Is she nervous at all? They have also lived in West Blocton, AL and Holden, MA. She isthe fifth female pilot and only the second female solo pilot in the 65-year history of the Thunderbirds. The whole team then returns for 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). I chose [No Doubts] Im Just a Girl.. 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. These are not breathable, she adds, tugging at her flight jumpsuit. solos race at each other at combined speed of 1000 mph. She also volunteers with Veterans Outdoor Advocacy Group, helping use the healing power of the outdoors for Veterans struggling with mental health. Mace, thanks for sharing this, and for reminding us that its ok to be vulnerable and human. a demonstration performance. At another we hit 9 g'sthats close to the highest g-force these planes can take. "I just want to see the (Thunderbird) planes. Features Syndicate,goingplacesfarandnear.com. Like Curran, he says it is the team of 130 that make the Thunderbirds possible. 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. We lift each other up, we accomplish more as a team. The Saturday performance was cancelled due to weather, but the rehearsal footage is being livestreamed on WABC . The fighter is flown by the United States Navy and Marines. September 27, 2019, 5:00 AM. Michelle is a native of Medford, Wisconsin, and has been in the Air Force nearly 10 years. 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Red Bull Air He is a 2005 graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, and commissioned from Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in 2010. Major Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace," is the only female fighter pilot on the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's demonstration team. "I'm a left-wing solo. You're in such a great position to inspire people. 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. There wasnt a female pilot at the time, but a woman was narrating the air show from the ground and Curran was in awe. She went on to complete the Squadron Officer School in 2014. Though she wasn't really interested in football. Update: At this writing, the Bethpage Air Show was scheduled for Memorial Day, Monday, May 31. The thing that floors me is that some people still dont realize its an option, she says. 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. 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. Workshop: Going to War with Your Inner Critic. Windmiller, Long Islands Major Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace," is the only female fighter pilot on the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's demonstration 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. And she does it upside down (almost the equivalent of Ginger Rogers doing it backwards and in heels?). 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. Michelle is related to James Curren and Samantha Robles as well as 3 additional people. 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. 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. "A lot of people who see the Thunderbirds or the Blue Angels. She flies place #5, lead solo, one of the vital seen positions on the group. 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". When all six [of the Thunderbirds] come together, if the air is smooth, were all firing on all cyclinders, its a cool feeling. At this state park and many others around the state, free COVID-19 vaccines were being administered (with two-day passes to state parks as an additional incentive). Theres been a steady uptick of female pilots in general and in the fighter community as well, she says. This pressure often leads to us becoming our own harshest critic and standing in the way of our own success. 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. After going through extensive interviews and testing, she called her parents last summer and excitedly said "you're talking to the newest Thunderbird!". Looking for the right speaker for your audience? RELATED:Kenneth Sweet survived Pearl Harbor attack, helped found Wisconsin Air National Guard, RELATED:Fly along on an F-16 while we tell you what will take its place at Truax Field. MACE I really appreciate your service and you sharing it with the rest of us. 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. You can update your choices at any time in your settings. Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach, Long Island, were the number of women doing 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. 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. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Did_you_know_nominations/Michelle_Curran&oldid=991790654, The first two are great. USAF Maj. Michelle Mace Curran, Thunderbird #5, to Leave Team. The original plan was to livestream the rain date of Sunday, May 30, 2021. 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. field including Bi-Planes, Champs, and Cubs. Her favorite maneuver is the vertical roll pointing the plane up or down whilerolling over. 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. 1 jet, and leading all air demonstrations, he commands the 130-person squadron. He is in his second season with the team and hails from Fort Collins, Colo. 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. Shed just landed from a Thunderbirds show in Sioux Falls and immediately jokes that she needs to fix her hair after sweating too much on the flight over. But from the moment I meet Curran on the scorching hot tarmac, she is warm and funny. Shes badass, Curran says. 6 [the opposing solo] gives the challenge and the response, but I can hear his energy. They barrel out of their plane from an altitude of His army expertise consists of being Honor Graduate from the U.S. Army Infantry School at Ft. Benning, Georgia (Cycle C-6-1) and as a Scout Observer in a reconnaissance unit, Company F, 425th INF (RANGER/AIRBORNE), Long Range Surveillance Unit (LRSU). 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. (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. She flies position #5, lead solo, one of the most visible positions on the team. (where the plane falls from the sky), 4 knife edge tumblers, inside-outside 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? The thing that makes it great are the people I serve with- everyone, the team I work alongside every day. (It was not known whether Sundays show would also be canceled for weather). Curran thinks it might be a perception problem. 