Podcasts about f 15e strike eagle

What builds trust when you don't have a title or position of authority? SUMMARY According to Lt. Col. Joe Bledsoe '11, it's honesty, integrity, humility presence and action. Tune in as he shares practical leadership lessons learned from the Academy, combat aviation and years of mentoring others.   SHARE THIS EPISODE FACEBOOK  |  LINKEDIN   COL. BLEDSOE'S TOP 10 LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS 1. Leadership starts before the title. People follow your example, ideas, and presence long before you get formal authority. 2. Informal leadership is as real as formal leadership. Class president, wingman, or peer—your influence, credibility, and support role matter even without rank. 3. Be “clay to be molded.” Show eagerness, humility, and effort; people notice fresh attitude and willingness to embrace hard things. 4. You can't lead alone—build a trusted team. Time management and heavy responsibility force you to delegate to people you trust and empower them. 5. Trust has two layers: inherent and earned. Start with inherent trust (shared values, shared background) and deliberately grow earned trust through behavior. 6. Five traits that build credibility fast: Honesty, integrity, humility, presence (actually being there, engaged), and decisive action. 7. Debrief like a fighter pilot: brutally honest, never personal. Separate the person from the performance, do root‑cause analysis, fix errors, and then move on—no re‑litigating. 8. Own your mistakes out loud. Saying “I'm sorry,” “I was wrong,” or “I don't know, but I'll find out” accelerates trust and models humility. 9. Mentors and mentees are non‑negotiable. Continuously seek guidance from those ahead of you and invest in those behind you to sharpen your own thinking. 10. Prioritize relationships and pride in the mission. Treat family and friends well, cultivate the Long Blue Line, and remember you're on the A‑team—act like it.   CHAPTERS 00:00:00 — Opening & Guest Intro Show open, Naviere introduces Lt Col Joe “Paveway” Bledsoe and his career highlights. 00:01:13 — Voluntold to Lead: Becoming Class President Basic cadet training, being “voluntold,” interview gauntlet, and getting elected class president. 00:04:09 — What a Class President Actually Does Informal vs formal leadership, picking the class exemplar (Robin Olds), dining‑ins, spirit missions, and accountability. 00:08:38 — From Future Doctor to Fighter Pilot Arriving at USAFA wanting to be a physician, loving biology and medicine, and the first seeds of doubt. 00:10:03 — Ops Air Force, Powered Flight, and the Pivot Deployed Ops Air Force in CENTCOM, exposure to flying in theater, powered flight, and choosing pilot training over med school. 00:12:22 — Mentors, Family, and Making a Hard Call Mentorship from family, upperclassmen, and permanent party; emotional weight of changing paths and family's reaction. 00:14:08 — Leading Without Rank: Credibility and Trust Informal leadership as a young wingman, lessons from time management and delegation as class president, inherent vs earned trust, and key traits (honesty, integrity, humility, presence, action). 00:22:06 — Fighter Pilot Debriefs & Radical Feedback Culture Brutally honest debriefs, owning mistakes, root‑cause analysis, safety and mission focus, and how that mindset translates beyond the cockpit. 00:27:48 — Leadership at Home: Marriage, Parenting, and ‘Knock It Off' High‑school‑sweetheart marriage, parenting, using accountability and humility with kids, and balancing “fighter pilot” mode with being a husband and dad. 00:30:30 — Future Conflict, Growth, and Pride in the Long Blue Line Risk and future fight, Institute for Future Conflict, exposure to other AFSCs and logistics, daily growth habits (mentors, mentees, reading, writing, running), advice to younger self, and closing message on being proud of USAFA and the A‑team.   ABOUT COL. BLEDSOE BIO Lt. Col. Joseph “Paveway” Bledsoe '11 is a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and recognized leader whose career has spanned combat operations, advanced airpower development and service to the Long Blue Line. A native of rural Pennsylvania, Bledsoe graduated from the Academy in 2011 with a degree in biology before earning a Master of Public Policy from the University of Maryland.  He is Currently assigned to the Institute for Future Conflict at the U.S. Air Force Academy where he studies the future of airpower, emerging technologies and the challenges of great-power competition. Prior to joining the Institute, he helped lead training and operational planning efforts at the 366th Fighter Wing, contributing to major exercises and the wing's first deployment to the Indo-Pacific region. His work bridges the gap between today's operational realities and tomorrow's strategic challenges. A recipient of the Association & Foundation's Young Alumni Excellence Award, Bledsoe is widely respected for his emphasis on faith, family and service. Throughout his career, he has remained deeply connected to the Academy community through mentorship, alumni leadership and a commitment to developing the next generation of leaders. On this episode of Long Blue Leadership, he shares lessons learned from leading peers, building influence before authority and navigating high-stakes decisions in both the cockpit and the profession of arms.   CONNECT WITH JOE LINKEDIN   CONNECT WITH THE LONG BLUE LINE PODCAST NETWORK TEAM Ted Robertson | Producer and Editor:  Ted.Robertson@USAFA.org Send your feedback or nominate a guest: socialmedia@usafa.org Please note: we are only considering USAFA graduates as guests at this time. Ryan Hall | Director:  Ryan.Hall@USAFA.org  Bryan Grossman | Copy Editor:  Bryan.Grossman@USAFA.org Wyatt Hornsby | Executive Producer:  Wyatt.Hornsby@USAFA.org     ALL PAST LBL EPISODES  |  ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE AT USAFA.ORG/LONGBLUELEADERSHIP AND ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS     FULL TRANSCRIPT Guest, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Joe "Paveway" Bledsoe" '11  |  Host, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz '99    Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz 0:01 Sometimes leadership begins long before you've ever been put in charge. It starts when people trust you enough to follow your example, your ideas or your vision. I'm Naviere Walkewicz, Class of '99; Long Blue Leadership starts now. Well, Lt. Col. Joe “Paveway” Bledsoe the Third. Welcome to Long Blue Leadership. Lt. Col. Joe Bledsoe 0:20 Naviere, it's great to see you. Thank you for having me here today. I'm looking forward to the conversation. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 0:24 So, Joe, your career has been exciting so far, and you're still in it. You know, you have been operational leader, obviously an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot. You've been deployed, you have been a researcher, you're a Young Alumni Excellence Award winner for our Association & Foundation, you've been an AOG board director and a fellow for the Institute for Future Conflict. And that, that's just, you know, a short little list, because you're a student heading back into, over to, is it North Carolina, right? Seymour Johnson.   Col. Joe Bledsoe 0:53 That's correct. Seymour Johnson, yep.   Col. Naviere Walkewicz 0:54 In the cockpit, yeah. Col. Joe Bledsoe 0:56 Yeah, we're super excited. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 0:59 Yes. Well, we're going to touch on probably many of those places, but I want to dial it back to something that only one graduate in every class experiences, and for you it happened shortly after Basic Cadet Training. Your class selected you as your class president. How did that come about? Col. Joe Bledsoe 1:14 How did that all go down? That's a great question. So there we were, right after basic training. I was in Cadet Squadron 19 for my freshman year, and I got the opportunity — this is one of those voluntold moments, right — where the upperclassmen and BCT cadre said, “Joe,” or “Cadet Bledsoe, report to H-1 during transition week.” That's when everybody's coming back, and you're like, “Sure, yep, yes, sir, yes, ma'am. Here we go.” So I show up with 40, 50 other fourth-class cadets, and we come to find out it was for us, and we were going to go through who was going to be the class officers. So first off, as I look back on that experience, a lot of respect and no humility being asked to go like represent Squadron 19, right? Like, I didn't volunteer, they just kind of pointed me in that direction, so we show up and got to interview with the upperclassmen, class officers, and there's funny interview questions, real serious interview questions. You know, I was just honest, right? Like, I'm here. This is what I think about what being a leader looks like, and how I could help serve the class, not thinking I would ever be selected, right? And as the night is going on, and ACQ is right around the corner, they kind of whittle it down to four or five of us, and we get up in front of the rest of the cadets and classmates that were there, and it was an open forum, like you know, back in Rome times, like you're standing in the gauntlet, Yeah, like it was like Roman voting, right? And asked a bunch of questions, and I remember standing up there with, you know, preppies, prior enlisted, and then me, just like straight off the street, and there's a couple other of us up there, and just answer the questions honestly, and at the end of that, there was a vote, and you know, they read the results, and I was like, "Holy smokes, I'm class president. How did this, how did this happen,” right? And I think there's a lot that — it was daunting at first, right? And then also, like, “This is awesome, I don't know what I'm getting into,” right? I just found out about it. I remember walking back on the Tizo. This was the first time I can say this now, because you know, grad, and I didn't run the strips because the upperclassmen and class officers walked me back, and I distinctly remember to — back to my squadron to — Jordan Kraft and Forrest Underwood walked back and were given some mentorship to me, like here's how to succeed, here's things we would recommend, and it was just an awesome opportunity to like kind of learn what pure leadership looks like, what it means to be in this not org chart that is unique to the Academy, and that's where the, that's where the adventure started for class president. I'm still, I haven't been fired yet, and I still proudly serve the Class of 2011 — Robin Olds' class — as their class president, and it's one of the best jobs that I have the privilege of doing. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 4:10 My goodness. I mean, just to unpack that a little bit, obviously, in basic cadet training, you did enough to impress your cadre, I'm sure that there was probably some sort of cadre selection to bring however many of them forth first. Would you say that you would you agree with that, or is that — am I way off? Col. Joe Bledsoe 4:28 Yeah, I would say —I think when I look back my time at basic training, like I wanted to come to the Academy since I was in your school, right? So, like, I thrived — I'm not saying it was easy by any means, right? We all know that, but I thrived in like this new adventure, right? And I took everything, I embraced everything. I think that may have been something they saw, right? Like I was clay to be molded, right? And I had some prior opportunities in basic to show that to my BCT cadre, and they picked up on it. It wasn't that I was trying, but I think looking back on that experience, there was moments of like my freshness, my eagerness, my like pride in that I made it to basic training, that I wanted to just try as hard as I could, and I think some of that probably shown through, and ultimately may have been why I was selected to go try that interview process, right? Col. Naviere Walkewicz 5:20 So that interview process, at the end of the day, you were elected by your peers, and you know it — to your point — you said in that unusual, the not normal org chart, right, the one that doesn't exist, but yet you have leadership of your class. What did that look like? How did that translate? Because not many of us are class president, I'm certainly not my class president, and so I'm not sure what that leadership role looks like. Can you share a little bit more about some examples? Col. Joe Bledsoe 5:46 Yeah, I think that that leadership role was very different each year, right? As a freshman and a sophomore, as a four-degree and a three-degree, before any official academy leadership position starts to present themselves, that they do for two-degrees and firsties, it was a lot of helping the class stay as a collective whole, right? So one of the first big things as freshmen was selecting our class exemplar, right? And running like — how do, who do we select? How do we come together and figure that process out? How do we then, once we have a name, once we selected Robin Olds, how do we have a formal dining in? Things that I had never even heard of, right? As well as on the other side, the shenanigans, right? So, the spirit missions, right? There was many times I've had to go to the commandant's office and say, I don't know where the class crest is, like, out of pure honesty, right? But, like, that is, that was like a way, as an underclassman, that we kind of got that informal leadership, but also you're the leader by default here, so we're gonna, we're gonna make you accountable for your class. So I got to see both sides, that transitioning a little bit more to two-degree and first a year was now taking a little bit step back in writing in the informal leadership position, so I looked as myself as like a supporting agent, supporting member to our cadet leadership, and I always presented that like, “Hey, if you need our class to do something, I will do that, but if militarily you own that, like, I'm not ever going to step on your toes or push back,” right? The other thing we got, I was able to do is also help provide, like, morale inputs, right? Like you kind of had the pulse of morale, I think, more as the class president sometimes than in the official leadership, so could help provide some inputs along those ways, and there are some, say more shenanigans or morale events that we get to help put forth and present those to the cadet leadership for official approval later on as we firsties. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 8:04 Gosh, well, that was, I mean, it's really insightful for us to understand some of the roles that a class president and class cabinet plays, and so understanding that it's — I like how you put it as a supporting agent to the formal leadership. And we're gonna touch on this a lot more, because I think there's going to be times when you'll share how you build that trust and credibility throughout, both when you're a cadet and as an officer. But before we jump there, I happen to find out, Joe, that you weren't coming to the Air Force Academy to become a fighter pilot, but to become a physician. Can we talk about that for a moment? Col. Joe Bledsoe 8:37 Absolutely, that's absolutely a — I came to the Air Force Academy, wanted to be a doctor. I knew I wanted to be a biology major. I declared, I think, the first day I could declare and went through the gauntlet of getting ready for med school applications, and I loved every second of it. It was awesome. Even my fellow classmates would say he was a huge nerd and studying all the time, because that was my goal, right? I came into the Academy, and I wanted to be a doctor, and I knew the gauntlet that is, that that is required to do such a thing. And I still love medicine, right? I still love — I think medicine is fascinating. Every time my probably get there someday, or in the conversation, but anytime my kids have to go to the ER, like I'm like, “Can I scrub in,” right? All that kind of stuff. Yeah, put me in. I love medicine, and it wasn't till the summer between my two-degree and firstie year did I have that midlife crisis at the age of 21 and then firstie year is when that crisis kind of came to a head, and new doors opened, and here we are today, right? So that, yes, you're absolutely right. Always wanted to be a doctor. I was still fascinated by medicine, but now I'm just a pilot. So, there we go. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 9:57 So, can we, can you expand a bit more on it? So, was it a decision you wanted to make or a decision you had to make? Col. Joe Bledsoe 10:03 Yeah, yeah, that's great. It was a decision I had to make, ultimately, myself. Right? No one, no one said, “Joe, you can't be a doctor.” So, the summer — there's two key things that really happened that helped influence that decision. The first one was the summer between two-degree in firstie year, I had the opportunity to deploy to the Middle East, and we've heard of Ops Air Force. You know Ops Air Force. Well, at that time we had a deployed Ops Air Force, so they sent cadets overseas to deployed locations to see what was, you know, to get the full experience in a deployed location. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 10:40 Wow. Col. Joe Bledsoe 10:40 So I had the opportunity to do that. Spent the summer in CENTCOM and kind of opened my eyes to… Col. Naviere Walkewicz 10:47 Oh, Central Command. Col. Joe Bledsoe 10:47 Yeah, sorry, Central Command, and got to experience — I got attached to a C-130 unit, right, and I got to see what flying looked like in a deployed environment, and I kind of opened my eyes, where I've been hyper focused on medicine, right? Like, you know, so focused on this is what it takes to be a doctor. I kind of like put my blinders on to what the rest of the Air Force did, right? So I was like, “This is pretty, this is, these guys and gals are doing awesome stuff, like this is this is the pointy end of what was going on.” And that planted a seed, that planted a seed. So it came back, firstie year was doing the med school applications, going through, I had some free time in my academic calendar, and I got to go down to the airfield and do the powered flight program. So, I got to see flying over the summer, and then I was blessed enough to have the opportunity to go fly an airplane, and I was like, “OK, the seed was planted, let's see if I get air sick, like, let's see if there's anything else here that might make me not want to do this.” And I loved it. Right, I fell in love with flying down at the airfield. I came back, and I was like, I'm gonna pause the med school applications and put my name in the hat for pilot training, and the rest was history, right? So, doors open, doors close, right? But that was my story, and I loved getting to talk to cadets about that, because so many can be — so many times we see some that are hyper focused, and like there's always other options out there, and it's OK to have a crisis we can talk you through. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 12:23 I think that's a fantastic lesson that you actually learned early, because you know it's interesting — had you not been sent to Ops Air Force at a deployed location, you might not have taken Alex flight, and so you know when you think about leadership opportunities and lessons, this is one of those moments where it actually steered you in a new direction. So, as we think about that, I'm curious, how your family responded to that, because, you know, you had come to the Air Force Academy to be a doctor. Were they happy for you? Were they surprised, a little nervous? Col. Joe Bledsoe 12:57 Yeah, there was a ton of mentorship there, right? Not just from my family, but from upperclassmen peers, permanent party, like, “What are you doing? Like, you came here telling us this was your goal. Where did this new goal come from?” So, there was a lot of time talking that through, and I needed that myself. It wasn't, as you know, in any decision, like, it wasn't a snap decision. So, a lot of time walking through that decision process and leaning on mentors and kind of asking the questions, like I knew what four years of med school, and then residency, but I knew what that like, what does pilot training look like? How long does that take, right? So, a lot of questions to help answer, or to find answers through, and ultimately, my family was super supportive, super supportive, and they still joke, like, “Hey, how come you're not doctor.” Well, because I fly F-15s now, right? But all supportive all throughout the process, right? And that's where you lean on others, right? Lean on others, because it very much felt like a crisis, like I still have scar tissue over it. But looking back on it, it wasn't just me making — I ultimately made the decision, but they helped me through it. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 14:08 That's fantastic. You know, I think about you as an officer, as a fighter pilot, and obviously there's a lot of steps you took to get there on the road was certainly not easy. Often, though, I think that there can be some misconceptions, or maybe this is accurate, that earlier in your pilot life or your aviator life, there's probably not a lot of leadership lessons where you're leading others. Maybe, maybe that's a misperception, and we'd love to talk about that. You know, how do you find the leadership opportunities then when you are, you know, you're party of one, right? You don't necessarily have any direct reports. What does leadership look like there? Col. Joe Bledsoe 14:43 Yeah, can we take that back to like some lessons I learned at the Academy?   Col. Naviere Walkewicz 14:46 Oh, absolutely.   Col. Joe Bledsoe 14:47 Right, I think, I think that's where I've leaned most heavily in, like, not in there's this difference between formal leadership and informal, positional versus informal, and I was blessed enough at a pretty young age to learn the plus — the how to succeed and how to fail in informal leadership. I've tried to carry that throughout my career. So when you say like the younger days of being a wingman in the F-15 community, it's a lot about credibility. It's a lot about that peer leadership. How do you build the credibility? How do you build the trust to be someone that others look up to in that informal system, right, in that informal system. When they look down their phone, like, “Who do I call? Who do I have to call? Who do I want to call?” Right? and I think that's where you have to balance some of that stuff, and I spent time thinking about that, and trying to lean on lessons that I learned from the Academy, and while formal leadership positions were never handed to me, that doesn't mean you're not a leader, right? Like, you can't beat it, doesn't mean you don't just get to sit back and not lead. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 16:02 Can you share an example of a time when you learned that about yourself, or what that looked like?   Col. Joe Bledsoe 16:09 In the flying world? Col. Naviere Walkewicz 16:11 Or as a cadet?   Col. Joe Bledsoe 16:12 Yeah, as a cadet, I think the biggest one was — I'll take it back to, like, freshman, sophomore year, where I learned one of the key pillars that I'm convinced the Air Force Academy teaches all us grads about is time management, right? And I thought I was pretty good at time management, and then when you're now the president of 1,000 other cadets, your inbox fills up very quickly, right? Or you're like, “I thought I was good at time management.” And I learned very quickly that you can't do it alone, right? You can't do it alone, and I had to learn to surround myself with people that I trusted and that I could delegate or hand tasks off to, and just say, “I need this accomplished,” and I did that to my friends that I knew would get the mission done, right? And I had to have that level of trust, and I think that is translated throughout my career, where I inherently trust people with a project, right? I think there's two versions of trust, inherent trust and earned trust. When I look at the graduate network, whether that's the Air Force Academy, Navy, West Point, and I see a class ring, I'm like, “I inherently trust you,” and I can, I believe, or I see some other veterans have on — like, “I inherently trust you,” and then in other cases where I've had to learn and work with people, it's now, “I'm earning your trust, and I hope you're earning mine as well,” and that is this unique balance of I inherently trust you, I learned that at the Academy. Now let's build on that as a foundation and get this earned trust to as high as we can. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 17:54 What does some of that earned trust or becoming more credible look like when young leaders don't have the benefit of time? Right, so I, the more time I work with you, the more I learn about you. You build that credibility, etc. How does one accomplish that, maybe either shorten the gap or do that a little quicker or impactfully earlier? Col. Joe Bledsoe 18:18 Yeah, time is always — like we always need more time, right? How often do you say, like, “I only have 24 hours, but I need more time,” right? So, if we're always fighting time, like, and everybody's fighting time, then, like, that's a constant. So, let's not worry about time. So, I look at it as, like, what traits do people bring to the table, or what traits can we can we sharpen? Honesty, right? Honesty is huge. You have to be honest, and that's a pillar of trust. Integrity, right? Integrity first and showing people that you display integrity is really important. Humility, I think, is also really important. Humility is really important. I was listening to a podcast the other day, and it really struck home to me, a sense of humility is — if a leader is able to say three things, they're gonna — I know I could, I can build that trust, no matter what that time gap is. “I'm sorry,” “I was wrong,” or one of the seven basic responses: “I don't know, but I'll find out,” right? I think that's really important with humility. The other one is presence, not with a T, like we're not giving presents, but presence. Being present is really important character trait in my mind, and the fifth one that I try to reflect on a lot is action. Right? I think defaulting to not doing something is not what we want. That doesn't help build trust. Taking action with what knowledge you have and making a decision is really important, and I think those are the traits that help build that credibility, help build that trust in that time gap, whatever that looks like. If you can hit those, the five that I try to hit home. If you can do that, hopefully you're building that relationship that is going to foster — have great fruition out of it. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 20:06 That's outstanding, and that's really helpful, I think. I love how you took out the constant of time being an excuse, right? Like, we don't always have the benefit of time, whether it's time and getting more experience or just time in general, I think those are outstanding examples of how you can build credibility. So, thank you for sharing that. You know, one of the things that I also would love to kind of dig into a little bit of your experiences, Joe — because they've been really vast, right? So, I don't believe that everyone has the same kind of path. How have you grown as a leader in these different experiences that really, again, aren't positional leadership roles? I'm just curious, how your growth has been in that space. Col. Joe Bledsoe 20:47 Think a lot of it's been through failure. I think a lot of it's been through failure. These might not be huge, like we lost a million dollars, or like, not through those kind of failures, but relationship failures, or conversation failure at the micro level, and how I've tried to handle that is surround myself with people that will tell me that the emperor — I'm gonna go back to the, I'm gonna go back to the old fairy tale, or fable, right? If you surround yourself with people that are able to come up to you, and you trust them, and you trust their feedback, that is something I've tried, that was Cadet Bledsoe, advice given to me is Cadet Bledsoe. Surround yourself with people that you will listen to and take their feedback honestly. And sometimes that means if I don't have that person in the room and I know I fumbled a conversation or I made a poor decision, it's going to that individual and saying, “I messed up, I'm sorry, I was wrong,” or “I don't know,” right. And that's how I try to use that to present humility, I think, and that's important, because we're all fallible, we all make mistakes, and if I can't admit that, then, like, we're off to the wrong foot right away. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 22:06 Do you think some of that that skill that you've developed over time has been something that you've learned in, and forgive me, I don't know if it's a fighter pilot community, specifically, or you know, I think about when you do your sorties and you have some sort of debrief, right? I feel what I've heard, I've not actually sat in one, but they're very real. Like, there's no, it's not about making you feel good about it, like it's about the safety and the mission, and so I'm curious, if that skill of humility, and you know, calling a spade a spade, and calling it I'm wrong and I'm wrong, did that come from some of that experience, and maybe you can talk through what that's like, because not everyone, I think, practices at that level of transparency. Col. Joe Bledsoe 22:46 Yeah, the fighter pilot debrief. I learned some of the importance of that through mentorship as a cadet, and then that was sharpened as a fighter pilot. And I learned the importance of that through the form, my formal job, right, the mission, the lives at stake, aircraft, that kind of stuff. And I think I've tried, I've only honed that skill through Air Force training, right? The Air Force has trained me to think like that, and I've tried to translate that into my personal life and leadership positions, because I think there's tons of value to that. There is tons of value in being willing to find a mistake, own up to that mistake with the knowledge and hope that it doesn't happen again, right? And if that is like, if you, if that's your north star, we don't do this again, like, why wouldn't you want to be on that team? Why wouldn't, why don't you want to be? That's how we get better, right? And I think that seed again was planted as a cadet. Like, let's, I tell cadets all the time, like, you're joining the A-team, so put in A effort, right? Like, if you're going to join the A-team, I don't want B-players, and this is what we got to get, like, let's go, right? It's a motivating factor in my mind. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 24:08 What are some of the ways to approach that in a leadership conversation for someone who would be interested in taking on some of those, those learned lessons? Col. Joe Bledsoe 24:18 Yeah, I think the first thing is transparency and honesty right up front. Like this, Naviere, if we were flying together, right and you were my instructor, your job is not to degrade me as a human, but to prove to me that I made a mistake with the ultimate goal of making me better, right? Your job is to always, like — and the relationship you and I have as an instructor and a student is my — I'm gonna sit here in the debrief and go, and Naviere is here to make me better, right? Like, that's your, that's your job, right? Right. So, once you start that as the foundation, like, it can only get better if I know your job is to make me better, and your job is I'm supposed to make this guy better, right. And often we can, when feedback is provided, you're like, this could be a personal attack, or, like, that's all left out, that's all left outside the debrief room, right? Like, we're here to make everybody better, and I think that's where it starts: with that transparency and honesty up front of the expectation. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 25:15 So you'll actually say that. You would actually… Col. Joe Bledsoe 25:17 No, I think that's just a common, that's a common theme, right? That's the expectation in the community. And not just in the fighter community. I think it's throughout the Air Force, right? I think that's what makes us really, really unique. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 25:32 Because feedback is something that we, we do — although maybe some can do it better than others — I think that's a really fantastic way — before you're giving someone feedback, you're really clear on this is what we're hoping to accomplish by having this time together. And so, I think what you just said can make feedback so much more impactful, because it's not about the person, it's about what are we trying to accomplish and helping you, I guess. It is about you, but ultimately helping you. Col. Joe Bledsoe 25:59 Absolutely, right? Like the where every debrief starts is we had a mission objective and we had tactical objectives. Did we do them? If we didn't, let's figure out why, right? So translating to the business world or private sector, it's a root cause analysis, right? It's a root cause analysis, and we will get down to the nitty gritty of like, what type of error — did you make a decision error? Did you perceive the environment wrong? Did your actions cause the error, right? And we get down to that level, so that when the student, student Paveway walks away, Naviere, knows, Naviere, you gave me the exact, like, you decided wrong, because X, Y and Z; don't do that again. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 26:43 Right. Col. Joe Bledsoe 26:44 Here's your fix. You know, that debrief can take hours, and that's the beauty of it, right? “We're gonna sit there, and we're not gonna let anything not be uncovered, because we're gonna go do this again tomorrow, and we can't make the same mistake tomorrow,” right? “We can't make the same mistake.” Col. Naviere Walkewicz 27:01 No, that's, that's fantastic. I mean, to have it that clear, and to know it, like, OK, we're not gonna, we don't stay in that space. We've addressed it, we know we've identified a fix, and we move forward. Is that what you said? Col. Joe Bledsoe 27:12 Absolutely. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 27:13 There's no like, continue to revisit, like… Col. Joe Bledsoe 27:15 Yep, that's the point, right? Like, “I've learned something, I know, I've acknowledged my mistake. Let's move on. This wasn't personal, this was you making me better.” Iron sharpens iron, right? So, here we go, and then move on. And now that translates, as you asked kind of a couple minutes ago, right, that can translate to so many things in your life, right? And I try to do that sometimes, like my wife will tell me, I go too fighter pilot, but there's versions of that that translate as we are not in a fight or pilot debrief. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 27:50 You literally got in my head because I was gonna say, now I want to put you on the spot, because Joe, you are married to your high school sweetheart, you make a 2% club, right? Like, you actually started the Academy with a sweetheart and ended with the same sweetheart. And now you have three amazing, beautiful children. How do you translate that to, you know, feedback to your family or your personal life? And I love how your wife said too fighter pilot, but how about to your kids? Col. Joe Bledsoe 28:15 Yeah, married my high school sweetheart, Alicia. We started dating our sophomore year, and we've been together ever since. So she is not a grad, but she has a lot of Air Force in her blood, so that's great, and the kids, I would say there's a couple things when it comes to taking some things I've learned or been trained in the Air Force, translating on the home front. The first one goes to accountability, right? I think accountability is really important because in an aircraft, you have to be accountable for your actions, and I think that translates to being a parent, as well as trying to teach the kids some humility. Right, where to be humble, when to own up to your mistakes, and sometimes that works in the fighter pilot way, sometimes it doesn't, and I think that's leadership, right? You can have leadership skills and be consistent in some, in some ways, but other times adaptability is really important, especially with the kids, and each one of my kids is very unique, and we have to cater to each one of them and their unique skills. I will say about my wife, I love her with all my heart, but she knows the words “knock it off” as well, right, because that's a sacred word, not just in the military, but on our, in our homefront, and that usually means stop being a full fighter pilot, like go back to being Dad, right? So she knows, she knows the words and how to make that all go down. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 29:47 I love that it's another language, right? You have your, your fighter pilot language, and you have a home front language. I love that. Thank you for sharing that. You know, I'd like to switch gears a little bit to your time operationally, and maybe this translates into now your work at the Institute, or your most recent work at the Institute for Future Conflict and preparing cadets for the future fight. I'm curious, how all of these skills that you've learned, and these leadership traits that you've continued to develop in yourself, have translated in moments of, you know, like, real conflict, real distress, like when the stakes are high, and how you prepare cadets to think that way, even though maybe they've not experienced that. I'm just curious, what that looks like. Col. Joe Bledsoe 30:31 Yeah, it is hard to translate — like cadets love war stories, right? Like, “So there I was…” but it's hard to translate some of, like, the putting, having the cadets put themselves in the shoes of someone that has 15 years of flying under their belt, right? Like, that's hard for them to grasp, and I understand that, and that's not what I'm asking of them to do, but there are certain skills that I think are really important, and that I've got to experience and talk to cadets and research and spend time thinking about at the Institute for Future Conflict at the IFC. One is risk, right? How do we, how do we think about risk, right? Are we risk prone? We risk adverse? How do we think about risk, not just in this moment, but how does our decision today affect five days from now, a month, right? And, as you remember, because I know it happened to you as a cadet, like you're just in the, like, “What's my next problem,” right? What's my next — OK, how does, like, fixing this problem affect next week? Right. And I think that's what I've got had the opportunity to think a lot about the IFC, as well as try one thing I've learned being back here at the Academy was my experience as a cadet is not the same experience as the cadets now. And what do I mean by that is when I graduated, GWOT, Global War on Terror was the thing we knew what we were getting into. I very much knew flying, going to the Middle East. Now the cadets looked to me and other permanent party, and like, what's our fight going to look like? And right, the question mark is, I don't know, but let me tell you, think about this, and I could be wrong, and I think that is where I've had a lot of time to think about future conflict and what's problems, maybe not nations or adversaries, but like big meta level things they'll have to think about, information access, information sharing, trust, right? How do you, how do you help develop some of these skills in the cadets? And that's where I've spent a lot of time the last two years trying to think and spend, spend some brain bytes, like what does air power look like in this unknown environment? Col. Naviere Walkewicz 32:52 And as you're about to step back into it, I'm thoughtful of that, and so now you're taking what you've helped cadets start to hone in and think about. How are you different now as a leader going back into the cockpit than you were when you came to the Academy? Col. Joe Bledsoe 33:09 Yeah, let me get back to the cockpit, and everyone can tell me what, how I'm different. We'll use that as the test. But here's one thing I think — I've reflected on this recently, going back to the Strike Eagle community. One has been my exposure here in Colorado Springs and at the Air Force Academy, meaning I've learned a lot about what others do that I wasn't — I knew other jobs existed, I knew other AFSCs did things, but not being in a flying day-to-day ops tempo, I've had the opportunity to sit down and, like, “What do you say you do?” “Oh, that has some effects here, here, and here,” and I use a specific vignette would be, I've got to spend a lot of time in the management department and helped teach in the global logistics minor, and like, I knew there was logisticians in the Air Force, and like, that's yeah, right? That's how stuff got here, but like, understanding the importance of, like, that's how my bombs got here, this is how the b…, right, like, truly understanding their frustrations, I think will make me get less frustrated in my day to day, right, and I think that has been one thing that the Academy has given back to me the second time I've been here, is a little bit more exposure to the Air Force, as well as the Space Force, being here in Colorado Springs, like seeing what each team member, like each cog in the machine brings to the fight, right? And I think that's been a blessing here. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 34:42 So those that you will begin to get back working with — your men and women in your community — they won't have had that exposure, and so I'm now going back to our where we started with the sense of informal leadership. How do you help others gain that experience and thought, and maybe thought process informally, since they haven't really been exposed to that? How would you help them navigate it? Col. Joe Bledsoe 35:09 Naviere, I think the best way to do stuff like that is, like, you raised your hand when you said logistics officers, like Naviere, we're doing a podcast with my next squadron, you're coming to talk, right? Col. Naviere Walkewicz 35:19 Right, it's like that was like a long time ago, we need someone more recent. Col. Joe Bledsoe 35:24 But, OK, Naviere, it's not you, but you know people, that's how stuff gets done, right, that's how stuff gets done. And while I by no means want to stand up in front of everybody and say I'm the expert on logistics, but I, I'm not that person, but I trust Naviere, Naviere's contact here, and that's how, like, you create this network of knowledge and this network of trust and credibility. And to my, to the fighter pilots that I'll be flying with, it's somewhat like throwing mud at the wall sometimes, like we're gonna keep throwing mud and see what sticks, but at least they know it's there, right? Like, we're gonna, your job is still to go kill things and blow things up, but at the same time, you know there's this other network out there that you can lean into. But let me be a conduit to make that happen. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 36:15 That is awesome. That's fantastic. So I want to go into this period now, where we talk about you and your continued growth as a leader. What is something, Joe, that you're doing every day to be a better leader? Col. Joe Bledsoe 36:30 I have mentors, and I've tried to find mentees. I think that is where growth can happen, leaning on others for mentorship and mentees to try to talk through some things you've thought through and give experience and exposure to others, right? And that's that network we were just talking about, right? Other things I think are really important is reading and writing. Read a lot, write a lot, nobody writes good anymore, right? Thanks, ChatGPT. But being able to communicate in the written form is really important. So, writing and reading. And the other thing, too, is as a leader, just find an outlet, find something, find a hobby, find something that's fun to do, right. So, I got into running here at the Academy, because we're at high elevation, and I'm, why not, right? But find something that, like, rounds you out, right? It's fine, find an outlet that helps give you some relief from all the stresses that can happen in leadership. That's where I would say I spend a lot of time, or what I think about trying to sharpen my skills. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 37:34 Daily. So, what are you reading right now? Col. Joe Bledsoe 37:37 Oh, that's a great question. I have a couple books that are on the table. Mask of Command is one that I'm reading as I get ready to go back and potentially be in a leadership role. There's a couple other books that come to mind. I'm reading a baseball coaching book, because I coach my baseball, it's a basketball book by Coach K from Duke, as I go back to North Carolina, but it's a book, how to coach kids, right, Leadership on the Court, and it's fun to just think about training and coaching kids and how to keep them inspired. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 38:18 Oh, that's awesome. So, speaking of kids, if you were to go back in time, and talk to younger Joe Bledsoe, the third, what advice would you give him? Col. Joe Bledsoe 38:30 Yeah, if I had to go back, I would say it's worth it. Every second, work hard at the Academy, right? The doors that it opens, that's where my mind went when you asked the question, like, younger me at the Academy. Be good to Alicia, my wife, right? Be good, because she's going to be with you for a long time. So be good to her, as well as foster your, foster your friendships. They're going to mean a lot to you in the future, right? The relationships you build on that hill are going to come back in ways you have no idea years to come. So take time and prioritize the people that you meet. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 39:10 Those are really great reflections. Joe, is there anything that we haven't covered in our conversation that you would love to share with our Long Blue Leadership listeners and viewers? Col. Joe Bledsoe 39:24 Absolutely, be proud of this institution. I'm proud of it. I know you are too, Naviere. Proud of this Academy. Be proud of the cadets, be proud of the permanent party that work here. There's an A-team out there, and this is this is where it starts, right? And it's not just if you're serving in blue or in the Space Force, right? If you're out there doing awesome things for our country on the private, in the private sector, thank you. Keep doing what you're doing. There's no shade of blue in the Long Blue Line, that's my, my phrase for that one. There's no shade of blue. Serve your country, be proud. And that's — just be proud to be an Academy grad. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 40:07 That's fantastic. So, you know, in our time together, I have loved this, this, this leadership conversation, because we really span an area that I don't think a lot of people talk about, and it's, how do you demonstrate leadership in an informal way, you know, without titles and without necessarily key positions or in the hierarchical structure, and so some of the things that really stood with me, Joe, that you've covered, have been being credible, being present, and humble. I really like that, and you didn't say this in these words, but what I took from that was, you know, being honest and truthful is almost one of the most kind ways you can be right, because you're actually helping someone be better, and that really stuck with me, you know. I don't, we have an A-team, we don't need B-players, that I think you exactly said that, so definitely stuck with me. But watching the way that you have led, not with your class, not just the cadets, and, you know, certainly not the squadron that you will have here shortly as a director of operations, but I think you've continued to just be who you've always been, which is someone who leads with integrity through those pillars and certainly by example. So this has been an incredible conversation, and for anyone that is watching us and listening to this, for others that are in their leadership journeys, this is another one you're going to want to share, because it's not just about, you know, Lt. Col. Bledsoe's journey right now, it's been all of these moments and experiences and memories and they really do connect with anyone on a leadership journey. So, be sure to join in on longblueleadership.org or wherever you get your podcasts, not just to see this one, but all of our other conversations. So, Joe, thank you so much for joining us today. Col. Joe Bledsoe 41:46 Thank you Naviere. Go Air Force! Col. Naviere Walkewicz 41:48 Go Air Force!   Col. Joe Bledsoe 41:49 There we go. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 41:50 Absolutely, until next time, we'll see you on Long Blue Leadership. KEYWORDS informal leadership, peer leadership, Air Force Academy leadership, USAFA class president, fighter pilot debrief culture, building trust and credibility, leadership humility, future conflict and airpower, Long Blue Leadership podcast, military leadership lessons.     The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation          

10PCT Episode #90This is an interview recorded as part of my research for Twenty Years at War - the second part of my series of coffee table books on the F-15E Strike Eagle: https://www.10percenttrue.com/product-page/tyaw-pre-orderFour F-15E veterans — “Deuce” Cooper, “Funkle” Esler, “NAILS” Ashmore and “Leroy” Domberg — reunite to discuss Operation Odyssey Dawn and the opening phase of the Libya air war in 2011. What begins as a discussion about Libya quickly becomes a broader conversation about the Strike Eagle community's transition from the highly restrictive, JTAC-driven wars in Iraq and Afghanistan back to dynamic targeting, SCAR, coalition strike operations and independent decision-making. The group recounts the rapid deployment from RAF Lakenheath, the uncertainty surrounding Libyan air defences, the first night over Benghazi, the loss of BOLAR 34, the evolution of tactics during the campaign, and the lessons that would later shape operations against ISIS and beyond. Along the way they discuss mission planning, coalition integration, the value of the two-seat cockpit, targeting pods, radar development, CCA concepts and the future of the Strike Eagle.

