michelle curran call sign michelle curran call sign

aerobatic helicopter in the US. 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). 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. David 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 the epitome of what the Thunderbirds are about. "A lot of people who see the Thunderbirds or the Blue Angels. I make a mental note to not take this for granted anymore. 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. All rights reserved. #SCI is proud to announce Michelle "Mace" Curran will speak at our upcoming convention in Nashville. Trust and teamwork are obviously essential to the Thunderbirds and any successful team. 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. The 2005 Medford High School graduate attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota,on an ROTC scholarship. There wasnt a female pilot at the time, but a woman was narrating the air show from the ground and Curran was in awe. The three years on the team was the most fun flying of my career. Maj. Curran is widely known as a member of the U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. Michelle "MACE" Curran is an F-16 Mission Commander with over 1800 hours in the aircraft. 6, also known as the opposing solo pilot. Flying under the callsign MACE, she was the second woman ever to fly in the lead solo position for the Thunderbirds since the teams founding in 1953. It shows the impact we are having, she says. I also realized I was in a unique position to use my own story and what I had learned to empower others. All rights reserved. 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. 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. Her last assignment was with the Air Forces elite demonstration squadron, The Thunderbirds. The Air Force turns 72 years old this month. Really, what we do is life and death sometimes," Curran said. 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). 1 jet, and leading all air demonstrations, he commands the 130-person squadron. Bayport Aerodrome Society,formed Taking that leap can be intimidating, but if you take charge of the things that are in your control like preparation and planning, putting in the work, leveraging your network, and controlling how you react to adversity, you will find you are capable of much more than you realize. 2. USAF Maj. Michelle Mace Curran, Thunderbird #5, to Leave Team. 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. 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. At this writing, there was no decision on whether the Sunday performance would take place. commanding the Opposing Solo; Jessy Panzer, the only civilian woman aerobatic pilot in the 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. I'll be honest I don't have a favorite in the Super Bowl," said Cook. Mace shares her struggles with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and finding her identity in a high-performance, type-A culture. I'll go from 150 feet above the ground to 15,000 in a few seconds while rolling. I'm the first female to fly in that. 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. Meanwhile, the part of this job that I really love is inspiring others. 15 lives, patrol some 96,000 miles of coastline through the US, as well as The whole squad gets together, talk about dumb mistakes and then you get a call sign. But the origin remains a secret. They barrel out of their plane from an altitude of MACE I really appreciate your service and you sharing it with the rest of us. USAF Lt Colonel John Klatt experiences forces Go fly girls! Before that, the WAFWomen in the Air Forceformed in 1948, but WAFs werent permitted to fly and instead performed ground duties. She reminds me that not all Thunderbird team members or officers are pilots, and there are many women performing important ground duties. What happens if you unwittingly commit a faux pas in front of one of the best fliers in the world? 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). 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. From 2019-2021, she flew as the only female pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds and performed for millions across the country and internationally. Game on. Visitgoingplacesfarandnear.com,www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin, andtravelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. has historically had the most female recruits. 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. During his performance, Ret. 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 also get to chat with Maj. Zane Taylor, the right wing pilot flying the No. Red Bull Air Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com, www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin, and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. We ask what it feels like to fly. The call sign tradition is celebrated by aviation communities across all military branches. a cannon ball at almost 200 mph, crossing in flight, before releasing the 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. I'm happy to admit struggles and failures if it gives others perspective on what they are going through. 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. 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). Team Oracle performed the most They plan to travel to Las Vegas, where she recently moved to be near Nellis Air Force Base, early next month to see the Thunderbirds perform a flyover at a NASCAR race. with Jessy Panzer, the only female civilian air show pilot in the USA. I started to grow an Adventure Mindsetone of curiosity, openness to new things, and a completely fresh perspective on failure. six F-16 Fighting Falcons that roar through the skies, to demonstrate the power It took me that entire three-year assignment to take ownership for where I was at and decide that only I could change it. 