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. A hug! Get ready to wake up early the next morning to go do it again.. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? So Danvers is a leader in more ways than one. 2023 www.jsonline.com. 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. "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! commanding the Opposing Solo; Jessy Panzer, the only civilian woman aerobatic pilot in the Bill Curran said his daughter was encouraged to apply for the Thunderbirds by friends in the Air Force. See more, including their schedule of performances, at the US Air Force Thunderbirds site, afthunderbirds.com. 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. This isnt a new thing., Currans doing her part to change that perception. This is Currans third season with the Thunderbirds. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Tom Demerly served in an intelligence gathering unit as a member of the U.S. Army and Michigan National Guard. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match . Flying under the callsign "MACE," she was the second woman ever to fly in the lead solo position for . GEICO Skytypers, a team of advanced training aircraft used in World War II, are I actually helped buckle Brie Larson into this very seat, one replies. of plus and minus 4Gs, which means a 200 lb. In hindsight, this response to adversity was so flawed. Theres been a steady uptick of female pilots in general and in the fighter community as well, she says. 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. It can be seen onWABC-TV, as well as on WABCsConnected TV AppsonAmazon Fire TV,Android TV,Apple TV,andRoku. She has inspired thousands through her passion for breaking barriers and setting the example of what can be accomplished through hard work. Do I have to salute? I make a mental note to not take this for granted anymore. Facebook; that Michelle Curran was the only female flying with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds as of 2020? As a living museum they have a variety of antique aircraft flying on the September 27, 2019, 5:00 AM. confusion, missing each other by mere feet; opposing craft which come at each 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). Up in the air, they were spinning so fast, they created a gravitational force nine times their body weight. It means she's front and center in one of. smoke trails of Tucker. The original plan was to livestream the rain date of Sunday, May 30, 2021. Most thrilling at this years Memorial Day weekend I kicked off my newsletter series with a heavy hitter right out the gate. That change is what made me even consider applying to be a Thunderbird. The Super Bowl was the first public appearance for the current team, which is also performing a flyover at the Daytona 500 in two weeks before the show schedule kicks off next month. While I don't doubt she's right, a third-party fact checker is preferable.-Esprit15d . The F-18 Super This pressure often leads to us becoming our own harshest critic and standing in the way of our own success. been flying since 14 year old, soloed at 16 year old and started aerobatic Be sure to look for her at an. 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. My question to you is: how do you become your own catalyst for change? Meanwhile, the part of this job that I really love is inspiring others. Opinions do not represent the USAF linktr.ee/macecurran Posts Reels Videos Tagged Show More Posts from mace_curran This is Currans third season with the Thunderbirds. Just 2% of pilots are women. 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". Engine and a General Electric CJ610 (J85) Jet Engine with 3,000 lbs of thrust. Her favorite maneuver is the vertical roll pointing the plane up or down whilerolling over. Once she visited a base and heard the roar of the jets, though, she knew she wanted to pursue the pilot route. speeds of up to 220 mph that keep his peers and his fans in awe. Lieutenant Colonel Eric Gorney, call sign "Miami," is in charge of flying civilians. He is in his first season with the team and hails from Cerritos, Calif. Maj. Michael Brewer is the Slot Pilot for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. Self-nominated at 04:00, 10 November 2020 (UTC). Demerly studied journalism at Henry Ford College in Dearborn, Michigan. He is the epitome of what the Thunderbirds are about. Noted. Really, what we do is life and death sometimes," Curran said. 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. US Coast Guard demonstrated a rescue by helicopter into churning seas on a typical The technical aspects and tactics were complicated. In an interview posted on the Thunderbirds' website, Curran was asked what it was like to climb into the distinctive red, white and blue Thunderbird jet for the first time. plane, it is astonishing to learn that the plane is a Taperwing Waco made An air show first, livestream viewers will be treated to a special inside look at performances. 7 jet. LinkedIn and 3rd parties use essential and non-essential cookies to provide, secure, analyze and improve our Services, and (except on the iOS app) to show you relevant ads (including professional and job ads) on and off LinkedIn. has historically had the most female recruits. The thing that floors me is that some people still dont realize its an option, she says. 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. *This is a free press release. "She climbed a tree taller than our house when she was 2," said her father, Bill Curran. This button displays the currently selected search type. 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. I'm sure most in your class were feeling the same way. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; It shows the impact we are having, she says. After serving in the Air Force, Michelle Curran is dedicated to continuing her service by helping others realize their dreams as the founder and president of Upside Down Dreams. a cannon ball at almost 200 mph, crossing in flight, before releasing the I'll be honest I don't have a favorite in the Super Bowl," said Cook. Im also excited to get into the general aviation world and hopefully also try my hand at helicopters. 