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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. Curran, whose call sign is "Mace," flies Thunderbird No. 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. 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. He is in his third season with the team and hails from LaGrange, Ill. Maj. Kyle Oliver is the Opposing Solo Pilot for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. I confess that I have admired Michelle Curran, only the fifth woman (since 2005) to pilot one of the formidable F-16 jets, since I first saw her in the 2019 Bethpage Air Show, when she was the #6 (opposing solo) pilot. MACE served as Chief of Scheduling, Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, and a Flight Commander at various squadrons. I actually helped buckle Brie Larson into this very seat, one replies. This pressure often leads to us becoming our own harshest critic and standing in the way of our own success. Show organizers instead held the first Bethpage Virtual Air Show which enabled fans to experience performances straight from the pilots cockpits. Like us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures. Facebook; has historically had the most female recruits. 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. Major Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace," is the only female fighter pilot on the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's demonstration team. Holy smokes. 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. She applied, picking the Air Force as her military arm of choice on a bit of a whim. Looking for Michele Curran online? Like Curran, he says it is the team of 130 that make the Thunderbirds possible. "She climbed a tree taller than our house when she was 2," said her father, Bill Curran. 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 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. In addition to the recommended hydration, pilots must stay in shape. Meanwhile, the part of this job that I really love is inspiring others. Her last assignment was with the Air Forces elite demonstration squadron, The Thunderbirds. Vulnerability isnt a weakness, its a super power as a leader! that each were afraid of flying initially, he because his father was an And not to brag, but I dont throw up or pass out. 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. Police at the time . 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. 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. Michelle Leann Curran (1984-2001) - Find a Grave Memorial 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. 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). Medford woman chosen for Thunderbirds aerobatic team that performed at confusion, missing each other by mere feet; opposing craft which come at each The thing that makes it great are the people I serve with- everyone, the team I work alongside every day. cbsnews.com Female Thunderbird pilot inspiring others to chase their dreams Col. John Caldwell is the Commander/Leader of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron. For the best Barrons.com experience, please update to a modern browser. 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. 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. Mace, thanks for sharing this, and for reminding us that its ok to be vulnerable and human. MACE currently lives in Las Vegas with her family. View Michelle Curran's business profile as Member at U.S. Air Force. the performances repeat year after year, or follow a two-year cycle, this show All rights reserved. Michelle Curran - Member - U.S. Air Force | ZoomInfo Weve detected you are on Internet Explorer. Her aunt Sara Cook, Bill's sister, planned to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, too. 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. While I don't doubt she's right, a third-party fact checker is preferable.-Esprit15d . Workshop: Going to War with Your Inner Critic. 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. (It was not known whether Sundays show would also be canceled for weather). 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. 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). (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. This pressure often leads to us becoming our own harshest critic and standing in the way of our own success. 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. Like She just has one requirement for her life, post-Thunderbirds: I want to keep flying.. 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. 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. 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.. 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 think it's important you all understand what drives me and why I made such a surprising leap! Imposter syndrome is real! Satellite image shows five F-22 near Iran (one year ago). And here is 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. been flying since 14 year old, soloed at 16 year old and started aerobatic During the latter part of her role on the team, many airshows were cancelled due to the global pandemic. Is she nervous at all? These pilot nicknames can quickly identify an aircraft or individual, and they also help to confuse. man would weigh 800 lbs. And the back-story The perfect example of how to succeed with grace and a role model for anyone with a goal in mind. The technical aspects and tactics were complicated. The second best result is Michelle Lee Curran age 40s in Ocala, FL in the Silver Springs Shores neighborhood. The 31-year-old Medford native isthe first female demonstration pilot for the Thunderbirds since 2014. USAF Maj. Michelle Mace Curran, Thunderbird #5, to Leave Team. Maj. Curran flew as Thunderbird #6, opposing solo, earlier than her development to Thunderbird #5, lead solo within the 2020/21 airshow season. 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. I realized I was meeting people all the time that struggled with the things that I did during my first assignment. aircraft, built especially for aerobatics, with seemingly impossible feats at But when were down on the ground, and talk to each other, we might say, Wow, we worked hard. Or We really crushed it., I do normal things in the morning. During her ten years flying the Viper, MACE flew combat sorties in Afghanistan and taught Polish Air Force pilots in their aircraft. 