A Day With The Only Female Thunderbird Pilot In The U.S. Air Force 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Major Michelle Curran, the wife of South Adams graduate John Flueckiger, son of Russ and Susan (Bixler) Flueckiger of Geneva, will be performing as a pilot with the Thunderbirds on July 10 and 11 during an air show at the Dayton International. In the Facebook put up saying her profession transition, Michelle Curran wrote: Ill be continuing to serve in a part time capacity and pursing some goals in the business world. Between shows, theteamvisits schools and hospitals and attendsvarious meet and greets. Hang out with my husband as much as I can. 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. In 1976 the WAF was ended and women were allowed into the Air Force as equal members. So that was cool.. The thing that floors me is that some people still dont realize its an option, she says. Michelle Curran Michelle Curran Only Female Thunderbird Pilot Thunderbird Thunderbird 6 U.S. Air Force United States Air Force, Screenshot from video The video in the article features Lockheed F-104 Starfighter Taxi, taking off , Your email address will not be published. michelle curran married It's a very unforgiving job if you make mistakes. USAF Maj. Michelle "Mace" Curran, Thunderbird #5, to Leave Team Hang out with my husband as much as I can. It means shes front and center in one of the most visible squadrons in the military. Copyright 2023 | MH Magazine WordPress Theme by MH Themes Drink a beer. Curran is the fifth woman to fly with the Thunderbirds, her callsign (or nickname) is "MACE". (Being in a spinning cockpit thousands of miles from the ground will do that to you.) One way to mitigate the nauseating effects is to drink lots of water, but that meant double the bathroom breaks on the drive there. As far as branches of the military go, the Air Force has historically had the most female recruits. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. Want the full article and access to our online E-Editions? I live in a fifth-floor walkup, I offered. They act as the public face for the USAF, performing jaw-dropping maneuvers at air shows around the country. Major Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace," is the only female fighter pilot on the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's demonstration team. (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. I live in a fifth-floor walkup, I offered. Curran was born in Medford, Wisconsin. And not to brag, but I dont throw up or pass out. Born on 1987 in United States, Michelle Curran started her career as United States Air Force major . This level of comfort took years to develop. 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). The Air Force turns 72 years old this month. ", Curran said the shows are meant to inspire people that will "never join the military.". Though theyve only been allowed to fly fighter jets since 1993, women have been enlisting in the USAF proper since 1976. This is Currans third season with the Thunderbirds. Of course, Curran already knows thatWisconsinites and cheese curds are amazing (she's a hardcore Packers fan who grew up with cheeseheads around the house), butshe's still excited to be coming home. 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. Curran was the only female pilot flying with the squadron when she served, and the fifth female pilot in the squadron overall. There have been women in the United States Air Force since 1948, and women continue to serve in it today. We lift each other up, we accomplish more as a team. In a Facebook post from Wednesday afternoon, October 27, 2021, USAF Maj. Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace", announced she is, "about to make a big career pivot and will be leaving the Active. 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. Discover Michelle Currans Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Female Thunderbird pilot inspiring others to chase their dreams It makes a spiral in the sky, she tells me. [4] Curran then spent three years at Misawa Air Base in northern Japan. I practiced flexing my leg muscles for the next several hours. Though theyve only been allowed to fly fighter jets since 1993, women have been enlisting in the USAF proper since 1976. Michelle Curran net worth is $12 Million Michelle Curran Wiki: Salary, Married, Wedding, Spouse, Family . "There's really nothing else like having an opportunity to be put in a position where I can influence someone like that.". During the latter part of her role on the team, many airshows were cancelled due to the global pandemic. 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. I chose [No Doubts] Im Just a Girl.. But from the moment I meet Curran on the scorching hot tarmac, she is warm and funny. 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. What happens if you unwittingly commit a faux pas in front of one of the best fliers in the world? Michelle Curran - Wikipedia Michelle Curran, better known by her family name Michelle Curran, is a popular American United States Air Force major. The meaning behind the stars on Thunderbird jets, Surviving the torturous hell of the Hanoi Hilton, Some companies charge hefty fees to help veterans with disability claims, 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. Curran has been in the Air Force for 11 years, but flying wasnt always her goal. / CBS News, This story originally aired on November 13, 2019, on the "CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell.". 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. 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. United States Air Force Major Im also excited to get into the general aviation world and hopefully also try my hand at helicopters. Since this is her first season, Curran has anotheryear of training, airshowsand meet and greets to look forward to. As a team of uniform-clad airmen help me get into the back passenger seat of Thunderbird plane #7, I joke that I feel like Captain Marvel. 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. 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! S2 EP1: Proving Your Credibility with Major Michelle Curran. Curran thinks it might be a perception problem. High five!'. Noted. Michelle Curran - Facebook She first saw the squadron during her F-16 training, when they came to her base. Most of us work out five days a week, Curran tells me. Their one free day a week is Wednesday, so Curranwho recently married her. Theres still a long way to go before the Air Force hits total parity, but Curran doesnt see herself as an outlier. Sarah Michelle Gellar and her husband, Freddie Prinze Jr. have known each other since 1997, where they met while filming I Know What You Did Last Summer, however, they didn't start dating until 2000. So Danvers is a leader in more ways than one. Michelle Curran (born 1987) is a former United States Air Force (USAF) major and a pilot in the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, or Thunderbirds. So in a way, women make for more natural fighter pilots. Really, what we do is life and death sometimes," Curran said. 