Meet the new F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team pilot and commander, U.S. Air Force Capt. Melanie "MACH" Kluesner! Kluesner comes from a military family and was inspired at young age by her parents, both U.S. Air Force pilots, to become a fighter pilot.
After graduating from the University of Southern California, Kluesner commissioned into the U.S. Air Force in 2014. She is a veteran combat fighter pilot with more than 1,000 hours of experience in a variety of aircraft, including the T-6A Texan II, T-38 Talon, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-35B and F-35A Lightning II.
Not only is the F-35A Demo Team commander responsible for a traveling team of 14 maintainers and supporting personnel, but she also reenforces the mission of the team across the globe each year by showcasing the combat capabilities of the F-35, while the team demonstrates unique military experiences to recruit, retain and inspire thousands of viewers at each airshow.
Video credits: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kaitlyn Ergish