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. 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. Hornet, traveling at 700 mph, nearly breaking the sound Prior to the Thunderbirds, she was an F-16 Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. Windmiller, Long Islands She was applying to scholarship programs when her father suggested looking into the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). 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. 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. My presence here wont end when I hand off the #5 and I have a lot more to share with you!. Maj. Curran flew as Thunderbird #6, opposing solo, before her advancement to Thunderbird #5, lead solo in the 2020/21 airshow season. 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". 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. Looking for the right speaker for your audience? She flies position #5, lead solo, one of the most visible positions on the team. As far as branches of the military go, the Air Force has historically had the most female recruits. Major Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace," is the only female fighter pilot on the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's demonstration team. Curran was the lead solo pilot for the Squadron. There was a good portion of my first assignment where I would have walked away if that were an option. Self-nominated at 04:00, 10 November 2020 (UTC). Im also excited to get into the general aviation world and hopefully also try my hand at helicopters. a demonstration performance. 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: 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. One of their pilots, is 92-year 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. 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. Tom Demerly served in an intelligence gathering unit as a member of the U.S. Army and Michigan National Guard. Lieutenant Colonel Eric Gorney, call sign "Miami," is in charge of flying civilians. He is in his second season with the team and hails from Fort Collins, Colo. We lift each other up, we accomplish more as a team. 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. And once I got thereI felt completely in over my head. 7 jet. 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. They barrel out of their plane from an altitude of 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). 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. Really, what we do is life and death sometimes," Curran said. The three years on the team was the most fun flying of my career. was particularly exciting with the infusion of new energy. parachute, and sailing down at 60 mph to the target. Opinions do not represent the USAF linktr.ee/macecurran Posts Reels Videos Tagged Show More Posts from mace_curran He has logged more than 5,800 total flight hours and 1,050 hours in the F-15E, including more than 315 combat hours over Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve. She demonstrates the capabilities of the F-16 during performances. 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. show also pays homage to aviations heritage. Created by AviationFreak (talk). 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. High five!'. And, keep others in the saddle who are struggling. including 8,000 doing aerobatics. 12,500 ft, at a speed of 120 mph before pulling the cord to release their Mace, you are certainly an inspiration. In the works are online coaching programs for personal development, and in person corporate leadership coaching. David The movie . I live in a fifth-floor walkup, I offered. 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. Michelle "MACE" Curran is an F-16 Mission Commander with over 1800 hours in the aircraft. Upside Down Dreams was born. The demonstration squadron boasts some of the worlds most elite fliers, and those skilled enough to make it serve a two-year assignment. Her skill is all the more apparent since she is flying South China Seas, Pacific, Persian Gulf and wherever the US has forces.The air 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. You can update your choices at any time in your settings. At 24 years old, I had achieved a goal I had worked toward for over five years. She first saw the squadron during her F-16 training, when they came to her base. 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. confusion, missing each other by mere feet; opposing craft which come at each And the back-story The amount I needed to learn was so overwhelming that I avoided it by procrastinating. I'm sure most in your class were feeling the same way. The 2005 Medford High School graduate attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota,on an ROTC scholarship. Its these videos which will be streamed in place of Saturdays performance. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? I was sure everyone else was better than I was and knew more than I did. "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 applied, picking the Air Force as her military arm of choice on a bit of a whim. 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. exquisite, thrilling pas de deux in flight, with incredible precision at 200 He is in his first season with the team and hails from Cerritos, Calif. Maj. Michael Brewer is the Slot Pilot for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. I started to grow an Adventure Mindsetone of curiosity, openness to new things, and a completely fresh perspective on failure. During the latter a part of her function on the group, many airshows had been cancelled due to the worldwide pandemic. 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.. 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 Thunderbirds dont see combat, but that doesnt mean its an easy life. She has inspired thousands through her passion for breaking barriers and setting the example of what can be accomplished through hard work. Curran and her family enjoy their home city of Las Vegas as a hub to adventure from. I know what I need to do. During her ten years flying the Viper, MACE flew combat sorties in Afghanistan and taught Polish Air Force pilots in their aircraft. The whole team then returns for It means shes front and center in one of the most visible squadrons in the military. MACE served as Chief of Scheduling, Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, and a Flight Commander at various squadrons. 