Michelle Curran

Michelle Curran (born 1987) is a veteran United States Air Force (USAF) major and a pilot in the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, or Thunderbirds. Curran was the lead solo pilot for the Squadron. Curran is the fifth woman to fly with the Thunderbirds, her callsign (or nickname) is "MACE".

Early life Curran was born in Medford, Wisconsin. 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.

Air Force career

Curran began service in the United States Air Force in 2009, earning a commission through the AFROTC. Her first two years with the USAF were spent in pilot training with the 14th Operations Group at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi. Curran later worked for three years as an F-16 instructor in the 355th Fighter Squadron at NAS JRB Fort Worth in Texas. She was the first woman to fly as part of the 335th FS.

Decorations Curran's decorations as of 2020 were as follows: Air MedalAir Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Promotion dates

Books Upside Down Dreams (2023)

"The Flipside" (2025)