After nearly a decade of active service, including deployments to Afghanistan and Japan, Curran applied to the Thunderbirds. Major Curran was participating in the Operation America Strong flyovers the Thunderbirds did with the Blue Angels, the demonstration squadron of the United States Navy, during the COVID-19 pandemic. 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? 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. We lift each other up, we accomplish more as a team. Ill go from 150 feet above the ground to 15,000 in a few seconds while rolling. "I've had little girls come up to me and be like 'I saw you and I want to fly jets someday,'" she said. . The thing that floors me is that some people still dont realize its an option, she says. Its been a while! she says. This is Currans third season with the Thunderbirds. Really, what we do is life and death sometimes," Curran said. her net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Recently, Curran took a two-day break on Mackinac Islandwith some of the other squadronmembers. She flew 160 combat hours in Afghanistan before joining the team. Want the full article and access to our online E-Editions? Cady Drell is a writer based in New York City. So in a way, women make for more natural fighter pilots. 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). Hang out with my husband as much as I can. 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. 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. Major Curran, callsign 'Mace' is just the fifth female Thunderbirds pilot and chatted to us from Las Vegas, discussing her route to becoming a fighter pilot and the challenges she met along the way. The Thunderbirds dont see combat, but that doesnt mean its an easy life. 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. Hang out with my husband as much as I can. also know about her Social media accounts i.e. 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). Early life Curran was born in Medford, Wisconsin. Meanwhile, the part of this job that I really love is inspiring others. (Being in a spinning cockpit thousands of miles from the ground will do that to you.) Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, . 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. ", Curran said the shows are meant to inspire people that will "never join the military.". She applied, picking the Air Force as her military arm of choice on a bit of a whim. These are not breathable, she adds, tugging at her flight jumpsuit. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. Reports: Russian Fighters Trying To Dogfight U.S. TheMilwaukee show, whichwill take place over Lake Michigan near McKinley Beachon Saturday and Sunday is thefirst time Curranwill be performing in her home state. From 2019 to 2021, she flew as the only female. She just has one requirement for her life, post-Thunderbirds: I want to keep flying.. 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. And while keeping tabs on those metrics she also is listening tothe flight leader the boss, she says who calls out loops, rolls and repositioning commands. Curran Served as the opposing solo pilot in 2019, and the lead solo pilot in 2020 and 2021, flying on the outer-left wing of the Delta formation of six F-16s. High five!'. The demonstration squadron boasts some of the worlds most elite fliers, and those skilled enough to make it serve a two-year assignment. The 6% with NancyMD. Theres been a steady uptick of female pilots in general and in the fighter community as well, she says. The schedule is grueling. Before that, the WAFWomen in the Air Forceformed in 1948, but WAFs werent permitted to fly and instead performed ground duties. Curran was also active in Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at St. What happens to First Republic Bank's stock and deposits now? Michelle "Mace" Curran, 355th Fighter Squadron F-16 pilot, looks up during fighter jet launch preparations on the flightline, Mar. Usually I'll go in the swimming pool in the backyard for a few minutes. Most of us work out five days a week, Curran tells me. Demerly studied journalism at Henry Ford College in Dearborn, Michigan. There wasnt a female pilot at the time, but a woman was narrating the air show from the ground and Curran was in awe. Michelle Curran, Opposing Solo, performs a training flight over the Creech Air Force Base, training range, Jan. 25, 2019. 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. She went for it, even competing for a highly coveted pilot spot while still in college. Her favorite maneuver is the vertical roll. I practiced flexing my leg muscles for the next several hours. And not to brag, but I dont throw up or pass out. She has additionally served as an F-16 Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander on the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, Texas. Michelles income mostly comes from and basic source is being a successful American United States Air Force major. Major Michelle Curran is the only female fighter pilot on the Thunderbirds, the Air Force demonstration team. Michelle wiki profile will be updated soon as we collect Michelle Currans Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. Drink a beer. [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. The sun was dropping quickly towards the Spring Mountains indicating the day was coming to an end. Michelle Curran has already had a storied career. I chose [No Doubts] Im Just a Girl.. Just over two months ago, she got married and now has a 6-year-old stepson wholoves, along with her new husband and in-laws, to watch her fly. Copyright 2023 | WordPress Theme by MH Themes, Octavio Colmenares Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, NetWorth & Know More. 