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. See photo galleries of Jones Beach Air Shows from 2019 and 2018: By Karen Rubin, Travel She flies position #5, lead solo, one of the most visible positions on the team. plane, it is astonishing to learn that the plane is a Taperwing Waco made He entered the Air Force in 2002 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Caldwell graduated from the F-16 Replacement Training Unit at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., in 2005. And she does it upside down (almost the equivalent of Ginger Rogers doing it backwards and in heels?). Just two years earlier, women were granted the honor of flying fighter jets by the U.S. Air Force (USAF). (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. Michelle is related to James Curren and Samantha Robles as well as 3 additional people. flying before he got his license and has accumulated 18,000 flight hours, At this writing, there was no decision on whether the Sunday performance would take place. 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). 2019 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. Theres been a steady uptick of female pilots in general and in the fighter community as well, she says. Just in case. . I actually helped buckle Brie Larson into this very seat, one replies. 2023 www.jsonline.com. The airshow 6, also known as the opposing solo pilot. 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. I was so excited, I called everyone in my familyand none of them answered their phones, she deadpans. 2. She earned a degree in criminal justice in 2009 because she consideredbecominga crime scene investigatorbut also thought it would be cool to become a pilot. traditionally kicks off with a ceremonial parachute drop by a representative of This week, I want to give you a bit of perspective on why I chose to stop flying F-16s and become an entrepreneur. This often begins at Crunchbase, where we find out the basics of the company and its founders, launching points for further research. everything happens for a reason - it makes you better,stronger and more resilient. field including Bi-Planes, Champs, and Cubs. She flies place #5, lead solo, one of the vital seen positions on the group. Flying under the callsign "MACE," she was the second woman ever to fly in the lead solo position for . She just has one requirement for her life, post-Thunderbirds: I want to keep flying.. I realized I was meeting people all the time that struggled with the things that I did during my first assignment. 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! barrier, where the pilot experiences bone-crushing Gs. The Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach State Park was canceled Saturday due to weather, the state Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation said in a statement. The event over Memorial Day Weekend draws almost 400,000 in the course of three days. Curran has been in the Air Force for 11 years, but flying wasnt always her goal. 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. (It was not known whether Sundays show would also be canceled for weather). Most thrilling at this years Memorial Day weekend Once she visited a base and heard the roar of the jets, though, she knew she wanted to pursue the pilot route. Its become more accepted, but she is aware of things that women have to navigate that men dont even think about. 22 series on Hulu. 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. 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. Curran holds a Bachelor of Arts diploma in Criminal Justice from the University of St. Thomas and is a 2010 graduate of the Air and Space Basic Course, Squadron Officer College. Pilots train from March to November, often away from the teams home base in Las Vegas. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. She has founded her company, Upside Down Dreams, to inspire others to overcome setbacks and achieve their goals. 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. The Saturday performance was cancelled due to weather, but the rehearsal footage is being livestreamed on WABC . 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. 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. that each were afraid of flying initially, he because his father was an He is a 2005 graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, and commissioned from Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in 2010. In 2021, she was named the Distinguished Alumna of the Year by the University of St. Thomas. 15 lives, patrol some 96,000 miles of coastline through the US, as well as 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. Get ready to wake up early the next morning to go do it again.. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. Source: "Major Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace," is the only female fighter pilot on the Thunderbirds." AviationFreak 01:11, 28 November 2020 (UTC) The US Air ForceThunderbirdsheadlined the 16th Annual Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach State Park, Long Island, flying the thrilling red, white and blue F-16s. They have also lived in West Blocton, AL and Holden, MA. The thing that floors me is that some people still dont realize its an option, she says. She serveda two-month deployment in the skies over Afghanistan in 2016, flying 125 hours in combat and was serving in the 355th Fighter Squadron in Fort Worth, Texas, whenshe was chosen for one of the coveted spots in the Thunderbirds, who train at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. Prior to joining the Thunderbirds, he served as the Assistant Director of Operations of the 555th Fighter Squadron and Director of Operations for the 31st Operations Support Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy.
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