Most of us work out five days a week, Curran tells me. 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. I couldnt be more excited to meet her if she were Beyonce. That change is what made me even consider applying to be a Thunderbird. Early life [ edit] 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". Just two years earlier, women were granted the honor of flying fighter jets by the U.S. Air Force (USAF). 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. She has accumulated over 1250 flight hours in three aircraft, including the T-6, T-38, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. 2019 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. From 2019-2021, she flew as the only female pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds and performed for millions across the country and internationally. 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. do. My time in that role was coming to an end after the 2021 season regardless of what I was going on to do next. Despite the pandemic, Maj. Curran and the Thunderbirds effectively leveraged social media to maintain visibility of the team across all media channels. Maj. Curran is widely known as a member of the U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. smoke trails of Tucker. He is a 2005 graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, and commissioned from Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in 2010. Send comments or questions to[emailprotected]. *This is a free press release. the performances repeat year after year, or follow a two-year cycle, this show 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. Curran was the lead solo pilot for the Squadron. I found myself stuck in my own head and consumed by my self-doubt. 6, also known as the opposing solo pilot. "I'm a left-wing solo. A hug! (Being in a spinning cockpit thousands of miles from the ground will do that to you.) These pilots are at the mercy of a lot of g-forcesthat is, the gravitational force caused by rapid accelerationand its intense on the body. 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. Her last assignment was with the Air Forces elite demonstration squadron, The Thunderbirds. Mace shares her struggles with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and finding her identity in a high-performance, type-A culture. In addition to flying the No. aircraft, built especially for aerobatics, with seemingly impossible feats at 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. And not to brag, but I dont throw up or pass out. 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. 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. Be sure to look for her at an. It was something that had popped into my mind from time to time, but I had never set it as a goal because I didn't think I was good enough. 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. Maj. Curran is widely known as a member of theU.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. Its all very professional in the air with the comm. 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. 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. "We'll do opposing passes, where we fly right at each other head-on. I make a mental note to not take this for granted anymore. It's so important for others to hear your struggles. And, keep others in the saddle who are struggling. 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. It shows the impact we are having, she says. 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 a left-wing solo. Crunchbase always contains a descriptive blurb about each company, and, Weve detected you are on Internet Explorer. Norah O'Donnell is the anchor and managing editor of the "CBS Evening News." These pilot nicknames can quickly identify an aircraft or individual, and they also help to confuse. Tom Demerly served in an intelligence gathering unit as a member of the U.S. Army and Michigan National Guard. She was applying to scholarship programs when her father suggested looking into the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). 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). We lift each other up, we accomplish more as a team. 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. traditionally kicks off with a ceremonial parachute drop by a representative of 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 a Facebook post from Wednesday afternoon, October 27, 2021, USAF Maj. Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace", announced she is, "about to make a big . In the Facebook post announcing her career transition, Michelle Curran wrote: Ill be continuing to serve in a part time capacity and pursing some goals in the business world. ), First Woman Thunderbird Pilot, Combat Veteran, & Fighter Squadron Commander, Army Ranger School Graduate, Leadership and Peak Performance Expert, Curran has been featured on several leading media publications and programs, including. Curran and her family enjoy their home city of Las Vegas as a hub to adventure from. We had the opportunity to speak with Michelle recently as she prepares for the 2019 show season, and here's how it went: See more, including their schedule of performances, at the US Air Force Thunderbirds site, afthunderbirds.com. I chose [No Doubts] Im Just a Girl.. 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. They practice so much, it is all quite routine, even the communications between pilots. 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. 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. 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). 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. Her aunt Sara Cook, Bill's sister, planned to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, too. I was a fighter pilot! She has inspired thousands through her passion for breaking barriers and setting the example of what can be accomplished through hard work. The Saturday performance was cancelled due to weather, but the rehearsal footage is being livestreamed on WABC . That decision to change my mindset completely changed my trajectory. Her skill is all the more apparent since she is flying High five!'. 