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. Although her family lives in northern Wisconsin, Curran expects to have around 20 relatives, some of them driving up to six hours,comesee her perform. 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. 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. michelle curran married - superithelp.com 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. Just two years earlier, women were granted the honor of flying fighter jets by the U.S. Air Force (USAF). 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. We also talked about the F-16 and of course the Thunderbirds, with plenty of advice for aspiring pilots along the way. Credit: Staff Sgt. This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from. Thunderbird #5 Maj. Michelle "Mace" Curran with her Female Crew To really complete the picture, the Air Force even offered a flight in a F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft (which, I learn via military.com, is a mainstay of the combat fleet). Here we are updating just estimated networth of Michelle Curran salary, income and assets. Why The USAF Thunderbirds Still Use A Mechanical Stopwatch In The [4] Her next year was spent as an F-16 Fighting Falcon student with the 308th Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. Michelle Curran has already had a storied career. 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. 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. She just has one requirement for her life, post-Thunderbirds: I want to keep flying.. 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. What if I call her by the wrong rank? They act as the public face for the USAF, performing jaw-dropping maneuvers at air shows around the country. 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. 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. Canceled: Golf (Boys V) @ Southern Wells Jr-Sr High School (Dogwood Glen Golf Course) 5/2/2023 4:30 PM, Canceled: Tennis (Girls) @ Bluffton 5/1/2023 4:30 PM, Canceled: Softball (V) @ Bellmont 5/1/2023 5:30 PM, Canceled: Softball (JV) @ Huntington North 5/1/2023 5:30 PM, Canceled: Baseball (V) @ Bellmont 5/1/2023 5:30 PM. This isnt a new thing., Currans doing her part to change that perception. Share. Today theres only one female Thunderbird pilot: Major Michelle Curran, a 32-year-old Wisconsin native who flies the coveted Opposing Solo position. Just two years earlier, women were granted the honor of flying fighter jets by the U.S. Air Force (USAF). She reminds me that not all Thunderbird team members or officers are pilots, and there are many women performing important ground duties. Shes alright, I guess, but $300/hr is my max unless she gets a nose job. Major Michelle Curran has gone through the start-up sequence of the F-16 Fighting Falcon thousands of times. We have music associated with all our maneuvers and for that one I got to pick the song. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Michelle "MACE" Curran - Speaker, Author - LinkedIn "It's a well-orchestrated,almost like a dance, that goes on for those 45 minutes," Curran said. Darryl Hinton Major Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace," is the only female fighter pilot on the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's demonstration team. "I'm a left-wing solo. 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. 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). 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. Capt. Most of us work out five days a week, Curran tells me. Curran was the first woman assigned to fly in the 355th FS and attributed her success to her parents, leadership and strong women in aviation past and present who've helped pave the way. Flying an F-16 also requires an incredibly high degree of athleticism. "Face of Defense: This Thunderbird Flies High", "Meet the Only Female Fighter Pilot Flying Over New York City Today", "Female Thunderbird pilot inspiring others to chase their dreams", "Medford woman soaring over Milwaukee as Thunderbirds' second-ever female solo pilot", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michelle_Curran&oldid=1147324064, United States Air Force Thunderbirds pilots, University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) alumni, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 30 March 2023, at 06:12. 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? Aircraft spotters packed their gear and disappeared to their hotels for the night. 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. In addition to the recommended hydration, pilots must stay in shape. Michelle Obama joins Bruce Springsteen for back-up vocals at Barcelona As we hop along the New Jersey coastline, experiencing minor Gs, I take in a view of the beach. "Everyone who's previously been there that's on the team still just raves about how much they liked the Milwaukee show and how awesome the people are and how awesome the cheese curds are," she said. 0. Please scroll down to see information about Michelle Curran Social media profiles. Maj. Andrew J. Moseley / Courtesy of U.S. Air National Guard, has historically had the most female recruits. The Air Force turns 72 years old this month. This is Currans third season with the Thunderbirds. [3][6] She was the first woman to fly as part of the 335th FS. "It's pretty amazing to see everyone come together asa well-oiled machine and put six jets up every single weekend," Curran said. her net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. He makes everything better, everything more fun" mace_curran Verified Follow A Little White Wedding Chapel, Las Vegas 1,817 likes mace_curran Verified Almost a week ago I married my best friend. Just in case. The movie is fairly realisticnot in the all-powerful superhero scenes, of course, but in the sense that its set in 1995. Also learn about how she is rich at the age of 49 years old? The thing that floors me is that some people still dont realize its an option, she says. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. 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. Curran was also active in Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at St. Theres still a long way to go before the Air Force hits total parity, but Curran doesnt see herself as an outlier. During Michelle's training and career as an Airforce Pilot, she . Just to add another layer of complexity, the boss will call out coordinated smoke releases andthe lead solo pilot will occasionally break off to perform his own maneuvers.