Behind the Wings ®
The Podcast – S6, Episode 51
Retired F-15 and F-16 fighter pilot Nicole Malachowski tells us about flying 18 inches off the wings of high-speed jets as a U.S. Air Force Thunderbird.
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Welcome to Season 6 of the Behind the Wings podcast! In this episode, Nicole takes us through her groundbreaking journey as the first woman to become a Thunderbird pilot. She discusses her combat missions, flying in airshows, her WASP connection, and how a tick-borne illness changed her life forever. There is a lot to learn!
Key Takeaways:
- Nicole flew in Operation Deliberate Force and Iraqi Freedom, earning her 188 combat hours. As a fighter pilot, she assisted with ground attacks, finding IEDs, and offered air support.
- In 2005, Nicole was selected to become the first woman Thunderbird pilot, flying in jet #3 as the right wing. She would continue flying for two years.
- After 21 years in the military, her career was cut short when she contracted a tick-borne illness, a disease she still suffers from today. She now advocates for the Wounded Warrior Program and for further tick-borne disease research.
Resources:
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