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. Usually I'll go in the swimming pool in the backyard for a few minutes. 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. It helps to already be famous to become a social media influencer, but she demonstrates that you need to have a raw or personal touch and engage with your followers if you want to do well on Instagram Facebook, Twiter, Youtube, etc. Though theyve only been allowed to fly fighter jets since 1993, women have been enlisting in the USAF proper since 1976. 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. I practiced flexing my leg muscles for the next several hours. Ad Choices, A Day With Major Michelle Curran, the Only Female Thunderbird Pilot in the U.S. Air Force. The flight surgeon who cleared me for my ride asked if I ever went to SoulCycle or ran marathons, two things that would make me better at handling g-forces. "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. During the latter part of her role on the team, many airshows were cancelled due to the global pandemic. In the video below Thunderbird 6, Capt. I actually helped buckle Brie Larson into this very seat, one replies. Eventually she was selected. The Air Force turns 72 years old this month. Curran and her fellow pilots joke that while the show schedule is intense, the most stressfulwork happens during their training season. Curran has been in the Air Force for 11 years, but flying wasnt always her goal. Major Michelle Curran has gone through the start-up sequence of the F-16 Fighting Falcon thousands of times. There are people at almost every air show that are like, I didnt even realize women could fly in combat aircraft., Its clear this rankles a bit. Curran was born in Medford, Wisconsin. document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js');
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. I make a mental note to not take this for granted anymore. April 8, 2023 by . n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; The assignment is highly competitive so only the best in their field make the cut. Contents of this blog/website may not be used without author's prior written permission. Shes badass, Curran says. His military experience includes 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). 169K Followers, 2,852 Following, 1,101 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Michelle "MACE" Curran (@mace_curran) Born on 1987 in United States, Michelle Curran started her career as United States Air Force major . This is Currans third season with the Thunderbirds.fbq('init', '461723204026319'); Michelle has been in the air force for more than 10 years and is the Lead Solo Pilot in the US Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron. Michelle Curran is a United States Air Force major and a pilot in the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, or Thunderbirds. "I'm a left-wing solo. But from the moment I meet Curran on the scorching hot tarmac, she is warm and funny. She was applying to scholarship programs when her father suggested looking into the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). Peep that F-16 jet with her name on it In the last 26 years, weve had female fighter pilots in the Air Force, only five have made it to the Thunderbirds. Next year, her last with the Thunderbirds, she'll get bumped up to Lead Solo, where she'll be showcasing the maximum capabilities of the planes. Go behind-the-scenes from the incredible day 7-year-old aspiring pilot Amelia spent with US Air Force Major Michelle "Mace" Curran and the Thunderbirds! "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. Norah O'Donnell is the anchor and managing editor of the "CBS Evening News." Though theyve only been allowed to fly fighter jets since 1993, women have been enlisting in the USAF proper since 1976. The Thunderbirds dont see combat, but that doesnt mean its an easy life. (Being in a spinning cockpit thousands of miles from the ground will do that to you.) Theres been a steady uptick of female pilots in general and in the fighter community as well, she says. Workingthrough this demanding schedule,Curran quickly bondedwith the other Thunderbirds members. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Tags Capt. 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. When the Thunderbirds will soar and 6 more things you should know about the Milwaukee Air & Water Show, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. High five!'. What if I call her by the wrong rank? 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. What happens if you unwittingly commit a faux pas in front of one of the best fliers in the world? Just in case. 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. She reminds me that not all Thunderbird team members or officers are pilots, and there are many women performing important ground duties. Get informed about the latest news directly to your email. United States Air Force Major 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. Thunderbird assignments are two years long so the squadronspends a lot of timeacclimating new recruits. 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. As far as branches of the military go, the Air Force has historically had the most female recruits. Drink a beer. Just over two months ago, she got. Michelle Curran (born 1987) is a former United States Air Force (USAF) major and a pilot in the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, or Thunderbirds. (Ive always liked roller-coasters, Im a thrill-seeker, and I wanted to travel, she explains.) Curran is the fifth woman to fly with the Thunderbirds. She just has one requirement for her life, post-Thunderbirds: I want to keep flying.. So in a way, women make for more natural fighter pilots. Michelle "MACE" Curran on Instagram: "Almost a week ago I married my best friend. During the latter a part of her function on the group, many airshows had been cancelled due to the worldwide pandemic. Curran was the only female pilot flying with the squadron when she served, and the fifth female pilot in the squadron overall. 