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Nicole Malachowski
Major, U.S. Air Force
1st Woman Thunderbird Pilot
(USAFA, 1996)
In March 2006, Major Nicole Malachowski debuted as the first woman pilot selected to fly in any American military demonstration team, in this case, the Air Force Demo Squadron better known as the Thunderbirds, flying F-16Cs. Major Malachowski’s two seasons as Thunderbird #3 Right Wing broke another glass ceiling for women, but more importantly gave her a chance to do what she loves: to fly with the best.
Major Malachowski saw her first air show at five years of age, started flying with the Civil Air Patrol at 12, and soloed at 16. She set her sights on becoming an Air Force pilot and never looked back. Even before she flew the No. 3 jet on the right wing of the Thunderbirds' diamond formation, Malachowski had an impressive career as a pilot.
After graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1996, she excelled in the U.S. Air Force. She eventually served as an F-15E instructor pilot and a flight commander for a squadron of fighter jets based in the United Kingdom. Over her decade-long military career, she has amassed more than 1,600 flight hours. Nearly 200 of those hours are in combat zones -- Iraq and Kosovo, where she provided close-air support for U.S. ground troops.
Major Malachowski’s no-nonsense character and superb flying ability have brought her high accolades throughout her Air Force career but most especially during the Thunderbird tour of duty where she flew as one of the team but endured the spotlight as the “first female.”
Major Malachowski states that being the first female pilot with the Thunderbirds wasn't her greatest achievement. She's proudest of leading the first fighter-jet team to provide security for Iraq's democratic elections.
"I was able to witness with my very own eyes, a very historic day. We're talking about thousands of Iraqi people, literally risking their own lives to stand in line to get the opportunity to vote, to get the opportunity that we as Americans sometimes take for granted.”
Despite Major Malachowski’s nonchalance, undoubtedly she has paved the way for future elite female fighter pilots and aspiring leaders throughout the world.
Source: Alex Quade: Thunderbirds Fulfill Her Lifelong Need for Speed, CNN, Friday September 29th, 2006 and the National Air and Space Museum: http://www.nasm.si.edu/events/lectures/ge/ge.cfm
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