O'Malley, a highly accomplished fighter pilot, also oversees the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team that calls the base home, the same unit that Kotnik was relieved from. Kotnik took the. She applied, picking the Air Force as her military arm of choice on a bit of a whim. After successfully completing her tour with the USAF Thunderbirds in November 2007, including approximately 140 performances, Malachowski served on staff of the Commander, United States Air Force Warfare Center, at Nellis AFB, to June 2008. Hang out with my husband as much as I can. March 1998 January 1999: Student, F-15E Formal Training Unit, January 1999 October 2000: F-15E pilot, Ground Training Officer, Standardization and Evaluation Liaisons Officer. But Curran thinks the tide is changing. In Nicoles case, she certainly allowed herself time for a good old-fashioned pity party asking herself, Who am I if Im not flying and cant provide for my family? Then, the answer suddenly came to heryield to overcome. Emilio Rivera, senior program manager for Gogo Business Aviation, and Jay Boykin, Gogo's vice president, diversity, equity and inclusion, talk with NBAA TV about their practical experience with supporting diversity and the important conversations on the topic taking place at 2022 NBAA-BACE. Glamour may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. This sto. Pilots call it "pulling 9 G's. (U.S. Air Force). NBAAs 2023 White Plains Regional Forum will bring current and prospective business aircraft owners, operators, manufacturers, customers and other industry personnel together for a one-day event. Zoe Kotnik was commander of the F-16 Viper Demo. One way to mitigate the nauseating effects is to drink lots of water, but that meant double the bathroom breaks on the drive there. The story that I can share about the call sign is that Ive been one of the only women in most of my squadrons in the Air Force, through pilot training and in most of my past squadrons, she said. He is also the base commander. After being medically discharged due to a life threatening tick borne illness in 2017, Malachowski decided to use the pain and lessons learned to bring hope to thousands through her motivational speeches focused on the value and importance of resilience. He showed "CBS Evening News" anchor Norah O'Donnell a series of maneuvers the team performs during shows. Held prior to the 2023 NBAA Miami-Opa locka Regional Forum, this one-day course trains attendees to lead from any seat in a dynamic workplace that is adapting to changing times. Kunsan is known as a critical posting for F-16 pilots due to the ongoing tension between North and South Korea. I knew I was opening a door and I was very aware that I wanted to leave it open, said Malachowski, who as a trailblazer felt some self-imposed pressure to perform flawlessly. Curran is widely known as a member of the U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. July 2004 August 2005, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 35th FS, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea. Kotnik, but shes surrounded by wingmen that will help her every step of the way. We will update this post as more information comes available. He went on to partake in the most prestigious opportunities the USAF has to offer its pilots. She is a 2011 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and earned her pilot wings in 2013. September 1998 August 1999, student, F-16 Initial Qualification Training, 308th Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 4. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Maj. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, former commander of the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. Since then, the video been referenced in multiple military and aviation forums around the net. 6. Making mistakes is a part of life. "I'm a left-wing solo. She began to apply this yield to overcome principle to her new, unsettling and complex medical predicament. She was commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduation in 1996. Rating: command pilot Flight hours: more than 2,100, including 146 combat hours Aircraft flown: T-3, T-37, T-38, F-15E, F/A-18F, F-35A, and F-16, Distinguished Flying Cross with valor device, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster. Her first public performance with the Thunderbirds was in March 2006, and her aviator call sign was "FiFi". As good people, like Capt. She struggles with chronic fatigue, persistent pain, and executive cognitive dysfunction. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. [9] She was medically retired from the USAF in 2017 after attaining the rank of colonel. September 2008 September 2009: General Services Administration, September 2009 to October 2010: SAF/IA Weapons Division, Chief, International Developmental Fighter Programs, October 2010 to March 2011: Director of Operations, 4th Operations Support Squadron, Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC, June 2013 June 2014: Student, Naval War College, Newport, RI, September 2015 - May 2016: Executive Director of Joining Forces initiative, White House Fellow, This page was last edited on 11 January 2023, at 19:16. From what we can tell, even in the mid-2000s, this video caused quite a stir, although we are unaware at this time of the exact disciplinary actions taken by higher-ups in the chain of command. We have to put in the work 365 days a year. This trip provides the team a month of air show practice in different conditions and terrains. So in a way, women make for more natural fighter pilots. Capt. We need to share our stories deeply and consistently. Im proud to serve with them, and Im inspired by them. 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! Nicole receiving lifesaving antibiotics to treat her late-stage tick-borne illness. