Podcasts about military aviation

Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Bray concludes our three-part series with a rare look behind the curtain of Canadian Special Operations Aviation. As the Commanding Officer of 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron, Chris explains how Special Operations Tactical Aviation Course (SOTAC) prepares aircrew for one of the Royal Canadian Air Force's most demanding environments, the qualities that define successful special operations aviators, and how the squadron continues to develop the next generation of capability.We also discuss leadership, balancing family life with operational service, the Next Tactical Aviation Capability Set (NTACS), and Chris's vision for the future of Canadian Special Operations Aviation. This episode offers a rare perspective on 427 SOAS from the Commanding Officer himself.CONTINUE THE FLIGHTEXPLORE THE LOGBOOKMore stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilotshttps://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodesCHAPTERS(00:00:00) Introduction and Welcome(00:01:48) Inside the Special Operations Tactical Aviation Course (SOTAC)(00:02:54) How SOTAC Changed Special Operations Training(00:04:07) Learning to Fight Alongside the Rest of the RCAF(00:05:57) Building the First Generation of SOTAC Graduates(00:06:44) Creating Canada's Next Special Operations Aviators(00:07:58) Preparing for the Worst Day of Your Career(00:11:51) Keeping SOTAC Ready for Tomorrow's Missions(00:13:19) Is SOTAC a Selection Course?(00:13:40) Who Can Become a Special Operations Aviator?(00:15:43) The Role of a 427 Squadron Door Gunner(00:16:44) The Traits Every SOF Aviator Needs(00:17:29) Choosing a Career in Special Operations Aviation(00:20:34) What Separates Success from Failure?(00:23:49) Driving Innovation Across the RCAF(00:25:26) The Future of NTACS(00:28:17) Balancing Operational Service and Family Life(00:31:39) Supporting Families Behind the Mission(00:33:28) What It Means to Command 427 Squadron(00:34:01) Seeing the Squadron Through a Commanding Officer's Eyes(00:35:02) Leading in a Flat Organization(00:37:02) The Leader Chris Bray Strives to Be(00:39:32) The Future of Canadian Special Operations Aviation(00:41:31) How to Earn a Place at 427 Squadron(00:44:27) Looking Back with Pride(00:45:25) Final Thoughts

Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Bray is the Commanding Officer of 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron, the Royal Canadian Air Force unit supporting the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM).In Part 2, we take a rare look behind the curtain of Canadian Special Operations Aviation, exploring how 427 Squadron evolved into the modern capability it is today. Chris explains the squadron's culture, what makes it unique among allied SOF aviation units, the philosophy of "no mission too small," the addition of the CE-145C Vigilance, and the standards that define one of Canada's most demanding aviation communities. We also discuss leadership, mission command, and how 427 built a reputation for professionalism, adaptability, and trust while supporting special operations around the world.CONTINUE THE FLIGHTEXPLORE THE LOGBOOKMore stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilotshttps://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodesCHAPTERS(00:00:00) Introduction and Welcome(00:02:41) How 427 Squadron Reinvented Itself(00:03:39) Building One Special Operations Aviation Culture(00:06:49) Why the Squadron Had to Change(00:09:44) Living Through the Transformation(00:13:10) Earning a Reputation in Special Operations Aviation(00:14:49) "No Mission Too Small"(00:18:46) Expanding the Mission with the CE-145C Vigilance(00:20:44) Learning to Think Beyond Helicopters(00:22:53) What Makes 427 Different?(00:26:21) Becoming an Organic CANSOFCOM Capability(00:28:44) The Professionals Behind Every Mission(00:30:04) Why Communications Can Make or Break a Mission(00:31:12) Building Trust with Canada's Special Operations Forces(00:33:44) Maintaining Elite Standards(00:37:52) Rewriting the Rules: The New TOCA(00:41:35) The Career Path of a Special Operations Aviator(00:44:57) Balancing Risk and Mission Success(00:46:22) Leading an Elite Squadron(00:47:34) The Hardest Decisions as Commanding Officer(00:49:57) Next Time: Inside SOTAC

This is a 3-part series. Best if viewed on Afterburn Defense Youtube.  Part I: https://youtu.be/MgQ_X3Td8a4 Part II: https://youtu.be/GzdL6NMYDso Part III: https://youtu.be/Xc22-2RaGSY Operation Midnight Hammer through the eyes of the F-16 Wild Weasel pilots who flew it. This is the firsthand account of the 55th Fighter Squadron and the 20th Fighter Wing. These are the pilots who fly Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses, known as SEAD, the crews who went in first to suppress Iranian air defenses, and the ground support teams who made the mission possible. Part three covers the mission to strike Iran's nuclear facilities. Recorded between December 2025 and January 2026, this series preserves the experiences of the people who were there, in their own words. Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) Prep with AFOQT Wingman https://afoqtwingman.com/Code: AFTERBURN for 10% off

Send us a message or question! Ep. 72 – Karlsruhe: Life Under the BombsWith Kathy Quinlan-FlatterWhat was it like to live beneath the bomber stream?In this episode of Never Mind the Dambusters, Jane Gulliford Lowes and James Jefferies explore the air war from a perspective we don't often hear: that of the German civilians who endured RAF bombing raids firsthand.Joining us is journalist and historian Kathy Quinlan-Flatter, who has lived in and around the Karlsruhe region and spent years researching the city's wartime experience through police reports, eyewitness testimony, local archives, and personal accounts.Together, we examine how one German city experienced the realities of strategic bombing — from the terror of air raids and the struggle to protect civilians, to the long process of rebuilding after the war.In this episode:✈️ Karlsruhe before the bombs fellDiscover how this distinctive fan-shaped city became an important industrial and transportation hub — and why it found itself in Bomber Command's sights.

Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Bray is the Commanding Officer of 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron, the Royal Canadian Air Force unit supporting the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM).In Part 1, Chris shares his journey from growing up outside the military to becoming a special operations aviator and leading one of the RCAF's most demanding helicopter squadrons. We discuss RCAF pilot training, flying the CH-146 Griffon, Operation IMPACT, and the experiences that shaped his career.This episode also offers a rare look behind the curtain of Canadian Special Operations Aviation, exploring what it takes to earn a place at 427 Squadron and the mindset, professionalism, and leadership required to serve within one of Canada's most unique aviation communities.CONTINUE THE FLIGHTEXPLORE THE LOGBOOKMore stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilotshttps://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodesCHAPTERS(00:00:00) Introduction and bio(00:03:47) Why Chris Chose the Canadian Armed Forces(00:04:36) Discovering a Passion for Helicopters(00:10:47) Learning the Mission at JRCC Halifax(00:13:13) Surviving RCAF Pilot Training(00:14:05) Learning to Fly Rotary Wing(00:16:02) The Leap from Fixed Wing to Helicopters(00:17:54) Mastering Confined Area Flying(00:19:23) When Flying Finally Clicked(00:20:13) Earning a Spot at 427 Squadron(00:21:10) How Special Operations Aviators Are Selected(00:23:30) First Impressions of 427 Squadron(00:25:28) How 427 Squadron Evolved(00:26:24) Starting Out in B Flight(00:29:29) First Operational Deployments(00:31:39) Flying on Operation IMPACT(00:32:08) Operating in a Combat Threat Environment(00:33:11) What Makes Special Operations Aviation Different(00:36:40) The Future of Canada's Tactical Helicopter Fleet(00:39:11) Inside a Special Operations Mission(00:41:02) Growing into Leadership(00:42:04) From Pilot to Leader(00:47:06) Becoming a Special Operations Flight Lead(00:48:04) Leadership Under Pressure(00:50:24) Returning to Operation IMPACT as Detachment Commander(00:51:24) Leading Aircrew in a Threat Environment(00:52:24) Building the Future Force(00:54:26) Lessons from Strategic Leadership(00:57:48) Coming Up in Part 2

Leadership isn't about changing who you are; it's about becoming the fullest expression of who you were meant to be.   SUMMARY What does quiet leadership look like? From military deployments to the flight deck at Alaska Airlines, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kimberly Ford '90 explains how preparation, trust and listening can be just as powerful as command.    COL. FORD'S TOP 10 LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS 1. Leadership doesn't have to be loud to be effective. Ford's journey demonstrates that quiet, thoughtful leaders can inspire just as deeply as outspoken ones. Authenticity is what earns trust and influence. 2. Feedback can become the catalyst for transformation. Receiving a poor leadership evaluation at the U.S. Air Force Academy was painful, but instead of allowing it to define her, Ford used it as the beginning of her growth as a leader. 3. Finding your voice begins by believing your perspective matters. Confidence wasn't something Ford was born with. It was developed through mentors, experience and the courage to share her passion with others. 4. The best mentors don't remove fear, they help you move through it. From the jump master to her pilot instructors, Ford's mentors equipped her with the mindset and confidence to act despite uncertainty rather than waiting for fear to disappear. 5. Preparation creates confidence under pressure. Chair flying, visualization, repetition and mastering the fundamentals allowed Ford to perform when the stakes were highest. Excellence begins long before execution. 6. Trust is earned through competence and consistency. Whether flying combat missions or commercial aircraft, Ford explains that teams build trust quickly when they know each member is prepared, dependable and committed to doing their job well. 7. Leadership must adapt to the mission. Effective leaders recognize when decisive command is required and when empathy, patience and service are the qualities the moment demands. 8. Listening is one of leadership's greatest strengths. Ford's approach emphasizes seeking feedback, understanding different perspectives and creating an environment where others feel heard before decisions are made. 9. Resilience is built through daily disciplines, not extraordinary moments. Grounding practices, physical fitness, reflection, continual learning and intentional self-care help leaders remain ready for whatever challenges come next. 10. Great leaders remain lifelong students. Ford's advice to her younger self reflects her enduring philosophy: believe in yourself, seek mentors, embrace feedback, learn from mistakes and never stop growing.   CHAPTERS 00:00:13 – Meet Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kimberly Ford, USAFA Class of 1990 00:00:57 – The "Rate Your Neighbor" Moment that Changed Everything 00:05:33 – Finding Her Voice & Honoring the Tuskegee Airmen and WASPs 00:08:34 – Family, Faith and the Foundation of Leadership 00:11:00 – Jump School: Fear, Courage and Asking for Help 00:15:15 – Developing a Warrior Mindset Through Preparation 00:17:24 – Transitioning from Military Aviation to Alaska Airlines 00:20:06 – Leading Under Pressure in Combat Operations 00:23:38 – Adapting Your Leadership to Fit the Mission 00:27:28 – Daily Habits That Make Better Leaders 00:29:43 – Advice to Her Younger Self & the Power of Mentorship 00:31:26 – Final Reflections: Leading with Quiet Confidence     ABOUT COL. FORD BIO Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kimberly Ford, USAFA Class of 1990, is a distinguished combat aviator, senior mobility leader and lifelong advocate for aviation, leadership, and service. During her 25-year U.S. Air Force career, she served as a KC-135 and C-17 command pilot, instructor pilot and mission commander, logging more than 11,000 flight hours while supporting combat, humanitarian and contingency operations around the world. She also served in strategic leadership roles at Air Mobility Command, helping shape enterprise-level