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. Theres still a long way to go before the Air Force hits total parity, but Curran doesnt see herself as an outlier. The second best result is Michelle Lee Curran age 40s in Ocala, FL in the Silver Springs Shores neighborhood. 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. show also pays homage to aviations heritage. She reflects what it is like to be part of this very special team there are 130 on the team. The Super Bowl was the first time Curran's parents had seen their daughter performing with the Thunderbirds. Contact us by clicking the button below. Police at the time . She has also served as an F-16 Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, Texas. I'm happy to admit struggles and failures if it gives others perspective on what they are going through. people interested in preserving aviation history, flies aircraft from the 1920s. man would weigh 800 lbs. Lt. Col. Kevin DiFalco is the Director of Operations for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. And I am not alone. The whole squad gets together, talk about dumb mistakes and then you get a call sign. But the origin remains a secret. Always a thrill seeker at heart, she has a passion for pushing her limits and changing lives. 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. Together, Meanwhile, the part of this job that I really love is inspiring others. Flying an F-16 also requires an incredibly high degree of athleticism. Curran has been in the Air Force for 11 years, but flying wasnt always her goal. 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. Curran describes her tenure as lead solo for the Thunderbirds as the pinnacle of her career. Her aunt Sara Cook, Bill's sister, planned to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, too. 6, also known as the opposing solo pilot. 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. Museum, at Republic Airport (flights available over Memorial Today theres only one female Thunderbird pilot: Major Michelle Curran, a 32-year-old Wisconsin native who flies the coveted Opposing Solo position. Curran, whose call sign is "Mace," flies Thunderbird No. At one point I fly the plane into a barrel roll with Gorneys help. 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. I only wish I looked that good 'At Attention.' High five!'. I'll be honest I don't have a favorite in the Super Bowl," said Cook. See photo galleries of Jones Beach Air Shows from 2019 and 2018: By Karen Rubin, Travel It means shes front and center in one of the most visible squadrons in the military. 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. USAF Lt Colonel John Klatt experiences forces From 2019-2021, she flew as the only female pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds and performed for millions across the country and internationally. She spends so much time flying upside down, that the number 5 on the aircraft is painted upside . Curran, whose call sign is "Mace," flies Thunderbird No. 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. modified and beefed up big time. died in an airplane crash. I do that through keynote speeches and via content creation on LinkedIn. Trust and teamwork are obviously essential to the Thunderbirds and any successful team. Like It makes a spiral in the sky, she tells me. Send comments or questions to[emailprotected]. I started to grow an Adventure Mindsetone of curiosity, openness to new things, and a completely fresh perspective on failure. 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. 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. a cannon ball at almost 200 mph, crossing in flight, before releasing the Just 2% of pilots are women. Police answered a call in the early morning of July 20, 1971, after Curran's roommate found her in their shared bedroom. Known to many as the Greatest Show on Long Island, the Bethpage Air Show was canceled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? Pilots call it "pulling 9 G's. that, These are long days sometimes, but this is the best job in the world. I had never truly experienced failure, I hadn't developed grit, and my identity was wrapped up in my achievements. The World War II vintage aircraft from the American Air Power Then, with a vertical climb, Im in the air. It's so important for others to hear your struggles. As I mentioned before, people unaccustomed to the feeling often go into g-LOC (g-force induced loss of consciousness) or experience extreme motion sickness. I thought, Thats really cool. One way to mitigate the nauseating effects is to drink lots of water, but that meant double the bathroom breaks on the drive there. Maj. Curran is broadly referred to as a member of the U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. I'm the first female to fly in that. An air show first, livestream viewers will be treated to a special inside look at performances. 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. 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". been flying since 14 year old, soloed at 16 year old and started aerobatic So in a way, women make for more natural fighter pilots. She has additionally served as an F-16 Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander on the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, Texas. I'm sure most in your class were feeling the same way. 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. 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. She has inspired thousands through her passion for breaking barriers and setting the example of what can be accomplished through hard work. 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. Against the odds, I had done it. Opinions do not represent the USAF linktr.ee/macecurran Posts Reels Videos Tagged Show More Posts from mace_curran 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. 