. I practiced flexing my leg muscles for the next several hours. The helicopter is the only I think it's important you all understand what drives me and why I made such a surprising leap! n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; Its all very professional in the air with the comm. Tom Demerly is a characteristic author, journalist, photographer and editorialist who has written articles which are revealed world wide on TheAviationist.com, TACAIRNET.com, Outside journal, Business Insider, We Are The Mighty, The Dearborn Press & Guide, National Interest, Russias authorities media outlet Sputnik, and lots of different publications. Update: At this writing, the Bethpage Air Show was scheduled for Memorial Day, Monday, May 31. Curran has been featured on several leading media publications and programs, including The Kelly Clarkson Show, CBS Evening News, and Glamour. Michelle is a native of Medford, Wisconsin, and has been in the Air Force nearly 10 years. He says that among his favorite things are riding roller coasters (he was looking forward to getting a ride on the Cyclone at Coney Island). Meanwhile, the part of this job that I really love is inspiring others. a demonstration performance. 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. Maj. Curran is widely known as a member of theU.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. It was something that had popped into my mind from time to time, but I had never set it as a goal because I didn't think I was good enough. Since Curran began . Like t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, On top of that, I worry she might be intimidating. World War II vintage aircraft from the American Air Power I appreciate your transparency and realness! But from the moment I meet Curran on the scorching hot tarmac, she is warm and funny. For one, Id been told most people who go up in a F-16 for the first time throw up or pass out (for reasons Ill explain later). High five!'. See more, including their schedule of performances, at the US Air Force Thunderbirds site, afthunderbirds.com. This week, I want to give you a bit of perspective on why I chose to stop flying F-16s and become an entrepreneur. 3 jet. Michelle "MACE" Curran Public figure Speaker, Author, Thunderbird Pilot 19-21' Lover of mountains, fitness, and adventure! Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com, www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin, and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. The third one is confirmed by her own admission. Although Curran isnt flying with meher plane, #6, isnt a two seatershe gave me the excellent advice to braid my hair and tuck it into my suit. John Klatt Airshows She reflects what it is like to be part of this very special team there are 130 on the team. Their one free day a week is Wednesday, so Curranwho recently married her husband, a U.S. Marine Corps veteransays she keeps her time off simple: Laundry. 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. 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). During his performance, Ret. At one point I fly the plane into a barrel roll with Gorneys help. So in a way, women make for more natural fighter pilots. 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Air Show at Pease: U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds arrive The fighter is flown by the United States Navy and Marines. Prior to joining the Thunderbirds, he was an F-22 Instructor Pilot at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. Like Curran, he says it is the team of 130 that make the Thunderbirds possible. I was scared to raise my hand when I had a question, because I didn't want anyone else to discover how little I knew. At 24 years old, I had achieved a goal I had worked toward for over five years. six F-16 Fighting Falcons that roar through the skies, to demonstrate the power Flying under the callsign MACE, she was the second woman ever to fly in the lead solo position for the Thunderbirds since the teams founding in 1953. He entered the Air Force in 2002 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Caldwell graduated from the F-16 Replacement Training Unit at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., in 2005. The movie . 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. #SCI is proud to announce Michelle "Mace" Curran will speak at our upcoming convention in Nashville. was particularly exciting with the infusion of new energy. Red Bull Air octogan loop. 