La operación Epic Fury se lanzó el 28 de febrero de 2026. El 3 de abril, Irán derribó con un misil disparado desde un manpad un F-15E Strike Eagle del 494th Flight Squadron. A partir de ese momento se desencadenó la operación de búsqueda y rescate de combate (CSAR — Combat Search and Rescue). Fue noticia en todos los medios, y nosotros tuvimos la tentación de hablar de ella nada más ocurrir, pero preferimos ser prudentes y esperar un poco de tiempo para poder recopilar toda la información fiable que pudiéramos, para poder contárosla después. Y eso ha hecho nuestro colaborador Carlos. ¿Nos acompañáis? P.D.: Si la intro y la despedida os son familiares, que no os sorprenda. En un ejercicio de nostalgia podcasteril he hablado con Javier Lago para pedirle permiso y utilizar la introducción que hizo para el que, si no recuerdo mal, fue el primer podcast español sobre aviación: Remove Before Flight RBF podcast

In this episode of More Right Rudder, NAFI program development manager Sarah Staudt talks with retired U.S. Air Force instructor navigator and CFI Mark Pierce about how aviation acronyms can be used as more than just memory aids. From PAVE and the 3P model to real-world aeronautical decision-making (ADM), this conversation focuses on helping pilots move beyond rote memorization and into true understanding. Pierce shares his journey from military instruction in the F-15E Strike Eagle and T-39 Sabreliner to teaching in general aviation, and how those experiences shaped his approach to instruction. They also discuss how instructors can better prepare students for checkrides, scenario-based training, and real-world flying decisions. Guest Bio Mark Pierce is a retired U.S. Air Force navigator and former instructor in the F-15E Strike Eagle and T-39 Sabreliner. He now instructs in general aviation and is the author of Eleven Acronyms Every Pilot Should Know, a guide to understanding the “why” behind common aviation acronyms. You can find Pierce's book online here: https://www.amazon.com/Eleven-Acronyms-Every-Pilot-Should-ebook/dp/B0GKW39J5Y Thank you to Pilot Institute for sponsoring this episode! If you aren't already a NAFI member, join us today at https://nafimentor.org. Use code PODSAVE5 to save $5 on your new NAFI membership.

The United States just executed what may be the most daring rescue mission in modern American history. After an F-15E Strike Eagle was downed near Iran, an injured airman was left behind enemy lines. What followed was an extraordinary operation involving U.S. Special Forces, intelligence coordination, deception tactics, B-1 bombers, MQ-9 Reapers, and a high-risk extraction deep inside hostile territory. In this video expert Dr. Nez analyzes and educates on what happened and why with fact based, data based, verified and researched expertise reporting.For free and unbiased Medicare help, dial (656) 218-0931 to speak with my trusted partner, Chapter, or go to https://askchapter.org/nez▶ Reach out to me: https://bio.site/professornez▶ ORIGINAL MADE IN U.S.A 250TH AMERICA DESIGNS: https://professornez.myspreadshop.com/▶Support the Channel and Buy us a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/professornezEducational Commentary & Original AnalysisThis channel presents educational, lecture-style analysis created by a university professor and educator. Content focuses on contextual examination, historical background, legal frameworks, and evidence-based analysis of widely reported events, public records, and institutional processes.The approach emphasizes academic methodology, media literacy, and source-driven interpretation rather than advocacy, persuasion, or real-time news reporting. Viewers are encouraged to consult primary sources and form independent conclusions.All content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, medical, or professional advice. Views expressed are solely those of the creator.This channel may include references or links to third-party websites or products for informational purposes. Some links may be affiliate links, which may generate a commission at no additional cost to the viewer.All original content is protected by copyright. Fair use applies where permitted by law.

The rescue of the crew of DUDE 44, an F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iran, is one of the most complex and dangerous combat search and rescue (CSAR) operations in modern warfare. Retired USAF Colonel and Special Operations pilot Buck Walker breaks down how it happened – from the shootdown to the high-risk mission that brought the crew home. This is how CSAR really works.

The U.S. military just pulled off one of the most dramatic combat search and rescue missions in history, sending forces deep into Iran to recover the crew of a downed F‑15E Strike Eagle fighter. Aircraft were lost, firefights erupted, and both airmen came home alive. The last time America attempted something this ambitious inside Iran was Operation Eagle Claw in 1980 - and that ended in disaster.In this episode, hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso sit down with two retired special operations colonels: Ioannis Koskinas (Air Force Special Operations, CEO of The Hoplite Group, former senior advisor to Generals McChrystal and Schwartz) and Joe Felter (Army Special Forces, Director of Stanford's Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense). As Felter puts it: no other country could have pulled this off, and no other country would have tried.The conversation starts with the rescue: how it was planned in under 48 hours, how and why aircraft were lost at a forward staging site deep in Iran, and what separates this outcome from the 1980 failure. It then pivots to the broader war: where the conflict with Iran is headed, the risk of Gulf state escalation, and why both guests, drawing on painful experience from Afghanistan's collapse, warn against assuming tactical brilliance equals strategic victory. The episode closes with the Indo‑Pacific: what allies are thinking as American attention and resources once again pour into the Middle East, and whether the U.S. can fight in the Gulf without undermining its ability to deter China.

Today at 8 p.m. ET is President Trump's deadline for Iran to reach a deal or face massive strikes on its power plants, bridges, and more. Trump has warned that “the entire country can be taken out in one night,” and Iran has reportedly shut down talks with mediating countries as the clock ticks down. Mark breaks down the remarkable rescue of both crew members of an F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down over Iran, a complex, multi-day operation involving hundreds of special forces troops and dozens of aircraft. May 21st is the final night of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Beginning May 22nd, CBS will hand over the 11:35 p.m. time slot to Byron Allen's comedy series Comics Unleashed.  Mark interviews Fox News contributor Liz Peek. Liz believes the chances that President Trump will follow through on striking Iranian infrastructure tonight are high. Zohran Mamdani's push to raise taxes on corporations and wealthy New Yorkers risks driving big business and high earners out of the city. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is pushing a redistricting referendum ahead of the April 21st vote, but her approval rating has cratered, and the effort is facing growing unpopularity, with early voting in Republican districts outpacing Democratic ones. Left-wing media networks are bracing for tonight's 8 p.m. deadline, and Mark asks whether shows like these have essentially become therapy for Trump Derangement Syndrome sufferers. Mark also reveals details about what Trump's planned presidential library in Miami will feature, including a towering skyscraper with Trump's name in gold lettering, a golden escalator, a replica of the Oval Office, a golden statue of Trump with his fist raised, and Air Force One on display. Mark interviews streaming host Bill O'Reilly. Bill breaks down why Democrats manufacture a new narrative about Trump every day, whether it's accusing him of “war crimes” or something else entirely, and how that machine operates. There is significant confusion inside the Department of War right now. Trump believes Iran was weeks away from developing a nuclear weapon, though questions remain about the clarity of his overall strategy. The deeper question: why did the Mullahs want a nuclear weapon in the first place, and what does that tell us about how this war ends?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today at 8 p.m. ET is President Trump's deadline for Iran to reach a deal or face massive strikes on its power plants, bridges, and more. Trump has warned that “the entire country can be taken out in one night,” and Iran has reportedly shut down talks with mediating countries as the clock ticks down. Mark breaks down the remarkable rescue of both crew members of an F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down over Iran, a complex, multi-day operation involving hundreds of special forces troops and dozens of aircraft. May 21st is the final night of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Beginning May 22nd, CBS will hand over the 11:35 p.m. time slot to Byron Allen's comedy series Comics Unleashed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today at 8 p.m. ET is President Trump's deadline for Iran to reach a deal or face massive strikes on its power plants, bridges, and more. Trump has warned that “the entire country can be taken out in one night,” and Iran has reportedly shut down talks with mediating countries as the clock ticks down. Mark breaks down the remarkable rescue of both crew members of an F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down over Iran, a complex, multi-day operation involving hundreds of special forces troops and dozens of aircraft. May 21st is the final night of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Beginning May 22nd, CBS will hand over the 11:35 p.m. time slot to Byron Allen's comedy series Comics Unleashed.  Mark takes your calls! Mark interviews Fox News contributor Liz Peek. Liz believes the chances that President Trump will follow through on striking Iranian infrastructure tonight are high. Zohran Mamdani's push to raise taxes on corporations and wealthy New Yorkers risks driving big business and high earners out of the city. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is pushing a redistricting referendum ahead of the April 21st vote, but her approval rating has cratered, and the effort is facing growing unpopularity, with early voting in Republican districts outpacing Democratic ones.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today at 8 p.m. ET is President Trump's deadline for Iran to reach a deal or face massive strikes on its power plants, bridges, and more. Trump has warned that “the entire country can be taken out in one night,” and Iran has reportedly shut down talks with mediating countries as the clock ticks down. Mark breaks down the remarkable rescue of both crew members of an F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down over Iran, a complex, multi-day operation involving hundreds of special forces troops and dozens of aircraft. May 21st is the final night of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Beginning May 22nd, CBS will hand over the 11:35 p.m. time slot to Byron Allen's comedy series Comics Unleashed.  Mark interviews Fox News contributor Liz Peek. Liz believes the chances that President Trump will follow through on striking Iranian infrastructure tonight are high. Zohran Mamdani's push to raise taxes on corporations and wealthy New Yorkers risks driving big business and high earners out of the city. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is pushing a redistricting referendum ahead of the April 21st vote, but her approval rating has cratered, and the effort is facing growing unpopularity, with early voting in Republican districts outpacing Democratic ones. Left-wing media networks are bracing for tonight's 8 p.m. deadline, and Mark asks whether shows like these have essentially become therapy for Trump Derangement Syndrome sufferers. Mark also reveals details about what Trump's planned presidential library in Miami will feature, including a towering skyscraper with Trump's name in gold lettering, a golden escalator, a replica of the Oval Office, a golden statue of Trump with his fist raised, and Air Force One on display. Mark interviews streaming host Bill O'Reilly. Bill breaks down why Democrats manufacture a new narrative about Trump every day, whether it's accusing him of “war crimes” or something else entirely, and how that machine operates. There is significant confusion inside the Department of War right now. Trump believes Iran was weeks away from developing a nuclear weapon, though questions remain about the clarity of his overall strategy. The deeper question: why did the Mullahs want a nuclear weapon in the first place, and what does that tell us about how this war ends?

Today at 8 p.m. ET is President Trump's deadline for Iran to reach a deal or face massive strikes on its power plants, bridges, and more. Trump has warned that “the entire country can be taken out in one night,” and Iran has reportedly shut down talks with mediating countries as the clock ticks down. Mark breaks down the remarkable rescue of both crew members of an F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down over Iran, a complex, multi-day operation involving hundreds of special forces troops and dozens of aircraft. May 21st is the final night of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Beginning May 22nd, CBS will hand over the 11:35 p.m. time slot to Byron Allen's comedy series Comics Unleashed.  Mark takes your calls! Mark interviews Fox News contributor Liz Peek. Liz believes the chances that President Trump will follow through on striking Iranian infrastructure tonight are high. Zohran Mamdani's push to raise taxes on corporations and wealthy New Yorkers risks driving big business and high earners out of the city. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is pushing a redistricting referendum ahead of the April 21st vote, but her approval rating has cratered, and the effort is facing growing unpopularity, with early voting in Republican districts outpacing Democratic ones.

Today at 8 p.m. ET is President Trump's deadline for Iran to reach a deal or face massive strikes on its power plants, bridges, and more. Trump has warned that “the entire country can be taken out in one night,” and Iran has reportedly shut down talks with mediating countries as the clock ticks down. Mark breaks down the remarkable rescue of both crew members of an F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down over Iran, a complex, multi-day operation involving hundreds of special forces troops and dozens of aircraft. May 21st is the final night of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Beginning May 22nd, CBS will hand over the 11:35 p.m. time slot to Byron Allen's comedy series Comics Unleashed. 

We are back with one of the most jam-packed news weeks of the year — and that's saying something. We kick things off with one of the most incredible military stories in recent memory: the United States pulled off a daring rescue of two aviators whose F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran. Then we pivot to the stars — literally. NASA's Artemis II mission is carrying four astronauts toward the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972.Back on Earth, Savannah Guthrie made her emotional return to the TODAY show this morning for the first time since January 30th, amid the ongoing search for her missing mother Nancy.  On the NBA front, the Memphis drama is fully cooked. A video of LeBron James and A viral compilation video then surfaced featuring Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Draymond Green, and others all piling on Memphis as a road destination.  The whole league apparently has receipts. We get into it.Then we go to Anaheim for what might be the single greatest defensive game in baseball history. Angels outfielder Jo Adell robbed not one, not two, but three home runs in a 1-0 win over the MarinersIs Kanye back? Ye performed two sold-out comeback shows at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles — his first U.S. performances in 5 years. And why is Kylie Kelce complaining for no reason?Plus — Dating Moments of the Day, your Questions of the Day (Can you be too hot? What's a green flag that doesn't get enough credit? What's an underrated snack or meal?), and of course, the Nuclear Opinion of the Day. Don't miss it.Tap into Episode 717 of the Productive Conversations Podcast—available now on all podcast platforms and YouTubeUS Pilot Saved (4:59)Artemis II Flys By The Moon (8:20)Samantha Guthrie Returns to Today Show (16:20)Tesla Self Driving Car Avoids Crash (24:15)Kylie Kelce Complaining For No Reason (30:12)Is Kanye Back? (37:00)NBA Players Criticize Memphis (42:50)Jo Adell Robs 3 Homeruns (57:50)Dating Moments of the Day (58:03)Question of the Day (1:10:30)Nuclear Opinion (1:32:12)------#trending #sports #news #entertainment #culture #popculture #podcast Best way to contact our host is by emailing him at productiveconversationspodcast@gmail.com or mbrown3212@gmail.comThis show has been brought to you by Magic Mind! Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productive-conversations-with-matt-brown/id1535871441 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7qCsxuzYYoeqALrWu4x4Kb YouTube: @Productive_Conversations  Linktree:https://linktr.ee/productiveconversations

Astronauts are back in lunar space for the first time in more than 50 years! And, in one of the most challenging and complex rescue missions in the history of U.S. special operations, the second crew member of the F-15E Strike Eagle jet that was shot down in Iran was found and rescued alive. We bring the details.

I dag snakker jeg med to tidligere IDF spesialstyrkeoperatører, Mansur Ashkar og Doron Keidar, om redningsoperasjonen med amerikanske og israelske F-15-fly dypt inne på iransk territorium – og hvordan de i all verden klarte å få både F-15-piloten og WSO-en (Weapons Systems Officer) ut i live.Fredag (3. april 2026) ble et amerikansk F-15E Strike Eagle fra U.S. Air Force skutt ned over det sørvestlige Iran under amerikanske operasjoner i landet. Både piloten og våpensystemoffiseren skjøt seg ut trygt og fikk radiokontakt.Piloten ble reddet innen få timer av amerikanske styrker. WSO-en (en oberst) klarte å unngå å bli tatt i det fjellrike terrenget i omtrent 36 timer. Tidlig søndag (5. april) gjennomførte amerikanske spesialstyrker – med støtte fra CIA – en risikofylt nattlig redningsoperasjon dypt inne i Iran. Begge besetningsmedlemmene er nå trygt tilbake. President Trump bekreftet offentlig den andre redningen og kalte den en av de mest dristige i moderne historie.Vi snakker også om styrker i Syria som planlegger angrep mot Israel, samt Israels operasjon i Libanon for å ta ut Hizbollah. I tillegg diskuterer vi verdier som prinsippet om No Man Left Behind, og hvordan det skiller både det amerikanske militæret, IDF og Vesten fra det iranske regimet og terrororganisasjoner.Mansur Ashkar er en israelsk druser, tidligere offiser i IDF spesialstyrker, og en av Israels mest engasjerte talsmenn for sameksistens. Mansur tjenestegjorde i Gaza før tilbaketrekningen og kommer fra en legendarisk familie – hans bestefar var faktisk den første drusiske offiseren med høy rang i IDF og tente uavhengighetsdagens fakkel i 1975. I dag er Mansur en innflytelsesrik profil på sosiale medier, historieforteller og aspirerende filmskaper som bruker plattformen sin til å forsvare Israel og bygge bro mellom samfunn. Som arabisk-talende patriot oppvokst i en jødisk by har Mansur et sjeldent og sterkt perspektiv på Midtøsten.Doron Keidar er en israelsk stridsveteran med over 20 års erfaring i IDF, inkludert tjeneste i elite spesialstyrker-reservene. Doron har deltatt i kamphandlinger i Gaza, Libanon og Judea & Samaria. Han er nå internasjonal foredragsholder, vert for The Doron Keidar Podcast og utøvende produsent for filmen I Am Israel – The Mountain of the King. Siden 7. oktober har han samarbeidet med amerikanske spesialstyrker og GWOT-veteraner for å hjelpe amerikanske lokalsamfunn med å forberede seg på nye trusler.Kapitler:00:00 Introduksjon02:38 F-15-redningsoperasjonen07:48 Trening og forberedelse til spesialoperasjoner16:39 Kontrasten mellom USA/Israel og Iran21:12 Samarbeid mellom USA og Israel28:07 Etterretning og spesialstyrker i Iran30:02 Ulike verdenssyn og verdier35:04 De humanitære sidene ved IDF38:15 Avhør og moralske dilemmaer40:56 Frustrasjon over mediedekning43:12 Internasjonal lov og moralske forskjeller46:09 Propaganda og mediepåvirkning48:07 Candace Owens, Tucker Carlson og mediekritikk51:55 Militæroperasjoner og realiteter54:18 Kritikk av amerikansk mediedekning57:40 Familie- og samfunnsverdier01:01:01 Antisemittisme og dagens medielandskap01:04:00 Den neste generasjonen og antisemittisme01:08:20 Israels rolle i Midtøsten01:11:24 Dawa og antisemittisme01:13:30 Islam og Jihad: et historisk perspektiv01:19:12 Antisemittisme og dens konsekvenser01:23:30 Syria og den jihadistiske trusselen01:32:45 Libanon og Hizbollah: en komplisert dynamikk***► Frykt og Stillhet - jødiske stemmer i Norge etter 7. oktober. Bestill her:  https://bok.norli.no/frykt-og-stillhet► STØTT ARBEIDET PÅ VIPPSOm du ønsker å støtte arbeidet med denne podcasten, kan du bidra med et stort eller lite beløp, etter eget ønske. All støtte settes pris på, og du bidrar til arbeidet med å lage flere episoder. Bruk Vippsnummer: #823278► Annonsere på Henrik Beckheim Podcast?Send en mail til post@henrikbeckheim.no ► MERCH: Kjøp klær, kopper, capser og mer: https://henrikbeckheim.com/store