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. Blogging atgoingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.comandmoralcompasstravel.info. Former F-16 Instructor/Thunderbird Pilot, USAF. This page was last edited on 1 December 2020, at 21:01. She is a true inspiration to all of those attempting to overcome hardships. t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, Hang out with my husband as much as I can. He is in his second season with the team and hails from Fort Collins, Colo. Just two years earlier, women were granted the honor of flying fighter jets by the U.S. Air Force (USAF). I'm the first female to fly in that position, which is, I think, one of the hardest positions to fly," Curran said. At the end of her undergraduate pilot training, she was one of justtwo in her class of 25 chosen for fighter jets. The Air Forces official air demonstration team, designated the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, was activated at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona in 1953. My time in that role was coming to an end after the 2021 season regardless of what I was going on to do next. He has logged more than 1,300 flight hours, including more than 230 hours of combat experience over Iraq and Syria in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. She flies place #5, lead solo, one of the vital seen positions on the group. 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. She demonstrates the capabilities of the F-16 during performances. Demerly is an skilled parachutist, holds superior SCUBA certifications, has climbed the very best mountains on three continents and visited all seven continents and has flown a number of kinds of gentle plane. 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. Police at the time . Holy smokes. 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. 6, also known as the opposing solo pilot. Source: "Major Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace," is the only female fighter pilot on the Thunderbirds." AviationFreak 01:11, 28 November 2020 (UTC) 9 positive Gs and 6 negative Gs. Demerly studied journalism at Henry Ford College in Dearborn, Michigan. Her skill is all the more apparent since she is flying People would send photos and such, showing how moved they were to see the flyover. 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. We dip around a big thunderstorm and run through a set of increasingly intense maneuvers360-degree rolls, extended periods of upside-down flight, turns with increasingly high g's. in 1972 ands composed of aviation professionals, recreational pilots, and Just 2% of pilots are women. Have a question? For an exact quote, please contact your Leading Authorities representative. The amount I needed to learn was so overwhelming that I avoided it by procrastinating. Weve detected you are on Internet Explorer. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Play Video I appreciate your transparency and realness! She has also served as an F-16 Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, Texas. Select this result to view Michelle Fami Curran's phone number, address, and more. Focus.. Update: At this writing, the Bethpage Air Show was scheduled for Memorial Day, Monday, May 31. He is in his third season with the team and hails from Orlando, Fla. Maj. Ian Lee is the Left Wing Pilot for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. 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. She has accumulated over 1250 flight hours in three aircraft, including the T-6, T-38, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Though theyve only been allowed to fly fighter jets since 1993, women have been enlisting in the USAF proper since 1976. For the best Barrons.com experience, please update to a modern browser. ", Curran said the shows are meant to inspire people that will "never join the military.". 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. Michelle MACE Curran is an F-16 Mission Commander with over 1800 hours in the aircraft. 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. Michelle "MACE" Curran Public figure Speaker, Author, Thunderbird Pilot 19-21' Lover of mountains, fitness, and adventure! During the latter part of her role on the team, many airshows were cancelled due to the global pandemic. Tom Demerly served in an intelligence gathering unit as a member of the U.S. Army and Michigan National Guard. Please enter valid email address to continue. December 31, 2019 / 4:08 PM octogan loop. When all six [of the Thunderbirds] come together, if the air is smooth, were all firing on all cyclinders, its a cool feeling. "She climbed a tree taller than our house when she was 2," said her father, Bill Curran. 2019 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. 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. travels at 250 mph. But in the 26 years weve had female fighter pilots in the Air Force, only five have made it to the Thunderbirds. They also plan, along with a lot of family, to see her when the Thunderbirds fly at the Milwaukee Air &Water Show July 27-28 and an air show in Mankato, Minnesota, in June. "I just want to see the (Thunderbird) planes. Force launch out of a plane from 13,000 feet, speeding like 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. 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. I spend time right after I post engaging in the comments so comment early and I'll answer your questions. 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. See more, including their schedule of performances, at the US Air Force Thunderbirds site, afthunderbirds.com. "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. 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. She went on to full the Squadron Officer School in 2014. "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. Like Curran, he says it is the team of 130 that make the Thunderbirds possible. Show organizers instead held the first Bethpage Virtual Air Show which enabled fans to experience performances straight from the pilots cockpits. 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. Bull Air Force sky diving team had Amy Chmelecki. 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). No, she did not. Im not sure if this is reassuring or not. USAF Maj. Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace", arrives at Selfridge ANGB in Mt. People come up and say Im so proud of you, something your mother would say. 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. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. So in a way, women make for more natural fighter pilots. 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. Recently, MACE was called back to St. Thomas to receive their Distinguished Alumna of the Year award. I know what I need to do. that Michelle Curran was the only female flying with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds as of 2020? 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. Known to many as the Greatest Show on Long Island, the Bethpage Air Show was canceled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Her favorite maneuver is the vertical roll. Self-nominated at 04:00, 10 November 2020 (UTC). aviation lawyer who knew all too well the risks, and she because her father South China Seas, Pacific, Persian Gulf and wherever the US has forces.The air Col. John Caldwell is the Commander/Leader of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron. She isthe fifth female pilot and only the second female solo pilot in the 65-year history of the Thunderbirds. 