Michelle Curran was a teenager when she was mesmerized by the roar and power of military jets. Soon she was off to ROTC in college. Within just a few years, she would be at war in Afghanistan and eventually become the lead solo pilot for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

In this edition of "Veterans Chronicles," Maj. Curran takes us inside her role in providing "Danger Close" air support for our allies in Afghanistan as an F-16 pilot, how the missions were executed, and how enemy attacks were essentially futile.

Curran then shares the unlikely way she discovered an opportunity to pursue a spot with the elite Air Force Thunderbirds, the qualities that commanders considered even more important than flying ability, and how she eventually became just the second female solo lead pilot for the Thunderbirds. She then tells us about the hard work that goes into a successful air show, just how precise the pilots need to be, and how her closest call with disaster had nothing to do with another plane.

Finally, Curran desribes her new children's book, "Upside Down Dreams," which she hopes will motivate young girls and all kids to pursue their biggest dreams.