An F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down by Iran last week over Southwestern Iran, and while one crew member was extracted earlier, the weapons officer remained behind enemy lines, with Iran offering a $60,000 reward for his capture. On Easter Sunday, U.S. special forces carried out a high-risk rescue deep in hostile territory involving SEAL Team 6, dozens of warplanes and helicopters, and intense fighting, successfully extracting the airman without a single American casualty. President Trump hailed the operation as an “Easter Miracle." In a Truth Social post, Trump also stated, “The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again, that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies.” We also cover: Is Pat in Iran? Artemis II will stream on Netflix. Tesla FSD can save lives? Gavin Newsom's wife is on FIRE. Evictions are an act of violence. 00:00 Chewing the Fat UNLEASHED! (...What?) 00:25 Pat Gray Feeling Ill 02:07 Pat Gray BINGO! Card 08:55 U.S. Pilot Rescue 11:45 Rumor of Trump's Death??? 13:06 Trump's Aggressive Message for Tuesday 15:02 Trump's Easter Message 17:40 NATO & the Strait of Hormuz 18:58 Ukraine/Russia War 19:40 What will Happen with Iran on Tuesday? 25:08 Things Reversed by Democrats in 2028? 25:55 Artemis II Crew Expected to Set New Record 26:31 Easter Message from Artemis II Pilot 28:41 Message from Apollo 16 Astronaut to Artemis II Crew 31:40 Reid Wiseman on Days Blurring Aboard Artemis II 32:42 Artemis II Sees the Grand Canyon of the Moon 33:52 Fat Five 45:57 Self-Driving Tesla Dodges Crash 48:26 Netflix Broadcasting Artemis II Livestream 52:18 More Tesla Talk 55:20 93-Year-Old Grandma in a Self-Driving Tesla 58:51 Tiger Woods' Sobriety Test 1:08:17 Thomas Massie on Pam Bondi & Epstein Files 1:12:41 Kris Cruz Keeping in Shape! 1:16:59 Gavin Newsom's Wife Babbling 1:25:17 Brandon Johnson Talking about "Large Gatherings" 1:26:48 Evictions are an ACT OF VIOLENCE! 1:33:18 Family Kicked Off Airplane Due to Baby Crying Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: After a tense, multi-day search behind enemy lines, U.S. forces successfully rescue the second crew member of a downed F-15E Strike Eagle, denying Tehran what could have been a major propaganda victory and showcasing a complex, high-risk recovery operation. Fears are growing that Russia is testing a familiar destabilization strategy in Estonia, as pro-Kremlin actors push the idea of a separatist “Narva People's Republic” inside a NATO member state. New reports suggest Kyiv may be opening another front against Russia, launching drone strikes from Libya targeting Moscow's shadow fleet operating in the Mediterranean. U.S. immigration authorities detain the niece of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani after the Trump administration revokes her green card over alleged ties to Iran's regime. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief StopBox: Get firearm security redesigned and save 10% off @StopBoxUSA with code PDB10 at https://stopboxusa.com/PDB10 #stopboxpod Acre Gold: Start building physical gold with simple monthly payments and enter to win two Ancient Collection gold bars at https://GetAcreGold.com/PDB  Goldbelly: Make Mother's Day unforgettable with iconic foods delivered—get free shipping and 20% off your first order at https://GOLDBELLY.com with code PDB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the weekend, the U.S. military successfully rescued both crew members of an F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down over Iran. Mark breaks down how the dramatic rescue operation unfolded. While the airman was hiding in the mountains of Iran, the IRGC offered a $60,000 reward for any Iranian who could locate the crew member. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth fired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, along with two other generals, in a significant shakeup at the Pentagon amid the ongoing war with Iran. Savannah Guthrie returned to the TODAY show anchor desk this morning for the first time since her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, went missing from her Arizona home on February 1. Mark interviews NY Post columnist Michael Goodwin. The discussion turns to President Trump's recent social media posts directed at Iran, including a comment about Muslims, and whether the media holds Trump to the same standard it held President Biden. Michael argues that Trump's willingness to go after the press is a key reason why the double standard exists. Michael also weighs in on NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani as he approaches his first 100 days in office, with the city's budget crisis front and center. President Trump is holding a press conference today on the state of the Iran war. A Tuesday deadline looms: Trump has threatened to strike Iranian energy plants and bridges if a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is not reached. Iran has vowed to retaliate hard if the U.S. follows through on those strikes. SNL's Weekend Update sparked major backlash after host Michael Che made a joke widely interpreted as a reference to the assassination of President Trump, drawing outrage from across the political spectrum. Bruce Springsteen made headlines after delivering a sharply political speech at his Minneapolis concert, calling the Trump administration “corrupt, incompetent, racist, reckless, and treasonous.” Trump fired back on Truth Social, calling Springsteen a “total loser” and urging MAGA supporters to boycott his concerts. Meanwhile, NASA's Artemis II mission has been dealing with a recurring toilet malfunction aboard the Orion spacecraft, and a frozen vent line has prevented the crew from properly flushing urine overboard. However, the issue has been resolved.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the weekend, the U.S. military successfully rescued both crew members of an F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down over Iran. Mark breaks down how the dramatic rescue operation unfolded. While the airman was hiding in the mountains of Iran, the IRGC offered a $60,000 reward for any Iranian who could locate the crew member. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth fired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, along with two other generals, in a significant shakeup at the Pentagon amid the ongoing war with Iran. Savannah Guthrie returned to the TODAY show anchor desk this morning for the first time since her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, went missing from her Arizona home on February 1. Mark takes your calls! Mark interviews NY Post columnist Michael Goodwin. The discussion turns to President Trump's recent social media posts directed at Iran, including a comment about Muslims, and whether the media holds Trump to the same standard it held President Biden. Michael argues that Trump's willingness to go after the press is a key reason why the double standard exists. Michael also weighs in on NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani as he approaches his first 100 days in office, with the city's budget crisis front and center.

Over the weekend, the U.S. military successfully rescued both crew members of an F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down over Iran. Mark breaks down how the dramatic rescue operation unfolded. While the airman was hiding in the mountains of Iran, the IRGC offered a $60,000 reward for any Iranian who could locate the crew member. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth fired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, along with two other generals, in a significant shakeup at the Pentagon amid the ongoing war with Iran. Savannah Guthrie returned to the TODAY show anchor desk this morning for the first time since her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, went missing from her Arizona home on February 1.

Over the weekend, the U.S. military successfully rescued both crew members of an F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down over Iran. Mark breaks down how the dramatic rescue operation unfolded. While the airman was hiding in the mountains of Iran, the IRGC offered a $60,000 reward for any Iranian who could locate the crew member. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth fired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, along with two other generals, in a significant shakeup at the Pentagon amid the ongoing war with Iran. Savannah Guthrie returned to the TODAY show anchor desk this morning for the first time since her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, went missing from her Arizona home on February 1. Mark interviews NY Post columnist Michael Goodwin. The discussion turns to President Trump's recent social media posts directed at Iran, including a comment about Muslims, and whether the media holds Trump to the same standard it held President Biden. Michael argues that Trump's willingness to go after the press is a key reason why the double standard exists. Michael also weighs in on NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani as he approaches his first 100 days in office, with the city's budget crisis front and center. President Trump is holding a press conference today on the state of the Iran war. A Tuesday deadline looms: Trump has threatened to strike Iranian energy plants and bridges if a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is not reached. Iran has vowed to retaliate hard if the U.S. follows through on those strikes. SNL's Weekend Update sparked major backlash after host Michael Che made a joke widely interpreted as a reference to the assassination of President Trump, drawing outrage from across the political spectrum. Bruce Springsteen made headlines after delivering a sharply political speech at his Minneapolis concert, calling the Trump administration “corrupt, incompetent, racist, reckless, and treasonous.” Trump fired back on Truth Social, calling Springsteen a “total loser” and urging MAGA supporters to boycott his concerts. Meanwhile, NASA's Artemis II mission has been dealing with a recurring toilet malfunction aboard the Orion spacecraft, and a frozen vent line has prevented the crew from properly flushing urine overboard. However, the issue has been resolved.

Over the weekend, the U.S. military successfully rescued both crew members of an F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down over Iran. Mark breaks down how the dramatic rescue operation unfolded. While the airman was hiding in the mountains of Iran, the IRGC offered a $60,000 reward for any Iranian who could locate the crew member. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth fired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, along with two other generals, in a significant shakeup at the Pentagon amid the ongoing war with Iran. Savannah Guthrie returned to the TODAY show anchor desk this morning for the first time since her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, went missing from her Arizona home on February 1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the weekend, the U.S. military successfully rescued both crew members of an F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down over Iran. Mark breaks down how the dramatic rescue operation unfolded. While the airman was hiding in the mountains of Iran, the IRGC offered a $60,000 reward for any Iranian who could locate the crew member. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth fired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, along with two other generals, in a significant shakeup at the Pentagon amid the ongoing war with Iran. Savannah Guthrie returned to the TODAY show anchor desk this morning for the first time since her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, went missing from her Arizona home on February 1. Mark takes your calls! Mark interviews NY Post columnist Michael Goodwin. The discussion turns to President Trump's recent social media posts directed at Iran, including a comment about Muslims, and whether the media holds Trump to the same standard it held President Biden. Michael argues that Trump's willingness to go after the press is a key reason why the double standard exists. Michael also weighs in on NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani as he approaches his first 100 days in office, with the city's budget crisis front and center.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

** VIDEO EN NUESTRO CANAL DE YOUTUBE **** https://youtube.com/live/vcAIUKr34Aw +++++ Hazte con nuestras camisetas en https://www.bhmshop.app +++++ El 3 de abril de 2026, un F-15E Strike Eagle fue derribado en el suroeste de Irán durante una misión de ataque profundo. Sus dos tripulantes se eyectaron en territorio enemigo. Uno fue rescatado rápidamente. El otro sobrevivió durante 48 horas tras las líneas enemigas. Lo que siguió no fue un rescate convencional. Estados Unidos activó una operación de Combat Search and Rescue en condiciones extremas, con inserción de fuerzas especiales, apoyo aéreo, coordinación con inteligencia y la creación de un FARP (Forward Arming and Refueling Point) dentro de territorio iraní. La misión incluyó combate directo, helicópteros dañados y una decisión crítica: destruir dos aviones propios en tierra para evitar su captura. En este programa analizamos: El derribo del F-15E y el papel del WSO El entrenamiento SERE training aplicado en condiciones reales Cómo funciona una operación CSAR bajo fuego El uso de bases avanzadas improvisadas (FARP) Las implicaciones estratégicas frente a Irán Rigor: Algunos detalles operativos proceden de fuentes abiertas y reconstrucciones plausibles. Elementos como la ayuda civil o daños exactos se consideran [Inferencia razonada]. ¿Qué demuestra esta operación? Capacidad de proyección, integración total de medios… y un principio clásico: no dejar a nadie atrás. SUSCRÍBETE para no perderte ningún programa y únete a nuestra comunidad de apasionados por la historia militar, la geopolítica y los conflictos del mundo. Apóyanos para seguir creando contenido riguroso e independiente: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bellumartis PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/bellumartis Bizum: 656 778 825 Síguenos también en redes: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellumartis Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/BellumartisHM Bellumartis Historia Militar — Porque entender el pasado es prepararse para el futuro. #F15 #Iran #CSAR #SERE #USAF #OperacionEspecial #Guerra #Geopolitica #Bellumartis #defensa Capítulos del programa 00:00 Introducción: El derribo del F-15 y el contexto de la misión. 05:30 Análisis táctico: ¿Cómo fue detectado y alcanzado el caza? 12:15 Operación de rescate: Protocolos de recuperación tras las líneas enemigas. 25:40 Comparativa histórica: Del "Soldado Ryan" a la realidad en Irán. 38:20 El papel de las fuerzas especiales y medios aéreos (CASA C-212 / C-295). 50:15 Debates sobre las evidencias y el impacto geopolítico. 01:05:00 Conclusiones y respuesta a la comunidad.

The Iran war just got real. An F-15E Strike Eagle has been shot down over Iran, marking the first U.S. aircraft lost to enemy fire in Operation Epic. With one crew member missing, gas prices surging past four dollars a gallon, and Defense Secretary Hegseth firing top generals during active combat, the cracks in the Trump administration's war strategy are impossible to ignore. Radell Lewis breaks it all down on this episode of Purple Political Breakdown. On the Supreme Court front, justices heard oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara challenging the executive order to strip birthright citizenship, and even Trump's own appointees appeared skeptical. The court also took up Watson v. RNC, a case that could eliminate mail-in ballot grace periods in over a dozen states before the 2026 midterms. Meanwhile, Trump signed a sweeping executive order creating a national voter database and restricting mail-in voting, a move election law experts call unconstitutional. Pam Bondi was fired as Attorney General after reportedly failing to prosecute Trump's political opponents aggressively enough. She still faces a congressional subpoena on April fourteenth to testify about the Epstein files. The DHS partial shutdown drags into its second month with over five hundred TSA officers quitting and no resolution in sight. In the Research on the Dime segment, Radell explains what executive orders actually are, what powers they give the president, and why Trump's record-shattering pace of 254 executive orders cannot substitute for actual legislation. The segment also covers a new MIT study proving that AI chatbot sycophancy causes delusional spiraling in users, even perfectly rational ones, plus a deep look at the data behind affirmative action and why public opinion has shifted. The episode closes with good news the media is not covering: a breakthrough seizure drug reducing episodes by 91 percent in children, North America's largest wildlife overpass opening in Colorado, declining global child mortality, and AI-powered cancer detection advances. Purple Political Breakdown: Political Solutions Without Political Bias. New episodes weekly on the Alive Podcast Network. Rate five stars, share with friends and family, and download the Alive Podcast Network app.Standard Resource Links & RecommendationsThe following organizations and platforms represent valuable resources for balanced political discourse and democratic participation: PODCAST NETWORKCheck Out the Podcast Website: www.purplepoliticalbreakdown.comALIVE Podcast Network - Check out the ALIVE Network where you can catch a lot of great podcasts like my own, led by amazing Black voices. 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Link: https://www.independentcenter.org/ GET DAILY NEWSText 844-406-INFO (844-406-4636) with code "purple" to receive quick, unbiased, factual news delivered to your phone every morning via Informed (https://informed.now) ALL LINKShttps://linktr.ee/purplepoliticalbreakdownThe Purple Political Breakdown is committed to fostering productive political dialogue that transcends partisan divides. We believe in the power of conversation, balanced information, and democratic participation to build a stronger society. Our mission: "Political solutions without political bias."Subscribe, rate, and share if you believe in purple politics - where we find common ground in the middle! Also if you want to be apart of the community and the conversation make sure to Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/ptPAsZtHC9

Trump Wants $1.5T for Defense. Is Hegseth Running for President? SERE Training 101. Pickles the Dog for President? Final Four Friday! The ultimate split-screen moment in American history. While the world watched in awe as the Artemis crew headed toward the moon—representing the pinnacle of human achievement and international cooperation—the reality of global conflict hit home. In this urgent Friday blitz, host Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the breaking news of a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle being shot down over Iran. With one crew member rescued and another's status uncertain, we examine the tactical reality of "boots on the ground" in a conflict that continues to escalate despite a lack of public support. Joining the conversation is a true American hero, NASA Astronaut and Navy Veteran Commander Scott Kelly. Drawing on his experience as an F-14 pilot and his time commanding the International Space Station, Kelly provides an insider's perspective on the SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) protocols our downed aviators are facing right now. We also dive deep into the Artemis mission, the firing of Army General Randy George by Pete Hegseth, and why independent leadership is the only way to navigate a world that feels closer to World War III than ever before. Key Moments & Chapters 00:00 - The Friday Blitz: Final Four & Yankee Stadium Opener. 05:30 - Breaking: US F-15 Shot Down in Iran. 08:15 - The Hegseth Purge: General Randy George Fired. 12:45 - 1,500 Days of War in Ukraine & the Iran Connection. 21:21 - Guest: Commander Scott Kelly Joins the Show. 24:00 - Ejecting in Enemy Territory: What the Pilots are Facing. 34:00 - Artemis: Why We Needed This Win. 45:00 - Will Scott Kelly Run for Office?. 50:00 - Hope as the Oxygen of Democracy. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Playlist for Songs for a Year in Space. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The April 3rd, 2026, broadcast of The Charlie James Show was dominated by escalating military tensions in Iran, following the downing of an F-15E Strike Eagle and the ongoing search for a missing pilot. Domestically, the program highlighted a major shakeup in military leadership with Pete Hegseth requesting the resignation of the Army Chief of Staff, alongside intense debates over birthright citizenship and the 14th Amendment. The show also tackled various "corruption" and "fraud" narratives—ranging from the Pam Bondi firing to California's rise as a fraud hub—while touching on local South Carolina politics involving Senator Lindsey Graham and Representative Ralph Norman.

Reports have surfaced regarding an F-15E Strike Eagle allegedly shot down over Iran, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. Initial accounts suggest that the multi-role fighter was intercepted during a mission, leading to the loss of the aircraft and the immediate activation of search and rescue protocols. Of the two-person crew, one pilot has reportedly been successfully recovered by friendly forces, while the status of the second crew member remains unconfirmed. Military officials are currently verifying the details of the engagement and the specific defense systems involved, as the incident threatens to trigger a broader diplomatic and military confrontation.

The first hour of The Charlie James Show on April 3, 2026, opened with the breaking report of an F-15E Strike Eagle allegedly shot down in Iran, noting that one of the two pilots has been recovered. The broadcast then shifted to domestic political turmoil, digging into the details behind the sudden firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi. Turning to the economy and infrastructure, the show highlighted a record-breaking travel day at Atlanta's airport alongside the latest jobs report showing 178,000 positions added in March. Finally, the hour closed with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issuing a stern warning regarding widespread fraud currently impacting the country.