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! So Danvers is a leader in more ways than one. 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. The Anti Love Pill (2013)as Miscellaneous Crew, Your email address will not be published. The 388th Fighter Wing at [], A very different perspective. "Its definitely changing., Currans not sure yet what shell do when her time with the squadron is over, but common next careers for Thunderbirds include flying F-16s in active duty, taking on a leadership role, or making the shift into commercial airlines. 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. I actually helped buckle Brie Larson into this very seat, one replies. Do I have to salute? It's hard because Curran's job is to wow crowds with awe-inspiring aerobatics and high speed passes. He showed "CBS Evening News" anchor Norah O'Donnell a series of maneuvers the team performs during shows. 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. It means shes front and center in one of the most visible squadrons in the military. [2][5] Curran later worked for three years as an F-16 instructor in the 355th Fighter Squadron at NAS JRB Fort Worth in Texas. There are "alot of moving parts that all rely on one another.". 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. 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. In this high-pressure environment, pilots cannot let fear or uncertainty creep in. 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. 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. n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; [1] She studied criminal justice at the University of St. Thomas and competed in a number of sports there. Drink a beer. 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. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous United States Air Force major. 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. About Michelle Curran: Michelle Curran has led an impressive career as a Fighter Pilot during her 13-years in the United States Air Force. 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). She was applying to scholarship programs when her father suggested looking into the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). Facebook | Twitter | Instagram, DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more, Test flight with US Air Force Thunderbird, Wisconsin native, Michelle Curran. So now, Im not only anxious about puking or passing out in front of a badass pilot but also concerned Ill be late to meet this badass pilot. One way to mitigate the nauseating effects is to drink lots of water, but that meant double the bathroom breaks on the drive there. Maj. Curran is broadly referred to as a member of the U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. 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. Curran thinks it might be a perception problem. "It's pretty amazing to see everyone come together asa well-oiled machine and put six jets up every single weekend," Curran said. Flying an F-16 also requires an incredibly high degree of athleticism. This isnt a new thing., Currans doing her part to change that perception. The Air Force turns 72 years old this month. Do I have to salute? Required fields are marked *. Up in the air, they were spinning so fast, they created a gravitational force nine times their body weight. Required fields are marked *. Usually Ill go in the swimming pool in the backyard for a few minutes. 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. I chose [No Doubts] Im Just a Girl.. Capt. [1], Curran joined the Thunderbirds in 2019 and left the team in December 2021, after serving a three-year tour on the team. Wisconsin once had a 'model' voting rights program for people with disabilities. Noted. What happens if you unwittingly commit a faux pas in front of one of the best fliers in the world? Then, with a vertical climb, Im in the air. On top of that, I worry she might be intimidating. Before that, the WAFWomen in the Air Forceformed in 1948, but WAFs werent permitted to fly and instead performed ground duties. Pilots train from March to November, often away from the teams home base in Las Vegas. A former F-16 Viper instructor pilot, her skills behind the stick helped her handle the jet in an emergency situation and land safely. michelle curran married She reminds me that not all Thunderbird team members or officers are pilots, and there are many women performing important ground duties. Michelle Curran, Opposing Solo, performs a training flight over the Creech Air Force Base training range on Jan. 25. Maj. Curran flew as Thunderbird #6, opposing solo, before her advancement to Thunderbird #5, lead solo in the 2020/21 airshow season. For Curran, it'sconcentration and muscle memory thatkeep her mind locked into the demands ofperformance flying. No, she did not. Im not sure if this is reassuring or not. It makes a spiral in the sky, she tells me. As we hop along the New Jersey coastline, experiencing minor Gs, I take in a view of the beach. 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. (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. During a conversation at the Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan for the Thunder Over Michigan Airshow in 2021, Curran told TheAviationist.com that, These are long days sometimes, but this is the best job in the world.