Retired U.S.A.F. Colonel Nicole Malachowski – First Female Thunderbird

U.S. Air Force Colonel Nicole Malachowski reached new heights in the Air Force as a female pilot, combat veteran, and White House Fellow. Her drive, education, perseverance, and command trust earned her the respect of her peers over her 21-year military career. She was the first female pilot to join a U.S. military flight demonstration team—the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. She also commanded a fighter squadron and served as an advisor to First Lady Michelle Obama. Nicole was inspired to become a fighter pilot after experiencing an air show at age five. She enthusiastically pursued her interest and went on to earn her pilot’s license before she was licensed to drive. Forced to retire due to Lyme disease, she is now a public speaker and advocates for those with tick-borne illnesses.

Nicole’s drive to become a pilot began at 16 when she took her first solo flight. Nicole graduated from the United States Air Force as a cadet and flight instructor in 1996. She earned a bachelor’s degree in management with a minor in French. She was the only person in her graduating class to be selected to train on F-15 Strike Eagle planes. She Nicole dozens of combat missions in Iraq before being accepted in 2005 as a pilot for the Thunderbirds, U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron – the first woman ever to do so. She completed her tour two years later flying about 140 demonstrations. Upon the urging of Retired Major General John Borling, Nicole applied to become a White House Fellow. She’s said that she doubted her credentials for such an elite program, and the experience taught her to believe in those who believe in you. As a White House Fellow, Nicole strongly advocated for recognition of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, the first women to fly military aircraft. Led by famed aviator Jacquline Cochran and Nancy Harkenss Love, the women logged 60 million miles during World War II between 1942 and 1944. Through Nicole’s efforts, the 1,102 women aviators were recognized at a White House ceremony in July 2009. As a White House Fellow, Nicole continued her work in the White House as the Executive Director of Joining Forces and Senior Advisor to First Lady Michelle Obama and First Lady Jill Biden.

Not done yet, in 2011, Nicole took command of the 333^rd Fighter Squadron at the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina, leading an elite team of flight instructors. She also continued her education, grading in 2013 with a master’s degree in national security policy from American Military University and a second master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College, both with honors. Notably, she was the first Air Force officer in the history of the naval college to be awarded the prestigious Admiral Stephen B. Luce Award.

At the height of her career, Nicole was forced to retire due to her struggle with Lyme Disease. Nicole retired in 2017 from the U.S. Air Force as a Colonel.  Today, she dedicates much of her energy to advocating on behalf of those affected by tick-borne diseases, speaking to groups across the country.