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. (0:16) Introduction of Colonel Nathan Sheikh Malafa (1:00) Colonel Malafa's career, mindset, and Thunderbirds' season (3:04) Origin story in aviation and impact of ROTC (5:08) Transition to F-15E Strike Eagle and F-35 (10:28) Overcoming impostor syndrome and mindset (12:07) Experience transitioning to the F-35 (17:05) Challenges and team dynamics of the Thunderbirds (19:01) Balancing flying with command duties (21:23) Thunderbirds' selection process and importance of replacements (24:53) Significance of radio chatter and technical challenges of aerial shows (29:50) Culture of the Thunderbirds and family considerations (32:18) Tips for traveling with family as a pilot (33:08) Aerial demonstrations vs. combat missions (37:00) Rivalry between Thunderbirds and Blue Angels (39:10) Advice for aspiring pilots and other ways to get involved in aviation (40:21) Thunderbird show schedule and social media (40:42) Closing remarks and contact information