operations and leadership development across the Air Force's global mobility mission. Following her military service, Col. Ford has continued to lead through aviation and community engagement as a commercial airline pilot, board leader and champion for preserving the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and Women Airforce Service Pilots while expanding opportunities in aerospace and STEM education. A recipient of numerous military and civilian honors, including induction into the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals Hall of Fame, she remains dedicated to mentoring the next generation of leaders through a life defined by service, resilience and authentic leadership. CONNECT WITH KIM 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, Matthew Ayers '99  |  Host, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz '99    Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz 0:00 Sometimes leadership isn't about speaking the loudest; it's about finding the courage to speak when your voice matters most. I'm Naviere Walkewicz, Class of '99; Long Blue Leadership starts now. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 0:13 Today's guest is Air Force Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kimberly Ford, United States Air Force Academy, Class of 1990. She has had a remarkable career through KC-135, C-17 command pilot, instructor pilot, senior air mobility command leader. Today she serves as an Alaska Airlines pilot, aviation advocate, and champion — preserving the legacy of our Tuskegee Airmen and Women Airforce Service Pilots, WASP, while inspiring the next generation of aerospace leaders. I should also add that Kim is our 2025 — one of our 2025 recipients — of the Leadership Achievement Award. Kim, we're so glad to have you here. Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kimberly Ford 0:53 Thank you so much. It's just an honor to be here to speak with you today. Thank you. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 0:57 Absolutely. And so, here on Long Blue Leadership, we like to jump right on to a really key moment in your life, and one, if we dial back the time a little bit, goes back to your three-degree year at the Air Force Academy, and they had something at the time, I think you mentioned it was “Rate Your Neighbor,” so something that you all did, and you scored a D. And I'm curious on what that was about, and then can you take us back to that conversation that time. Col. Kimberly Ford 1:23 Correct, they had something at the time called Rate Your Neighbor, and that called for your classmates, your peers, people above you and below you, rating your ability to be a leader in the Cadet Wing and in your squadron, and then eventually a leader in the Air Force, and so everyone in your class would get a rating. I had come into the to the meeting thinking that I had done really well, and that my passion was shining through, and so imagine my surprise when I found out that I received the equivalent of a D grade. My air officer commanding was empathetic, but he was also very concerned, and what I did appreciate was he did give me the chance to respond. At that time, I just felt really disappointed. You know, I'd come into the Academy, I really wanted to be in aerospace, I was really excited about STEM. I was so happy to have the opportunity to be there, and so I must admit that I really felt crushed when I heard his words, that I hadn't done as well as I thought I had. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 2:32 It almost sounds a little bit like a 360-degree kind of assessment. What, in particular, I guess attributed to that, kind of that score, that rating from your peers? What did they see, I guess, in that to give you that score? Col. Kimberly Ford 2:49 Yes, you know, looking back with my lens now, I know that there are different types of leadership, different styles of leadership, but I think at the time the type of leadership that was expected was someone who was assertive, who was upfront, who was more sort of direct. At the time, I was a young cadet who definitely needed to be mentored and learn some skills. I think what they saw in me was someone who was very quiet. I had not had the opportunity or taken the opportunity to speak about who I was, my background, my passion for aviation, someone who didn't make eye contact, and you know, someone who maybe didn't greet them on a personal level, who didn't check in before a session, during a session and maybe after a session. And so they just really weren't sure about my aptitude, and I can understand that big picture. I was someone who definitely needed to be mentored and definitely needed to learn those skills in a style that was commensurate with my personality and what I had to bring to the table. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 3:55 Well, you talked about being passionate and you went in feeling really good and hoping that it shined through. How did you adjust, maybe, or adapt after that feedback to bring your voice and that passion forward. What did that look like in your leadership journey at that time? Col. Kimberly Ford 4:10 Yes, I remember the air officer commanding said, “Hey, you know, let's talk about this. What do you — what are you bringing to the table?” And so I said, “Wow, I'm someone who wants to be here. I'm someone who wants to fly. I am someone who wants to give back to my country, and I want to serve my nation.” And so, after that, I'm lucky that I had a good group of mentors, both peers and older cadets, and I was able to sit down with them and get that constructive feedback and constructive criticism. So I was able to speak with my flight commander about, you know, goals that I have. I want to do, you know, eventually I want to do the soaring program. I want to do — which I may have already finished by that point. I want to do the T-41 program, which was the solo program at the time. I would like to be a pilot. And so I really practiced making eye contact, speaking about my goals, sharing my passion, and just really checking in and making sure I receive that feedback from my leadership, and then also points where I could improve. You know, as an 18-, 19-year-old, you know, young woman who was very shy, that was a lot for me. But it just — so it took a lot of courage, so I'm really proud of myself for being able to get there, to be able to interact and have those conversations that I needed to have with my cadet leadership at the time. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 5:33 Well, let's fast forward now, because I feel like that voice that you found has been really instrumental in some of the advocacy and work that you've done around really highlighting the legacies of our Tuskegee Airmen and the Women Air Service Pilots, or WASPs. Can you talk about, you know, where that came into play, or how finding your voice, what that looked like, and what some of that work, important work, was that you did? Col. Kimberly Ford 5:59 Yeah, yeah, I will go back. When I was a young woman, still in high school, I had really started to show interest in aviation, and we didn't know a lot of people who were pilots or in aerospace, and so what my parents did for me, especially my mother, who loved to read, is she found me a lot of books, and she found me books about the Tuskegee Airmen and about the Women's Air Service Pilots as examples. And so I read about these courageous, you know, young people who were serving during World War II, all of the challenges and barriers that they had to overcome, and the life lessons that they had to share. And so I really took that to heart, and that really helped to inspire me during my career. I had the opportunity to speak with some Tuskegee Airmen during my Air Force career by attending conferences. As I moved back to the Seattle area, when I came back to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, I had the opportunity to serve at the Seattle Museum of Flight and serve in panels. We would talk about subjects such as the Berlin Airlift, some of the flying out of a Ramitelli in Italy, and just sort of passing along those leadership lessons. I had also joined my Sam Bruce Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen. We were able to work on some youth programs and grow them from very small programs to larger programs, which really passed along those important leadership lessons to young people and inspired them on their journeys to becoming pilots. I had another opportunity to volunteer with the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for the Women's Air Service Pilots. So, I went to Washington, D.C. I was able to pass along the Congressional Gold Medal to June Lecky and spend time with her family and learn about her service, so I always called her my WASP. I'm lucky that I was able to go to the museum, the Women's Air Service Pilot Museum in Sweetwater, Texas, and have the chance to interview WASPs, volunteer alongside of WASPs, and as well pass along my message of my service and sort of help to grow young people. Through my Sam Bruce Chapter, I met mentors such as Bill Holloman, who was an original Tuskegee Airmen, and Ed Drummond, who shared their stories of just leadership and courage. So to me, those lessons are so important to pass on to the next generation. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 8:34 I think you hit it on the, you know, hit the nail on the head when you talk about sharing the stories, and as we share your story today, I think it's really important that our viewers and our listeners kind of really appreciate that not all leaders, you know, approach things in the same way. To your point, you know, you start off really shy, and you found your voice, and then you're able to even share stories of other leaders. I'm curious, in your journey, of, you know, how that continued to evolve, you know, where did you find yourself really championed, perhaps? You mentioned your parents early on, and you know, understanding your love for aviation, did they also kind of show up for you in that way of helping you to hone in on your leadership skills a little earlier? Col. Kimberly Ford 9:20 Yes, yes. As a young person, I knew early on that I wanted to go to college, that I wanted to achieve a graduate degree, and seeing those examples of my father serve overseas, and my mother alongside with him… Col. Naviere Walkewicz 9:37 Both your parents served? Col. Kimberly Ford 9:38 Actually, my father was in the Army, he got up to the rank of captain, and my mother, they had just gotten married, and my mother joined him in France, where they served outside of Paris at a place called Saran, France. So I just saw that example. They started taking me to museums, as I mentioned, they had me read books, but they did see that I was more shy and more quiet, and so they started really relating to me, they just passed along that I, that I'm a leader, you know, I am a leader in my own way. These were often quiet messages, they weren't often direct, but I just remember when I showed up at the Academy, they just, I remember that that message, that I am a leader, that I am capable, that I can do these jobs, that I had just as much of an opportunity to succeed, they were really just strongly, strongly instilled in me. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 10:37 I love those affirmations, and I'm curious, you know, obviously you went on to go to pilot training. How did that continue to evolve, and being a quiet leader, show up in, you know, in the cockpit or amongst your peers? Were there times where you had to be more assertive, or use a different voice? How did you kind of deal with how you're wired, so to speak, with what was needed for the moment? Col. Kimberly Ford 11:00 Yeah, so one story that I'll take you back to goes back to jump school. One of my friends wanted me to take jump school, I was really uncertain about this, and she's like, "No, we let's take jump school together.” We were both seniors, and it was just a great opportunity. We went through the training. I had always thought of the people that did jump school as just these amazing people. I wasn't sure if I could just reach that pinnacle. I'm so lucky that we made it. We both made it to the through the training, and then you get to the point where you, you're standing in the door, so this is the point where you take all of your training and you are going to execute this training, and you're going to face this really critical, intense moment. And so to me it was sort of like a parallel of I was finding my voice, I'm a cadet, and then I have the chance to go to pilot training. I remember before we stood in the door on the ground, I'd spoken to the jump master, which was really intimidating for me as a young cadet, and I said, "I want to jump out the door. Can you help me get there? Can you sort of show me how you get yourself ready to do that?” And so, looking back now, when I got into the door, he basically looked me in the eye, and he helped me to take a deep breath, to settle myself, and to take that big step forward. And I jumped out the door, and I went on to do five jumps, and I completed that program. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 12:21 I have to give you props, because I think the fact that you recognized in yourself, giving yourself the permission to ask for help, right? You said, "Can you help me get to and through the door and accomplish this jump?” And then go on to get your jump wings. I think it's really powerful and a leadership lesson in itself. Was that something that you just you — it happened, or you've seen it modeled before you, or you just, it was just something in you that, “I'm going to ask for help here?” Col. Kimberly Ford 12:52 He certainly helped me to get that warrior mindset. So, I believe even back before, you know, maybe wanting to do a certain program at in high school, or even wanting to apply for the Academy, my father said, “You know, you just have to step forward and do it.” Also, dating back to my father's father, who was one of the first Black policemen in Baltimore City. He was a very, he was also a very reserved man, very much like myself. And I remember speaking to him about being nervous about applying to the Academy and going to the Academy, and he said, “You know what, Kim? You've just got to get started, you've just got to take that first step.” So, basically, putting yourself in that space, that mental space, being prepared, being confident, and believing in yourself, and taking that step forward. I was able to carry that through, going to pilot training. I was really nervous. A lot of cadets had the opportunity to do a lot of flying, a lot of discovery flights or programs like Civil Air Patrol or scouting, and my parents were only able, they were able to provide me with one amazing discovery flight, but it was tough. I had to learn a lot of information in a short period of time. I had an amazing UPT instructor for my first flight. His name is Colonel, retired now, Kevin Mastin, and he actually went on to become a Thunderbird. He went to the University of Washington, where I'm from, so a neat link there. And I just told him about my fears. “I'm nervous. I don't know if I have what it takes. I don't know if I can keep up with the other students.” And he was — he said, "Do you really want to do this and finish this program?” And I said, “I really do,” and he said, “Well, let's work together, basically to develop this warrior mindset, or this mindset of focus, of intensity, of bringing your best, of being excellent like the Tuskegee Airmen.” So he really worked with me and helped me to do that. So I was basically able to bring that to serving throughout my career up to serving in Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom. You know, just really taking that deep breath, knowing that I am capable, knowing that I am a good leader, and sort of executing the mission, working with the crew, or working with the team that I'm working with at the time. So I'm really proud that that started, as you know, as a child with my parents was honed also at the Air Force Academy and with other mentors through my career. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 15:15 Were there particular pillars of leadership or things that he said this is how, you know, your process to thinking like a warrior having that warrior mindset. What did that look like? Col. Kimberly Ford 15:25 Yes, yes, he always he focused on telling me to sort of don't listen to the noise and the other inputs. You know, fly the airplane and focus on the important tenets, the important things that you need to do. You know, “You need to fly the airplane into the air, you need to make it act in ways that you want it to act.” He spoke with me about, you know, learning all of the information, such as, you know, chair flying or visualizing. He said, "I want you to know that information cold. So, if you know the information cold and you're nervous, you're it'll allow you to fly the airplane and focus. So, we would actually have study sessions where we would go to the squadron, and we would basically go through our steps and procedures, and just really practice focusing and just eliminating all of that noise, flying the aircraft, and putting the airplane, you know, in acrobatics and VFR flight and IFR flight. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 16:20 And for someone who's not in aviation, what does VFR flight and IFR flight mean? Col. Kimberly Ford 16:23 Visual flight rules, where you can see, and instrument flight rules, where there are clouds, and you're not to see the ground. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 16:31 Well, I can imagine that's really helpful, going through the repetition of actually being in the cockpit, you know, not in the cockpit, right? Like you said, chair flying. I think that's really powerful, visualizing. Were there any other kind of key instructions or thoughts in that process of putting on the warrior mindset and being able to push through any of the self-doubt or kind of the reservations that not just you but I think other leaders share? Col. Kimberly Ford 16:57 I think it's also, you know, being the consummate professional, you know, always learning about your craft, so I'm always learning something new, I'm always reading, always listening to what others might say, always listening to feedback. And always showing up, you know, being early, looking professional, having your uniform look well — just sort of those are some of the other tenants that he taught me, also. