Michelle Curran

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Michelle Curran
Born1987 (age 34–35)
Medford, Wisconsin
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Air Force
Years of service2009-present
RankUS-O4 insignia.svg Major
UnitThunderbirds

Michelle Curran (born 1987) is a United States Air Force major and a pilot in the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, or Thunderbirds. Curran is the Lead Solo Pilot for the Squadron. Curran is the fifth woman to fly with the Thunderbirds.

Early life[]

Curran was born in Medford, Wisconsin.[1] She studied criminal justice at the University of St. Thomas and competed in a number of sports there. Curran was also active in Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at St. Thomas.[2]

Air Force career[]

Curran began service in the United States Air Force in 2009, earning a commission through the AFROTC.[3] Her first two years with the Air Force were spent in Pilot Training with the 14th Operations Group at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi.[4] Her next year was spent as a F-16 student with the 308th Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.[4] Curran then spent three years at Misawa Air Base in northern Japan.[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.[3][6] She was the first woman to fly as part of the 335th Fighter Squadron.[1]

Curran joined the Thunderbirds in 2019 and currently flies as Thunderbird 5, serving as the Lead Solo Pilot for the Demonstration Team. She flew as the Left-Wing Solo pilot during her first season with the Squadron, the first woman to fly in that position.[7] Curran is the only female pilot currently flying with the Squadron, and the fifth female pilot in the Squadron overall.[7][2]

Curran has logged over 1,500 total flight hours with the Air Force.[4] She served in Afghanistan for two months in 2016 as part of both Operation Freedom's Sentinel and Operation Resolute Support, acquiring 163 combat hours.[3][8]

Decorations[]

Curran's decorations as of 2020 were as follows:[4]

Air Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Promotion dates[]

Insignia Rank Date
US-O4 insignia.svg Major July 2019
US-O3 insignia.svg Captain August 2013
US-O2 insignia.svg First Lieutenant August 2011
US-OF1B.svg Second Lieutenant August 2009

References[]

  1. ^ a b Lange, Katie. "Face of Defense: This Thunderbird Flies High". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Pulia, Shalayne. "Meet the Only Female Fighter Pilot Flying Over New York City Today". InStyle. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Michelle Curran". U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d "Thunderbirds" (PDF). FAA. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  5. ^ "Flying High (And Upside Down)". University of St. Thomas - Minnesota. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  6. ^ "'It's a lot of responsibility.' Thunderbirds pilot hopes to inspire girls". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  7. ^ a b O'Donnell, Norah. "Female Thunderbird pilot inspiring others to chase their dreams". CBS News. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  8. ^ Langhorne, William. "Medford woman soaring over Milwaukee as Thunderbirds' second-ever female solo pilot". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
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