Woman Joins Air Force Thunderbirds

[Thekla]

cnn.com/2005/US/06/16/woman.thunderbird/inde…

"Just weeks after a high-profile debate about the role of women in the military, the Air Force is putting a woman in one of its most prestigious and high-profile jobs. Capt. Nicole Malachowski has been named the first woman pilot in the Air Force’s world-famous Thunderbirds demonstration squadron.

“Women have been an integral part of the Thunderbird team for decades,” Malachowski said in an Air Force press release sent out Thursday. “The women of yesterday and today’s Air Force maintain a tradition of excellence, and it is that heritage that has given me this exciting responsibility of being the first female Thunderbird pilot.”

Every year millions of spectators visit air shows to see the Thunderbirds perform precision and formation flying routines. The unit is a major component of Air Force recruiting efforts.

Malachowski, a 1996 graduate of the Air Force Academy, will fly in the No. 3 right wing position when the Thunderbirds are in their famous flying diamond formation."

It’ll be cool to see her at the Air and Water Show.

 

[Mom_of_one]

Excellent!

 

[David_Paul]

Update on Major Tammy Duckworth

Anyone see her on C-Span? Unbelievable story of survival and recovery. RPG came up through the floor of her Blackhawk and exploded near her knees. She remembers every second of trying to land the craft (and says she was probably fighting her co-pilot with the controls). She is back at her Rotary International job and says she will fly helicopters again. the only question is if for the military or a private company.

 

[Thekla]

Update on Major Tammy Duckworth

Anyone see her on C-Span? Unbelievable story of survival and recovery. RPG came up through the floor of her Blackhawk and exploded near her knees. She remembers every second of trying to land the craft (and says she was probably fighting her co-pilot with the controls). She is back at her Rotary International job and says she will fly helicopters again. the only question is if for the military or a private company.

Hoffman Estates. I hope she gets to fly helicopters again.

I saw today that another woman received the Silver Star. Can’t remember where I saw it.

 

[leaner]

cnn.com/2005/US/06/16/woman.thunderbird/inde…

"Just weeks after a high-profile debate about the role of women in the military, the Air Force is putting a woman in one of its most prestigious and high-profile jobs. Capt. Nicole Malachowski has been named the first woman pilot in the Air Force’s world-famous Thunderbirds demonstration squadron.

“Women have been an integral part of the Thunderbird team for decades,” Malachowski said in an Air Force press release sent out Thursday. “The women of yesterday and today’s Air Force maintain a tradition of excellence, and it is that heritage that has given me this exciting responsibility of being the first female Thunderbird pilot.”

Every year millions of spectators visit air shows to see the Thunderbirds perform precision and formation flying routines. The unit is a major component of Air Force recruiting efforts.

Malachowski, a 1996 graduate of the Air Force Academy, will fly in the No. 3 right wing position when the Thunderbirds are in their famous flying diamond formation."

It’ll be cool to see her at the Air and Water Show.

My DH grad’d in 94 – he doesn’t recognize her (which is odd) but told me she was in my sister squadron in England, the 494th FS. Small world, smaller Air Force!