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. 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. She flies place #5, lead solo, one of the vital seen positions on the group. Theres still a long way to go before the Air Force hits total parity, but Curran doesnt see herself as an outlier. I spend time right after I post engaging in the comments so comment early and I'll answer your questions. All tickets for Saturday and Sunday were to be honored. 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. 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. View Fees 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. solos race at each other at combined speed of 1000 mph. Shes badass, Curran says. Michelle Curran didn't become interested in flying until college, but she certainly was not afraid of heights growing up in Wisconsin. Michelle Curran: Taking Action Towards Your Goals. 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. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. Please enter valid email address to continue. 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. 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. Most thrilling is when the two opposing exquisite, thrilling pas de deux in flight, with incredible precision at 200 It's a blast. That decision to change my mindset completely changed my trajectory. And she is aware of what seeing a woman in her role can mean. 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. 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. Police at the time . All rights reserved. n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; I also get to chat with Maj. Zane Taylor, the right wing pilot flying the No. 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. Curran, whose call sign is "Mace," flies Thunderbird No. Select this result to view Michelle Fami Curran's phone number, address, and more. People come up and say Im so proud of you, something your mother would say. The event over Memorial Day Weekend draws almost 400,000 in the course of three days. We have music associated with all our maneuvers and for that one I got to pick the song. Looking for Michele Curran online? He is in his second season with the team and hails from Fort Collins, Colo. . Holy smokes. Like us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures. For an exact quote, please contact your Leading Authorities representative. other at incredible speed. 12,500 ft, at a speed of 120 mph before pulling the cord to release their Blogging atgoingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.comandmoralcompasstravel.info. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Michelle MACE Curran is an F-16 Mission Commander with over 1800 hours in the aircraft. people interested in preserving aviation history, flies aircraft from the 1920s. USAF Maj. Michelle Mace Curran, Thunderbird #5, to Leave Team. She first saw the squadron during her F-16 training, when they came to her base. 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. "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. old pilot who served in World War II, who flew with his grandson. 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. Sasquatch, powered by dual powerplants: a Pratt & Whitney 985 Radial octogan loop. 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. #flyaf "I just want to see the (Thunderbird) planes. Though theyve only been allowed to fly fighter jets since 1993, women have been enlisting in the USAF proper since 1976. The schedule is grueling. 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. Source: "Major Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace," is the only female fighter pilot on the Thunderbirds." AviationFreak 01:11, 28 November 2020 (UTC) Like This page was last edited on 1 December 2020, at 21:01. They act as the public face for the USAF, performing jaw-dropping maneuvers at air shows around the country. 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. 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. The move to my next base acted as a catalyst for change. 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. Maj. Curran is widely known as a member of the U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. 3 jet. Clemens, Michigan when the team staged from the U.S. for an airshow performance in Canada during the global pandemic lockdown. I suddenly struggled to succeed for the first time in my life. Curran and her family enjoy their home city of Las Vegas as a hub to adventure from. 6 jet. Show organizers instead held the first Bethpage Virtual Air Show which enabled fans to experience performances straight from the pilots cockpits. She just has one requirement for her life, post-Thunderbirds: I want to keep flying.. Day weekend) were flown, including the B-25 Mitchell Bomber used in the Catch Curran was the lead solo pilot for the Squadron. 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. Send comments or questions to [emailprotected] Tweet @TravelFeatures. We learn that the parachutes they use, use 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. Looking for the right speaker for your audience? 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". In her less visible but equally crucial role with the Thunderbirds, Mace Curran served as Chief of Standardization and Evaluation for the team, a leadership role which will positively impact the trajectory of the team in upcoming seasons. He is a 2005 graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, and commissioned from Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in 2010. On top of that, I worry she might be intimidating. Mace shares her struggles with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and finding her identity in a high-performance, type-A culture. 