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 17:24 And I think about what you're doing now. So you're a current pilot with Alaska Airlines. Oftentimes, you know, many of our graduates do go into, especially those who served as pilots, go into, I think, you know, commercial aviation. You know, was that an easy process for you? How did that challenge you as a leader? Was that something that was already kind of written in your game plan of life? Col. Kimberly Ford 17:47 Right, so I actually became a commercial pilot in 2001, so it was right around the time of 9/11. It was a little bit challenging, just because I had just finished my active duty, where I was flying the KC-135. I did the Kosovo operations, and also Northern and Southern Watch, where you're basically flying around Saudi Arabia. I finished that and I was just starting my time as an Air Force reservist as a C-17 pilot. So I did initial training for the MD-80 at the time, which was an older passenger airline for Alaska Airlines, and I was also starting training for the C-17. There is quite a difference in culture — you're learning with, you know, working with a different crew, slightly different style of crew resource management. Your purpose is, you know, a little bit different. You're flying passengers and some cargo to get to where they need to go. So I'm really lucky that I was able to rely on mentors to step me through, do that visualizing and share flying. Soon after that, I was actually called up to serve full time for the Air Force for about three to five years for Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, that's operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. So I always had to, you know, I took copious notes. We had a lot of conversations on those flight decks as we were doing our military operations. There were a lot of Alaska Airlines and other airline pilots, and so I'm so lucky that I could fly with some really experienced crew members who could really talk to me about this civilian procedures. It is fast paced — you're working at large civilian airports, so I had to learn those standardized procedures, and I had to learn to work with the crews to be able to execute that civilian mission well. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 19:41 I'm curious about, you know, your service while you were deployed in support of those different operations. If you could talk about where you saw yourself evolve as a leader. How did you continue to grow in that space from, you know, where you started as a quiet, more reserved leader, still quite passionate, but where did that show up, and how did it show up in the deployed spaces? Col. Kimberly Ford 20:06 Right, let's see, in the deployed spaces, just to give people an idea of the operations at the time, they were a very fast-paced. This is like around 2001, 2002 and on. We had to fly a large part of the mission because a lot of the experience was in the Air Force Reserve. I was serving at a joint-based Lewis-McChord, and so we would take large contingents of especially Army personnel from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, usually to the East Coast, maybe to Europe, such as Germany, and then overseas. It might have been the opportunity for me to sort of have a briefing, and then in general the mission would match the briefing, usually, usually in the KC-135. I would say in the C-17 it was very intense, where you were on alert, and then the mission could change and evolve. It might be incredibly intense where it was at night, — you might be landing with night vision goggles on a runway that wasn't lit, and so they were very intricate details. So changing mission, very intense missions. In the last part was very long missions. So I believe that I had to really dig deep and always be willing to have that resilience and more resilience and more endurance than I'd ever, ever had before. Also, working with a larger crew for a longer period of time. Just really — I knew that the people around me knew their jobs well, they were motivated, they wanted to serve, and they could execute well, and they were passionate about the mission, so I think just having that stamina and endurance, and flying in more challenging conditions. Definitely. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 21:57 When you're stepping into some of those roles, there's this need to build a team very quickly, and trust, and you know, obviously leadership is part of pulling all that together. How did you do that successfully? I mean, aside from, you know, having stamina and really just, I think, being ready, were there any other things that you thought you really tapped into from your strengths that helped you to navigate that cohesion and that trust together pretty quickly? Col. Kimberly Ford 22:24 Right, it seems like one of the easiest ways to build trust and have that team as — there are really standardized roles that are expected in the crew, and when the crew knows that you know your role inside and out, and that you can execute well, that you will, you know, speak the way you need to speak, that you'll fly the way you need to fly, that really quickly helps to build trust. I think, also, it helps to be able to speak through the mission to be able to talk about some of those key crunch points, and you know, options that we would have as a crew, and basically work together to make decisions, and also if that one person had information that the rest of the crew didn't have, such as the need to go around or to stop or to turn the other way, that the entire crew, especially the other pilot, would listen to that information and execute immediately. So, building that trust by performing your role, being prepared, going over the mission, going over those crunch points and acting quickly when you needed to act, that really seemed to form a cohesive crew. