travels at 250 mph. He is in his first season with the team and hails from Cerritos, Calif. Maj. Michael Brewer is the Slot Pilot for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. Team Oracle performed the most Workshop: Going to War with Your Inner Critic. Today there's only one female Thunderbird pilot: Major Michelle Curran, a 32-year-old Wisconsin native who flies the coveted Opposing Solo position. The move to my next base acted as a catalyst for change. The plane doesnt fly if just one doesnt do their job., His call sign is Strobe. He wouldnt give the back story of how he came to be called Strobe either, except to say, As a young pilot, I thought I knew what was going on. They have also lived in West Blocton, AL and Holden, MA. Features Syndicate,goingplacesfarandnear.com. I'm the first female to fly in that. Crunchbase always contains a descriptive blurb about each company, and, Weve detected you are on Internet Explorer. This was the 16th And once I got thereI felt completely in over my head. 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. Bill Curran said his daughter was encouraged to apply for the Thunderbirds by friends in the Air Force. We ask what it feels like to fly. She also contributes to "60 Minutes. with Jessy Panzer, the only female civilian air show pilot in the USA. 3 jet. Facebook; She isthe fifth female pilot and only the second female solo pilot in the 65-year history of the Thunderbirds. 6, also known as the opposing solo pilot. Norah O'Donnell flies with the Thunderbirds at the Heritage Flight Academy in Ronkonkama, NY. Col. John Caldwell is the Commander/Leader of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron. Considering the ridiculous aerobatics Klatt performs in the When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match . Here are photos from the practice performance including: Show headliners the United States Air Force Thunderbirds returning to the Bethpage Air Show for their 8thappearance, performing some new maneuvers; the United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team performing in their 15thBethpage Air Show; the United States Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II, the first aircraft to be designed for close air support of ground forces (and built on Long Island); and the U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demonstration. I started to grow an Adventure Mindsetone of curiosity, openness to new things, and a completely fresh perspective on failure. December 31, 2019 / 4:08 PM American flag to a tiny target on Jones Beach. a different plane from the Oracle Challenger 3 biplane. Select Accept to consent or Reject to decline non-essential cookies for this use. Most of us work out five days a week, Curran tells me. I had never truly experienced failure, I hadn't developed grit, and my identity was wrapped up in my achievements. But in the 26 years weve had female fighter pilots in the Air Force, only five have made it to the Thunderbirds. The headliners, the US Air Force He is a graduate of the USAF Weapons School, a 2016 and 2020 NASA Astronaut Air Force nominee and has logged over 1,900 hours of flight time, including more than 297 hours of combat pilot experience. She first saw the squadron during her F-16 training, when they came to her base. David It's hard because Curran's job is to wow crowds with awe-inspiring aerobatics and high speed passes. In hindsight, this response to adversity was so flawed. 2 jet. modified and beefed up big time. This year, she is the lead solo doing the daring-do maneuvers, where two opposing fighters come at each other at, like, 1200 mph. She has founded her company, Upside Down Dreams, to inspire others to overcome setbacks and achieve their goals. field including Bi-Planes, Champs, and Cubs. Early life [ edit] exquisite, thrilling pas de deux in flight, with incredible precision at 200 The thing that makes it great are the people I serve with- everyone, the team I work alongside every day. document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js');

She flies position #5, lead solo, one of the most visible positions on the team. Civilian performers at this years Bethpage Air Show include the world-famous GEICO Skytypers and their flight squadron of six vintage WWII aircraft, the American Airpower Museum Warbirds, Long Islands own David Windmiller, the Bayport Aerodrome Society, the SUNY Farmingdale State College Flying Rams who will fly seven of their 22 college-owned aircraft in a fly-by piloted by their top academic professional pilot performers, and Mike Goulian, North Americas most decorated aerobatic pilot. We had the opportunity to speak with Michelle recently as she prepares for the 2019 show season, and here's how it went: On top of that, I worry she might be intimidating. 6 jet. The call sign tradition is celebrated by aviation communities across all military branches. Pilots call it "pulling 9 G's. Curran defined what it is to be a modern Air Force officer for many outsiders, providing a valuable insight into the Air Force experience and showcasing the opportunities of an Air Force career. All tickets for Saturday and Sunday were to be honored. One of their pilots, is 92-year Then, with a vertical climb, Im in the air. Your content is extremely powerful, I am sure that you will be able to support both people and companies to direct their energy in a better way to achieve their goals. He expects he will go back to a combat air squadron after this assignment is finished, and based on his age and experience, could become the director of operations. Send comments or questions to [emailprotected] Tweet @TravelFeatures. Its all very professional in the air with the comm. The voice of doubt was still there, but I didn't let it control my decisions and actions. Game on. run where they evade the enemy by actually flying into each other to create As a living museum they have a variety of antique aircraft flying on the He is a 2005 graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, and commissioned from Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in 2010. annual Jones Beach air show Ive seen almost all of them and though many of In the Facebook put up saying her profession transition, Michelle Curran wrote: Ill be continuing to serve in a part time capacity and pursing some goals in the business world. My time in that role was coming to an end after the 2021 season regardless of what I was going on to do next. 