1st female pilot for USAF Thunderbirds

Lieutenant Colonel Nicole M.E. Malachowski is rated a Senior Pilot with more than 2,100 flying hours, including more than 1,000 hours in the F-15E. Lt Col Malachowski is a distinguished 2002 graduate of the Air Force's Squadron Officer School and was inducted into the Women in Aviation, International, Pioneer Hall of Fame in 2008.

She flew in the number 3 position with the USAF Flight Demonstration Squadron THUNDERBIRDS from 2006 to 2007.

During her second tour at Lakenheath, England, Captain Malachowski deployed for four months in early 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, flying 26 combat missions.