We look at the Air India Boeing 787 crash and the friction between investigators, Boom Supersonic's plan for stationary power generation, Spirit Airlines' new labor agreements, the canceled TSA labor contract, DHS purchase of Boeing 737s, ethics and the FAA Administrator, the V-22 Osprey accident rate, A-10 retirement postponement, return of PanAm, and fumes in the cabin. Aviation News Air India Boeing 787 Crash Probe Leads to Tussle Between Investigators India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and U.S. agencies, such as the NTSB and FAA, investigating the Air India crash have clashed over where and how to read out the flight recorders, access to evidence, and the overall pace and transparency of the investigation. U.S. officials reportedly feared a lack of openness, while Indian officials pushed back strongly against what they saw as outside interference and challenges to their competence. Boeing 787, courtesy Air India. Preliminary technical findings point toward the 787's fuel control switches being moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF,” starving both engines of fuel shortly after takeoff. Some U.S. sources suspect deliberate pilot action, while Indian authorities have downplayed pilot culpability in public. Source article in the Wall Street Journal: Officials Clash in Investigation of Deadly Air India Crash Air India Admits Compliance Culture Needs Overhaul After Flying Airbus Without Permit, Document Shows An Air India investigation found that one of its Airbus planes conducted eight commercial flights without an airworthiness permit. “Systemic failures” were cited, and the airline admitted it needed to make compliance improvements. Boom Supersonic Secures Breakthrough AI Engine Deal Boom Supersonic is developing the Symphony propulsion system to power its Overture supersonic airliner. At the same time, AI data centers require enormous compute power, and they need energy to do that. Boom says that it will develop the land-based Superpower 42-megawatt natural gas turbine, based on the Symphony engine. If successful, the Superpower would generate a revenue stream and provide operating data. Crusoe Energy has 29 Superpower units on order, with delivery expected in 2027. Major aero‑derivative OEMs offering ground power generation​ include: General Electric, Siemens Energy, Mitsubishi Power, Rolls‑Royce, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. AvWeek reports that Boom has closed a $300 million funding round, which the company says, together with the AI gas turbine deal, will be sufficient to complete development of the Symphony and initial Overture aircraft. Video: Introducing Superpower: The Supersonic Tech Powering AI Data Centers https://youtu.be/krweC0gvbhM?si=5F4EO-yBlbsjE196 JetBlue A320 narrowly avoids mid-air collision with USAF tanker over Caribbean On December 12, 2025, a JetBlue Airways A320-232 (Flight B61112) left Curaçao bound for JFK airport. Shortly after takeoff, the plane narrowly avoided a collision with a US Air Force refueling tanker. Spirit Airlines Reaches Another Milestone in its Restructuring as Pilots and Flight Attendants Ratify Agreements Spirit Airlines announced the ratification of labor agreements with pilots (represented by the Air Line Pilots Association) and flight attendants (represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA). The two agreements are subject to court approval. 82% of the pilots voted in favor of the contract, which allows temporary reductions in pay rates and retirement contributions effective January 1, 2026. Pay rates are restored through guaranteed increases on August 1, 2028, and January 1, 2029. Company-funded retirement contributions will be fully restored by July 1, 2029. See ALPA Press Release: Spirit Airlines Pilots Ratify Restructuring Agreement. US invalidates union contract covering 47,000 TSA officers, AFGE vows to challenge The American Federation of Government Employees represents airport screening officers and plans to file a lawsuit after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem terminated the collective bargaining agreement. DHS plans to implement a new labor framework on January 11, 2026, when the collection of union dues from TSA officers’ paychecks will cease. TSA said the new labor framework “will return the agency back into a security-focused framework that prioritizes workforce readiness, resource allocation and mission focus with an effective stewardship of taxpayer dollars.” US signs nearly $140m deal to purchase six Boeing 737s for use in deportations The Department of Homeland Security signed a contract with Arlington, Virginia-based Daedalus Aviation Corporation to purchase six Boeing 737 planes for deportation operations. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said: “This new initiative will save $279m in taxpayer dollars by allowing ICE to operate more effectively, including by using more efficient flight patterns.” Daedalus Aviation Corporation focuses on turnkey flight operations and specialized charter services for government and high‑stakes commercial clients. They emphasize contingency, evacuation, and other critical missions. Senator says FAA administrator failed to sell multimillion-dollar airline stake as promised Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) says FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford promised to sell his multimillion-dollar stake in Republic Airways under his ethics agreement, but he has failed to do so. Bedford agreed to sell all his shares within 90 days of his confirmation, but 150 days have now passed. In a letter to Bedford, Sen. Cantwell writes, “It appears you continue to retain significant equity in this conflicting asset months past the deadline set to fully divest from Republic, which constitutes a clear violation of your ethics agreement. This is unacceptable and demands a full accounting.” New V-22 Mishap Reviews Find Material Issues with Osprey, Poor Communication Between Services Two new reports point to faulty parts, poorly understood maintenance procedures, and a lack of communication across the services. The result was a lack of safety and reliability across the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. One report was from the Naval Air Systems Command, and the other was from the Government Accountability Office. Both had been in the works for two years. Twenty people were killed in V-22 Osprey accidents from 2022 to 2024. Congress Postpones A-10 Retirement The A-10 Thunderbolt II (the Warthog) close support aircraft has been on the verge of retirement for years. The National Defense Appropriations Act (NDAA) directs the Air Force to keep at least 103 A-10 aircraft in its inventory until a phaseout in 2029. The NDAA limits retirement plans for other aircraft: KC-10 tankers, the F-15E Strike Eagle, and the E-3 Sentry surveillance plane. Delays in supplying replacements are cited as the reason. Pan Am plans future Airbus A320neo operations as part of Miami launch The “new Pan Am” is a startup effort to revive the Pan American World Airways brand as a U.S. Part 121 scheduled airline. Pan American Global Holdings acquired the rights to the Pan Am brand in 2023. Pan Am intends to deploy Airbus A320neo aircraft as part of its future operations in Miami. There are few details about the executive team, but Ed Wegel is described as a Pan Am co-founder. He is also the founder of AVi8 Air Capital, a niche aviation-focused investment and advisory firm with headquarters in the Miami, Florida area. The company is active in the relaunch of Pan Am, and this year (2025), they completed a comprehensive Pan Am business plan. Boeing Sued By Law Professor After Allegedly Inhaling Toxic Fumes On Cross-Country Flight A law professor who flew on a Boeing 737 aircraft operated by Delta Air Lines last year is suing Boeing, alleging that he suffered serious health issues after being exposed to toxic fumes in the cabin. Mentioned The 10 Best Airports for AvGeeks: Rare Aircraft, Unique Routes, and Niche Airlines Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah, with Erin Applebaum.

In this interview, Ben Hopkins discusses:A bit about his time in US Air Force in the backseat of an F-15E Strike EagleHis background in Fulfillment Centers and Distribution Centers (FC/DC)What motivated him to launch The Warehouse Underground Podcast and websiteThe best thing about working in an FC/DC?Which type of people excel in an FC/DC?His favorite leadership book and quoteBen Hopkins is a USAF Veteran who spent time as a Weapons Systems Officer in the back of an F-15E Strike Eagle. Currently, he is the Founder and host of The Warehouse Underground

Colonel James "Fangs" Valpiani knows a thing or two about flight test because he's seen a thing or two: first an Air Force Academy graduate, then a combat-tested F-15E Strike Eagle pilot, a graduate of the French Test Pilot School, and most recently Commodore of the USAF TPS.On this episode, Fangs shares his expertise on the various schools he has attended or led and the aircraft they test, including the X-62 VISTA.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

CannCon and Alpha Warrior welcome Lt. General Steve Kwast to SITREP for a powerful conversation on faith, service, and the future of warfare. General Kwast shares his journey from dreaming of flight as a child in Africa to becoming the first pilot straight out of training assigned to the F-15E Strike Eagle. He recounts combat missions in Desert Storm and Afghanistan, the lessons learned in Top Gun training, and the critical role of air power in saving lives on the ground. The discussion dives into situational awareness, the moral burden of combat, and how God-given confidence shapes leadership. Moving into today's battles, Kwast explains the nature of information warfare, the threats of AI and infiltration, and why America's strength lies in its innovation and faith. He emphasizes that the art of war should be about deterrence and peace, not glorification of violence, and that teaching children God's ways is essential to preserving freedom. A candid, wide-ranging interview that connects the heart of a warrior to the challenges of America's future.

For review:1. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told ministers this week that he will seek cabinet backing for a plan to fully occupy the Gaza Strip.2. Netherlands & Germany Committed to Send Patriot Systems to Ukraine.3. President Trump threatens high tariffs/secondary sanctions on buyer's of Russian oil (that economically support Russian war effort).4. France Continues Development of Archangel SIGINT Aircraft. The Archangel is based on the Dassault Aviation Falcon 8X and equipped with Thales' new-generation payload CUGE (universal electronic warfare capability).CUGE uses multi-polarization antennas to simultaneously detect and analyze radar and communication signals.5. India has signed an agreement with Elbit Systems to build the Israeli firm's Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS) multiple rocket launcher (MRL) in India.The agreement covers the system's production and supply for both domestic and international customers and transfer of technology.6. An F-15E Strike Eagle deployed to Kadena AB (Japan)- landed safely despite a missing landing gear wheel, the Air Force said Monday morning.The wheel was recovered on the flightline at U.S. Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia, in the Indian Ocean.  The two airmen flying the fighter were uninjured in the emergency landing, the Air Force said in a statement.7. Breaking Defense Opinion Article by John Venable (Mitchell Institute):Four Reasons to Accelerate F-35 Acquisition Now. 

Grease Panarisi, 10 Percent True Episode 73 Part 2Mike “Grease” Panarisi tells of his journey flying the F-111F in combat to transitioning into the F-15E Strike Eagle. He recounts one of the most bizarre and incredible ejections in modern fighter aviation history — a high-speed bird strike at 200 feet that sent him parachuting into a Welsh field… and walking into a pub covered in glass and feathers.#F111F #F15E #USAF #EjectionStory #MilitaryAviation #10PercentTrue⸻0:00 intro teaser1:45 welcome back Grease2:55 Weapons - and Maverick specifically 7:10 GBU-1511:58 GBU-15 weaponeering/tactics13:50 secondary targets or second runs?15:10 other weapons? 17:20 organising missions with 24 CBU and the effect of weather 23:07 why not go low again?25:25 high order secondaries and BDA 30:35 GBU-10 to GBU-24 and dealing with a known bug43:30 CBU-AIM 743:43 BAOTD PT1 Ad44:15 Initial low profile with -24 and TF gave way to medium level 46:52 Pavetac anecdote 51:58 TACC - the plan and classification/dissemination 56:28 GBU-281:06:26 Desert Calm1:10:50 camouflage effectiveness review?1:13:05 returning to Lakenheath and onwards towards Strike Eagle and marriage!1:31:00 thoughts on where F-111F was with dawn of Strike Eagle1:40:12 wire chaffing and chasing bugs in software1:41:50 cooking P&W F100s and tanking teaser1:45:00 engine failure experiences1:46:10 approaching the APG-70 and new capabilities (air to air)1:53:15 F-4 vs F-111 dynamic in early days of Strike Eagle?1:59:10 adopting the air to air mission 2:00:15 How comfortable was the the Strike Eagle to “get used to” ergonomically 2:04:33 Ejection event2:31:30 1st mission back and aftermath2:41:15 psychological aftermath 2:53:00 roll on episode 3 or 1C?!

In this high-speed, low-altitude ride of So There I Was, the guest—a decorated WSO in both the F-111 Aardvark and F-15E Strike Eagle—shares some of the most intense moments of his flying career. He takes us over the Nevada desert at Mach 1.3 and just 100 feet above ground level. He recalls near-misses, like narrowly avoiding an A-10 while threading a ridge line. The thrill of tactical aviation comes through in every story. The episode also covers his nuclear weapons delivery training in Europe, pulling Gs at 600 knots, and precision strikes during Red and Green Flag exercises. Listeners get an inside look at the F-111's unique systems: its terrain-following radar, manually controlled swing wings, and infamous escape capsule. Hair-raising tales continue with compressor stalls at Mach 1.69, sandstorm landings during Southern Watch, and using sheer speed to evade enemies in mock combat. Throughout the episode, the guest delivers a masterclass in military aviation history, tactics, and aircraft systems—especially the Aardvark's legendary low-level, high-speed mission profile.

In this episode of The Crux True Survival Stories, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into the astonishing survival story of Captain Brian Udell, an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot who ejected from his aircraft at an unprecedented supersonic speed of 780 miles per hour. The episode explores the extreme physical and engineering challenges of such an ejection, the incredible technology behind ejection seats, and the mental fortitude required for survival. Despite enduring severe injuries and incredible odds, Udell survived and returned to flying, showcasing unparalleled resilience. This episode also covers his later life challenges, including an aortic dissection and the eventual grounding by the FAA, emphasizing the extraordinary risks fighter pilots take. 00:00 Introduction to an Unbelievable Survival Story 01:34 The Mindset of a Fighter Pilot 03:52 The Fateful Night: Captain Udell's Mission 07:02 The Ejection: A Supersonic Gamble 11:06 The Aftermath: Surviving Against All Odds 14:28 The Science of Ejection Seats 17:11 Historical Context: Understanding G-Forces 19:17 The Unbelievable John Strapp 19:58 Udell's Struggle in the Ocean 20:36 The Fight for Survival 23:24 Rescue and Recovery 26:23 The Aftermath and Rehabilitation 29:18 A Second Brush with Death 31:21 Grounded but Not Defeated 35:23 Ejection Seat Safety Concerns 36:59 Final Thoughts and Farewell Email us! thecruxsurvival@gmail.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ References and Further Reading "Fighter Pilot Mentality: Breaking Down the Military Mindset." NCESC. www.ncesc.com/what-is-fighter-pilot-mentality/ "Life and Training of an F-35 Pilot." Task & Purpose. taskandpurpose.com/tech-tactics/air-force-f35-pilot-life/ "Fighter Jet Pilot Training: From Civilian to Combat Ready." Sky Combat Ace. www.skycombatace.com/fighter-jet-pilot-training "How Air Race Pilots Handle Extreme G-Forces." Red Bull. www.redbull.com/us-en/air-race-pilots-surviving-g-force "Pulling Gs: The Effects of G-Forces on the Human Body." Go Flight Medicine. www.goflightmedicine.com/post/pulling-gs-the-effects-of-g-forces-on-the-human-body "Top Gun Trauma: The Effects of Ejecting from a Fighter Jet on the Spine." University of Notre Dame. sites.nd.edu/biomechanics-in-the-wild/2021/04/06/top-gun-trauma-the-effects-of-ejecting-from-a-fighter-jet-on-the-spine/ "Why Fighter Jet Ejections Can Be Deadly for Pilots." Business Insider. www.businessinsider.com/why-fighter-jet-ejections-are-deadly-for-pilots-2022-10 "Breaking Point: What's the Strongest G-Force Humans Can Tolerate?" Medical Daily. www.medicaldaily.com/breaking-point-whats-strongest-g-force-humans-can-tolerate-369246 "Clipped Wings." Phoenix Magazine. www.phoenixmag.com/2019/01/01/clipped-wings/ "In the Saddle: Ejection Seat History." The Ejection Site. www.ejectionsite.com/insaddle/insaddle.htm "The Man Behind High-Speed Safety Standards." National Air and Space Museum. airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/man-behind-high-speed-safety-standards "Spinal Injury Pattern Associated with Ejection Seats." PubMed. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24261059/

A contrails study by GE Aviation and NASA, an F-15E Strike Eagle downs drones, Iberia's new A321XLR in service, the Phillippine Mars moves to its final destination, an airliner and a UAP come close together, Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy, and the environmental impact of private jets. Also, AvGeeks flock to Bluesky, a STEM author at the NASM, and F-35B trials on a Japanese flattop. The contrails of an Airbus A340 jet, over London, England. Photographed by Adrian Pingstone in March 2007. Aviation News GE and NASA to accelerate understanding of contrails The "Contrail Optical Depth Experiment" (CODEX) is a research project conducted through a NASA and GE Aerospace partnership to study the formation and behavior of contrails. Contrails are clouds of ice particles that airplanes can create when they fly through cold and humid air. Persistent contrails are thought to contribute to climate warming. The primary goal of CODEX is to accurately measure the optical depth of contrails, which indicates how much light is blocked by the contrail. In the project, a GE Boeing 747-400 creates the contrails and NASA's G-III research aircraft (a modified Gulfstream III business jet) follows and scans the 747's wake with Advanced LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology to analyze the contrails produced by different engine configurations. This will hopefully lead to the development of engine technologies that reduce contrail formation. NASA Gulfstream G-III NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, operates the Gulfstream G-III aircraft, NASA tail number 804, as an aerodynamics research test bed. Work with the aircraft is funded through NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) as part of the Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) project under the agency's Integrated Systems Research Program. GE 747-400 Flying Test Bed Since 2010, this former Japan Airlines plane has been used by GE to test new jet engines, such as the GE90, GEnx, LEAP, and the GE9X. The plane is based at Flight Test Operations (FTO) in Victorville. F-15E Pilot Recounts Having To Switch To Guns After Missiles Ran Dry During Iranian Drone Barrage An F-15E Strike Eagle shot down so many Iranian drones aimed at Israel that they ran out of air-to-air missiles. The crew was ordered to continue and use any weapon available, which left the Strike Eagle's 20mm Gatling Gun, capable of firing around 6,000 rounds per minute. Operating this gun is said to be risky with small, low, slow-moving targets. In this instance, the F-15 did not stop the drone. Feel Sorry For the Flight Attendants: Iberia's New A321XLR Long-Haul Jet Features Tiny Galleys That Even Contortionists Would Struggle to Work in Iberia is the launch customer of the Airbus A321XLR (extra long range) single-aisle jet. The airline is flying the plane on a Madrid and Boston route. According to Saffran, the Airbus SpaceFlex V2 galley and lavatory allows for 6 more seats in the A321. The Airbus Space-Flex galley and lavatory concept. Airbus says the A321XLR features a 4,700 nm range, 180-220 seats, and 30% lower fuel burn per seat than previous generation aircraft. The plane was launched in 2019 at the Paris Air Show. Compared to other A320 family aircraft, the A321XLR carries more fuel, has strengthened landing gear, and includes a revised wing trailing-edge flap for takeoff performance. Airbus offers two engine options: the CFM LEAP-1A and the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G. The first A321XLR was delivered to Iberia on 30 October 2024 and conducted its first revenue flight on 6 November 2024. The first long-haul flight with passengers was on 14 November 2024, from Madrid to Boston. Martin Mars To Visit San Francisco, San Diego On Final Flight The Philippine Mars is destined for the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona. In preparation, the plane is undergoing taxi tests in Port Alberni, British Columbia.