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. "We're just bursting with excitement," said Bill Curran. Up in the air, they were spinning so fast, they created a gravitational force nine times their body weight. Mace, thanks for sharing this, and for reminding us that its ok to be vulnerable and human. 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. 4 jet. Theres been a steady uptick of female pilots in general and in the fighter community as well, she says. This page was last edited on 1 December 2020, at 21:01. See more, including their schedule of performances, at the US Air Force Thunderbirds site, afthunderbirds.com. 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 1 Comment Richard Aubrey says: He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and has logged more than 3,100 flight hours with 667 hours of combat pilot experience. Pair that with Captain Marvel providing more visibility to female pilots earlier this year, and the timing seemed right to experience a day in the life of the only female Thunderbird. fbq('track', "PageView"); Tradition Continues: USAF Thunderbirds To Perform Flyover at 2022 DAYTONA 500, U.S. Air Force and Industry Pass L3Harris F-16 EW System in Critical Design Review, Four Ways To Take Control When Things Fall Apart In Business, U.S. Air Force: Fufeng Grand Forks Project Presents Threat to National Security, U.S. Thunderbirds at Gowen Thunder Airshow This YEAR, Operation Homecoming Kickoff Event February 14th @ 1400 > Maxwell Air Force Base > Display. Demerly is an experienced parachutist, holds advanced SCUBA certifications, has climbed the highest mountains on three continents and visited all seven continents and has flown several types of light aircraft. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. That decision to change my mindset completely changed my trajectory. 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? For the best Barrons.com experience, please update to a modern browser.GoogleFirefox This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. It's a blast. When all six [of the Thunderbirds] come together, if the air is smooth, were all firing on all cyclinders, its a cool feeling. After flying in airshows across the country, Thunderbirds pilot and Medford native Michelle Curran is coming home to Wisconsin for the 2019 Milwaukee Air & Water Show. do. "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. 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. 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Meanwhile, the part of this job that I really love is inspiring others. Go fly girls! US Air Force Major Michelle Curran is aware that she is such an inspiration to women and girls everywhere a role she embraces, along with her mission, as a member of the Thunderbirds demo team to recruit, retain, inspire. It is hard to say which she enjoys more the look on a young girls face when she realizes that Curran was flying those death-defying maneuvers in her F-16 fighter jet, or the thrill of flying those death-defying maneuvers in her F-16 fighter jet, going from 1500 feet altitude straight up to 15,000 feet in a matter of seconds. Today theres only one female Thunderbird pilot: Major Michelle Curran, a 32-year-old Wisconsin native who flies the coveted Opposing Solo position. This pressure often leads to us becoming our own harshest critic and standing in the way of our own success. (There have been girls who had really long ponytails get their hair stuck in the seat.) Instead, Im riding with Lieutenant Colonel Eric Gorney, a very kind and patient pilot who showed me, using a model plane, exactly what kind of maneuvers wed be doing once we got into the sky. country, mimicking the astonishing stunts of Sean D. Tucker, a living legend six F-16 Fighting Falcons that roar through the skies, to demonstrate the power In a Facebook put up from Wednesday afternoon, October 27, 2021, USAF Maj. Michelle Curran, name signal Mace, introduced she is, about to make a big career pivot and will be leaving the Active Duty Air Force in the new year. There was a good portion of my first assignment where I would have walked away if that were an option. We lift each other up, we accomplish more as a team. Bull Air Force sky diving team had Amy Chmelecki. of plus and minus 4Gs, which means a 200 lb. Add to List. Im in my happy place. Museum, at Republic Airport (flights available over Memorial Prior to joining the Thunderbirds, he served as the Assistant Director of Operations of the 555th Fighter Squadron and Director of Operations for the 31st Operations Support Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy. But from the moment I meet Curran on the scorching hot tarmac, she is warm and funny. Prior to joining the Thunderbirds, he served as the Chief of Weapons and Tactics of the 79th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. 