First female pilot selected to join the Thunderbirds...

AlphaSigOU · #1 06-16-2005, 11:29 PM

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123010792

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

Capt. Malachowski as she appeared during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Former 'Beagle' driver (F-15E Strike Eagle).

tinydancer · #2 06-17-2005, 12:10 AM

That's great!

AlphaSigOU · #3 06-17-2005, 07:13 AM

Guess whenever the Blue Angels (the Navy's flight demonstration team) selects their first female aviator (there is no such thing as a pilot in the Squids) they may hafta change their traditional greeting to new members: all gather in the Boss's office and participate in a conference call; the Boss starts off with the usual rigmarole about it being an extremely tough selection and then sets him up for the greeting... all shout at the top of their lungs: "WELCOME TO THE TEAM, ASSHOLE!"

DeltAlum · #4 06-19-2005, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ariesrising
I've *always* wanted to see the Thunderbirds...

They and the Blue Angels are spectacular. I directed a video taping of one of their performances at the Air Force Academy graduation a few years ago. Unfortunately, I sent the tape to Combat Camera and they never sent it back.

Great news about Capt. Malachowski. From a purely jaded PR point of view, her good looks certainly won't hurt the image of the team in the media. (NO -- I'm not saying that has anything to do with her selection, simply that she will make great TV and newspaper pictures.)

There was an article in our Delt magazine a year or two ago about a Brother Delt member of the Thunderbirds. I don't know if he is still on the team or has moved on to another assignment by now, though. I think his name is Venable, but I'm not sure.

AlphaSigOU · #5 06-20-2005, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeltAlum
They and the Blue Angels are spectacular. I directed a video taping of one of their performances at the Air Force Academy graduation a few years ago. Unfortunately, I sent the tape to Combat Camera and they never sent it back.

Great news about Capt. Malachowski. From a purely jaded PR point of view, her good looks certainly won't hurt the image of the team in the media. (NO -- I'm not saying that has anything to do with her selection, simply that she will make great TV and newspaper pictures.)

There was an article in our Delt magazine a year or two ago about a Brother Delt member of the Thunderbirds. I don't know if he is still on the team or has moved on to another assignment by now, though. I think his name is Venable, but I'm not sure.

Thunderbird team duty is a two-year controlled tour for officers, three years for NCOs and airmen. (Controlled tour = no deployment or TDY (temporary duty) throughout the length of the assignment.)

Tom Earp · #6 06-20-2005, 06:44 PM

WOWIE MOWIE, This Polish Air Women aint at All Bad to to look at.

But, She aint there for being Pretty. Heck, I would love to sire Kids with Her.

I have seen all of the Air Birds including ther Canadian Air Teams.

If you dont hink this is tough, remember in a Practice, There ahve have Members lost doing this.