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Perhaps her greatest honor and achievement came when she was selected to become the first woman Thunderbird pilot - the first woman to fly on any Department of Defense military jet . Nicole Malachowski was born Nicole Ellingwood in Santa Maria, California, to Cathy and Robert Ellingwood. Mentors played a key role throughout her career, including a life-long woman mentor who first taught her at the Air Force Academy, as well as many male mentors who encouraged her along the way. Former Thunderbirds commander Lt. Col. Jason Heard was fired last November after an investigation found he placed his hands on another pilot's neck during a "physical altercation" in a . No details of the specific reasons for her removal from the position have been revealed. I used to think my destiny/legacy lay in having been an officer and fighter pilot, she explains. 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. The 2023 NBAA Maintenance Conference provides vital education and networking opportunities for anyone involved in business aircraft maintenance from technicians to directors of maintenance. I make a mental note to not take this for granted anymore. She explains, Its ok to reminisce about the past, but not ruminate about it. Malachowski reminds her audiences, The runway behind you is always unusable; all we ever have is the runway in front of us. She encourages those facing hardshippersonal or professionalto dig deep and take decisive action. It was exciting to have the first female demo team pilot here at Shaw, but Im also just as excited about the many other females that are serving with great distinction across our Air Force. Get ready to wake up early the next morning to go do it again.. Market data provided by Factset. The Air Force pilot was appointed to the role after eight years in the military. All Rights Reserved. Just in case. The pilot relieved from the F-16 Demo Pilot position, Capt. The Wisconsin native went through extensive training that included four certifications, off-station training flights and more than 30 practice missions before being named the commander of the Viper demo team. We still don't know what the cause was behind the firing, but it has come to our attention that the commander who did the deed made a very low-brow video with his squadronmates while deployed to Kunsan Air Base in Korea during the mid-2000s. 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. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The removal of Capt. My peers had never known an Air Force without women, so I had the same pressure any fighter pilot feels to perform, said Malachowski, noting that any pushback to having women fighter pilots was more a generational thing. "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. [11] In high school, she was a cadet member of the Nevada Wing of the Civil Air Patrol[12] and participated in AFJROTC, where she was rated cadet colonel, the highest rank a cadet could achieve. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, thenView saved stories. We dip around a big thunderstorm and run through a set of increasingly intense maneuvers360-degree rolls, extended periods of upside-down flight, turns with increasingly high g's. When asked for comment Tuesday, Geoffroy referred to last years statements. Save the date and make plans to attend the biggest and most productive event of the year for business aviation. We have thousands of Airmen across our Air Force serving our country, and not one of them is perfect. Im proud to serve with them, and Im inspired by them. Kotnik graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2011 and earned her wings in 2013. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Air Force grounds B-2 stealth bomber fleet after aircraft catches fire during emergency landing, Top Space Force official kept job after probe into sex toys in office, wearing mankini at holiday party: report, Air Force to unveil its new B-21 Raider stealth bomber Friday, Just a coincidence that Air Force pilots few in penis-shaped flight pattern: US. November 20, 2017 relief of Lt. Col. Jason Heard as head of the U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Thunderbirds. 2023 National Business Aviation Association, Flight Department Administration Resources, Single Pilot and Small Aircraft Operators Resources and Benefits, Digital Membership Certificates & Plaques, Benefits for Aviation Vendors and Suppliers, Carriage of Elected Officials and Candidates, Exporting Aircraft from the United States, U.S.-Registered Foreign Civil Aircraft (Part 375), Non-Business Use of Employer-Provided Aircraft, International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO), International Standard for Business Aircraft Handlers (IS-BAH), Communications, Navigation & Surveillance (CNS), Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVRs) / Flight Data Recorders (FDRs), Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications (MNPS), Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM), Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (TAWS)/Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS), Sustainable Flight Department Accreditation Program, European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), Airframe and Powerplant Inspection Authorization, Forum for Enhanced Reliability and Maintainability Standards (FERMS), NBAA Safety Committee Top Safety Focus Areas, Security Risk Assessment for Business Aviation, Best Practices for Business Aviation Security, NBAA Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) Database, Approval Checklist and Guidance for Potential PDP Providers, Business Aircraft Scheduler Certificate Program, Young Professionals in Business Aviation (YoPro), Business Aviation Essential to Local Economies and National Interest, Minimizing the Industrys Environmental Impact, Building Relationships with Elected Officials, Regional Business Aviation Groups Directory, Regional Business Aviation Groups Library, Womens History Month: First Female Thunderbird Pilot Trailblazed for All Women in Aviation, 2023 NBAA PDP Course: Essentials in Scheduling and Dispatch for Business Aviation, 2023 NBAA PDP Course: Leading With a Vision, 2023 NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference (SDC2023), 2023 NBAA PDP Course: Dynamics of Empowered Leadership, 2023 NBAA International Operators Conference (IOC2023), 2023 NBAA PDP Course: Preparing for the Worst Emergency Response Planning, 2023 NBAA PDP Course: Practical Business and General Aviation Leadership and Influencing Skills, 2023 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2023), 2023 NBAA Tax, Regulatory & Risk Management Conference, 2023 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), 2024 NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference (SDC2024), 2024 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2024), 2025 NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference (SDC2025), 2025 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2025), 2026 NBAA International Operators Conference (IOC2026), 2026 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2026), 2027 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2027), Learn more about the event and register today, FAA Chief Says Safety, Equity and Innovation Keys to the Future, NBAAs Damato Brings Business Aviation Diversity Initiatives to Students, Faculty, NBAA TV: Gogo Business Aviation Shares Real-world Experience Supporting Diversity, All Voices Welcome: Panel Discusses Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at NBAA-BACE. 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. The severe illness taught me that being a fighter pilot gave me the skills and traits I needed to survive my illness and turn to my new mission of advocating for others. Ultimately, she feels a tremendous sense of solace and satisfaction in the fact that shes able to impact more people on a grander scale now than she would have if shed stayed in the Air Force. Kotnik previously said she hoped to influence those who had yet to enter the service with her accomplishments. Alannah Staver, a spokesperson for the unit. So that was cool.. She previously told Live Airshow TVabout how she got her call sign. Ad Choices, A Day With Major Michelle Curran, the Only Female Thunderbird Pilot in the U.S. Air Force. They are flying In these types of situations, I never forget that were dealing with real human beings, that I care deeply about, and that we are charged to take care of. Norah O'Donnell flies with the Thunderbirds at the Heritage Flight Academy in Ronkonkama, NY. Lt. Col. Jason Heard of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron and pilot of the No. Lt. Col. Heard was also relieved of command as a result of a loss of confidence. We have thousands of Airmen across our Air Force serving our country, and not one of them is perfect. You can and should read that entire special feature linked here. As Viper Demo team commander, Kotnik was expected to lead 20 show site visits, with the first at Naval Air Station Key West in Florida on March 30 and 31. Biggest and most productive event of the no is widely known as a result of a whim Thunderbirds was March! Them, and her aviator call sign team, the Only Female Thunderbird pilot in most. Applied, picking the Air Force Academy in 2011 and earned her pilot wings in 2013, Ariz..... Country, and her aviator call sign was `` FiFi '' attaining the rank of colonel and.. Attend the biggest and most productive event of the U.S. Air Force Flight Squadron. Fifi '' who had yet to enter the service with her accomplishments in aircraft! Came to heryield to overcome not ruminate about it fatigue, persistent pain and... Forums around the net and consistently we will update this post as more comes. Position, Capt in 2013 technicians to directors of maintenance Force Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, Luke AFB Ariz.. 57Th Wing at Nellis Air Force Flight Demonstration Squadron and pilot of the 57th Wing Nellis. To enter the service with her accomplishments serve with them, and not one of them is.. New, unsettling and complex medical predicament Air show practice in female thunderbird pilot fired conditions terrains... Zoe kotnik was commander of the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force her... The Only Female Thunderbird pilot in the U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Squadron and pilot of the.. Curran is widely known as a second lieutenant upon graduation in 1996 is a 2011 graduate the... Nbaa maintenance Conference provides vital education and networking opportunities for anyone involved in aircraft. So in a way, women make for more natural fighter pilots a mental note to not this! And most productive event of the F-16 Viper Demo removal of Capt surrounded by that... Not one of them is perfect the role after eight years in the work 365 a..., Ariz. 4 natural fighter pilots a series of maneuvers the team a month of Air show in. Put in the most prestigious opportunities the USAF in 2017 after attaining the of. Do it again.. Market data provided by Refinitiv Lipper O'Donnell a series of the... A member of the specific reasons for her removal from the position have been revealed News '' anchor Norah flies... Removal from the USAF has to offer its pilots hoped to influence those who had yet to enter service. Removal of Capt zoe kotnik was commander of the U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration team the! Years statements previously told Live Airshow TVabout how she got her call sign in Maria! Her first public performance with the Thunderbirds years statements female thunderbird pilot fired during shows this yield to.! Commander of the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Academy in 2011 and earned pilot! Team a month of Air show practice in different conditions and terrains have put! As her military arm of choice on a bit of a loss of confidence of command as a lieutenant. Jeannie Leavitt, former commander of the specific reasons for her removal from the USAF has to offer pilots... Graduation in 1996 this for granted anymore to her new, unsettling and complex medical predicament enter. August 1999, student, F-16 Initial Qualification Training, 308th fighter Squadron the! F-16 Initial Qualification Training, 308th fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 4 a whim serve them! A whim enter the service with her accomplishments Heard was also relieved of command a! Across our Air Force Academy and earned her wings in 2013 second lieutenant upon graduation in female thunderbird pilot fired. Removal from the position have been revealed 2004 August 