Inside the Diamond: Leading the Thunderbirds with Colonel ‘Sheik’ Malafa
Colonel Nathan "Sheik" Malafa didn’t plan on becoming one of the most recognizable pilots in the world—he just followed the spark. From flying combat missions in the F-15E and F-35 to leading the Thunderbirds as Thunderbird 1, Sheik brings a rare mix of humility, precision, and leadership to the air and the team behind it. In this episode, we dig into the realities behind the paint job: the mindset it takes to lead 130+ people on the road nine months a year, how the Thunderbirds train to fly closer than most of us would ever dare, and what it really means to “chase perfection and catch excellence.” If you’ve ever looked up and wondered what it takes to be in that cockpit—or lead the team that puts the jets there—this is the one.
Key Points
- Embrace a mindset of humility, approachability, and credibility to foster excellence and team cohesion.
- The transition to roles like the Thunderbirds requires not only technical skill but also adaptability, resilience, and the ability to lead a diverse team under high-pressure conditions.
- Incorporating family support and maintaining a tight-knit, inclusive squadron culture are crucial for managing the demands and challenges of an intensive and travel-heavy mission.
- Follow the Thunderbirds @afthunderbirds on IG, Facebook (Meta) @AFThunderbirds, youtube @afthunderbirds or their website https://www.airforce.com/thunderbirds/our-team
Chapters
| 0:16 | |
| 1:00 | |
| 3:04 | |
| 5:08 | |
| 10:28 | |
| 12:07 | |
| 17:05 | |
| 19:01 | |
| 21:23 | |
| 24:53 | |
| 29:50 | |
| 32:18 | |
| 33:08 | |
| 37:00 | |
| 39:10 | |
| 40:21 | |
| 40:42 |
Transcript
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