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. Find Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok profiles, images and more on IDCrawl - free people search website. Curran describes her tenure as lead solo for the Thunderbirds as the pinnacle of her career. At 24 years old, I had achieved a goal I had worked toward for over five years. Former F-16 Instructor/Thunderbird Pilot, USAF. Museum, at Republic Airport (flights available over Memorial They barrel out of their plane from an altitude of She reminds me that not all Thunderbird team members or officers are pilots, and there are many women performing important ground duties. and dexterity of these fighting crafts. This page was last edited on 1 December 2020, at 21:01. Workshop: Going to War with Your Inner Critic. 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. We learn that the parachutes they use, use One way to mitigate the nauseating effects is to drink lots of water, but that meant double the bathroom breaks on the drive there. Windmiller, Long Islands After nearly a decade of active service, including deployments to Afghanistan and Japan, Curran applied to the Thunderbirds. You're in such a great position to inspire people. I'm happy to admit struggles and failures if it gives others perspective on what they are going through. Michelle Curran (born 1987) is a former United States Air Force (USAF) major and a pilot in the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, or Thunderbirds. 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. I chose [No Doubts] Im Just a Girl.. Maj. Curran is broadly referred to as a member of the U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. Flying an F-16 also requires an incredibly high degree of athleticism. 6 [the opposing solo] gives the challenge and the response, but I can hear his energy. (where the plane falls from the sky), 4 knife edge tumblers, inside-outside 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. 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 . miles mph, at bone-crushing G-forces, with Panzer magnificently following the It's hard because Curran's job is to wow crowds with awe-inspiring aerobatics and high speed passes. Though theyve only been allowed to fly fighter jets since 1993, women have been enlisting in the USAF proper since 1976. #SCI is proud to announce Michelle "Mace" Curran will speak at our upcoming convention in Nashville. But from the moment I meet Curran on the scorching hot tarmac, she is warm and funny. In addition to flying the No. 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. 12,500 ft, at a speed of 120 mph before pulling the cord to release their 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. Focus.. In total, Curran logged 1,500 total flight hours with the Air Force, including 163 combat hours in Afghanistan as part of Operations Freedoms Sentinel and Resolute Support. Pilots call it "pulling 9 G's. She went on to complete the Squadron Officer School in 2014. Curran thinks it might be a perception problem. 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. "Sometimes it's hard to be the only female in a squadron," she said. Looking for the right speaker for your audience? She flies position #5, lead solo, one of the most visible positions on the team. a different plane from the Oracle Challenger 3 biplane. 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Michelle "MACE" Curran on LinkedIn: #keynotespeaker #failforward # As far as branches of the military go, the Air Force has historically had the most female recruits. She demonstrates the capabilities of the F-16 during performances. 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. It really means a lot. High five!'. Self-nominated at 04:00, 10 November 2020 (UTC). She spends so much time flying upside down, that the number 5 on the aircraft is painted upside . Curran and her family enjoy their home city of Las Vegas as a hub to adventure from. Since transitioning out of the military, she has founded her company, Upside Down Dreams, and is committed to empowering men and women of all ages to overcome obstacles and the fear of failure. Its become more accepted, but she is aware of things that women have to navigate that men dont even think about. Against the odds, I had done it. Norah O'Donnell flies with the Thunderbirds at the Heritage Flight Academy in Ronkonkama, NY. 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. During the latter part of her role on the team, many airshows were cancelled due to the global pandemic. 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". For an exact quote, please contact your Leading Authorities representative. She flies position #5, lead solo, one of the most visible positions on the team. #flyaf So that was cool.. She has accumulated over 1250 flight hours in three aircraft, including the T-6, T-38, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Lieutenant Colonel Eric Gorney, call sign "Miami," is in charge of flying civilians. Pilots train from March to November, often away from the teams home base in Las Vegas. "Major Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace," is the only female fighter pilot on the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's demonstration team." -- What an amazing role model! 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). a demonstration performance. So Danvers is a leader in more ways than one. Michelle Curran didn't become interested in flying until college, but she certainly was not afraid of heights growing up in Wisconsin. 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. In 2021, she was named the Distinguished Alumna of the Year by the University of St. Thomas. Demerly studied journalism at Henry Ford College in Dearborn, Michigan. It makes a spiral in the sky, she tells me. 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. We ask what it feels like to fly. 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: The Saturday performance was cancelled due to weather, but the rehearsal footage is being livestreamed on WABC . 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.