Nicole Malachowski's aviation career began with a childhood fascination with military jets, which led her to become the first woman to fly with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. She served as a fighter pilot flying over Iraq, and commanded the 333rd Fighter Squadron, accumulating over 188 combat hours. Her journey exemplifies breaking gender barriers in military aviation.
In 2005, Malachowski was selected to join the Thunderbirds as Thunderbird 3, the right wing in the diamond formation. She performed approximately 140 shows during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Her military career was distinguished by her leadership and pioneering spirit until illness abruptly ended her flying career in 2016. After battling tick-borne illnesses for years, she was diagnosed with five conditions including Lyme disease, which caused neurological damage and led to her medical retirement in 2017.
Following her recovery, she became an advocate for tick-borne illness awareness and prevention, spearheading initiatives within the Air National Guard that installed preventive measures for over 100,000 personnel. Her commitment to service and resilience has earned her induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2019. Malachowski continues to speak on leadership, resilience, and health advocacy, inspiring many to overcome obstacles and break barriers.
