Thunderbirds to get first female pilot

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By Lance M. Bacon
Times staff writer

The 2006 Thunderbird team won’t start training until this fall, but it already is headed for the history books. The Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron on Thursday announced the selection of Capt. Nicole Malachowski as the team’s No. 3 right wing pilot, making the 1996 Air Force Academy graduate the first female demonstration pilot in the Thunderbirds’ 52 year history.

In fact, she’s the first female demonstration pilot on any U.S. military high performance jet team.

An F-15E pilot assigned to RAF Lakenheath’s 494th Fighter Squadron, Malachowski just returned from a deployment in Southwest Asia and was on leave when she received the news.

“It’s a great privilege to be given the opportunity to be a part of the Thunderbird team, an organization that represents the finest traditions of our Air Force,” the Las Vegas native said in a press release.

“Women have been an integral part of the Thunderbird team for decades. 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.”

Joining Malachowski on the 2006 demonstration team will be:

Lt. Col. Kevin Robbins as Thunderbird No. 1, the commander/leader. Robbins currently is assigned to Air Force Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

Capt. Ed Casey as Thunderbird No. 6, the opposing solo. Casey currently is assigned to the 56th Training Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.

Capt. Tad Clark as Thunderbird No. 8, the advance pilot/narrator. Clark currently is assigned to the 52nd Operations Support Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

Team members returning from the 2005 team include: Thunderbird No. 2, left wing, Maj. Rusty Keen; Thunderbird No. 4, slot, Maj. Steve Horton; Thunderbird No. 5, lead solo, Maj. Brian Farrar; Thunderbird No. 7, operations officer, Maj. Jeremy Sloane; Thunderbird No. 10, executive officer, Capt. Todd Randolph; and Thunderbird No. 12, public affairs officer, Capt. Angela Johnson.

The team is interviewing candidates for the Thunderbird No. 9 position, the flight surgeon, and Thunderbird No. 11, the maintenance officer.

[meems1128]

I thought it might be me in that position up there one day, but I'm more than happy that a female is on the Thunderbirds now rather than after I graduate! Hooorah!