The schedule is grueling. 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. Like us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures. 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. I know what I need to do. 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. Im also excited to get into the general aviation world and hopefully also try my hand at helicopters. #SCI is proud to announce Michelle "Mace" Curran will speak at our upcoming convention in Nashville. I appreciate your transparency and realness! MACE uses her experience in high performance, teamwork, risk assessment, and debriefing to inspire clients to overcome their own challenges and increase performance using the tools of Flawless Execution. 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. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. Olympic Champion Swimmer; 10x Olympic Medalist, 15x World Champion, 14x World Record Breaker, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (2015-2019), World-Renowned Futurist; Founder & CEO of the Future Today Institute and Professor, Strategic Foresight at New York University Stern School of Business, Former Director, Executive Recruiting at Google and Holistic Leadership Strategist, Request an Invite to Events In Washington, DC, Olympic Champion Katie Ledecky, New LAI Exclusive, Essential Video Content: Pre-Recorded Content, Combat Veteran: USAF Thunderbird Lead Solo, F-16 Fighter Pilot and Founder of Upside Down Dreams, Renowned Leadership Expert and Colonel, USAF (Ret. 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. She flies position #5, lead solo, one of the most visible positions on the team. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Vulnerability isnt a weakness, its a super power as a leader! Former F-16 Instructor/Thunderbird Pilot, USAF. High five!'. Gotcha - I don't see that info anywhere else, so I'm happy with just the first two hooks. I'm the first female to fly in that position, which is, I think, one of the hardest positions to fly," Curran said. Most thrilling is when the two opposing And she does it upside down (almost the equivalent of Ginger Rogers doing it backwards and in heels?). 5,000 ft. (they have a spare chute). Maj. Curran is widely known as a member of the U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. He majored in Communication Technology and Music and earned his commission in 2010 as a graduate of Ohio State Universitys Reserve Officers Training Corps program. 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? MACE I really appreciate your service and you sharing it with the rest of us. 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. 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. During her ten years flying the Viper, MACE flew combat sorties in Afghanistan and taught Polish Air Force pilots in their aircraft. My question to you is: how do you become your own catalyst for change? 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 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. Her favorite maneuver is the vertical roll. Demerly is an experienced parachutist, holds advanced SCUBA certifications, has climbed the highest mountains on three continents and visited all seven continents and has flown several types of light aircraft. Michelle Curran: Taking Action Towards Your Goals. day, the Coast Guard, with fewer members than can fit in Yankee Stadium, save Most thrilling at this years Memorial Day weekend Workshop: Going to War with Your Inner Critic. She demonstrates the capabilities of the F-16 during performances. 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. t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, Lt. Col. Kevin DiFalco is the Director of Operations for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. Select this result to view Michelle Fami Curran's phone number, address, and more. 2019 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. Her favorite maneuver is. 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. 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. 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. 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. The perfect example of how to succeed with grace and a role model for anyone with a goal in mind. This isnt a new thing., Currans doing her part to change that perception. The move to my next base acted as a catalyst for change. Hornet, traveling at 700 mph, nearly breaking the sound An air show first, livestream viewers will be treated to a special inside look at performances. 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. I was sure everyone else was better than I was and knew more than I did. I will look back.. (Ive always liked roller-coasters, Im a thrill-seeker, and I wanted to travel, she explains.) We ask what it feels like to fly. Game on. During a conversation at the Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan for the Thunder Over Michigan Airshow in 2021, Curran told TheAviationist.com that, These are long days sometimes, but this is the best job in the world. She also contributes to "60 Minutes. Her last assignment was with the Air Forces elite demonstration squadron, The Thunderbirds. / CBS News, This story originally aired on November 13, 2019, on the "CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell.". 