Order BATOD, today! https://www.10percenttrue.com/product-page/be-afraid-of-the-dark-part-1 Support me with a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/10percenttrue Discussion on Discord: https://discord.gg/9vJ3hPYFQh 10PCT #61 0:00 intro 3:00 Red Flag ‘77, the genesis of low level in the Strike Eagle 12:00 23 class A mishaps at Red Flag ‘77 - why? 13:50 what defined the role for the Strike Eagle, culture, politics, capabilities? 17:35 what difference would it have made to have C model pilots aboard in the early days? 20:35 Thumrait and tactics development 25:15 Fly Up manoeuvre and employing it 28:05 preparation for initial Desert Storm missions and hanging on the boom in a descent 32:50 why the variation in tactics during H2 attack and shift to SCUD hunting 38:00 mission planning, expectations and Gen Horner's pulsating blood vessel! 45:30 mission anecdotes 49:10 intermission 49:55 mission anecdotes continue 50:55 “some interesting flights” 58:20 in search of Saddam 1:11:25 highway of death 1:19:05 battlefield tour with Buster Glosson……magic 1:21:35 no SAR for friends and frustration 1:30:54 effect on morale/attitude to task at hand? 1:32:35 loses and attrition 1:39:00 1st night air to air opportunities lost 1:45:38 did the lack of combat experience among initial cadre hurt performance? 1:49:00 afterwards 1:54:55 lessons learned? 2:10:11 initial strike eagle, phancy phantom or a leap forward 2:16:05 is there still a place for low altitude ? 2:19:15 signing off

A Martin Mars water bomber has a new home, the proprotor gearbox failure that caused the Air Force's fatal Osprey crash, the FAAs new endorsement requirement for flight instructor candidates, and a refueling incident that damaged a KC-46 and an F-15E. Also, an Australia Desk report where Brian Coleman joined Steve and Grant in Australia, and Micah called in. Aviation News The Hawaii Mars Water Bomber Finally Arrives At Its Forever Home, The British Columbia Aviation Museum The Martin Hawaii Mars water bomber is now at its new British Columbia Aviation Museum home.  Public access is anticipated to start on September 28. Seven of the four-engine Martin JMR Mars were built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Four were converted to civilian water bombers for aerial firefighting by Forest Industries Flying Tankers in BC. The Marianas Mars crashed in 1961 during firefighting operations with all four crew members perishing. In 1962, the Caroline Mars was damaged beyond repair by a typhoon. The Hawaii Mars was operated until 2016 and is now at the BC Aviation Museum. The Philippine Mars is planned to go to the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona later this year. Video: FINAL FLIGHT! Martin Mars Low Pass and Landing in Patricia Bay https://youtu.be/Ol07yTMlM_c?si=-MDqJvr9FBeiMJx1 Flawed Metal & Failed Communication: Breaking Down the Air Force's Fatal Osprey Crash The Air Current reports that a persistent manufacturing problem is the cause behind ten previously unreported V-22 Osprey component failures, in addition to the fatal 2023 crash off the coast of Japan. Furthermore, the problem was well-known to Bell Boeing and the V-22 Joint Program Office (JPO), but pilots were not informed. The crash was caused by the failure of the left-side proprotor gearbox and the pilot's decision to keep flying. The gearbox failure was most likely caused by cracking in a high-speed pinion gear and its bearing cage. Inclusions in the steel alloy may be the problem. AFSOC CV-22B Accident Investigation Board Report [PDF] FAA Rolls Out New Endorsement Requirement for Flight Instructor Candidates Starting September 1, the FAA requires flight instructor candidates to have a CFI endorsement before taking the Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI) exam. Many other pilot certificates require the applicant to have a "written statement or logbook endorsement from an authorized ground or flight instructor certifying that the applicant completed an applicable ground training or home study course and is prepared for the knowledge test, or a certificate of graduation issued by a part 141 school.” See the Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI) exam sample questions. The FAA uses PSI Services LLC to provide the written exams. Audio Reveals Details Of KC-46 And F-15E Refueling Incident That Broke Off The Tanker's Boom Last week, a refueling operation supported a temporary flight restriction related to a presidential visit. During the refueling, the U.S. Air Force KC-46A Pegasus tanker and an F-15E Strike Eagle experienced some issues with the hydraulic system, damaging both planes and forcing them to make emergency landings. Air Traffic Control transmissions indicate that the KC-46 lost its boom. Australia News Desk The Pacific Airshow Gold Coast was held over the beautiful beaches of Surfers Paradise, Queensland from August 16-18, 2024 and Steve, Grant, AND Brian Coleman were there to capture all the action. It was the second year of the event, and crowds were noticeably larger than in 2023, with an enhanced and fully loaded flying program comprising local aerobatic performers, military contingents from Australia, the USA and UK, emergency services displays, and much more. With Micah also on the line, we quiz Brian on his experience travelling to Australia, flying domestic sectors here with Virgin Australia, and the reaction of local flight crews to his custom-made gifts,

Today on the show, we are joined by Col Joshua "Hustler" Egan, a test pilot who has flown over 40 different aircraft. We discussed his experiences flying in the Air Force, how radar and stealth technology impact warfare, the impacts of the test community, and more. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss the next episode! *Views expressed are not endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or its components.*

Retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General John "Dragon" Teichert knows leadership.As an F-15E Strike Eagle and F-22 Raptor pilot early on, Dragon went on to multiple command tours before concluding his 27-year-career as the Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force for International Affairs. Along the way, he championed inspirational, innovative, integrity-filled leadership that culminated in a 2024 run for the U.S. Senate.Check out Dragon's book, Boom! Leadership that Breaks Barriers, Challenges Convention, and Ignites Innovation here.Current SponsorAirCorps Aviation - If you're looking for an exciting career in the field of aviations, click here.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Covering the latest military flight simulation news for the week of 24 Feb 2024. Topics include major updates for IL-2 and DCS, a new free Typhoon campaign is in development for IL-2 BoN owners, FlightSimForge released an F-16 ICP on their Etsy store, SimFab announced a mounting pattern update for new Winwing/Virpil products, a ton of community updates including news from Enigma's Cold War server and a variety of tutorials, and Cheli777 earning the week's SimpitSpotlight! Timestamps: 00:00 The Hangar Bay: Episode 5 00:48 The Fly-By The Week's Military Flight Sims News in 60 seconds or less 02:34 Developer News IL-2 update 5.202 is live! IL2 "Wings over Caen" free campaign is in development for BoN owners DCS update 2.9.3.51704 is live with the game now unified to one version (no more open beta) Grinnelli Designs shows off an interesting time-lapse visualization of their F-100D code base 13:06 Hardware News FlightForgeSim debuts their F-16 ICP on their Etsy store https://www.etsy.com/shop/FlightForgeSim) SimFab announces mounting pattern plate updates for Collective and Rudder Pedal plates (https://simfab.com/services/) 17:28 Community News Enigma Cold War Server announces a 3rd campaign set on the Persian Gulf map as well as introduction of "intermission" scenarios Enigma interviews the developer of a new DCS PVP server "The Coop" Fox3 Managed Solutions announces the "Ultimate DCS Skills Showdown" in support of K9sForWarriors AviationPlus has a terrific F-15C tutorial for BMS on their YouTube page JetPilot walks us through using VoiceAttack for the F-16C using the JanJan plugin in DCS/BMS on their YouTube page Notso teaches DCS players how to use the MGRS in the F-15E Strike Eagle on their YouTube page 35:46 User Content of the Week Skyward Flight Media (@skykwardfm) shares a Syria COIN CO-OP multiplayer mission for DCS Sedlo updates his OIR missions on DCS to support the new Muwaffaq Salti airbase on the DCS: Syria map Sedlo gives us a walkthrough of some new DCS Mission Editor functionality on his YouTube page 40:58 Simpit Spotlight Cheli777's F-16/F-18/Racing Home Cockpit https://www.reddit.com/r/homecockpits/comments/1au8fxu/f16fa18racing_home_cockpit/ Episode notes: https://thehangarbay.notion.site/Episode-5-You-Get-a-Patch-b2606839f01f4f84bb6c4cd7061b380e?pvs=4 email: feedback@thehangarbaypod.com Show Notes: https://www.thehangarbaypod.com Twitter (X): https://www.twitter.com/thehangarbaypod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehangarbaypod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hangarbaypod Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thehangarbaypod --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thehangarbaypod/message

As a pilot in the initial wave of women to fly modern combat aircraft, Erin “Aero” Orga actually grew up dreaming of being either a professional roller coaster rider, Olympic figure skater or an astronaut for NASA.  Her passion for air and space finally won out and she attended the University of Notre Dame on an Air Force ROTC scholarship, where she graduated as one of only two females in her class with a degree in aerospace engineering.  Aero was also a distinguished graduate out of AFROTC and was awarded a highly coveted Air Force pilot training slot.  During her initial training at Columbus Air Force Base, Aero was ranked high enough in her class to earn the right to track select into fighters and she was eventually chosen to fly her favorite fighter aircraft, the F-15E Strike Eagle.   During her 10 years in the Air Force, Aero flew over 50 combat missions in Iraq, where she provided air cover for the US Army and Marine units on the ground in places like Bagdad, Fallujah, and Mosul.  She also provided air cover for the first democratic Iraqi elections and the second inauguration ceremony of Hamid Karzai in Afghanistan.  When she wasn't flying F-15Es, Aero spent time as a T-38 instructor, training many young Air Force pilots who would go on to fly fighter jets.   Aero eventually left the military to focus on her family and her newborn son.  She moved back to her hometown of Pittsburgh and began working as a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Program Manager for Westinghouse Electric, a nuclear engineering company.  During her time at Westinghouse, Aero has run global teams of engineers delivering successful projects in the US, the UK, Canada, India, and China, with many of those projects valued at over $100 million and is currently managing the design and testing of a brand-new type of nuclear microreactor.   In addition to her professional careers, Aero has devoted over 15 years to training in Tae Kwon Do, in which she holds a third-degree black belt.

This is the story of Erin "Aero" Orga, a pioneer in the field of  women combat aviation. Erin grew up with dreams of becoming a professional roller coaster rider, figure skater, or NASA astronaut. After learning there were NO professional roller coaster riders, Erin had to come up with a new plan. Erin is an experienced Air Force pilot, flying over 50 combat missions in Iraq, providing cover for the U.S. Army and Marines.   Erin's favorite fighter aircraft is the F-15E Strike Eagle.  She also spent time as a T-38 instructor, training many young Air Force pilots. Erin speaks about the difficulties of being a woman in the military, including sexual harrassment. After 10 years in the military, Erin retired from the Air Force.  She has led global teams of engineers with Westinghouse, and is now a sought after speaker. Erin has a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.  She continues to be passionate about aviation, and is a devoted mother. https://www.facebook.com/erin.m.orga.97 https://www.instagram.com/erin_orga/

Retired Lt. Colonel Russel RC Brown visits the Leadership Lounge to discuss his early life and his decision to serve his Country.  As an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot with over 650 Combat Hours under his belt his experiences are right out of a novel.  From earning his call sign to stories of how others earned theirs Russell describes life in the War Times he experienced while in Gulf War I, Gulf War II and the Wars on terrorism in Afghanistan and Irag.  An unbelievable conversation with awe and humor.  Listen today!

Lt. Col. Christine Kelley, call sign “Grinder”, was the first woman to fly the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in 2015. Prior to the F-35, she flew the F-15E Strike Eagle in combat, accruing more than 2,800 flight hours and 500 combat hours during her 20 years of service in the United States Air Force. She also led the first combat mission planned, briefed, launched, and flown entirely by women in 2011.“SocialFlight Live!” is a live broadcast dedicated to supporting General Aviation pilots and enthusiasts during these challenging times. Register at SocialFlightLive.com to join the live broadcast every Tuesday evening at 8pm ET (be sure to join early because attendance is limited for the live broadcasts).

Welcome to the sixty-fourth episode of the Lessons from the Cockpit podcast! I am your host Mark Hasara, Air Force vet and KC-135 pilot. Colonel Mark Waite took a very interesting route to fill one of the most critical positions in the Air Force as Airborne Battle Manager, surveilling the air over a battlefield and directing fighters and bombers to targets. Boner was a Senior Director in the E-3 AWACS on the opening night of Desert Storm. He's a graduate of the US Air Force's Weapons School and later an instructor in the Command and Control division. Some of his most interesting lessons learned come from serving in the Al Udied CAOC during the Afghan elections and now working in the cyberspace world, both offensively and defensively. This episode of the Lessons from the Cockpit podcast is financially supported by Wall Pilot, custom aviation art for the walls of your home, office, or hanger. Over one hundred thirty incredibly detailed Ready-to-Print side view profiles of famous aircraft are available on the www.wallpilot.com website, in four, six, and eight-foot-long prints. The E-3C Airborne Warning and Control System or AWACS aircraft from the 961st ACCS based at Kadena Air Base where Mark was stationed is available in the Ready-to-Print section. The RC-135 Rivet Joint provides battlefield electronic and signals intelligence to commanders and a Ready-to-Print graphic of the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron, the new RJ with the CFM56 engines is available on the Wall Pilot website. The U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane works closely with the other Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft on the battlefield through datalinks which Mark discussed in the podcast. The U-2R Dragon Lady continues to fly ISR missions all over the world at 70 years of age! The F-15E Strike Eagle was one of the airplanes in the Close Air Support role during the Afghan elections and this 335th Fighter Squadron Strike Eagle is loaded for that typical CAS role. The B-1B Lancer bomber carried out CAS missions during the war in Afghanistan. This B-1B graphic is the 77th Weapons Squadron flagship, a division of the US Air Force Weapons School. Thanks for downloading and listening to this of the LEssons from the Cockpit podcast, found on the www.markhasara.com website under the Podcast pulldown tab. The previous sixty-three episodes of the Lessons from the Cockpit show can be downloaded from my www.markhasara.com website.  

Welcome to the sixty-fourth episode of the Lessons from the Cockpit podcast! I am your host Mark Hasara, Air Force vet and KC-135 pilot. Colonel Mark Waite took a very interesting route to fill one of the most critical positions in the Air Force as Airborne Battle Manager, surveilling the air over a battlefield and directing fighters and bombers to targets. Boner was a Senior Director in the E-3 AWACS on the opening night of Desert Storm. He's a graduate of the US Air Force's Weapons School and later an instructor in the Command and Control division. Some of his most interesting lessons learned come from serving in the Al Udied CAOC during the Afghan elections and now working in the cyberspace world, both offensively and defensively. This episode of the Lessons from the Cockpit podcast is financially supported by Wall Pilot, custom aviation art for the walls of your home, office, or hanger. Over one hundred thirty incredibly detailed Ready-to-Print side view profiles of famous aircraft are available on the www.wallpilot.com website, in four, six, and eight-foot-long prints. The E-3C Airborne Warning and Control System or AWACS aircraft from the 961st ACCS based at Kadena Air Base where Mark was stationed is available in the Ready-to-Print section. The RC-135 Rivet Joint provides battlefield electronic and signals intelligence to commanders and a Ready-to-Print graphic of the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron, the new RJ with the CFM56 engines is available on the Wall Pilot website. The U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane works closely with the other Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft on the battlefield through datalinks which Mark discussed in the podcast. The U-2R Dragon Lady continues to fly ISR missions all over the world at 70 years of age! The F-15E Strike Eagle was one of the airplanes in the Close Air Support role during the Afghan elections and this 335th Fighter Squadron Strike Eagle is loaded for that typical CAS role. The B-1B Lancer bomber carried out CAS missions during the war in Afghanistan. This B-1B graphic is the 77th Weapons Squadron flagship, a division of the US Air Force Weapons School. Thanks for downloading and listening to this of the LEssons from the Cockpit podcast, found on the www.markhasara.com website under the Podcast pulldown tab. The previous sixty-three episodes of the Lessons from the Cockpit show can be downloaded from my www.markhasara.com website.  

Capt Brian Udell tells his harrowing story of ejecting from an F-15 fighter, flying at well over 800mph! Capt Udell's accomplishments go far beyond his dramatic ejection and heroic recovery. Brian has been passing aviation milestones since he began flying. He began flying at only nine years old, he took his first cross-country flight at age ten, soloed at age 16, and received his Private Pilots Certificate at age 17. Since that time he has accumulated over 22,000 hours in a variety of both civil and military aircraft. Brian was top of his class among the initial group pilots selected to fly the F-15E Strike Eagle. Going on to become an Instructor, Mission Commander, and Air to Ground Top Gun winner. He has flown over 100 combat missions in Southwest Asia and logged nearly 2000 hours in the Strike Eagle. “SocialFlight Live!” is a live broadcast dedicated to supporting General Aviation pilots and enthusiasts during these challenging times. Register at SocialFlightLive.com to join the live broadcast every Tuesday evening at 8pm ET (be sure to join early because attendance is limited for the live broadcasts).

Today on the show, we are joined by Col Matt Dietz, a F-15E Strike Eagle pilot and current Head of the History Department at the United States Air Force Academy. We discussed his background, the role the F-15E plays in the Air Force, and what the future fight looks like. Be sure to subscribe so you do not miss the next episode! *Views expressed are not endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or its components.*

Whiz briefs with bad ass F-15E Strike/Eagle fighter pilot Erin 'Aero' Orga, one of the first female figher pilots to sit with the medicine to heal her traumas. Aero, who had never tried any sort of drug in her life, went FULL THROTTLE with iboga. She debriefs how at the depths of her journey, in a dogfight with her ego, she 'asked for help' and for the first time in her life...actually got it. Remembering that she IS a bad ass, she exprienced what some call the 'holy instant'. She reminds listeners that 'trauma is trauma' and not to judge your own - if it hurts, that's enough - you can heal it. Aero was shown the answers she 'knew, but didn't know'.

