So Danvers is a leader in more ways than one. Before that, the WAFWomen in the Air Forceformed in 1948, but WAFs werent permitted to fly and instead performed ground duties. He country, mimicking the astonishing stunts of Sean D. Tucker, a living legend 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. We were treated to the final appearance of Sean D. Tuckers specially-engineered plane that enables him to do feats never before imagined, the Oracle Challenger 3, will be donated to the Smithsonians National Air & Space Museum in Washington, where it will be part of a new Thomas W. Haas We All Flygallery, opening in 2021. She applied, picking the Air Force as her military arm of choice on a bit of a whim. Noted. The 2005 Medford High School graduate attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota,on an ROTC scholarship. 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. He is the epitome of what the Thunderbirds are about. 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. parachute; in one demonstration we see what happens when a chute fails at just When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match . !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? Michelle "MACE" Curran is an F-16 Mission Commander with over 1800 hours in the aircraft. He is in his third year on the Thunderbirds. A native of Orlando, Florida, he reflects that he first saw the Thunderbirds when he was just four or five years old, and was so awed, he wanted to fly. Maj. Curran flew as Thunderbird #6, opposing solo, before her advancement to Thunderbird #5, lead solo in the 2020/21 airshow season. that each were afraid of flying initially, he because his father was an During his performance, Ret. See more, including their schedule of performances, at the US Air Force Thunderbirds site, afthunderbirds.com. She has founded her company, Upside Down Dreams, to inspire others to overcome setbacks and achieve their goals. From 2019-2021, she flew as the only female pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds and performed for millions across the country and internationally. plane, it is astonishing to learn that the plane is a Taperwing Waco made In conversations around the U.S. during three air show seasons, Curran told, about her role on the team and its opportunity to, showcase the Air Force experience and let people know what is possible. 9 positive Gs and 6 negative Gs. 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". 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. There was a good portion of my first assignment where I would have walked away if that were an option. 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". Its been a while! she says. I realized I was meeting people all the time that struggled with the things that I did during my first assignment. "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. I had the wrong hook - How about ALT0c: . 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. 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. But I didnt talk to her because I was so scared of her. Theyre friends now, she adds. Created by AviationFreak (talk). 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. I'll go from 150 feet above the ground to 15,000 in a few seconds while rolling. I'm happy to admit struggles and failures if it gives others perspective on what they are going through. When all six [of the Thunderbirds] come together, if the air is smooth, were all firing on all cyclinders, its a cool feeling. Curran has been in the Air Force for 11 years, but flying wasnt always her goal. It's hard because Curran's job is to wow crowds with awe-inspiring aerobatics and high speed passes. everything happens for a reason - it makes you better,stronger and more resilient. Contact us by clicking the button below. do. Curran has been featured on several leading media publications and programs, including The Kelly Clarkson Show, CBS Evening News, and Glamour. of aerobatics; Golden Knights parachutist Maj. Marissa Chierichella and the Red been flying since 14 year old, soloed at 16 year old and started aerobatic He has logged more than 1,700 flight hours, including more than 280 combat hours over Iraq and Syria in support of Operations Inherent Resolve. 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). 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. 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. Weve detected you are on Internet Explorer. Get ready to wake up early the next morning to go do it again.. The demonstration squadron boasts some of the worlds most elite fliers, and those skilled enough to make it serve a two-year assignment. 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.. people interested in preserving aviation history, flies aircraft from the 1920s. She has inspired thousands through her passion for breaking barriers and setting the example of what can be accomplished through hard work. The movie . Just 2% of pilots are women. 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. Her favorite maneuver is the vertical roll pointing the plane up or down whilerolling over. All tickets for Saturday and Sunday were to be honored. He is a 2010 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he double majored in Economics and Management. traditionally kicks off with a ceremonial parachute drop by a representative of She demonstrates the capabilities of the F-16 during performances. 