2006 Thunderbirds team includes first female pilot

Air Force Link ^ | 16 June 2005 | From ACC via Air Force Link

[Racehorse]

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFPN) -- U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, “Thunderbirds,” officials announced their new pilots for the 2006 demonstration season which includes the first female demonstration pilot in the 52-year history of the Thunderbirds.

Capt. Nicole Malachowski, of the 494th Fighter Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, joins the team as the first female demonstration pilot on any U.S. military high performance jet team.

Lt. Col. Kevin Robbins, from the Air Force Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., and Capt. Ed Casey, of the 56th Training Squadron at Luke AFB, Ariz., also were selected for two of the demonstration pilot spots.

Returning demonstration pilots include Majs. Rusty Keen, Steve Horton and Brian Farrar.

The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron is an Air Combat Command unit comprising eight pilots, six of whom are demonstration pilots; four support officers; four civilians; and about 120 enlisted Airmen in more than 29 career specialties.

Returning demonstration pilots include Majs. Rusty Keen, Steve Horton and Brian Farrar.

The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron is an Air Combat Command unit comprising eight pilots, six of whom are demonstration pilots; four support officers; four civilians; and about 120 enlisted Airmen in more than 29 career specialties.

A Thunderbirds’ demonstration is a mix of six aircraft performing formation flying and solo routines. The four-aircraft diamond formation demonstrates the training and precision of Air Force pilots, while the solos highlight the maximum capabilities of the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The team's first performance was June 8, 1953, at Luke. Since then, the Thunderbirds have flown for more than 310 million people at 3,944 air demonstrations in all 50 states and more than 60 foreign countries. (Courtesy of ACC News Service)

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Capt. Nicole Malachowski was selected for the 2006 U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, "Thunderbirds," team. She is the first female demonstration pilot on any U.S. military high performance jet team. She is from the 494th Fighter Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Additional info:  The 2006 no. 6 pilot, flying the opposing solo position, will be Capt. Ed Casey, currently assigned to the 56th Training Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.

The new advance pilot/narrator, Thunderbird no. 8, the voice of the Thunderbirds, will be Capt. Tad Clark, currently assigned to the 52nd Operations Support Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

Returning members of the 2005 team who will round out the 2006 team include: Maj. Rusty Keen, Thunderbird No. 2, left wing; Maj. Steve Horton, Thunderbird No. 4, Slot; Maj. Brian Farrar, Thunderbird No. 5, lead solo; Maj. Jeremy Sloane, Thunderbird No. 7, Operations Officer; Capt. Todd Randolph, Thunderbird No. 10, Executive Officer; and Capt. Angela Johnson, Thunderbird No. 12, Public Affairs Officer. The team is also in the process of interviewing a new Thunderbird No. 9, the Flight Surgeon and a new Thunderbird No. 11, the Maintenance Officer.

[thoughtomator]

Can't get away from women drivers anywhere these days, can you?

[Racehorse]

Thought you might find joy in forwarding the news to your new friends from the GITMO/Durbin thread.

[Racehorse]

Nope. :-)

[stylecouncilor]

ping

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Confucius say woman who fly airplane upside down will have big crack up.

[ProudVet77]

Sorry, training women for flying combat aircraft is wrong. So far we have held the line on women in combat. If she can't fly in combat why is she flying an F-16? Actually there are very few instances where a USAF might not fly in combat, even if in a C-5. Sometimes combat comes out and finds you.

[nuconvert]

That's neat.
Thanks for the ping.

[nuconvert]

pong

[zzen01]

Thunderturds WISH they were Blue Angels!!!

[Strategerist]

So far we have held the line on women in combat. If she can't fly in combat why is she flying an F-16?

Huh? Women are flying in combat and have already flown in combat.

Remember those buildings getting ventilated by an A-10 in Baghdad? Much of that was done by a woman (who managed to land her badly shot up aircraft.)

[Keyga8tor]

Hey Vet,
Women have been flying in combat. If you remember during the latter stages of the drive into Bahgdad, the Warthog (A-10) pilot that lost half of the planes rear stabs to flack was a girl. Her initials are KC and her call sign is "Killer Chick". Lots of them flying off CVNs as well. Thanks for your service. We are about the same age. I am still in. USN

[Drago]

I think women have been cleared for fighter pilot duty since 1993...see:
http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/apr2003/a041403e.html

[Keyga8tor]

Beat me by a post!

[Drago]

U beat me by 9 seconds!!!! ;-)

[OldEagle]

She sure looks like she could fly.

[windcliff]

Thunderbirds are go!!!

[stylecouncilor]

FAB!

[itsamelman]

  

"Hooahhh...she can take a ride in my cockpit anytime."

 

 

[ProudVet77]

Where have I been ;)
I thought they are arguing right now about females in combat in congress. Have to ask, why would we let a woman in combat in an aircraft when they are not permitted to do the same in a ground combat unit? Unless that has been changed too. I know they are in support roles which in modern warfare is the same thing, but I didn't think we had any female tankers in the 4ID.