Nicole Malachowski
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Nicole Malachowski (ne. Ellingwood), callsign 'FiFi' (b. 1974), is a United States Air Force Major and the first woman pilot selected to fly as part of the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Thunderbirds.[1] Her first public performance was in March 2006. Prior to joining the USAF, Maj. Nicole Malachowski was a U.S. Civil Air Patrol Cadet. For 2007, Maj. Malachowski was joined in the Thunderbirds by Capt. Samantha Weeks, who currently flies as Lead Solo pilot.
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[edit] Education
Malachowski graduated from Western High School in Las Vegas in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science degree in management from the United States Air Force Academy in 1996.
[edit] Military experience
Malachowski attended pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, and F-15E training at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. Prior to her assignment as a Thunderbird pilot, she has been assigned to RAF Lakenheath, England, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, and as an Air Liaison Officer, at Camp Red Cloud, South Korea. She also recently completed a four-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Malachowski is a Senior Pilot with more than 1,800 flying hours, including more than 1,000 hours in the F-15E.
After successfully completing her tour with the USAF Thunderbirds in 2007, Maj Malachowski went to Washington, D.C., as a legislative fellow representing the U.S. Air Force.
[edit] Awards and decorations
Malachowski's awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters. She was a distinguished graduate of the Air Force's Squadron Officer School.
MAJ Malachowski was inducted into the Women in Aviation, International, Pioneer Hall of Fame in 2008.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Sara Wood. "First woman Thunderbird pilot proud to serve", Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2007-07-12.
- ^ 2008 WAI Pioneer Hall of Fame Inductees http://www.wai.org/08conference/2008_conf_phof.cfm