Welcome to the fifty-seventh episode of the Lessons from the Cockpit podcast! This episode is an anniversary episode. This past week marked twenty years since the opening of Operation Iraqi Freedom's Shock and Awe air campaign, a term those of us involved never used. To those planning and executing air operations, it was Air Tasking Order Oscar or ATO O. The Combined Air Operations Center Air Refueling Control Team which I led went through six weeks of hell preparing for the opening  A-Day and H-Hour, Friday night 21 March 2003 at 9 pm local Baghdad time. In this episode, you will hear the background stories of how the air refueling team got to that Friday night air schwacking of Iraq, from Friday 14 March to what you saw a week later on all the news media on 21 March. It looked like everything was going smoothly but no, it wasn't. The tanker force was not in place until Sunday 23 March. This episode of the Lessons from the Cockpit podcast is sponsored by the book Tanker Pilot: Lessons from the Cockpit found in all four formats; hardback, softback, Kindle, and Audible. Thirty-two pictures taken during events described in the book are contained in the pages, some taken by the author and some taken by the receivers.  Prints of aircraft participating in the opening night of Iraqi Freedom can be found at Wall Pilot, custom aviation art for the walls of your home, office, or hanger. These are four, six, or eight-foot-long aircraft profiles printed on vinyl which can be peeled off or framed and placed on any flat surface. The F-15E Strike Eagle was tasked to support Close Air Support to the Third Infantry Division in their march to Baghdad. This F-15E carries the weapons load normally used on such CAS missions. The F-16CJ Wild Weasel took part in the Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) and the Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses on the opening night when the Baghdad Super Missile Engagement Zone had to be destroyed. The F-16CJs were supported in their mission by the RC-135 Rivet Joint, an electronic intelligence collection platform used to identify, classify, and locate Saddam's SAM systems. The E-3B Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System or AWACS was the Air Battlefield Manger platform for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Air Mobility Command KC-10 Extender was critical to the air refueling system for Operation Iraqi Freedom because they could refuel both Boom or Drogue-equipped aircraft and were air refuelable, allowing the KC-10 to be filled up during flight. Go by my Lt Col Mark Hasara TikTok page to see short 15 to 30-second aviation and military videos that educate and entertain. Some are pretty incredible! Thanks to all of my listeners for downloading this and previous episodes of the podcast. I really do appreciate it! This and previous episodes of the Lessons from the Cockpit podcast can be found on my website at markhasara.com

Welcome to the fifty-seventh episode of the Lessons from the Cockpit podcast! This episode is an anniversary episode. This past week marked twenty years since the opening of Operation Iraqi Freedom's Shock and Awe air campaign, a term those of us involved never used. To those planning and executing air operations, it was Air Tasking Order Oscar or ATO O. The Combined Air Operations Center Air Refueling Control Team which I led went through six weeks of hell preparing for the opening  A-Day and H-Hour, Friday night 21 March 2003 at 9 pm local Baghdad time. In this episode, you will hear the background stories of how the air refueling team got to that Friday night air schwacking of Iraq, from Friday 14 March to what you saw a week later on all the news media on 21 March. It looked like everything was going smoothly but no, it wasn't. The tanker force was not in place until Sunday 23 March. This episode of the Lessons from the Cockpit podcast is sponsored by the book Tanker Pilot: Lessons from the Cockpit found in all four formats; hardback, softback, Kindle, and Audible. Thirty-two pictures taken during events described in the book are contained in the pages, some taken by the author and some taken by the receivers.  Prints of aircraft participating in the opening night of Iraqi Freedom can be found at Wall Pilot, custom aviation art for the walls of your home, office, or hanger. These are four, six, or eight-foot-long aircraft profiles printed on vinyl which can be peeled off or framed and placed on any flat surface. The F-15E Strike Eagle was tasked to support Close Air Support to the Third Infantry Division in their march to Baghdad. This F-15E carries the weapons load normally used on such CAS missions. The F-16CJ Wild Weasel took part in the Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) and the Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses on the opening night when the Baghdad Super Missile Engagement Zone had to be destroyed. The F-16CJs were supported in their mission by the RC-135 Rivet Joint, an electronic intelligence collection platform used to identify, classify, and locate Saddam's SAM systems. The E-3B Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System or AWACS was the Air Battlefield Manger platform for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Air Mobility Command KC-10 Extender was critical to the air refueling system for Operation Iraqi Freedom because they could refuel both Boom or Drogue-equipped aircraft and were air refuelable, allowing the KC-10 to be filled up during flight. Go by my Lt Col Mark Hasara TikTok page to see short 15 to 30-second aviation and military videos that educate and entertain. Some are pretty incredible! Thanks to all of my listeners for downloading this and previous episodes of the podcast. I really do appreciate it! This and previous episodes of the Lessons from the Cockpit podcast can be found on my website at markhasara.com

In this episode, Baltic Dragon and Tricker chat with RAZBAM about the status of the upcoming F-15E Module. And in the hardware interview, Casmo chats with the guys from "The Unbound System" , a kickstarter project to "Convert your desk chair to a powerful gaming or work station with modular attachments using our quick connect system." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former RAF Tornado GR1 nav, Mal Craghill, shares what it was like to get a USAF exchange tour to be an F-15E Strike Eagle WSO, which includes the similarities and differences between the Tornado and RAF all accompanied by some great stories!EnjoyMal's Twitter - https://twitter.com/malcraghillFilmed at - https://www.solway-aviation-museum.co.ukVisit our online shop: https://www.redbubble.com/people/acinterview/shopHelp keep the channel going:PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/aircrewinterviewDONATE - http://www.aircrewinterview.tv/donate/Purchase our Aviation Art Book, Volume One - https://amzn.to/3sehpaP Use our Amazon affiliate link when you purchase from Amazon as it costs you nothing extra and gives us a little kick back to help the channel to keep going - http://amzn.to/2iETputFollow us:https://www.aircrewinterview.tv/https://www.instagram.com/aircrew_interviewhttps://www.facebook.com/aircrewinterviewSupport the show

“Academy grads have a special kind of independence and willingness to do things that are really difficult and see things through in the long term…I think that hardens your character and makes you push through…We really want to emphasize some of these core values: to present good opportunities to our team members and do operations in a way that's honest and in a way that's not only good for our customers but also benefits the greater good. The Academy has provided really strong values for executing those missions.”- Zachary Adams (USAFA ‘13) Zach Adams is a former F-15E Strike Eagle pilot in the U.S. Air Force and Co-Founder of Pitch Aeronautics (Pitch Aero), an unmanned aircraft startup company commercializing cyclorotor propulsion technology to save money and save lives. Zach is applying his doctoral research experience to develop and enable drones to physically interact with surfaces. Their drone prototype, "Astria" can perform up-close, touch, and robotic tasks that can replace expensive rope, crane, and helicopter access inspections, which are among the most dangerous jobs in America.  In this episode, we discuss: Why Pitch Aero is developing a drone to carry out industrial inspections and how the idea was born How Pitch Aero's drone services concrete infrastructure and aids powerline installation Why engineering is Zach's passion  Lessons learned from raising capital for the first time Why Zach and his fellow Academy grad co-founder make a great team Zach also shares how he and the Pitch Aero team are working to achieve a product market fit and eventually become the industry leader in robotic drone technology. He also discusses specific ways their seed round of funding will help them continue to grow and reflects on the benefits of being an Academy grad in a startup venture. Pitch Aero's drone technology is amazing and we wish Zach and his team continued success as they work to save lives and money through their innovative technologies. Connect with Zachary: Email  LinkedIn Pitch Aeronautics If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend or colleague. If you are a Service Academy graduate and want to take your business to the next level, you can join our supportive community and get started today. Subscribe and help out the show: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Also available on Google Podcasts, Spotify & Stitcher Leave us a 5-star review! Special thanks to Zach for joining me this week. Until next time! -Scott Mackes, USNA '01

B-roll of an F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, preparing for flight during Red Flag-Nellis 22-3 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, July 19, 2022. The Nevada Test and Training Range is the U.S. Air Force's premier military training area with more than 12,000 square miles of airspace and 2.9 million acres of land. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Makenna Gott)

F-15E Strike Eagle Goes to War: Alred, Rudd, Smyth, PelletierTip Jar: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GDJU6CM3GWZTNDiscussion on Discord: https://discord.gg/9vJ3hPYFQh10PCT #38:Support the show

Former F-15E WSO, Chris "Spliff" Russell, shares what it was like to fly and operate the Strike Eagle with the USAF!A big thank you to Chris for allowing us to film in the Officer's Club at RAF LakenheathEnjoyHelp keep the channel going:PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/aircrewinterviewDONATE - http://www.aircrewinterview.tv/donate/Purchase our Aviation Art Book, Volume One - https://amzn.to/3sehpaP Visit our online shop: https://www.redbubble.com/people/acinterview/shopFollow us:https://www.aircrewinterview.tv/https://www.instagram.com/aircrew_interviewhttps://www.facebook.com/aircrewinterviewhttps://www.twitter.com/aircrewtvPhotos included in the interview are from Spliff and Craig Sluman.Support the show

In 1998, retired US Air Force Colonel Mike "Starbaby" Pietrucha was an electronic warfare officer flying in an F-15E Strike Eagle, enforcing the northern no-fly zone over Iraq in the 1990s. In this episode, he brings listeners into the cockpit as he describes one particular mission during that deployment, when his aircraft was targeted by a radar guidance system for an SA-3 antiair missile. Not long after, the Iraqi surface-to-air missile was headed his way. After some rather hasty maneuvering, the F-15E crews in the air developed a plan with other coalition aircraft to strike back.

F-15E Strike Eagle Enters Service - "Junior" Suminsby, F-15E Initial Cadre Tip Jar: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GDJU6CM3GWZTNDiscussion on Discord: https://discord.gg/9vJ3hPYFQh10PCT #30: Rob "Junior" Suminsby.00:00:00 Introduction    00:01:55 Junior's Bio    00:03:07 F-15E Initial Cadre Selection  00:05:05 Patch Wearers Galore    00:06:21 '791 and the DRF    00:08:08 A Cadre and B Cadre    00:09:44 Flying the F-15 & F-16    00:13:33 Strike Eagle Requirements and Timing 00:18:39 Initial Cadre Composition   00:22:48 Academics with McAir    00:28:53 No CFTs    00:33:53 Cockpit Avionics    00:36:30 Radar Mapping    00:40:29 Tactics Development    00:45:47 Stuff Engineers Think Up   00:52:59 Responsibilities of the Initial Cadre 00:58:58 Cooks vs. Chefs    01:01:14 Tactics Validation    01:07:44 Boil the Ocean?    01:18:15 Community Perspectives    01:19:52 Light Grey Handling Differences  01:24:26 G Limits     01:25:13 Back Seat Controls    01:29:21 First Operational Wing - 4th TFW  01:34:02 Practicalities of a Dual Role Mission 01:38:49 LANTIRN    01:45:03 Scenarios    01:47:48 Training Syllabus    01:50:06 North Pointer... Software Development 01:53:55 WSO integration    01:57:24 Challenges of New Capabilities   02:00:31 Degraded Operations    02:05:54 AGMs     02:09:32 Outboard Pylons    02:11:05 Learning Outcomes    02:25:08 Sending the First Students off to WarSupport the show (https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=GDJU6CM3GWZTN)

Show notes can be found at claysteves.com/podcast Subscribe to our weekly newsletter so you never miss a thing!  Wes Woodhouse is a husband, father, marathon runner, and fighter pilot. He has been flying the F-15E Strike Eagle since 2016 and has nearly 500 combat hours. Currently serving as an instructor pilot in an operational test squadron, he works to bring the latest and greatest hardware and software to the F-15. For Wes, flying fighter jets is the fulfillment of his childhood dream, but that is not where his most important work gets done. He believes the battlefield of the coming decades is in the human domain, where human attention will be the most valued resource. Wes' mission is to build up the next generation of leaders, armed to take on the dynamic challenges of the 21st Century. He runs the Vector Mastermind, a group of strong, committed men grounded in wise counsel and accountability, striving to live a life of purpose. Please Rate, Review, Subscribe, and Share!  Connect with Clay online: Instagram Facebook.    

Recently the Air Force conducted a munitions proof of concept where five AGM -158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles or JASSMs were mounted to a single F-15E Strike Eagle. The effort has been dubbed Project Strike Rodeo, which explores the concept of self escorting fighters entering into highly contested airspace.  Today we will take a closer look at Project Strike Rodeo and how it could be yet another game changer for the F-15.If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to this podcast, you can find links to many podcast streaming services here:PilotPhotog Podcast (buzzsprout.com)You can check out my YouTube channel for many videos on fighter planes here:https://youtube.com/c/PilotPhotogAnd finally you can follow me on Twitter here:https://twitter.com/pilotphotogSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/PilotPhotog)

In part 2, Matt Hall shares what it was like to get a USAF exchange flying the F-15E Strike Eagle, training and how it compared to the Hornet, strengths and weaknesses of the jet, DACT, and Flying over Iraq.We wrap up as Matt shares why and how he became an air racing pilot and winning the Red Bull Championship in 2019.Part 1 -https://www.aircrewinterview.tv/#/raaf-hornet-matthall-pt1/https://www.matthallracing.com/https://www.instagram.com/matthallracing/Purchase our Aviation Art Book, Volume One - https://amzn.to/3sehpaPVisit our online shop: https://www.redbubble.com/people/acinterview/shopHelp keep the channel going:https://www.patreon.com/aircrewinterviewor donatehttp://www.aircrewinterview.tv/donate/Follow us:https://www.aircrewinterview.tv/https://www.instagram.com/aircrew_interviewhttps://www.facebook.com/aircrewinterviewhttps://www.twitter.com/aircrewtvSupport the show (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/aircrewinterview)

În acest podcast discutăm despre dislocarea a patru avioane F-15E Strike Eagle aparținând USAF pe Baza 86 Aeriană de la Borcea. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/aviatia-magazin/message

Sometimes all it takes to achieve what you want in life is the right mindset. Knowing what you want, and stopping at nothing to get it. Wes Woodhouse is someone who didn't let anything stand in the way of his childhood dream of becoming a fighter pilot. Wes is a husband, father, marathon runner, and fighter pilot. He has been flying the F-15E Strike Eagle since 2016, and has nearly 500 combat hours. Currently serving as an instructor pilot in an operational test squadron, he works to bring the latest and greatest hardware and software to the F-15. For Wes, flying fighter jets is the fulfillment of his childhood dream, but that is not where his most important work gets done. He believes the battlefield of the coming decades is in the human domain, where human attention will be the most valued resource. Wes' mission is to build up the next generation of leaders, armed to take on the dynamic challenges of the 21st Century. He runs the Vector Mastermind, a group of strong, committed men grounded in wise counsel and accountability, striving to live a life of purpose. If you're interested in connecting with Wes, you can do so by going to his website, LinkedIn, or by dropping my an email. Links below: https://weswoodhouse.com/ (https://weswoodhouse.com/) https://www.linkedin.com/in/weswoodhouse/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/weswoodhouse/) wes@weswoodhouse.com

Sometimes all it takes to achieve what you want in life is the right mindset. Knowing what you want, and stopping at nothing to get it. Wes Woodhouse is someone who didn't let anything stand in the way of his childhood dream of becoming a fighter pilot. Wes is a husband, father, marathon runner, and fighter pilot. He has been flying the F-15E Strike Eagle since 2016, and has nearly 500 combat hours. Currently serving as an instructor pilot in an operational test squadron, he works to bring the latest and greatest hardware and software to the F-15. For Wes, flying fighter jets is the fulfillment of his childhood dream, but that is not where his most important work gets done. He believes the battlefield of the coming decades is in the human domain, where human attention will be the most valued resource. Wes' mission is to build up the next generation of leaders, armed to take on the dynamic challenges of the 21st Century. He runs the Vector Mastermind, a group of strong, committed men grounded in wise counsel and accountability, striving to live a life of purpose. If you're interested in connecting with Wes, you can do so by going to his website, LinkedIn, or by dropping my an email. Links below: https://weswoodhouse.com/ (https://weswoodhouse.com/) https://www.linkedin.com/in/weswoodhouse/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/weswoodhouse/) wes@weswoodhouse.com

With air and space as his training ground, Wes knows what it means to pay attention and stay focused. While these military skills are synonymous in the business world, knowing how to focus your attention on what you need to be paying attention to is the key to achieving your business goals.   How to stay focused on achieving your goals: Start from the target and work backward   In today's edition of the Knucklehead Podcast, our guest, Wes Woodhouse will discuss how skills learned in the military are applicable to almost every aspect of life. Furthermore, he will present one of the unique perspectives that lead businesses to success - the ability to focus your attention to where it is needed.   Wes Woodhouse is a husband, father, marathon runner, and fighter pilot. He pilots the F-15E Strike Eagle which is a multi-role fighter aircraft currently in the USAF inventory. Knowing the skills he learned in the military are the perfect foundation for business, he founded Vector Mastermind to help build up the next generation of leaders, armed to take on the dynamic challenges of the 21st Century.   Enjoy!   In This Episode 1:12 - What motivates Wes to get up so early in the morning   2:21 - Backstory of Wes Woodhouse   6:54 - His journey to Michigan Technological University   8:20 - Wes' perspective on education   10:18 - How his skills as a pilot can be used in any area of life   12:33 - What led him to use his military skills in business   16:17 - How a scene from the movie Top Gun can be applied to business   24:04 - A few of the screw-ups he made in his mastermind group   Favorite Quotes "When you wake up in the morning and you're sitting down and you're thinking about what you're going to do for the rest of the day, where do you need to put your attention today? What do you need to put your attention on today that's going to make you successful as you carry on towards your goals?" - Wes Woodhouse   "In the studying of people who are successful, I've found that invariably, they work hard.  And many times working hard means you got to get up a little bit earlier than most of the people and hit it." - Wes Woodhouse   "The reality is, you can do almost anything without having to go to college. With the internet and the opportunity for entrepreneurial pursuits, I think giving them life experiences and giving them an understanding of, 'Yes, you can envision something and then build it and then make it happen', is going to be more valuable." - Wes Woodhouse   "The military does a great job of building up leaders who can be strategic thinkers but then can execute at a tactical level." - Wes Woodhouse   "If you put your attention in the right spot, you're going to be thinking about the right things and you're going to be able to make the appropriate decision." - Wes Woodhouse   "Business is always moving. It never stops. Regardless COVID happens, that's just a giant roadblock. The business is still going and you still have to keep it afloat." - Wes Woodhouse   Engage with Wes Woodhouse LinkedIn Wes Woodhouse Website   Reach out to Justin Szerletich to get in touch with Knucklehead Media Group LinkedIn Twitter   Knucklehead Podcast is brought to you by Manscaped- Use the Promo Code: KNUCKLEHEAD  for 20% Off   Grab your COVID 19 survivor T-shirt HERE   Connect with Knucklehead Media Group Website Facebook Twitter   Knucklehead Media Group is your “push button” for podcasts. We help companies and organizations tell their story using podcasts and best practices for content distribution. Home to some of the top podcasts across multiple categories, captivating coursework on gaining traction with your show, and consulting to those companies BOLD enough to get some wins. We believe your mistakes set the foundation for your success, those stories help customers beat a pathway to your doorstep, and the myths from bringing business online shouldn't hold you back from getting yours. Click here to more episodes of the Knucklehead Podcast  

Flying the F-15E Strike Eagle. Tip Jar: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=GDJU6CM3GWZTNDiscussion on Discord: https://discord.gg/9vJ3hPYFQh10 Percent True 19, Part 4.00:00:00 Introduction    00:01:09 Moving to the front seat of the F-15E 00:11:16 Decision making differences    00:18:47 Firing the gun... at a Viper drone 00:21:22 Developing F-15E systems knowledge 00:25:45 Flying the F-15E in BFM   00:31:14 Energy states in BFM    00:36:28 Rate, Radius of WEZ fighter? 00:41:06 Assumptions about the threat 00:44:23 The merge... and exiting the fight00:49:09 Shot deconfliction    00:52:18 Confirmation bias and tactical choices 00:59:26 Aggressor training and threat training 01:04:38 APG-82 AESA radar    01:08:31 Who does what - the pilot-WSO contract 01:10:47 Traditional F-15E capabilities01:15:28 Vulnerabilities of netcentric and EA based doctrine01:23:41 Mission planning tools  01:29:47 AMA - Do you always fly with a WSO? 01:31:02 AMA - CFT development plans? 01:36:05 AMA - Thoughts on the Agile Combat Employment concept01:41:31 AMA - Selection for CSO Slots 01:46:43 AMA - Advice for getting to the Strike EagleSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/10percenttrue)

Matt Hall is a third generation pilot, a former RAAF Fighter Combat (Top Gun) Instructor and Iraq combat veteran.  Matt Hall Racing (MHR) is the only Australian aviation organisation to have competed in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship, and Matt Hall is the current air race world champion.  Hall is a highly credentialed and skilled pilot with over 1500 Hornet hours, 500 hours in the F-15E Strike Eagle (including combat), over 700 hours in light aircraft and over 600 hours doing aerobatics. Ending his military career in 2009 as a Wing Commander, Hall was awarded dux of his Fighter Combat Instructor Course -Top Gun (1999), F/A-18 Hornet Operational Conversion Course (1995), Basic Fighter Pilot Course (1994) and Wings course (1992) and was also awarded Fighter Pilot of the Year in 1997. He has represented Australia as a United States Air Force (USAF) exchange officer in North Carolina, USA, instructed F-15E aircrew attending USAF Weapons School and briefed Australian Embassy staff at Washington annually on accomplishments and recommendations for future RAAF operations. Hall was also awarded the Air Medal and an Air Medal First Oak Leaf Cluster for operational service in Iraq where he flew in the second Gulf War.  Let's Go!

