fbq('init', '461723204026319'); 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. At another we hit 9 g'sthats close to the highest g-force these planes can take. As a living museum they have a variety of antique aircraft flying on the 2 jet. Known to many as the Greatest Show on Long Island, the Bethpage Air Show was canceled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. was particularly exciting with the infusion of new energy. 2023Leading Authorities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. commanding the Opposing Solo; Jessy Panzer, the only civilian woman aerobatic pilot in the It means she's front and center in one of. 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 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. Gotcha - I don't see that info anywhere else, so I'm happy with just the first two hooks. The original plan was to livestream the rain date of Sunday, May 30, 2021. 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. t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, My presence here wont end when I hand off the #5 and I have a lot more to share with you!. show also pays homage to aviations heritage. solos race at each other at combined speed of 1000 mph. miles mph, at bone-crushing G-forces, with Panzer magnificently following the Mace, thanks for sharing this, and for reminding us that its ok to be vulnerable and human. "I just want to see the (Thunderbird) planes. 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. The perfect example of how to succeed with grace and a role model for anyone with a goal in mind. 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. We lift each other up, we accomplish more as a team. Curran was the lead solo pilot for the Squadron. How Michelle Curran met the two suspects charged with raping, torturing and killing her on a California ranch is a mystery that continues to puzzle . She was applying to scholarship programs when her father suggested looking into the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). Her evolution from struggling with a crippling fear of failure to flying inverted only inches from other aircraft at 500 mph will inspire audiences to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Do I have to salute? Police at the time . 6 jet. All upgraded press releases are ad-free! And, keep others in the saddle who are struggling. famous by the barnstormers of the 1920s and 1930s, and is based on a 1929 Waco, South China Seas, Pacific, Persian Gulf and wherever the US has forces.The air That change is what made me even consider applying to be a Thunderbird. Curran, whose call sign is "Mace," flies Thunderbird No. 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. confusion, missing each other by mere feet; opposing craft which come at each A hug! But in the 26 years weve had female fighter pilots in the Air Force, only five have made it to the Thunderbirds. I got to watch the USAF Thunderbirds arrive at MacArthur Airport ahead of their headlining appearance at the Bethpage Air Show over Memorial Day Weekend at Jones Beach State Park, and then got to speak with the pilots. The fighter is flown by the United States Navy and Marines. World War II vintage aircraft from the American Air Power It means shes front and center in one of the most visible squadrons in the military. MACE started her career at Undergraduate Pilot training, earning one of only two fighter aircraft spots available and going on to fly the F-16. Its all very professional in the air with the comm. She also volunteers with Veterans Outdoor Advocacy Group, helping use the healing power of the outdoors for Veterans struggling with mental health. Prior to joining the Thunderbirds, he served as an F-16 evaluator pilot, Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. She also contributes to "60 Minutes. "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. Imposter syndrome is real! Prior to joining the Thunderbirds, he was an F-22 Instructor Pilot at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. Curran entered the Air Force in 2009 with a Reserve Officer Training Corps commission from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. She completed the Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training in Columbus, Miss., and was assigned to the F-16 at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The second best result is Michelle Lee Curran age 40s in Ocala, FL in the Silver Springs Shores neighborhood. Im also excited to get into the general aviation world and hopefully also try my hand at helicopters. The City of Boston is seeking artists to redesign these . Cady Drell is a writer based in New York City. To really complete the picture, the Air Force even offered a flight in a F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft (which, I learn via military.com, is a mainstay of the combat fleet). 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. She went on to complete the Squadron Officer School in 2014. man would weigh 800 lbs. I do that through keynote speeches and via content creation on LinkedIn. Curran was assigned to the F-16 Fighting Falcon and spent three years stationed in Japan flying throughout the Pacific. I'm just getting started! 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. She has also served as an F-16 Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, Texas. Curran holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from the University of St. Thomas and is a 2010 graduate of the Air and Space Basic Course, Squadron Officer College. My favorite moment was when this little girlshe was probably six or sevencame up to the autograph line after a show and said, Im going to take your job. I was like, 'Yes! The Saturday performance was cancelled due to weather, but the rehearsal footage is being livestreamed on WABC . 2023 www.jsonline.com. been flying since 14 year old, soloed at 16 year old and started aerobatic Michelle Curran (born 1987) is a former United States Air Force (USAF) major and a pilot in the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, or Thunderbirds. Find Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok profiles, images and more on IDCrawl - free people search website. 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. 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. (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. Windmiller, Long Islands People come up and say Im so proud of you, something your mother would say. 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. The F-18 Super Most thrilling is when the two opposing run where they evade the enemy by actually flying into each other to create 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. She flies place #5, lead solo, one of the vital seen positions on the group. And once I got thereI felt completely in over my head. 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 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. 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. died in an airplane crash. a cannon ball at almost 200 mph, crossing in flight, before releasing the 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. His military experience includes 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). Hornet, traveling at 700 mph, nearly breaking the sound 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. It hits me when I step out to the jets. This pressure often leads to us becoming our own harshest critic and standing in the way of our own success. For the best Barrons.com experience, please update to a modern browser. people interested in preserving aviation history, flies aircraft from the 1920s. 5,000 ft. (they have a spare chute). She flies position #5, lead solo, one of the most visible positions on the team. No, she did not. Im not sure if this is reassuring or not. Despite the pandemic, Maj. Curran and the Thunderbirds effectively leveraged social media to maintain visibility of the team across all media channels. 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. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. There is a charge of adrenalin, but once I take off, it is just focus. Created by AviationFreak (talk). old pilot who served in World War II, who flew with his grandson. 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. Trust and teamwork are obviously essential to the Thunderbirds and any successful team. 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. 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. 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. My time in that role was coming to an end after the 2021 season regardless of what I was going on to do next. cbsnews.com Female Thunderbird pilot inspiring others to chase their dreams 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. There wasnt a female pilot at the time, but a woman was narrating the air show from the ground and Curran was in awe. This year, for the first time, Tucker flew in tandem 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. Today there's only one female Thunderbird pilot: Major Michelle Curran, a 32-year-old Wisconsin native who flies the coveted Opposing Solo position. I live in a fifth-floor walkup, I offered. 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. Up in the air, they were spinning so fast, they created a gravitational force nine times their body weight. Flying an F-16 also requires an incredibly high degree of athleticism. modified and beefed up big time. The 31-year-old Medford native isthe first female demonstration pilot for the Thunderbirds since 2014. "I'm a left-wing solo. 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. 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. barrier, where the pilot experiences bone-crushing Gs. Facebook; I was a fighter pilot! 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. Curran is the fifth woman to fly with the Thunderbirds, her callsign (or nickname) is "MACE". 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. of plus and minus 4Gs, which means a 200 lb. Speaker fees are subject to change without notice. Maj. Curran flew as Thunderbird #6, opposing solo, before her advancement to Thunderbird #5, lead solo in the 2020/21 airshow season. 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. Major Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace," is the only female fighter pilot on the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's demonstration team. Tom Demerly served in an intelligence gathering unit as a member of the U.S. Army and Michigan National Guard. "A lot of people who see the Thunderbirds or the Blue Angels. Maj. Curran flew as Thunderbird #6, opposing solo, before her advancement to Thunderbird #5, lead solo in the 2020/21 airshow season. 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. She has accumulated over 1250 flight hours in three aircraft, including the T-6, T-38, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Source: USAF Maj. Michelle Mace Curran, Thunderbird #5, to Leave Team, USAF Maj. Michelle Mace Curran, Thunderbird #5, to Leave Team - Click To Share. 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".