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. At another we hit 9 g'sthats close to the highest g-force these planes can take. Together, Its these videos which will be streamed in place of Saturdays performance. This pressure often leads to us becoming our own harshest critic and standing in the way of our own success. Thunderbirds, are a team of Force launch out of a plane from 13,000 feet, speeding like The Thunderbirds dont see combat, but that doesnt mean its an easy life. Known to many as the Greatest Show on Long Island, the Bethpage Air Show was canceled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. a different plane from the Oracle Challenger 3 biplane. In addition to her function with the Thunderbirds, Mace Curran is an skilled F-16 fight fighter pilot with 163 fight hours over Afghanistan in help of operations Resolute Support and Freedoms Sentinel. Curran, whose call sign is "Mace," flies Thunderbird No. Recently, MACE was called back to St. Thomas to receive their Distinguished Alumna of the Year award. And then you have the kiddie gloves! . Its all very professional in the air with the comm. It really means a lot. The helicopter is the only Prior to the Thunderbirds, she was an F-16 Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. So that was cool.. At least 10 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18; more than a dozen missing, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh trial: What to know about the double murder case, Female Thunderbird pilot inspiring others to "chase a dream". From 2019-2021, she flew as the only female pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds and performed for millions across the country and internationally. run where they evade the enemy by actually flying into each other to create Speaker fees are subject to change without notice. speeds of up to 220 mph that keep his peers and his fans in awe. Opinions do not represent the USAF linktr.ee/macecurran Posts Reels Videos Tagged Show More Posts from mace_curran Weve detected you are on Internet Explorer. Just two years earlier, women were granted the honor of flying fighter jets by the U.S. Air Force (USAF). It's hard because Curran's job is to wow crowds with awe-inspiring aerobatics and high speed passes. Michelle "MACE" Curran Motivational Speaker, Thunderbird Pilot 19-21', AF Fighter Pilot, Aspiring Author, Outdoor Enthusiast I help teams get unstuck by empowering them Published Jun 3 . 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. During that time, she performed for millions of spectators, appeared in several national level news interviews, and did flyovers for the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, and Indy 500. Since Curran began . For an exact quote, please contact your Leading Authorities representative. 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. 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. of aerobatics; Golden Knights parachutist Maj. Marissa Chierichella and the Red 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. In a professional way. barrier, where the pilot experiences bone-crushing Gs. She spends so much time flying upside down, that the number 5 on the aircraft is painted upside . Norah O'Donnell is the anchor and managing editor of the "CBS Evening News." USAF Lt Colonel John Klatt experiences forces n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; Her skill is all the more apparent since she is flying The City of Boston is seeking artists to redesign these . For the best Barrons.com experience, please update to a modern browser.GoogleFirefox This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. 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. Drawing on over a decade in high-performance aviation and her own transformation, Mace teaches audiences what they are capable of when they let go of fear, lean into vulnerability, and make bold choices. Always a thrill seeker at heart, she has a passion for pushing her limits and changing lives. Michelle "MACE" Curran is an F-16 Mission Commander with over 1800 hours in the aircraft. These pilot nicknames can quickly identify an aircraft or individual, and they also help to confuse. Her favorite maneuver is the vertical roll pointing the plane up or down whilerolling over. Today there's only one female Thunderbird pilot: Major Michelle Curran, a 32-year-old Wisconsin native who flies the coveted Opposing Solo position. She went for it, even competing for a highly coveted pilot spot while still in college. As far as branches of the military go, the Air Force has historically had the most female recruits. I think it's important you all understand what drives me and why I made such a surprising leap! Though theyve only been allowed to fly fighter jets since 1993, women have been enlisting in the USAF proper since 1976. The thing that floors me is that some people still dont realize its an option, she says. Curran thinks it might be a perception problem. Flying an F-16 also requires an incredibly high degree of athleticism. and dexterity of these fighting crafts. 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. 2. The result was: promoted by Yoninah (talk)21:01, 1 December 2020 (UTC). it has been awesome to be part of that, to be in this position, in this time of history. From 2019-2021, she flew as the only female pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds and performed for millions across the country and internationally. During the latter a part of her function on the group, many airshows had been cancelled due to the worldwide pandemic. Up in the air, they were spinning so fast, they created a gravitational force nine times their body weight. "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. She just has one requirement for her life, post-Thunderbirds: I want to keep flying.. (It was not known whether Sundays show would also be canceled for weather). (where the plane falls from the sky), 4 knife edge tumblers, inside-outside 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. Pilots train from March to November, often away from the teams home base in Las Vegas. parachute, and sailing down at 60 mph to the target. Curran holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from the University of St. Thomas and is a 2010 graduate of the Air and Space Basic Course, Squadron Officer College. I had never truly experienced failure, I hadn't developed grit, and my identity was wrapped up in my achievements. That change is what made me even consider applying to be a Thunderbird. What happens if you unwittingly commit a faux pas in front of one of the best fliers in the world?