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. At this writing, there was no decision on whether the Sunday performance would take place. Though theyve only been allowed to fly fighter jets since 1993, women have been enlisting in the USAF proper since 1976. Trust and teamwork are obviously essential to the Thunderbirds and any successful team. GEICO Skytypers, a team of advanced training aircraft used in World War II, are 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. September 27, 2019, 5:00 AM. Hang out with my husband as much as I can. Michelle is related to James Curren and Samantha Robles as well as 3 additional people. 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. To order presentation-ready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients, USAF Maj. Michelle Mace Curran, Thunderbird #5, to Leave Team, U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds, Oenophiles to Savor Over 200 Top-Rated Wines at Wine Spectators Grand Tour 2023, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger Bought More Stock. 4 jet. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. "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'm the first female to fly in that position, which is, I think, one of the hardest positions to fly," 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. And I am not alone. a demonstration performance. You can update your choices at any time in your settings. Have a question? 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. miles mph, at bone-crushing G-forces, with Panzer magnificently following the Its these videos which will be streamed in place of Saturdays performance. 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. 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. including 8,000 doing aerobatics. She is a true inspiration to all of those attempting to overcome hardships. When all six [of the Thunderbirds] come together, if the air is smooth, were all firing on all cyclinders, its a cool feeling. The result was: promoted by Yoninah (talk)21:01, 1 December 2020 (UTC). Recently, MACE was called back to St. Thomas to receive their Distinguished Alumna of the Year award. Like Curran, he says it is the team of 130 that make the Thunderbirds possible. I appreciate your transparency and realness! 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. Theres been a steady uptick of female pilots in general and in the fighter community as well, she says. 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. She went for it, even competing for a highly coveted pilot spot while still in college. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. What if I call her by the wrong rank? Then, with a vertical climb, Im in the air. One of their pilots, is 92-year Drawing from her 13 years as a Fighter Pilot, Curran delivers actionable content and wit to leave audiences both informed and entertained. This asWine Spectators Grand Tour2023 promises event attendees the opportunity to sip, OverviewA big part of the process of bringing these reviews to you is the research done to understand the background of the company. Once she visited a base and heard the roar of the jets, though, she knew she wanted to pursue the pilot route. Curran has been in the Air Force for 11 years, but flying wasnt always her goal. Courtesy of Wine SpectatorThis years tour to feature 10 completely new wineries that have never previously poured at this highly anticipated annual event Oenophiles in Florida, Chicago and Las Vegas up for an unforgettable evening of exceptional wines are in for a treat. In hindsight, this response to adversity was so flawed. While I don't doubt she's right, a third-party fact checker is preferable.-Esprit15d . Maj. Curran flew as Thunderbird #6, opposing solo, before her advancement to Thunderbird #5, lead solo in the 2020/21 airshow season. View Michelle Curran's business profile as Member at U.S. Air Force. RELATED:Kenneth Sweet survived Pearl Harbor attack, helped found Wisconsin Air National Guard, RELATED:Fly along on an F-16 while we tell you what will take its place at Truax Field. n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; During the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds most recent headlining appearance in 2019, over 366,000 attended the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach. He is in his second season with the team and hails from Fort Collins, Colo. Red Bull Air Sign in Michelle "MACE" Curran Professional Speaker, Thunderbird Pilot '19-'21, Combat Veteran, Fighter Pilot, Author, Outdoor Enthusiast I help teams get unstuck by empowering them to face. In a Facebook post from Wednesday afternoon, October 27, 2021, USAF Maj. Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace", announced she is, "about to make a big 1 Comment Richard Aubrey says: The helicopter is the only It's a very unforgiving job if you make mistakes. 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. I'm the first female to fly in that. country, mimicking the astonishing stunts of Sean D. Tucker, a living legend 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. 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). . Former F-16 Instructor/Thunderbird Pilot, USAF. The Air Forces official air demonstration team, designated the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, was activated at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona in 1953. John Klatt Airshows Holy smokes. Norah O'Donnell flies with the Thunderbirds at the Heritage Flight Academy in Ronkonkama, NY. This is Currans third season with the Thunderbirds. This often begins at Crunchbase, where we find out the basics of the company and its founders, launching points for further research. 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. * This specific fee falls within this range. 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. Prior to joining the Thunderbirds, he was an F-22 Instructor Pilot at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. Prior to joining the Thunderbirds, he served as an F-16 evaluator pilot, Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. 22 series on Hulu. