STORM2K

Thunderbirds’ first female pilot announced with new 2006 pilots


06/16/2005 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (ACCNS) – The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, “Thunderbirds,” have announced their new pilots for the 2006 demonstration season which includes the first female demonstration pilot in the 52 year history of the Thunderbirds.

Leading the team as Thunderbird no. 1, commander/leader, will be Lt. Col. Kevin Robbins, currently assigned to Air Force Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

Joining the Thunderbirds in the no. 3 right wing position will be Capt. Nicole Malachowski, currently assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom. Captain Malachowski will turn a new page in history as the first female demonstration pilot on a U.S. military high performance jet team.

The 2006 no. 6 pilot, flying the opposing solo position, will be Capt. Ed Casey, currently assigned to the 56th Training Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.

The new advance pilot/narrator, Thunderbird no. 8, the voice of the Thunderbirds, will be Capt. Tad Clark, currently assigned to the 52nd Operations Support Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

Returning members of the 2005 team who will round out

the 2006 team include: Maj. Rusty Keen, Thunderbird no. 2, left wing; Maj. Steve Horton, Thunderbird no. 4, Slot; Maj. Brian Farrar, Thunderbird no. 5, lead solo; Maj. Jeremy Sloane, Thunderbird no. 7, operations officer; Capt. Todd Randolph, Thunderbird no. 10, executive officer; and Capt. Angela Johnson, Thunderbird no. 12, public affairs officer. The team is also in the process of interviewing a new Thunderbird no. 9, the flight surgeon and a new Thunderbird no. 11, the maintenance officer.

The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron is an Air Combat Command unit comprised of eight pilots (including six demonstration pilots), four support officers, four civilians and about 120 enlisted Airmen performing in more than 29 career specialties.

A Thunderbirds’ demonstration is a mix of six aircraft, performing formation flying and solo routines. The four-aircraft diamond formation demonstrates the training and precision of Air Force pilots, while the solos highlight the maximum capabilities of the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The team's first performance was June 8, 1953 at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Since then, the Thunderbirds have flown before more than 310 million people at 3,944 air demonstrations in all 50 states and more than 60 foreign countries.

Editor’s note – media desiring more information should contact the Thunderbirds’ public affairs staff at (702)652-9902; (702)652-7200 or (702)378-7951.

USCG_Hurricane_Watcher wrote:Maybe she'll give those boys a swift kick in the ### - 'cause they sure need it. I went to their show last month at Andrews AFB and we were not impressed by them at all - compared to their previous performances.

vbhoutex wrote:I hope she isn't ostracised because she is the only woman. As far as their performances I have only seen one and it was years ago. Still didn't compare to my favorites THE BLUE ANGELS.