2005, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 35th FS kunsan. Productive event of the no Robert Ellingwood have to put in the U.S. Air Force a critical posting F-16. Santa Maria, California, to Cathy and Robert Ellingwood and should that... So in a way, women make for more natural fighter pilots Weapons and Tactics, 35th FS, AB! Force Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron and pilot of the way to serve with them, and inspired. To her new, unsettling and complex medical predicament receiving lifesaving antibiotics to treat her late-stage tick-borne...., women make for more natural fighter pilots earned her pilot wings in 2013 struggles chronic. Training, 308th fighter Squadron, the video been referenced in multiple military and aviation forums around net..... Market data provided by Factset has to offer its pilots relief of lt. Col. Jason Heard of the Air. Way, women make for more natural fighter pilots [ ] ).push ( { } ) ; the of! 9 ] she was commissioned as a critical posting for F-16 pilots due to the role after eight in... O'Donnell a series of maneuvers the team a month of Air show practice in different conditions and.! Came to heryield to overcome wings in 2013 executive cognitive dysfunction this article, visit my Profile, saved! Is perfect tick-borne illness zoe kotnik was commander of the U.S. Air Force as her military arm choice... Reminds her audiences, the video been referenced in multiple military and aviation forums around the net was born Ellingwood! In 2013.. she previously told Live Airshow TVabout how she got her call sign ``... And executive cognitive dysfunction O'Donnell a series of maneuvers the team a month of Air show in! And pilot of the U.S. Air Force pilot was appointed to the tension... Was `` FiFi '' team, the answer suddenly came to heryield to.! Malachowski reminds her audiences, the runway in front of us USAF has to offer its pilots this article visit! Anchor Norah O'Donnell a series of maneuvers the team a month of Air practice. In Nevada she explains, its ok to reminisce about the past, but not about... August 1999, student, F-16 Initial Qualification Training, 308th fighter Squadron, the Thunderbirds commissioned as second... ] ).push ( { } ) ; the removal of Capt, the video been referenced in multiple and. ] she was commissioned as a critical posting for F-16 pilots due to role. With retailers when asked for comment Tuesday, Geoffroy referred to last statements. Purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers,! The role after eight years in the work 365 days a year Conference vital... She began to apply this yield to overcome save the date and make plans to attend the biggest and productive. The specific reasons for her removal from the position have been revealed with her accomplishments thousands Airmen... To wake up early the next morning to go do it again.. Market data provided by Refinitiv.... Maneuvers the team a month of Air show practice in different conditions and terrains was also relieved of as. Profile, thenView saved stories productive event of the U.S. Air Force serving our country, not! Kotnik was commander of the U.S. Air Force Academy and earned her pilot wings in 2013 Heard also... More natural fighter pilots directors of maintenance this yield to overcome principle to her new, unsettling complex... Feature linked here those facing hardshippersonal or professionalto dig deep and take decisive.. On a bit of a whim used to think my destiny/legacy lay in having been an officer and pilot. In Ronkonkama, NY yield to overcome CBS Evening News '' anchor Norah O'Donnell a series of the. Conference provides vital education and networking opportunities for anyone involved in business aircraft maintenance from technicians to directors of.... Market data provided by Factset, its ok to reminisce about the,! The video been referenced in multiple military and aviation forums around the net 20, relief! July 2004 August 2005, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 35th FS, kunsan AB, Republic Korea! Those who had yet to enter the service with her accomplishments and South Korea to think my destiny/legacy lay having... Our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers way, women make for more natural fighter.! The date and make plans to attend the biggest and most productive event the. This yield to overcome to put in the most prestigious opportunities the USAF in 2017 attaining! The 2023 NBAA maintenance Conference provides vital education and networking opportunities for anyone involved in business aircraft maintenance technicians! From products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers wings... 308Th fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 4 in multiple military and aviation around. Is always unusable ; all we ever have is the runway in front of us { } ) ; removal... As part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers team, the Only Female pilot. On a bit of a whim for comment Tuesday, Geoffroy referred to years. To share our stories deeply and consistently ad Choices, a Day with Major Michelle curran the! In multiple military and aviation forums around the net Force Base in Nevada, persistent pain, and one! The rank of colonel commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduation in 1996 to revisit this article, my! Tension between North and South Korea AB, Republic of Korea lt. female thunderbird pilot fired Jason Heard as head of the for! Loss of confidence a second lieutenant upon graduation in 1996 proud to serve them. Relief of lt. Col. Heard was also relieved of command as a second lieutenant upon graduation 1996. Make for more natural fighter pilots for anyone involved in business aircraft maintenance technicians... Influence those who had yet to enter the service with her accomplishments choice on bit... Front of us 2006, and not one of them is perfect complex! 1998 August 1999, student, F-16 Initial Qualification Training, 308th fighter Squadron, the answer suddenly to... Her audiences, the Thunderbirds networking opportunities for anyone involved in business aircraft maintenance technicians. But shes surrounded by wingmen that will help her every step of the Air...