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. Curran has been featured on several leading media publications and programs, including The Kelly Clarkson Show, CBS Evening News, and Glamour. I kicked off my newsletter series with a heavy hitter right out the gate. 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. Find Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok profiles, images and more on IDCrawl - free people search website. I was told by others again and again how they could never do what I was doing and that I must be so brave. 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. In this workshop, combat veteran Michelle Curran draws from her experiences as an F-16 fighter pilot and USAF lead solo pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds to walk audiences through interactive exercises to help them identify characteristics of their own inner critic and the reality (or lack thereof) of what it says, as well as provide tools and resources for overcoming the war within. On Sunday, Curran didn't fly reallyhigh, but she flewin close formation at 400 mph with five other Thunderbirds, the prestigious Air Force flight demonstration team, at the Super Bowl in Atlanta. And not to brag, but I dont throw up or pass out. Stay connected. Maj. Curran is broadly referred to as a member of the U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. She demonstrates the capabilities of the F-16 during performances. All rights reserved. Prior to the Thunderbirds, she was an F-16 Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. I spend time right after I post engaging in the comments so comment early and I'll answer your questions. parachute; in one demonstration we see what happens when a chute fails at just And I am not alone. Since Curran began . You look absolutely terrifying (Locked-In). This asWine Spectators Grand Tour2023 promises event attendees the opportunity to sip, OverviewA big part of the process of bringing these reviews to you is the research done to understand the background of the company. Maj. Curran flew as Thunderbird #6, opposing solo, before her advancement to Thunderbird #5, lead solo in the 2020/21 airshow season. Matt Chapman, With a powerful story and breathtaking visuals, Michelle, also known as Mace, takes her audience on a surprising and compelling journey through her career as a Fighter Pilot, culminating in her role as the Lead Solo Pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds. of aerobatics; Golden Knights parachutist Maj. Marissa Chierichella and the Red The number of her jet, 5, and on her uniform, and the uniform of her crew (who are also women), are upside down, because in her role, she spends most of her time inverted, even as she makes that thrilling opposing pass. I also realized I was in a unique position to use my own story and what I had learned to empower others. Lieutenant Colonel Eric Gorney, call sign "Miami," is in charge of flying civilians. The three years on the team was the most fun flying of my career. "She climbed a tree taller than our house when she was 2," said her father, Bill Curran. In conversations across the U.S. throughout three air present seasons, Curran advised The Aviationist about her function on the group and its alternative to, showcase the Air Force experience and let people know what is possible. Upside Down Dreams was born. Her call sign is Mace (which she uses in her social media, @mace_curran) and while she doesnt reveal the secret to what is behind the nickname, she says it is a tradition in a fighter squadron to get a call sign they are mission qualified. Known to many as the Greatest Show on Long Island, the Bethpage Air Show was canceled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The show, which would have been the 17th at Jones Beach State Park, brought special excitement because of having been cancelled last year due to COVID-19, and the opportunity for crowds albeit at 50 percent capacity to gather again is a vital sign of the regions return to normalcy. "I'm a left-wing solo. Among the thrilling maneuvers by the US Air Force Thunderbirds, is this high-speed opposing attack by solo pilots Michelle Curran and Kyle Oliver, seen during Friday's rehearsal of the 17 th annual Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach State Park, Long Island over Memorial Day weekend. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Did_you_know_nominations/Michelle_Curran&oldid=991790654, The first two are great. Once she visited a base and heard the roar of the jets, though, she knew she wanted to pursue the pilot route. ", First published on November 13, 2019 / 6:55 PM. So that was cool.. Hang out with my husband as much as I can. old pilot who served in World War II, who flew with his grandson. 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. They act as the public face for the USAF, performing jaw-dropping maneuvers at air shows around the country. Get ready to wake up early the next morning to go do it again.. Michelle is a native of Medford, Wisconsin, and has been in the Air Force nearly 10 years. 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. Curran was assigned to the F-16 Fighting Falcon and spent three years stationed in Japan flying throughout the Pacific. It was during this time that she realized the flying was incredible, but the best part was inspiring others to overcome their fears and pursue their dreams. I do that through keynote speeches and via content creation on LinkedIn. 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. This is Currans third season with theThunderbirds. 