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. She was applying to scholarship programs when her father suggested looking into the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). After nearly a decade of active service, including deployments to Afghanistan and Japan, Curran applied to the Thunderbirds. He is in his second season with the team and hails from Beavercreek, Ohio. 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 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. 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. Meanwhile, the part of this job that I really love is inspiring others. I will look back.. 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.. Today there's only one female Thunderbird pilot: Major Michelle Curran, a 32-year-old Wisconsin native who flies the coveted Opposing Solo position. MACE flew as Thunderbird #6, the Opposing Solo, for the 2019 season and as #5, the Lead Solo, for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Lt. Col. Kevin DiFalco is the Director of Operations for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. She has inspired thousands through her passion for breaking barriers and setting the example of what can be accomplished through hard work. Her favorite maneuver is. I'm the first female to fly in that position, which is, I think, one of the hardest positions to fly," Curran said. View Michelle Curran's business profile as Member at U.S. Air Force. Together, This is Currans third season with the Thunderbirds. One way to mitigate the nauseating effects is to drink lots of water, but that meant double the bathroom breaks on the drive there. Kenneth Sweet survived Pearl Harbor attack, helped found Wisconsin Air National Guard, Fly along on an F-16 while we tell you what will take its place at Truax Field, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. We lift each other up, we accomplish more as a team. 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 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. 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. As a living museum they have a variety of antique aircraft flying on the 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. famous by the barnstormers of the 1920s and 1930s, and is based on a 1929 Waco, The third one is confirmed by her own admission. I only wish I looked that good 'At Attention.' Add to List. We had the opportunity to speak with Michelle recently as she prepares for the 2019 show season, and here's how it went: Drink a beer. Police answered a call in the early morning of July 20, 1971, after Curran's roommate found her in their shared bedroom. 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. parachute; in one demonstration we see what happens when a chute fails at just The schedule is grueling. Michelle is related to James Curren and Samantha Robles as well as 3 additional people. Norah O'Donnell flies with the Thunderbirds at the Heritage Flight Academy in Ronkonkama, NY. 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. speeds of up to 220 mph that keep his peers and his fans in awe. We learn that the parachutes they use, use Applying to the team is intimidating and there is a good change of not getting hired, of failure. but I did get hired. Curran outlined what its to be a contemporary Air Force officer for a lot of outsiders, offering a helpful perception into the Air Force expertise and showcasing the alternatives of an Air Force profession. 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. cbsnews.com Female Thunderbird pilot inspiring others to chase their dreams and dexterity of these fighting crafts. During the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds most recent headlining appearance in 2019, over 366,000 attended the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach. *This is a free press release. 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. This button displays the currently selected search type. On top of that, I worry she might be intimidating. 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. Lieutenant Colonel Eric Gorney, call sign "Miami," is in charge of flying civilians. This isnt a new thing., Currans doing her part to change that perception. 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. Its become more accepted, but she is aware of things that women have to navigate that men dont even think about. Learn more in our Cookie Policy. 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. Maj. Curran flew as Thunderbird #6, opposing solo, before her advancement to Thunderbird #5, lead solo in the 2020/21 airshow season. I made a commitment to start saying ''yes" to those from then on. 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 an F-16 evaluator pilot, Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. 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. The move to my next base acted as a catalyst for change. Drawing from her 13 years as a Fighter Pilot, Curran delivers actionable content and wit to leave audiences both informed and entertained. High five!'. In her much less seen however equally essential function with the Thunderbirds, Mace Curran served as Chief of Standardization and Evaluation for the group, a management function which is able to positively affect the trajectory of the group in upcoming seasons. Matt Chapman, I found myself stuck in my own head and consumed by my self-doubt. Most of us work out five days a week, Curran tells me. Engine and a General Electric CJ610 (J85) Jet Engine with 3,000 lbs of thrust. Tom Demerly served in an intelligence gathering unit as a member of the U.S. Army and Michigan National Guard. 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. 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. While I don't doubt she's right, a third-party fact checker is preferable.-Esprit15d . It means shes front and center in one of the most visible squadrons in the military. Workshop: Going to War with Your Inner Critic. (Ive always liked roller-coasters, Im a thrill-seeker, and I wanted to travel, she explains.) 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? Theres been a steady uptick of female pilots in general and in the fighter community as well, she says. 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.