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. Mace shares her struggles with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and finding her identity in a high-performance, type-A culture. been flying since 14 year old, soloed at 16 year old and started aerobatic Despite the pandemic, Maj. Curran and the Thunderbirds effectively leveraged social media to maintain visibility of the team across all media channels. Major Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace," is the only female fighter pilot on the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's demonstration team. It took me that entire three-year assignment to take ownership for where I was at and decide that only I could change it. This button displays the currently selected search type. Though theyve only been allowed to fly fighter jets since 1993, women have been enlisting in the USAF proper since 1976. Its especially important to have strong leg, calf, and thigh musclestheyre what you squeeze while going into a maneuver with a high amount of g-forces in order to keep the blood in your head from pooling into your lower extremities. He majored in Communication Technology and Music and earned his commission in 2010 as a graduate of Ohio State Universitys Reserve Officers Training Corps program. This year, for the first time, Tucker flew in tandem Michelle "MACE" Curran - Founder - Upside Down Dreams | LinkedIn 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. Its been a while! she says. And I am not alone. Aviator Call Signs: The History & Naming Rituals Force launch out of a plane from 13,000 feet, speeding like At least 10 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18; more than a dozen missing, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh trial: What to know about the double murder case, Female Thunderbird pilot inspiring others to "chase a dream". GEICO Skytypers, a team of advanced training aircraft used in World War II, are Curran has been in the Air Force for 11 years, but flying wasnt always her goal. Today theres only one female Thunderbird pilot: Major Michelle Curran, a 32-year-old Wisconsin native who flies the coveted Opposing Solo position. She spends so much time flying upside down, that the number 5 on the aircraft is painted upside . Michelle Curran - Member - U.S. Air Force | ZoomInfo Vulnerability isnt a weakness, its a super power as a leader! that Michelle Curran was the only female flying with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds as of 2020? barrier, where the pilot experiences bone-crushing Gs. The Air Forces official air demonstration team, designated the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, was activated at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona in 1953. 6, also known as the opposing solo pilot. (It was not known whether Sundays show would also be canceled for weather). Up in the air, they were spinning so fast, they created a gravitational force nine times their body weight. While I don't doubt she's right, a third-party fact checker is preferable.-Esprit15d . In addition to her function with the Thunderbirds, Mace Curran is an skilled F-16 fight fighter pilot with 163 fight hours over Afghanistan in help of operations Resolute Support and Freedoms Sentinel. Michelle "MACE" Curran Motivational Speaker, Thunderbird Pilot 19-21', AF Fighter Pilot, Aspiring Author, Outdoor Enthusiast I help teams get unstuck by empowering them Published Jun 3 . We dip around a big thunderstorm and run through a set of increasingly intense maneuvers360-degree rolls, extended periods of upside-down flight, turns with increasingly high g's. She also contributes to "60 Minutes. Tom Demerly served in an intelligence gathering unit as a member of the U.S. Army and Michigan National Guard. Mace, thanks for sharing this, and for reminding us that its ok to be vulnerable and human. speeds of up to 220 mph that keep his peers and his fans in awe. Speaker fees are subject to change without notice. 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. Most of us work out five days a week, Curran tells me. aerobatic helicopter in the US. man would weigh 800 lbs. Show organizers instead held the first Bethpage Virtual Air Show which enabled fans to experience performances straight from the pilots cockpits. A Day With Major Michelle Curran, the Only Female Thunderbird - Yahoo! day, the Coast Guard, with fewer members than can fit in Yankee Stadium, save the most daring feats: US Air Force Thunderbirds pilot Michelle Curran, The Thunderbirds dont see combat, but that doesnt mean its an easy life. It's hard because Curran's job is to wow crowds with awe-inspiring aerobatics and high speed passes. In Captain Marvel, Brie Larson plays Carol Danvers, an Air Force fighter pilot who uses the special powers she gains during an accident to save the galaxy. My presence here wont end when I hand off the #5 and I have a lot more to share with you!. love this - an excellent and inspirational example of a path for those who are coming to the end of flying / military service and are young enough and open enough to start a new exciting life . Windmiller has During a conversation at the Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan for the Thunder Over Michigan Airshow in 2021, Curran told TheAviationist.com that, These are long days sometimes, but this is the best job in the world. 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. Bull Air Force sky diving team had Amy Chmelecki. He performs snap rolls, inverted flat spin The Super Bowl was the first public appearance for the current team, which is also performing a flyover at the Daytona 500 in two weeks before the show schedule kicks off next month.