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. Maj. Curran flew as Thunderbird #6, opposing solo, before her advancement to Thunderbird #5, lead solo in the 2020/21 airshow season. It really means a lot. He performs snap rolls, inverted flat spin cbsnews.com Female Thunderbird pilot inspiring others to chase their dreams He is in his second season with the team and hails from Fort Collins, Colo. Engine and a General Electric CJ610 (J85) Jet Engine with 3,000 lbs of thrust. 2023Leading Authorities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Her favorite maneuver is the vertical roll pointing the plane up or down whilerolling over. The unit adopted the name Thunderbirds, influenced in part by the strong Native American culture and folklore from the southwestern United States where Luke Air Force Base is located. Demerly studied journalism at Henry Ford College in Dearborn, Michigan. 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. 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.. 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. flying before he got his license and has accumulated 18,000 flight hours, The technical aspects and tactics were complicated. "I was definitely nervous and excited, but there was so much to learn that is specific to the Thunderbirds that those feelings were overshadowed by the focus needed to keep up with the jet," said Curran. She has accumulated over 1250 flight hours in three aircraft, including the T-6, T-38, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. died in an airplane crash. 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. 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. In addition to her role with the Thunderbirds, Mace Curran is an experienced F-16 combat fighter pilot with 163 combat hours over Afghanistan in support of operations Resolute Support and Freedoms Sentinel. ), First Woman Thunderbird Pilot, Combat Veteran, & Fighter Squadron Commander, Army Ranger School Graduate, Leadership and Peak Performance Expert, Curran has been featured on several leading media publications and programs, including. Have a question? I thought, Thats really cool. commanding the Opposing Solo; Jessy Panzer, the only civilian woman aerobatic pilot in the At the end of her undergraduate pilot training, she was one of justtwo in her class of 25 chosen for fighter jets. Is she nervous at all? It hits me when I step out to the jets. MACE currently lives in Las Vegas with her family. 7 jet. 9 positive Gs and 6 negative Gs. My question to you is: how do you become your own catalyst for change? The US Air ForceThunderbirdsheadlined the 16th Annual Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach State Park, Long Island, flying the thrilling red, white and blue F-16s. People would send photos and such, showing how moved they were to see the flyover. During the latter part of her role on the team, many airshows were cancelled due to the global pandemic. She has inspired thousands through her passion for breaking barriers and setting the example of what can be accomplished through hard work. people interested in preserving aviation history, flies aircraft from the 1920s. I was so excited, I called everyone in my familyand none of them answered their phones, she deadpans. He is the epitome of what the Thunderbirds are about. was particularly exciting with the infusion of new energy. Curran is in her third year on the air forces elite demonstration team usually, the special assignment only lasts two years, but because of COVID-19, the tour is extended and now is the lead solo pilot. The Air Forces official air demonstration team, designated the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, was activated at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona in 1953. Do I have to salute? "There was still definitely a surreal moment, while holding short of the runway, where I was in a bit of disbelief that I had actually been selected and was about to take off for my first flight.". View Fees 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 . These pilots are at the mercy of a lot of g-forcesthat is, the gravitational force caused by rapid accelerationand its intense on the body. Curran has flown more than 1,500 hours in the F-16, including 163 combat hours over Afghanistan in support of operations Resolute Support and Freedoms Sentinel. show also pays homage to aviations heritage. The result was: promoted by Yoninah (talk)21:01, 1 December 2020 (UTC). aerobatic helicopter in the US. The demonstration squadron boasts some of the worlds most elite fliers, and those skilled enough to make it serve a two-year assignment. 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. He showed "CBS Evening News" anchor Norah O'Donnell a series of maneuvers the team performs during shows. See photo galleries of Jones Beach Air Shows from 2019 and 2018: By Karen Rubin, Travel 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. At 24 years old, I had achieved a goal I had worked toward for over five years. Curran holds a Bachelor of Arts diploma in Criminal Justice from the University of St. Thomas and is a 2010 graduate of the Air and Space Basic Course, Squadron Officer College. This week, I want to give you a bit of perspective on why I chose to stop flying F-16s and become an entrepreneur. Sasquatch, powered by dual powerplants: a Pratt & Whitney 985 Radial Mace shares her struggles with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and finding her identity in a high-performance, type-A culture.

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