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. Most call signs are not flattering.. This year, for the first time, Tucker flew in tandem Show organizers instead held the first Bethpage Virtual Air Show which enabled fans to experience performances straight from the pilots cockpits. Select this result to view Michelle Fami Curran's phone number, address, and more. Against the odds, I had done it. I will look back.. The airshow People would send photos and such, showing how moved they were to see the flyover. It's so important for others to hear your struggles. "We're just bursting with excitement," said Bill Curran. From flying an F-16 to her passion for extreme sports, Curran is a thrill seeker. Opinions do not represent the USAF linktr.ee/macecurran Posts Reels Videos Tagged Show More Posts from mace_curran Engine and a General Electric CJ610 (J85) Jet Engine with 3,000 lbs of thrust. 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 was so excited, I called everyone in my familyand none of them answered their phones, she deadpans. Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the launch of the Neighborhood Sign Redesign program in partnership with the Office of Arts & Culture, the Department of Property Management, and the Department of Innovation and Technology. 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. GEICO Skytypers, a team of advanced training aircraft used in World War II, are Mace, thanks for sharing this, and for reminding us that its ok to be vulnerable and human. Next year, her last with the Thunderbirds, she'll get bumped up to Lead Solo, where she'll be showcasing the maximum capabilities of the planes. And she is aware of what seeing a woman in her role can mean. 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". 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 us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures. Mace shares her struggles with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and finding her identity in a high-performance, type-A culture. Curran, whose call sign is "Mace," flies Thunderbird No. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; But from the moment I meet Curran on the scorching hot tarmac, she is warm and funny. / CBS News, This story originally aired on November 13, 2019, on the "CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell.". Find Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok profiles, images and more on IDCrawl - free people search website. No, she did not. Im not sure if this is reassuring or not. flying before he got his license and has accumulated 18,000 flight hours, Curran thinks it might be a perception problem. I couldnt be more excited to meet her if she were Beyonce. The Super Bowl was the first time Curran's parents had seen their daughter performing with the Thunderbirds. Michelle Curran: Taking Action Towards Your Goals. 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). But in the 26 years weve had female fighter pilots in the Air Force, only five have made it to the Thunderbirds. parachute, and sailing down at 60 mph to the target. . The Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach is one of the largest and most respected air shows in the country. The thing that makes it great are the people I serve with- everyone, the team I work alongside every day. Across Boston, neighborhood signs welcome residents and visitors to the diverse communities that make up the City. Select Accept to consent or Reject to decline non-essential cookies for this use. A hug! View Michelle Curran's business profile as Member at U.S. Air Force. On top of that, I worry she might be intimidating. For the best Barrons.com experience, please update to a modern browser.GoogleFirefox This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Michelle "MACE" Curran Expand search. In hindsight, this response to adversity was so flawed. View Fees Cady Drell is a writer based in New York City. 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. "A lot of people who see the Thunderbirds or the Blue Angels. 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 . One way to mitigate the nauseating effects is to drink lots of water, but that meant double the bathroom breaks on the drive there. John Klatt Airshows 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. While I don't doubt she's right, a third-party fact checker is preferable.-Esprit15d . run where they evade the enemy by actually flying into each other to create
fbq('init', '461723204026319'); . I live in a fifth-floor walkup, I offered. This button displays the currently selected search type. Stay connected. The technical aspects and tactics were complicated. speeds of up to 220 mph that keep his peers and his fans in awe. Facebook; Curran fiercely resisted her assailant, police said. Shes badass, Curran says. It means shes front and center in one of the most visible squadrons in the military. 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. 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). The headliners, the US Air Force 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. One of their pilots, is 92-year 4 jet. day, the Coast Guard, with fewer members than can fit in Yankee Stadium, save Curran is the fifth woman to fly with the Thunderbirds, her callsign (or nickname) is "MACE". Thank you for the inspiring honest humility of being new at accomplishing a very big dream, and putting a name to what some very real struggles are, in order to succeed and overcome. "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. This page was last edited on 1 December 2020, at 21:01. Since Curran began . Be sure to look for her at an. I made a promise to myself that I would stop letting my self-doubt and fear of failure control every decision. USAF Maj. Michelle Mace Curran, Thunderbird #5, to Leave Team. 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. Drawing from her 13 years as a Fighter Pilot, Curran delivers actionable content and wit to leave audiences both informed and entertained. He performs snap rolls, inverted flat spin barrier, where the pilot experiences bone-crushing Gs. Red Bull Air Do I have to salute? They practice so much, it is all quite routine, even the communications between pilots. it has been awesome to be part of that, to be in this position, in this time of history. 