From First Female Thunderbird Pilot to Advocate: Nicole Malachowski | On Air S2E4
From WAI On Air Podcast by Women in Aviation International
February 18, 2026 · 47 min · Season 2 · Episode 4
About this episode
Col. Nicole Malachowski shares her journey as the first female Thunderbird pilot and her advocacy work in aviation.
A 2019 National Women's Hall of Fame inductee and former Presidential appointee, Col. Nicole Malachowski (USAF, Retired) has over 21 years of experience as an officer, leader, and fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Upon her commission into the military, she was competitively selected to fly combat aircraft and embarked on an adventure among the first group of women to fly modern fighter jets. Nicole served as a mission ready fighter pilot in three operational F-15E squadrons and accumulated over 2,300 flight hours, including 188 hours in combat. She has had the honor of commanding a fighter squadron, flying as a USAF Thunderbird pilot, serving as a White House Fellow, and as an advisor to the First Lady of the United States. 🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music . 📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast #WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast #FighterPilot #femalepilot
People in this episode
Host: Women in Aviation International
Guest: Col. Nicole Malachowski
Topics covered
- female fighter pilots
- aviation advocacy
- military history
- women in leadership
- combat experience
Keywords
- Nicole Malachowski
- fighter pilot
- aviation
- women in aviation
- military
- leadership
- combat
- Thunderbirds
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: U.S. Air Force, National Women's Hall of Fame, White House, First Lady of the United States
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