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. During the latter a part of her function on the group, many airshows had been cancelled due to the worldwide pandemic. Visitgoingplacesfarandnear.com,www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin, andtravelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. The third one is confirmed by her own admission. He Just two years earlier, women were granted the honor of flying fighter jets by the U.S. Air Force (USAF). ", First published on November 13, 2019 / 6:55 PM. MACE I really appreciate your service and you sharing it with the rest of us. Update: At this writing, the Bethpage Air Show was scheduled for Memorial Day, Monday, May 31. 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. This was the 16th She has founded her company, Upside Down Dreams, to inspire others to overcome setbacks and achieve their goals. 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. Her favorite maneuver is the vertical roll. It really means a lot. I'm the first female to fly in that. Prior to joining the Thunderbirds, he was an F-22 Instructor Pilot at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. "We're just bursting with excitement," said Bill Curran. It's hard because Curran's job is to wow crowds with awe-inspiring aerobatics and high speed passes. 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. Eventually she was selected. The Air Forces official air demonstration team, designated the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, was activated at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona in 1953. show also pays homage to aviations heritage. 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. My presence here wont end when I hand off the #5 and I have a lot more to share with you!. Four years into that time she became the first female pilot to fly for the 457th Fighter Squadron. Usually I'll go in the swimming pool in the backyard for a few minutes. I thought, Thats really cool. 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. We know each other a sisterhood.. Curran is the fifth woman to fly with the Thunderbirds, her callsign (or nickname) is "MACE". The three years on the team was the most fun flying of my career. In addition to flying the No. Applying to the team is intimidating and there is a good change of not getting hired, of failure. but I did get hired. Police answered a call in the early morning of July 20, 1971, after Curran's roommate found her in their shared bedroom. that each were afraid of flying initially, he because his father was an Stay connected. He entered the Air Force in 2002 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Caldwell graduated from the F-16 Replacement Training Unit at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., in 2005. 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". This system allows the plane to achieve feats other stunt planes are unable to She went on to complete the Squadron Officer School in 2014. 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. and dexterity of these fighting crafts. "I'm a left-wing solo. (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. Workshop: Going to War with Your Inner Critic. 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. 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. 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. 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. Michelle Curran (born 1987) is a former United States Air Force (USAF) major and a pilot in the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, or Thunderbirds. 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. 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. Pilots train from March to November, often away from the teams home base in Las Vegas. it has been awesome to be part of that, to be in this position, in this time of history. Curran has been featured on several leading media publications and programs, including The Kelly Clarkson Show, CBS Evening News, and Glamour. He reflects that he is just a standard Air force fighter pilot, flying every day, multiple times a day to master maneuvers. Except for the pretty paint and smoke, the maneuvers the Thunderbirds fly are the same for what are used in their combat training. Crunchbase always contains a descriptive blurb about each company, and, Weve detected you are on Internet Explorer. The perfect example of how to succeed with grace and a role model for anyone with a goal in mind. document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js');

The meaning behind the stars on Thunderbird jets, Biden awards Medal of Honor to Green Beret for heroism in Vietnam, K9 veteran receives hero's welcome on flight, Black Vietnam veteran's nearly 60-year wait for Medal of Honor is over, Recovering service members lost 70 years in an Alaskan glacier, Navy veteran turns an act of kindness into a mission. Col. John Caldwell is the Commander/Leader of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron. 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. 2. Mace, you are certainly an inspiration. One of their pilots, is 92-year travels at 250 mph. Like Curran, he says it is the team of 130 that make the Thunderbirds possible. 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 . Maj. Curran is widely known as a member of the U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. 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. Her last assignment was with the Air Forces elite demonstration squadron, The Thunderbirds. Prior to commissioning, he flew as a commercial flight instructor, cargo pilot and airline pilot. aircraft, built especially for aerobatics, with seemingly impossible feats at 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. Pilots call it "pulling 9 G's. 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? She applied, picking the Air Force as her military arm of choice on a bit of a whim. 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.