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. Bill Curran said his daughter was encouraged to apply for the Thunderbirds by friends in the Air Force. Tom Demerly served in an intelligence gathering unit as a member of the U.S. Army and Michigan National Guard. The schedule is grueling. This week, I want to give you a bit of perspective on why I chose to stop flying F-16s and become an entrepreneur. Just two years earlier, women were granted the honor of flying fighter jets by the U.S. Air Force (USAF). Go fly girls! I found myself stuck in my own head and consumed by my self-doubt. Former F-16 Instructor/Thunderbird Pilot, USAF. six F-16 Fighting Falcons that roar through the skies, to demonstrate the power I was a fighter pilot! 2019 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. Museum, at Republic Airport (flights available over Memorial It can be seen onWABC-TV, as well as on WABCsConnected TV AppsonAmazon Fire TV,Android TV,Apple TV,andRoku. This is Currans third season with theThunderbirds. This is Currans third season with the Thunderbirds. fascinating because they demonstrate actual fighting techniques an implosion modified and beefed up big time. Michelle "MACE" Curran Public figure Speaker, Author, Thunderbird Pilot 19-21' Lover of mountains, fitness, and adventure! She reflects what it is like to be part of this very special team there are 130 on the team. The whole squad gets together, talk about dumb mistakes and then you get a call sign. But the origin remains a secret. I kicked off my newsletter series with a heavy hitter right out the gate. 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. *This is a free press release. Just in case. 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. I actually helped buckle Brie Larson into this very seat, one replies. Curran was assigned to the F-16 Fighting Falcon and spent three years stationed in Japan flying throughout the Pacific. The second best result is Michelle Lee Curran age 40s in Ocala, FL in the Silver Springs Shores neighborhood. 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Ranges are presented as a guideline only. The Power of Vulnerability. I spend time right after I post engaging in the comments so comment early and I'll answer your questions. These reactions only made the problem worse. 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. Maj. Curran is widely known as a member of the U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. Today theres only one female Thunderbird pilot: Major Michelle Curran, a 32-year-old Wisconsin native who flies the coveted Opposing Solo position. ", Curran said the shows are meant to inspire people that will "never join the military.". The third one is confirmed by her own admission. Michelle Curran didn't become interested in flying until college, but she certainly was not afraid of heights growing up in Wisconsin. 6, also known as the opposing solo pilot. Pilots train from March to November, often away from the teams home base in Las Vegas. Lt. Col. Kevin DiFalco is the Director of Operations for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. 2023Leading Authorities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Looking for Michele Curran online? 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). 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. 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. 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. Holy smokes. 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. 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. Game on. And she does it upside down (almost the equivalent of Ginger Rogers doing it backwards and in heels?). Then, with a vertical climb, Im in the air. I know what I need to do. I appreciate your transparency and realness! He majored in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder and earned his commission in 2004 through the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps program. Her last assignment was with the Air Forces elite demonstration squadron, The Thunderbirds. Add to List. This isnt a new thing., Currans doing her part to change that perception. People come up and say Im so proud of you, something your mother would say. the performances repeat year after year, or follow a two-year cycle, this show Bayport Aerodrome Society,formed During a conversation at the Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan for the Thunder Over Michigan Airshow in 2021, Curran told. Meanwhile, the part of this job that I really love is inspiring others. She flies place #5, lead solo, one of the vital seen positions on the group. 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 . 6, also known as the opposing solo pilot. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. Im also excited to get into the general aviation world and hopefully also try my hand at helicopters. 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. "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. You look absolutely terrifying (Locked-In). 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. 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. 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. During a dialog on the Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan for the Thunder Over Michigan Airshow in 2021, Curran advised TheAviationist.com that, These are long days sometimes, but this is the best job in the 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. 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.