On this episode of the Ones Ready podcast, we sit down with Capt Wes FRESH Woodhouse to talk about his time as a pilot in the US Air Force.  FRESH pilots the F-15E Strike Eagle which is a multi-role fighter aircraft currently in the USAF inventory.  He's been flying for five years now and is currently assigned to a Test and Evaluation Squadron.  We hit a wide range of topics from becoming an officer to working with JTACs, what his motivation is, and even touch on some qualifying and disqualifying things to becoming a pilot.  Please enjoy the episode and give us your feedback. If you liked it and feel so inclined, please leave us a review.  If we didn't answer your questions, please let us know, and thank you for your support!Want to watch this episode on Youtube? https://youtu.be/_qdRloEsJZQNeed the show notes? onesready.com/episode/79Have a question?  Email us at info@onesready.comFollow us on Instagram @onesreadyFollow us on YoutubeFollow us on Facebook

You finally made it! You've landed that dream job but now you might be asking, what's next? You could settle for the status quo or continue to grow and live a life of purpose. I had the opportunity to talk with Wes Woodhouse about going beyond your dream and finding your purpose in life. This purpose transcends your day job and offers endless opportunities for growth and impact. Seeing the need for strong leadership in his own generation, Wes founded Vector Mastermind with the mission of growing leaders to live a life of purpose. We also discussed the value of a Mastermind Group, which provides honest feedback and accountability, like having your very own board of directors. Are you a Veteran who is transitioning to Entrepreneurship? Then check out this FREE download for the Top 29 Entrepreneurship Programs for Veterans & their families! Download Here ! About Our Guest Wes Woodhouse is a husband, father, marathon runner, and fighter pilot. He has been flying the F-15E Strike Eagle since 2016, and has nearly 500 combat hours. Currently serving as an instructor pilot in an operational test squadron, he works to bring the latest and greatest hardware and software to the F-15. For Wes, flying fighter jets is the fulfillment of his childhood dream, but that is not where his most important work gets done. He believes the battlefield of the coming decades is in the human domain, where human attention will be the most valued resource. Wes mission is to build up the next generation of leaders, armed to take on the dynamic challenges of the 21st Century. He runs the Vector Mastermind, a group of strong, committed men grounded in wise counsel and accountability, striving to live a life of purpose. Join the conversation on our Facebook! Check out Veteran on the Move on Facebook to connect with our guests and other listeners. A place where you can network with other like-minded veterans who are transitioning to entrepreneurship and get updates on people, programs and resources to help you in YOUR transition to entrepreneurship. About Our Sponsors  Navy Federal Credit Union  There are a lot of things to consider, when buying a new car, like down payments, interest rates and monthly payment schedules. Navy Federal Credit Union makes buying a car easy with their auto loan process. Whether you're looking to buy your first car or your dream car, Navy Federal helps you cruise into the car you want with a monthly payment you can afford. There are a lot of things to consider, like down payments, interest rates and monthly payment schedules. Navy Federal Credit Union makes buying a car easy with their auto loan process. Their application process is easy. You can do it on their mobile app, online or by phone. It's so fast, you can get a decision in seconds. You'll enjoy rates as low as 1.79% APR. Plus, with Navy Federal's Car Buying Service powered by TrueCar, you can shop, compare and save on your next new or used car.   Find out more at navyfederal.org. At Navy Federal, our members are the mission.  Navy Federal is Insured by NCUA. Open to the armed forces, the DoD, veterans, and their families. American Express is a registered service mark of American Express, used by Navy Federal under license. Credit and collateral subject to approval. Rates subject to change and are based on creditworthiness Rate available for new vehicles. Message and data rates may apply. SweetProcess As an entrepreneur you can't do everything yourself.  It's really easy to get stuck working in your business instead of working on your business, you have to create systems and get things automated so other team members can get things done for you.  Even delegating the simplest of tasks can be liberating as a business owner. There's a much better way of getting work done, an amazing tool that will help you overcome the frustrating log jams in your business. SweetProcess is a simple but powerful tool that lets you create clear step-by-...

Vanessa “Siren” Mahan is a Weapons System and electronic warfare officer flying in both the F-15E Strike Eagle and the EA-6B Prowler. She is a Lt Col in the USAFR and is currently an Air Operations Officer with Special Operations at Camp Smith, Hawaii.  In this episode she talks about setting big goals, how she was able to fly under-the-radar and find success, and how she started her own business.

On this podcast, Maj. John "Rain" Waters, of Air Force Recruiting Service Detachment 1, sits down with his unit commander, Lt. Col. Annie "Sunshine" Driscoll, on Oct. 7, 2020. They discuss her pathway to become a helicopter pilot on the HH-60 Pave Hawk, her family dynamics being married to an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot, and her first rescue mission while being deployed in Afghanistan. The "Pathway to Wings" is Air Force Recruiting Service, Det. 1's official podcast. This podcast is designed for those looking to become Air Force aviators, and is hosted by Air Force aviators. This podcast strives to inform, influence, and inspire our future leaders by sharing real stories and experiences of what it's like to fly and the process it took to get there.

Today on the show, I am joined by Wes Woodhouse who is a United States Air Force fighter Pilot and trains everyday to face today's most potent military threats. Wes Flies the F-15E Strike Eagle.  He has tested and built a satellite that is currently orbiting the Earth, used to calibrate earth-based satellite tracking systems. But these efforts merely face the challenges of today. Wes believes that as we transition out of the Information Age and into a new ‘Age', the most valuable resource will be human attention. The visible battlefield requires technology. The invisible battlefield is in the mind of every one of us. Wes's attention is on building up the next generation of leaders, prepared to face the human, technological, and geo-political challenges of the next several decades.During our conversation Wes shares his story about becoming a fighter pilot and the countless hours of preparation that have brought him to the place he is today defending the freedoms that  he hold so dear. Wes shares many leadership principles and gives some incredible advise that will serve both teenagers and young adults who are preparing for their future. Enjoy this incredible conversations with one of Americas finest Fight Pilots.Wes Woodhouse WebsiteLinkedin: Wes WoodhouseThe Interrupted Podcast WebsiteThe Interrupted Podcast Instagram PageThe Interrupted Outdoors Facebook Page

At an early age Vanessa “Siren” Mahan was exposed to aviation, whether she was attending numerous air shows, flying with her dad in a borrowed Cessna, or traveling standby on commercial aircraft to go on vacations. While she had a passion for adventure and was seeking to flee the nest of home, she wasn't sure about a career choice. She decided to take a chance. She applied for and received an Air Force ROTC scholarship to Purdue University. It was there that she fell in love with the Air Force and serving. When 9/11 occurred in her junior year, her call to serve got stronger, but she knew she must be patient and finish school. She excelled in AFROTC, finishing at the top of her class, as a Distinguished Graduate. This earned her her first career choice…an assignment to Strike Undergraduate Navigator Training at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola. With hard work and extreme dedication, she again received her first choice of aircraft…the F-15E Strike Eagle. As a Weapons System Officer (WSO) in the Strike Eagle, she would deploy in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Her primary mission would be Close Air Support (CAS), protecting joint and coalition forces from above. After two back-to-back tours in support of OEF, Siren chose an assignment flying the EA-6B with the Navy at NAS Whidbey Island where she would also be stationed with her Navy husband. Siren became the first female Air Force Prowler aircrew to be assigned to a fleet carrier squadron and spend time on the USS Stennis doing “workups” for deployment. After having two kids and ten years of active duty flying, Siren made the difficult decision to transition to the Air Force Reserves. She currently works as an Air Operations Staff Officer at Special Operations Command Pacific in Hawaii. When she isn't serving in the Reserves, she pursues expanding her business “Siren Strong” where she trains/coaches clients in a holistic method as a certified functional fitness and health coach. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, two kids, and golden retriever puppy “Blue”. Connect with Siren today. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/freedomsisters/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/freedomsisters/support

Summary of today's show: Fr. Darin Colarusso was an Air Force aviator serving in Korea when he heard God unexpectedly calling him to the priesthood. Now he sits down with Scot Landry and Fr. Chip Hines to talk about that call and what's it been like to transition first to seminary life—at a time when the Church was undergoing great trials—and then into the priesthood and eventually his first pastorate. He says he has discovered the priesthood is the greatest excuse to love every person you meet. Fr. Darin also speaks about the future and his work with the archdiocesan pastoral planning commission and presbyteral council, advising Cardinal Seán on how the Church should organize herself for the next 50 years. Listen to the show: Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Chip Hines Today's guest(s): Fr. Darin Colarusso, pastor of St. Athanasius Parish, Reading Links from today's show: Today's topics: Pastor Profile: Fr. Darin Colarusso 1st segment: Scot welcomed Fr. Chip Hines as guest co-host for Fr. Matt Williams who is away. They discussed the recent vote in Foxboro that ended an attempt to build a casino in that town. Fr. Chip said that his parishioners were concerned about the casino in a neighboring town that they would have no say over. Scot said in the Pastoral Center today at the noon Mass they celebrated the 20 priests celebrating their 25th anniversary of the priesthood. Scot read their names on the air. Fr. Chip and Scot agreed that 25 years in service is the sweet spot of the priesthood, having served long enough to be well-known and to have plenty of experience. 2nd segment: Scot and Fr. Chip welcomed Fr. Darin Colarusso, who is pastor of St. Athanasius in Reading, which is Fr. Chip's home parish. Scot asked about his background. Fr. Darin said he grew up in Wilmington. His parents grew up in Wilmington. When he was 18, he went to the Air Force Academy. He entered flight training and became a Weapon Systems Officer in the F-4G Wild Weasel and the F-15E Strike Eagle. When he was 30, he ended up in a one -year non-flying assignment in Korea and began to investigate his faith life. He started praying the rosary after learning about Our Lady of Fatima. One day he was praying the rosary asking for God to show him the woman to marry and it came to him to be a priest. Scot asked about growing up in Wilmington. Fr .Darin said he never went to Catholic school until seminary. He alway wanted to be a pilot from when he was 3 years old. He said his mom's friends tell him stories about how he always wanted to fly jets. In high school, he was pretty standard college track, taking honors courses and engaging in athletics. He played golf and track and wrestling. His resume was good for the academy. He said during the Cold War, along as you were medically qualified you got a pilot slot. He washed out of the pilot slot, and ended up as a back-seater or navigator. He said in his second jet the pilot deployed the weapons while he did in his first het. He never employed weapons in combat, but only in training. He also flew in no-fly zones in the Middle East. Meanwhile, he has classmates who were in every major and minor conflict from 1988 to 2008. He was spared by Providence. He also served in Germany and was able to see Europe. He was also assigned to Nevada outside Las Vegas at Nellis Air Force Base. They could fly over the whole northern part of the state and then after hours be able to go into a major metropolitan area. Fr. Chip asked what it was like in Saudi Arabia, and Fr. Darin said it was hotter than Las Vegas. He spent 12 years active duty and 4 years in the academy. He never thought about the priesthood as a child and was never even an altar server. He also talked about the benefit of having come from the suburbs and now serving a suburban parish. Scot brought him back to the moment of hearing the call to the priesthood. Fr. Darin said he was shocked, but didn't realize the level of prayer he'd entered into. He had been praying the rosary on his knees in his room and said the interior voice called him, “I want you to be a priest.” He said he was typical of so many men who should be considering the priesthood, helping out at the parish, reading at Mass, and the like. Chaplains often asked him, but he rejected the notion out of hand. But when he heard the voice, he knew he should test that thought. He knew if God was calling him, he would have to say yes. A few weeks later, he would say to God in prayer that he'd received so many blessings that if he wanted him to be miserable the rest of his life, so be it. From there he went on to his next assignment for the next four years. He didn't apply to the seminary until 1998. He didn't realize he had to leave the military to become a priest. If he'd wanted to be a lawyer or doctor, the military would send him. He thought he could go to the seminary and come back as chaplain. At the time, that wasn't possible and he had to resign his commission. So going to the seminary was an even bigger commission, because even if he left, he would still be out of the military. There is a program now where a man can go from a military assignment to seminary as a chaplain candidate. There are a lot of guys going to the seminary now because of it. Scot asked how his friends in the service reacted. Fr. Chip guessed they were shocked. Fr. Darin said his close friends were close friends, but others would say he shouldn't give up looking for a wife and similar reactions. But by the time he left the service, his friends were supportive. He was in seminary from 2000 to 2006. Scot asked what it was like to hit the books again. Fr. Darin said Fr. Chip once saw him driving in his Jeep Grand Cherokee on the seminary grounds with a contented look on his face. Fr. Chip said at the time, there goes a man contented with his life. Fr. Darin said he was happy to study philosophy and go to Mass every day. Scot said the clergy sex-abuse scandal broke while Fr. Darin was there and asked what it was like in the seminary at the time. Fr. Darin said originally he did have a few reservations about studying for Boston, but wanted to be local after his mother yelled at him for even thinking about going somewhere else. But when the scandal broke, he realized why God had called him. He said you don't want every fighter pilot to be a priest, but you need a few, like you need artists and lawyers and the like in the priesthood. Fr. Darin said he was very conscious of being in a difficult scenario. He had a conversation with an academy classmate about some issues at the parish and his friend reacted that the reason for the issue is because they don't realize that failure is not option. That was their attitude at the seminary, that even if nothing else was left, they still say Mass on a card table. He noted that at the beginning of his time, there were 100 men in the seminary plus the college seminary. At the end, there were 25 men and no college seminary. Fr. Chip recalled being there at the same time and they agreed it was a tough time. Fr. Chip said it affected him every time he drove down Commonwealth and turning onto the chancery grounds and driving past every TV satellite truck and crowds of reporters. They eventually had to block it out and focus on what they were doing. He said the rectors did a good time keeping them focused. Fr. Darin was ordained in class of 2006. In the seminary, he was assigned as a deacon to St. Francis in Dracut nd served under the first he met in the process of applying to the seminary, Fr. Bob Blaney. He also served St. Agnes in Arlington and St. Ann's in Neponset, and he lived at Immaculate Conception in Salem for a summer while working on his hospital rotation. 3rd segment: This week's benefactor card raffle winner is Nancy Fitzsimmons from Duxbury, MA She wins “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin” by St. Louis de Monfort. If you would like to be eligible to win in an upcoming week, please visit . For a one-time $30 donation, you'll receive the Station of the Cross benefactor card and key tag, making you eligible for WQOM's weekly raffle of books, DVDs, CDs and religious items. We'll be announcing the winner each Wednesday during “The Good Catholic Life” program. 4th segment: After ordination, Fr. Darin went to St. Francis in Braintree with Fr. Kevin Sepe. He was there for several years. Scot said it's a place with a lot of young families and is very active. People still walk to church there and they have inactive and successful parochial school. It was a good assignment because he was absorbing a model for his own priesthood from Fr. Sepe. Fr. Darin said the key lessons from first assignment is just learning how to be a priest. the first and most important lesson for a new priest is that the people do want to have you as their priest. People want you to succeed and they do want to love you. They also know you're new so they help you as well. Even now in his first assignment as pastor, when you're talking about certain topics, he has to keep in mind that people often know what the Church's teaching is and you have to take that into account when talking to them. You still have to be a representative of Christ and the Church. But the people know what you're going to be teaching, so it's about getting others to see the beauty that you've been able to see, say through seminary education and formation. Fr,. Chip said all priests want people to see the same thing they see in the beauty of the Church. It's like finding something wonderful and not wanting to share it. Scot said Fr. Sepe was a great gatherer of priests, bringing them together in his own rectory. Fr. Darin said it's important to recognize there is a cultural shift in the diocese and a lot of priests have worked out the right way to live and Fr. Sepe is one of them. Fr. Sepe is a very fraternal priest who wants the priests to be together. One priest had said that it was unusual for him to watch sports on TV with other priests in the same house, which is not the right way to live. Fr. Darin said, that being said, he lives alone at St. Athanasius, but he's not isolated form others. After 4 years, he was named pastor of St. Athanasius in Reading. Fr. Chip, who is on the personnel board and had called Fr. Darin about the opening. At the end of the first four year assignment, priests are advised to put their names in for pastorships or other assignments. So Fr. Darin got the opening in Reading while Fr. Chip went to his parish in Wrentham. Fr. Darin said the personnel board came up with a slate of priests that they give to the Cardinal, who picks one. Scot said one of Fr. Chip's jobs on the board is to encourage good priests to apply for openings that fit them. Fr. Chip said it was important in his mind to get some good guys to apply for his parents' parish. He said it's tough to get an opening and have no apply for it and then have to find men to offer it to. Scot asked what it was like to make the transition as first-time pastor. Fr. Darin said just as the slate was being decided for St. Athanasius, St. Francis in Dracut opened up. Clearly, if St. Francis had opened up earlier, he would have applied to it, but he said it all worked out as God intended. The transition was hard though, because he had lived in a good house in Braintree with other men and hadn't been interested in leaving the assignment and serve for six or seven years. He said he felt like he needed to learn everything, having never been an altar server. He was scared, but knew that failure was not option. Scot said he would do his best and trust in God. Fr. Darin said while he was still considering the assignment, he stopped at St. Athanasius and went into the church to pray. He knelt before the tabernacle and got the feeling that God said to relax, that He will take care of everything. He felt like it was what he was meant to do. He did like the idea of going to a smaller parish as a starter place for him. Fr. Darin said there are about 1,900 registered parishioners. They have about 600-700 people coming to Mass during the school year. They are a medium-sized parish. They are distinctive for their architecture. The church was built in 1960 and has the shape of what he called a Dorito chip. He said it's like the Air Force Academy architecture and he's very fond of it. The other parish in Reading is St. Agnes and he said they're working on collaboration. Fr. Stephen Rock at St. Agnes is a former Navy chaplain and he said they get along fine despite that. He said one of the joys of serving his parish is how new and different it is. He said the priesthood is the greatest excuse to love every person you meet. As a pastor, versus parochial vicar, the benefit is you come as being sent by the Cardinal and are replied upon to see to the needs of the parish and are expected to move it in a direction of improvement or maintenance if it's going well. That process has been awesome for him. He said it's the right size for one priest. With regard to being on the presbyteral council and the pastoral planning commission, it allows him to make St. Athanasius as a model and example parish for the future of the Archdiocese. Scot asked what it's like to be on a commission charged with helping Cardinal Sean plan for the next 25 to 50 years. He said excellent advice has been that Fr. Darin has an opinion, but it's not the only opinion. He said they are offering a framework that has to be modified for each local situation, which will require input from all kinds of areas within the archdiocese. He sees the dedication of the people throughout the archdiocese, including laypeople who are extremely competent in their fields and serving the Church. Fr. Darin said it's difficult to change the culture and change course. The book is being re-written and there isn't anything historical to fall back on.