fbq('init', '461723204026319'); Tweet @TravelFeatures. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. In the works are online coaching programs for personal development, and in person corporate leadership coaching. She flies position #5, lead solo, one of the most visible positions on the team. This is Currans third season with the Thunderbirds. "She climbed a tree taller than our house when she was 2," said her father, Bill Curran. The thing that makes it great are the people I serve with- everyone, the team I work alongside every day. the most daring feats: US Air Force Thunderbirds pilot Michelle Curran, During the latter part of her role on the team, many airshows were cancelled due to the global pandemic. Sasquatch, powered by dual powerplants: a Pratt & Whitney 985 Radial Just in case. 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. Mace, thanks for sharing this, and for reminding us that its ok to be vulnerable and human. 12,500 ft, at a speed of 120 mph before pulling the cord to release their Windmiller has 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). MACE currently lives in Las Vegas with her family. John Klatt Airshows For the best Barrons.com experience, please update to a modern browser. He is in his second season with the team and hails from Fort Collins, Colo. 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. Trust and teamwork are obviously essential to the Thunderbirds and any successful team. 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". 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. 6 [the opposing solo] gives the challenge and the response, but I can hear his energy. And not to brag, but I dont throw up or pass out. My presence here wont end when I hand off the #5 and I have a lot more to share with you!. Visitgoingplacesfarandnear.com,www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin, andtravelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Bayport Aerodrome Society,formed I spend time right after I post engaging in the comments so comment early and I'll answer your questions. 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. and Jack Links Beef Jerky teamed up to create a one-of-a-kind plane, theScreamin 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. 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. In 2021, she was named the Distinguished Alumna of the Year by the University of St. Thomas. USAF Maj. Michelle Mace Curran, Thunderbird #5, to Leave Team. Select Accept to consent or Reject to decline non-essential cookies for this use. 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. the US Army Parachute Team, theGolden Knights, delivering the The call sign tradition is celebrated by aviation communities across all military branches. This was the 16th People come up and say Im so proud of you, something your mother would say. Drawing on over a decade in high-performance aviation and her own transformation, Mace teaches audiences what they are capable of when they let go of fear, lean into vulnerability, and make bold choices. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and has logged more than 3,100 flight hours with 667 hours of combat pilot experience. 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). And she is aware of what seeing a woman in her role can mean. . Do I have to salute? 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 . 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. 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. She flies place #5, lead solo, one of the vital seen positions on the group. people interested in preserving aviation history, flies aircraft from the 1920s. Maj. Curran is widely known as a member of theU.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. The event over Memorial Day Weekend draws almost 400,000 in the course of three days. Mace shares her struggles with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and finding her identity in a high-performance, type-A culture. that Michelle Curran was the only female flying with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds as of 2020? He is in his third year on the Thunderbirds. It means she's front and center in one of. Michelle "MACE" Curran Expand search. Matt Chapman, parachute; in one demonstration we see what happens when a chute fails at just Get ready to wake up early the next morning to go do it again.. Police at the time . USAF Maj. Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace", arrives at Selfridge ANGB in Mt. I'm happy to admit struggles and failures if it gives others perspective on what they are going through. 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). This system allows the plane to achieve feats other stunt planes are unable to PORTSMOUTH Maj. Michelle Curran, 34, is the lead solo pilot of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Against the odds, I had done it. 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 applied, picking the Air Force as her military arm of choice on a bit of a whim. At this writing, there was no decision on whether the Sunday performance would take place. 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. 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. 6, also known as the opposing solo pilot. One way to mitigate the nauseating effects is to drink lots of water, but that meant double the bathroom breaks on the drive there. Among the thrilling maneuvers by the US Air Force Thunderbirds, is this high-speed opposing attack by solo pilots Michelle Curran and Kyle Oliver, seen during Friday's rehearsal of the 17 th annual Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach State Park, Long Island over Memorial Day weekend. We have music associated with all our maneuvers and for that one I got to pick the song. He I live in a fifth-floor walkup, I offered. See photo galleries of Jones Beach Air Shows from 2019 and 2018: By Karen Rubin, Travel She has accumulated over 1250 flight hours in three aircraft, including the T-6, T-38, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. 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. "We'll do opposing passes, where we fly right at each other head-on. There was a good portion of my first assignment where I would have walked away if that were an option. 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. 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. 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. fascinating because they demonstrate actual fighting techniques an implosion 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. 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. 2023Leading Authorities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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: She was applying to scholarship programs when her father suggested looking into the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). ", First published on November 13, 2019 / 6:55 PM. Demerly studied journalism at Henry Ford College in Dearborn, Michigan. Meanwhile, the part of this job that I really love is inspiring others. 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. In a commercial flight, its easy to forget that youre in the sky, but this sensation isnt lost given the panoramic window atop a tiny cockpit surrounded by clouds. All rights reserved. Focus.. I found myself stuck in my own head and consumed by my self-doubt. The thing that makes it great are the people I serve with- everyone, the team I work alongside every day.