The call sign tradition is celebrated by aviation communities across all military branches. She just has one requirement for her life, post-Thunderbirds: I want to keep flying.. I make a mental note to not take this for granted anymore. was particularly exciting with the infusion of new energy. I was so excited, I called everyone in my familyand none of them answered their phones, she deadpans. World War II vintage aircraft from the American Air Power I practiced flexing my leg muscles for the next several hours. 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. confusion, missing each other by mere feet; opposing craft which come at each She also contributes to "60 Minutes. 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. I started to grow an Adventure Mindsetone of curiosity, openness to new things, and a completely fresh perspective on failure. I kicked off my newsletter series with a heavy hitter right out the gate. Curran and her family enjoy their home city of Las Vegas as a hub to adventure from. 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 technical aspects and tactics were complicated. 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. Before that, the WAFWomen in the Air Forceformed in 1948, but WAFs werent permitted to fly and instead performed ground duties. 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. 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. 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. Flying an F-16 also requires an incredibly high degree of athleticism. "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. Shes badass, Curran says. (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. 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. . She went on to complete the Squadron Officer School in 2014. annual Jones Beach air show Ive seen almost all of them and though many of Workshop: Going to War with Your Inner Critic. Clemens, Michigan when the team staged from the U.S. for an airshow performance in Canada during the global pandemic lockdown. 7 jet. Mace, you are certainly an inspiration. 2019 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. Over the next 18 months, I started running marathons, got into technical mountaineering, traveled to Nepal by myself to trek to Everest Base Camp with a group of strangers, deployed for the first time, and spent a summer instructing in Poland. 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. This isnt a new thing., Currans doing her part to change that perception. 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. 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. Curran is the fifth woman to fly with the Thunderbirds, her callsign (or nickname) is "MACE". We lift each other up, we accomplish more as a team. "I was definitely nervous and excited, but there was so much to learn that is specific to the Thunderbirds that those feelings were overshadowed by the focus needed to keep up with the jet," said Curran. 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. The fighter is flown by the United States Navy and Marines. See photo galleries of Jones Beach Air Shows from 2019 and 2018: By Karen Rubin, Travel Vulnerability isnt a weakness, its a super power as a leader! The F-18 Super flying for Embry Riddle, performs maneuvers in which he experiences as much as September 27, 2019, 5:00 AM. "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 was scared to raise my hand when I had a question, because I didn't want anyone else to discover how little I knew. Tweet @TravelFeatures. Hornet, traveling at 700 mph, nearly breaking the sound I'm sure most in your class were feeling the same way. She reflects what it is like to be part of this very special team there are 130 on the team. Windmiller has Mace shares her struggles with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and finding her identity in a high-performance, type-A culture. Usually I'll go in the swimming pool in the backyard for a few minutes. Mace, thanks for sharing this, and for reminding us that its ok to be vulnerable and human. #flyaf Please enter valid email address to continue. Demerly studied journalism at Henry Ford College in Dearborn, Michigan. 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? that, These are long days sometimes, but this is the best job in the world. Its become more accepted, but she is aware of things that women have to navigate that men dont even think about. Curran has been in the Air Force for 11 years, but flying wasnt always her goal. Mace shares her struggles with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and finding her identity in a high-performance, type-A culture. 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. Find Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok profiles, images and more on IDCrawl - free people search website. 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. Maj. Curran flew as Thunderbird #6, opposing solo, earlier than her development to Thunderbird #5, lead solo within the 2020/21 airshow season. She is a true inspiration to all of those attempting to overcome hardships. Like Curran, he says it is the team of 130 that make the Thunderbirds possible. All rights reserved. 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. She demonstrates the capabilities of the F-16 during performances. Tom Demerly served in an intelligence gathering unit as a member of the U.S. Army and Michigan National Guard. Bill Curran said his daughter was encouraged to apply for the Thunderbirds by friends in the Air Force. During the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds most recent headlining appearance in 2019, over 366,000 attended the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach. She has founded her company, Upside Down Dreams, to inspire others to overcome setbacks and achieve their goals. six F-16 Fighting Falcons that roar through the skies, to demonstrate the power 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. 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. famous by the barnstormers of the 1920s and 1930s, and is based on a 1929 Waco, Lt. Col. Kevin DiFalco is the Director of Operations for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. Combat veteran Michelle MACE Curran led an impressive career as an F-16 fighter pilot during her 13 years in the United States Air Force. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Did_you_know_nominations/Michelle_Curran&oldid=991790654, The first two are great. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? country, mimicking the astonishing stunts of Sean D. Tucker, a living legend I'll be honest I don't have a favorite in the Super Bowl," said Cook. However, a livestream of Fridays practice sessions include footage from go-pros from the pilots and a Thunderbirds chase plane that shadowed the F-16s in their thrilling maneuvers is airing on Saturday, 10-3 pm. 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. After going through extensive interviews and testing, she called her parents last summer and excitedly said "you're talking to the newest Thunderbird!". "I'm a left-wing solo. USAF Maj. Michelle Mace Curran, Thunderbird #5, to Leave Team. 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). Since Curran began . 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. 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. 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. 15 lives, patrol some 96,000 miles of coastline through the US, as well as Crunchbase always contains a descriptive blurb about each company, and, Weve detected you are on Internet Explorer. Michelle Curran: Taking Action Towards Your Goals. In 2021, she was named the Distinguished Alumna of the Year by the University of St. Thomas. What if I call her by the wrong rank? Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. 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. 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. Select Accept to consent or Reject to decline non-essential cookies for this use. with Jessy Panzer, the only female civilian air show pilot in the USA. . At the end of her undergraduate pilot training, she was one of justtwo in her class of 25 chosen for fighter jets. He is a graduate of the USAF Weapons School, a 2016 and 2020 NASA Astronaut Air Force nominee and has logged over 1,900 hours of flight time, including more than 297 hours of combat pilot experience. The move to my next base acted as a catalyst for change. The thing that makes it great are the people I serve with- everyone, the team I work alongside every day. 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. 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). It can be seen onWABC-TV, as well as on WABCsConnected TV AppsonAmazon Fire TV,Android TV,Apple TV,andRoku. And not to brag, but I dont throw up or pass out. aircraft, built especially for aerobatics, with seemingly impossible feats at During a dialog on the Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan for the Thunder Over Michigan Airshow in 2021, Curran advised TheAviationist.com that, These are long days sometimes, but this is the best job in the world. of aerobatics; Golden Knights parachutist Maj. Marissa Chierichella and the Red 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. Meanwhile, the part of this job that I really love is inspiring others. 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. Theres 12 officers on a teamif you look at the officers alone as a sample, our team next year will have four women, Curran says. 2023 www.jsonline.com. Tom Demerly served in an intelligence gathering unit as a member of the U.S. Army and Michigan National Guard. Its all very professional in the air with the comm. She flies position #5, lead solo, one of the most visible positions on the team. During the latter part of her role on the team, many airshows were cancelled due to the global pandemic. During the latter part of her role on the team, many airshows were cancelled due to the global pandemic. She flies position #5, lead solo, one of the most visible positions on the team. 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. It shows the impact we are having, she says. Go fly girls! "I just want to see the (Thunderbird) planes. Maj. Curran is broadly referred to as a member of the U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. been flying since 14 year old, soloed at 16 year old and started aerobatic Michelle "MACE" Curran Expand search. The airshow My favorite moment was when this little girlshe was probably six or sevencame up to the autograph line after a show and said, Im going to take your job. I was like, 'Yes! 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. South China Seas, Pacific, Persian Gulf and wherever the US has forces.The air These pilot nicknames can quickly identify an aircraft or individual, and they also help to confuse. 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. "We'll do opposing passes, where we fly right at each other head-on. Known to many as the Greatest Show on Long Island, the Bethpage Air Show was canceled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 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. There is a charge of adrenalin, but once I take off, it is just focus. * This specific fee falls within this range. Her skill is all the more apparent since she is flying When all six [of the Thunderbirds] come together, if the air is smooth, were all firing on all cyclinders, its a cool feeling. 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. I think it's important you all understand what drives me and why I made such a surprising leap! exquisite, thrilling pas de deux in flight, with incredible precision at 200 Stay connected. / CBS News, This story originally aired on November 13, 2019, on the "CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell.". The Air Forces official air demonstration team, designated the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, was activated at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona in 1953. 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). He performs snap rolls, inverted flat spin 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. a different plane from the Oracle Challenger 3 biplane. Theres still a long way to go before the Air Force hits total parity, but Curran doesnt see herself as an outlier. Michelle MACE Curran is an F-16 Mission Commander with over 1800 hours in the aircraft. 9 positive Gs and 6 negative Gs. 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.. travels at 250 mph. Four years into that time she became the first female pilot to fly for the 457th Fighter Squadron. traditionally kicks off with a ceremonial parachute drop by a representative of 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). 