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. Maj. Curran is widely known as a member of the U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. has historically had the most female recruits. The helicopter is the only Upside Down Dreams was born. The Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach is one of the largest and most respected air shows in the country. The Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach State Park was canceled Saturday due to weather, the state Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation said in a statement. Courtesy of Wine SpectatorThis years tour to feature 10 completely new wineries that have never previously poured at this highly anticipated annual event Oenophiles in Florida, Chicago and Las Vegas up for an unforgettable evening of exceptional wines are in for a treat. That decision to change my mindset completely changed my trajectory. In the works are online coaching programs for personal development, and in person corporate leadership coaching. "We're just bursting with excitement," said Bill Curran. Tom Demerly is a feature writer, journalist, photographer and editorialist who has written articles that are published around the world on TheAviationist.com, TACAIRNET.com, Outside magazine, Business Insider, We Are The Mighty, The Dearborn Press & Guide, National Interest, Russias government media outlet Sputnik, and many other publications. She went for it, even competing for a highly coveted pilot spot while still in college. 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. On top of that, I worry she might be intimidating. fascinating because they demonstrate actual fighting techniques an implosion Initially I credit the breathtaking beauty and the roller-coaster-like thrill of the experience for this, but then I remember another thing the flight surgeon told me: Women tend to have a lower center of gravity, giving them something of a natural advantage against high g-forces. 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. 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). Flying under the callsign "MACE," she was the second woman ever to fly in the lead solo position for . Holy smokes. "Sometimes it's hard to be the only female in a squadron," she said. 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. Hang out with my husband as much as I can. Michelle "MACE" Curran Public figure Speaker, Author, Thunderbird Pilot 19-21' Lover of mountains, fitness, and adventure! confusion, missing each other by mere feet; opposing craft which come at each I appreciate your transparency and realness! He performs snap rolls, inverted flat spin Curran also provided unique and candid transparency about her career and personal life, effectively leveraging social media to bring airshow fans and aviation enthusiasts inside the world of a fighter pilot. Eventually she was selected. 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. Among the 12 pilots, there will be only one woman, Major Michelle Curran, helping her fellow Thunderbirds make the occasion special. 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 career pivot and will be leaving the Active Duty Air Force in the new year. MACE currently lives in Las Vegas with her family. Sasquatch, powered by dual powerplants: a Pratt & Whitney 985 Radial We learn that the parachutes they use, use She just has one requirement for her life, post-Thunderbirds: I want to keep flying.. The Air Forces official air demonstration team, designated the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, was activated at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona in 1953. Prior to commissioning, he flew as a commercial flight instructor, cargo pilot and airline pilot. Noted. I know what I need to do. 9 positive Gs and 6 negative Gs. 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. In addition to the recommended hydration, pilots must stay in shape. There was a good portion of my first assignment where I would have walked away if that were an option. And not to brag, but I dont throw up or pass out. Growing up in a small town of about 4,000 people, she knew she didnt want to stay there forever, but she worried about how to pay for college. Maj. Curran flew as Thunderbird #6, opposing solo, before her advancement to Thunderbird #5, lead solo in the 2020/21 airshow season. Like us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures. famous by the barnstormers of the 1920s and 1930s, and is based on a 1929 Waco, 2023Leading Authorities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. All rights reserved. Source: "Major Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace," is the only female fighter pilot on the Thunderbirds." AviationFreak 01:11, 28 November 2020 (UTC) All upgraded press releases are ad-free! 22 series on Hulu. Matt Chapman, 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. ), 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. 2. Vulnerability isnt a weakness, its a super power as a leader! "I'm a left-wing solo. The schedule is grueling. A hug! It's hard because Curran's job is to wow crowds with awe-inspiring aerobatics and high speed passes. It hits me when I step out to the jets. Checking in with Major Michelle Curran call sign "Mace" of the Air Force Thunderbirds as they prepare for this weekend's @Space & Air Show at Orlando. She reflects that last year, the personal contact with people was lacking, but the team did city- flyovers, honoring health workers, essential workers and first responders. From 2019-2021, she flew as the only female pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds and performed for millions across the country and internationally. Force launch out of a plane from 13,000 feet, speeding like Ranges are presented as a guideline only. and Jack Links Beef Jerky teamed up to create a one-of-a-kind plane, theScreamin Maj. Curran is widely known as a member of the U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. December 31, 2019 / 4:08 PM After nearly a decade of active service, including deployments to Afghanistan and Japan, Curran applied to the Thunderbirds. Four years into that time she became the first female pilot to fly for the 457th Fighter Squadron. 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. 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. She reminds me that not all Thunderbird team members or officers are pilots, and there are many women performing important ground duties.
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