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; I actually helped buckle Brie Larson into this very seat, one replies. The perfect example of how to succeed with grace and a role model for anyone with a goal in mind. Select Accept to consent or Reject to decline non-essential cookies for this use. Curran thinks it might be a perception problem. As far as branches of the military go, the Air Force has historically had the most female recruits. As a living museum they have a variety of antique aircraft flying on the 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. ", Curran said the shows are meant to inspire people that will "never join the military.". 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Send comments or questions to [emailprotected] Tweet @TravelFeatures. This button displays the currently selected search type. The thing that floors me is that some people still dont realize its an option, she says. The call sign tradition is celebrated by aviation communities across all military branches. Tom Demerly served in an intelligence gathering unit as a member of the U.S. Army and Michigan National Guard. 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. 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. The original plan was to livestream the rain date of Sunday, May 30, 2021. I made a commitment to start saying ''yes" to those from then on. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? Usually I'll go in the swimming pool in the backyard for a few minutes. 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. Ranges are presented as a guideline only. died in an airplane crash. Police answered a call in the early morning of July 20, 1971, after Curran's roommate found her in their shared bedroom. 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. Weve detected you are on Internet Explorer. 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. Is she nervous at all? The headliners, the US Air Force 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. I will look back.. She first saw the squadron during her F-16 training, when they came to her base. They have also lived in West Blocton, AL and Holden, MA. that, These are long days sometimes, but this is the best job in the world. She went on to full the Squadron Officer School in 2014. The second best result is Michelle Lee Curran age 40s in Ocala, FL in the Silver Springs Shores neighborhood. 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 know what I need to do. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. aviation lawyer who knew all too well the risks, and she because her father From flying an F-16 to her passion for extreme sports, Curran is a thrill seeker. For the best Barrons.com experience, please update to a modern browser.GoogleFirefox This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. I'm sure most in your class were feeling the same way. I had the wrong hook - How about ALT0c: . It means shes front and center in one of the most visible squadrons in the military. 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". Lt. Col. Kevin DiFalco is the Director of Operations for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and has logged more than 1,700 flight hours, including more than 470 combat hours in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Freedoms Sentinel. The whole team then returns for 15 lives, patrol some 96,000 miles of coastline through the US, as well as 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. I'm the first female to fly in that position, which is, I think, one of the hardest positions to fly," Curran said. ", First published on November 13, 2019 / 6:55 PM. 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. 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. exquisite, thrilling pas de deux in flight, with incredible precision at 200 When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match . The 31-year-old Medford native isthe first female demonstration pilot for the Thunderbirds since 2014. 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. World War II vintage aircraft from the American Air Power people interested in preserving aviation history, flies aircraft from the 1920s. 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. Go fly girls! I do that through keynote speeches and via content creation on LinkedIn. 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. In 2021, she was named the Distinguished Alumna of the Year by the University of St. Thomas. Learn more in our Cookie Policy. Noted. Known to many as the Greatest Show on Long Island, the Bethpage Air Show was canceled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. famous by the barnstormers of the 1920s and 1930s, and is based on a 1929 Waco, The amount I needed to learn was so overwhelming that I avoided it by procrastinating. Curran describes her tenure as lead solo for the Thunderbirds as the pinnacle of her career. Please enter valid email address to continue. Features Syndicate,goingplacesfarandnear.com. The Air Force turns 72 years old this month. day, the Coast Guard, with fewer members than can fit in Yankee Stadium, save barrier, where the pilot experiences bone-crushing Gs. 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. I realized I was meeting people all the time that struggled with the things that I did during my first assignment. / CBS News, This story originally aired on November 13, 2019, on the "CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell.". 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 the works are online coaching programs for personal development, and in person corporate leadership coaching. 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. Show organizers instead held the first Bethpage Virtual Air Show which enabled fans to experience performances straight from the pilots cockpits. 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. 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. plane, it is astonishing to learn that the plane is a Taperwing Waco made 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. During the latter a part of her function on the group, many airshows had been cancelled due to the worldwide pandemic. 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. In a professional way. The movie . Col. John Caldwell is the Commander/Leader of the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron. The Super Bowl was the first time Curran's parents had seen their daughter performing with the Thunderbirds.