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. I made a commitment to start saying ''yes" to those from then on. day, the Coast Guard, with fewer members than can fit in Yankee Stadium, save 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. With a powerful story and breathtaking visuals, Michelle, also known as Mace, takes her audience on a surprising and compelling journey through her career as a Fighter Pilot, culminating in her role as the Lead Solo Pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds. "We're just bursting with excitement," said Bill Curran. The Air Force turns 72 years old this month. Update: At this writing, the Bethpage Air Show was scheduled for Memorial Day, Monday, May 31. One way to mitigate the nauseating effects is to drink lots of water, but that meant double the bathroom breaks on the drive there. The 31-year-old Medford native isthe first female demonstration pilot for the Thunderbirds since 2014. In a professional way. 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 like no other organization I have ever been a part of, said Curran, who has been in the Air Force for 12 years. The movie . 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. From 2019-2021, she flew as the only female pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds and performed for millions across the country and internationally. Recently, MACE was called back to St. Thomas to receive their Distinguished Alumna of the Year award. She reminds me that not all Thunderbird team members or officers are pilots, and there are many women performing important ground duties. I also get to chat with Maj. Zane Taylor, the right wing pilot flying the No. I'm the first female to fly in that. This pressure often leads to us becoming our own harshest critic and standing in the way of our own success. Looking for Michele Curran online? Day weekend) were flown, including the B-25 Mitchell Bomber used in the Catch Taylor is a 2010 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he majored in Systems Engineering. That change is what made me even consider applying to be a Thunderbird. Police answered a call in the early morning of July 20, 1971, after Curran's roommate found her in their shared bedroom. Early life [ edit] ", Curran said the shows are meant to inspire people that will "never join the military.". 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. And I am not alone. This button displays the currently selected search type. Though she wasn't really interested in football. All upgraded press releases are ad-free! 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. cbsnews.com Female Thunderbird pilot inspiring others to chase their dreams Visitgoingplacesfarandnear.com,www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin, andtravelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Curran, whose call sign is "Mace," flies Thunderbird No. This is Currans third season with theThunderbirds. Tom Demerly is a characteristic author, journalist, photographer and editorialist who has written articles which are revealed world wide on TheAviationist.com, TACAIRNET.com, Outside journal, Business Insider, We Are The Mighty, The Dearborn Press & Guide, National Interest, Russias authorities media outlet Sputnik, and lots of different publications. 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. man would weigh 800 lbs. Museum, at Republic Airport (flights available over Memorial 3 jet. At this writing, there was no decision on whether the Sunday performance would take place. It hits me when I step out to the jets. WAYS TO SEE LONG ISLANDS BETHPAGE AIR SHOW AT JONES BEACH DESPITE WEATHER, 16TH ANNUAL BETHPAGE AIR SHOW AT JONES BEACH, LONG ISLAND, HONORS SPIRIT OF MEMORIAL DAY, PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS FROM 15THANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY BETHPAGE AIR SHOW AT JONES BEACH, LONG ISLAND, 2021 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, Like I'm just getting started! I am a Venezuelan passionate about aviation, and at 44 years old I only see these from the screen, since I never dared to approach an Airplane because I am a woman. It turned out there was a lot more to being a fighter pilot than just flying the jet. people interested in preserving aviation history, flies aircraft from the 1920s. Curran was the lead solo pilot for the Squadron. Im hoping to continue to do that through this platform, public speaking, a childrens booklets just say I have a lot of goals and I hope youll continue to come along for the journey. During a conversation at the Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan for the Thunder Over Michigan Airshow in 2021, Curran told. The headliners, the US Air Force Like us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures. Drawing from her 13 years as a Fighter Pilot, Curran delivers actionable content and wit to leave audiences both informed and entertained. 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. Send comments or questions to [emailprotected] Tweet @TravelFeatures. 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. solos race at each other at combined speed of 1000 mph. That decision to change my mindset completely changed my trajectory. You're in such a great position to inspire people. 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. The schedule is grueling. Speaker fees are subject to change without notice. Most of us work out five days a week, Curran tells me. No. Among the 12 pilots, there will be only one woman, Major Michelle Curran, helping her fellow Thunderbirds make the occasion special. 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 2% of pilots are women. We know each other a sisterhood.. John Klatt Airshows The original plan was to livestream the rain date of Sunday, May 30, 2021. So in a way, women make for more natural fighter pilots. But from the moment I meet Curran on the scorching hot tarmac, she is warm and funny. They barrel out of their plane from an altitude of We lift each other up, we accomplish more as a team. barrier, where the pilot experiences bone-crushing Gs. Theres been a steady uptick of female pilots in general and in the fighter community as well, she says. 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.
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