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 23:38 You know, if we can go back a little bit, I'm curious to your time, you know — I guess it's not really going back, it's a bit more current now — but you'd mentioned a little bit ago that working with Alaska Airlines, the pace is a little different, and the mission has changed. I'm curious on how your leadership has evolved when you think about a changing mission, and maybe it's not life or death or national security, but how do you continue to evolve as a leader when the stakes aren't as high? Col. Kimberly Ford 24:06 Right, right, so in the military mission, it was more — it was usually time critical, and it called for often a very assertive type of quiet leadership. So you're still bringing that assertive type of quiet leadership, but you're also bringing customer service to families and passengers who are getting to where they need to go, whether it be a vacation or to visit family, or, you know, taking a businessperson where they want me to go, so you're having that patience, letting people know that they're welcome, that you're happy to see them on board, you're working with crew members who may not have that sort of military background. And so there are different communication styles, different, you know, they're different people, and so you're really sort of reading who they are and making sure that you can communicate information in a way that is effective for them as a person, and their age and experience level. You are — it is also a compressed timeframe, so ensuring that you're getting loaded and boarded within that timeframe, and sort of helping the airline to get those, you know, different pushes of different aircraft at different times off on time. So I think I had to just sort of maybe dial it back a little bit in my presentation; make sure I just gave that great customer service. I would say in the cockpit it is that same — in the flight deck, I'm sorry — you're giving that same crew resource management. That same — building that same trust within the person who, you know, letting them know that you know your job and that you're ready to execute. So I would say it's probably more the same within the flight deck there. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 25:53 I would almost go so far as to say is the ability to understand when you need to assert more, and when maybe a more quiet and customer service-oriented leadership style needs to be used — you almost have a superpower of understanding when to employ them, and I might, I might ask you this: You know, how do you help others who maybe have the other side of the leadership spectrum, where they come in very — “I'm a very assertive type leader.” How do you help them see the value in your approach that is natural to you? Col. Kimberly Ford 26:25 We have a moment at the end of our flights at Alaska Airlines, where we sort of, we sit back and we basically say, “How do we think that went?” You know, “What could we change?” And we speak about, you know, “How did the crew receive our message? How did the passengers receive our message? How did the gate personnel receive our message?” And sometimes you could say, like, “OK, well, maybe we could have said this this way. Maybe we could have responded this way as we were flying the approach.” And so I'm able to sort of give my perspective, and maybe how I might have done things, or perhaps sometimes the will divide duties, and the captain will say, "OK, I see here, maybe you would be great at doing this duty, could you take this over?” And so I think that's how I can show that maybe a different style of leadership would be more effective in those certain situations, and we're trained to really listen and just take in the feedback that's coming towards us, and I would say all of the crew members are very good at listening, adjusting and taking in what's offered to them. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 27:28 By you kind of sharing the ability to listen, but also share your perspectives, I think, in itself, is another great leadership lesson that strong leaders have the ability to listen to others and take in other inputs before making decisions or moving forward. So I think that was a wonderful recollection of how you do that in the civilian world in aviation. So one of the things we love to do is ask our guests: What they're doing every day to be a better leader? Would you mind sharing with us what that is? Col. Kimberly Ford 27:59 Let's see, I do a number of things. One is I try to take a quiet moment just to do some breathing and just really to center myself and ground myself, so a quiet moment. I'm trying to get enough sleep. It's amazing how much, you know, good sleep can affect your ability to execute your day properly. I'm trying to get some exercise every day, so whether it be — I'm trying to do a lot of weightlifting, Pilates, yoga, doing things to strengthen myself as well as ground myself. And I'm also making sure I'm taking a break to do something fun, you know, something that I enjoy with my spouse or a friend, going out to lunch or something like that. So, you know, trying to take care of myself and make sure I take some time for fun and just set time for grounding and for breathing a few minutes each day. I find those things very helpful. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 28:57 Is that something that you sort of employed as, you know, you've become more understanding of time and experience, or have you always kind of operated in that way — just to kind of appreciate the moments, you know, take time to fill your cup, etc.? Col. Kimberly Ford 29:12 You know, I would say that that is something that my parents instilled in me a long time ago. My mother instilled in me, especially just that: that breathing and just taking that moment and just grounding yourself. I remember we went to some sort of exercise classes together when I was in junior high and high school, so I'm really proud that she instilled that in me early. My father also exercised with me as I was getting ready for my Academy initial fitness test to get in. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 29:43 Well, frankly, I mean they really did help prepare you so well for being a cadet and then going on to be highly successful, both as an officer and then in the civilian world. But speaking of when you're a cadet, if you could go back in time now, Kim, and tell, you know Cadet Kimberly Ford, you know, something that she should be thinking about to be a better leader down the road, what would you tell her? Col. Kimberly Ford 30:06 I would say always believe in yourself. Know that you can do this, that you are capable, and you have an important perspective to bring to the table. Your voice is necessary, and you have something to bring. So, I would just say it's coming. Keep believing yourself, and I would also say to her, you know, keep finding different mentors, you know. Some mentors are sort of focused on the operation that you're doing on a narrow scale, and some are more big picture mentors, so rely on those mentors and peers, and continue taking that feedback, and always growing, remain a student, always improving, making corrections, and it's OK to have those missteps. And it's an amazing journey as you keep learning and growing and becoming a better leader. That I would tell Cadet Kim. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 30:59 That is outstanding. And may I ask you, what are you most proud of about yourself as a leader? Col. Kimberly Ford 31:06 I am proud of resilience, but I learned how to be resilient leader, you know, that I learned from my parents, relatives and, most importantly, through those programs and leadership at the Academy instilled in me that I'm a resilient leader, that I have a lot to offer. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 31:26 Awesome, this has been amazing. I mean, we always enjoy being able to take a peek behind the story of our Air Force Academy graduates and our leadership journeys, but I really appreciate the time, and you really pulling back the layers, taking it back to your family, taking it back to some of the, you know, just right away the lessons you learned from peer feedback and how to adapt and evolve and be resilient, and then when the moment calls for it, bring your voice back to those important moments when you need to help others see a different perspective. It's been an absolute pleasure having you on Long Blue Leadership today. Col. Kimberly Ford 31:59 Thank you so much. And I just have to say, Mighty '90 for the class, as well as War Eagles for the CS-15 War Eagles. But thank you so much. It's been just an honor to be here with you, and I have really very much enjoyed this. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 32:13 Thank you. And for all of you watching this or listening, be sure to share this journey with others who are also in their leadership journeys, whether in aviation or not. Right? Just looking for what are those ways that our leaders are taking shape. We do this on this particular Long Blue Leadership episode, and all of our others at longblueleadership.org. What really stuck with me about this particular conversation is to really be a leader for what the moment calls for, and I think that Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kim Ford, Class of '90, Mighty '90, as she said, did it really well. So until next time, I'm Naviere Walkewicz, Class of '99 and we'll see you on Long Blue Leadership, KEYWORDS Quiet leadership, authentic leadership, finding your voice, leadership development, leadership philosophy, resilient leadership, leadership resilience, mentorship, servant leadership, emotional intelligence, courageous leadership, confidence, self-belief, constructive feedback, growth mindset, warrior mindset, leadership under pressure, trust, team building, crew resource management, aviation leadership, military leadership, Air Force Academy, USAFA, combat leadership, decision-making, adaptability, resilience, visualization, chair flying, lifelong learning, personal growth, women in leadership, women in aviation, Tuskegee Airmen, Women Airforce Service Pilots, WASP, professional excellence, leadership communication, leadership lessons.   The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation        

Every military aviator carries stories that stay with them long after the aircraft shuts down.To mark the milestone of 100 episodes, we're looking back at the moments that revealed the true weight of military aviation. This second retrospective shifts from learning to fly to learning what comes after. A pilot's first time facing enemy fire, split-second decisions under pressure, devastating loss, the invisible burdens many carry home, and the resilience that keeps crews moving forward.Featuring stories from fighter pilots, search and rescue crews, tactical helicopter crews, transport crews, and more, including the CF-18 Hornet, the CH-146 Griffon, and many other aircraft, this episode explores the realities of operational military aviation through the voices of those who lived it.Whether you've been with us since Episode 1 or you're discovering The Pilot Project for the first time, The First 100 Series is the best place to start.If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available. The Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP) provides confidential assistance to Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, and their families. You can contact them at:1-800-268-7708https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/programs/member-assistance.htmlCHAPTERS(00:00:58) Introduction(00:03:03) Act 1: Contact - Greg Juurlink - I was a brand new FO(00:07:20) Eric Kenny - The missile exploded between us(00:09:26) Troy Clarke - Is this what SAR is going to be?(00:13:00) Anthony Dyer - My first CASEVAC ever(00:14:50) Davis Clark - You don't know if it's a threat or not(00:17:05) Act 2: The Line - Greg Juurlink - We got shot up(00:23:00) Bob Wade - Escorting MiGs to Canada(00:25:45) Dan McWilliams - Never fly into vortices(00:28:40) Pete Wright & Greg Hudson - This is what we signed up for, let's go!(00:30:39) Niels Olson - You don't know which way is up(00:31:22) Dan McWilliams - Less than a wingspan above the ground(00:32:12) Niels Olson - Certified Cocaine Boat!(00:34:27) Bob Wade - One of you is going to die(00:35:29) Act 3: The Ones We Lost - Greg Juurlink - Angel Flights in Afghanistan(00:37:08) Vic Weston - Tom "Toast" McQueen(00:40:38) Anthony Dyer - It's a smell you never forget(00:41:43) Dan McWilliams - Timothy Kirk Leuty(00:43:02) Rich MacDougall - Jenn Casey(00:49:16) Mike Houle - Shattering Grief(00:53:13) Act 4: The Burden - Greg Juurlink - A full bucket(00:55:33) Bryan Morrison - I'm not OK(00:58:45) Vic Weston - I'm not good to go(00:59:58) Paul Goddard - You can't save everybody(01:01:22) Dan McWilliams - Fears that last(01:02:35) Lyndsay Olson - The Hardest Deployment(01:04:41) Niels Olson - The Weight of Distance(01:05:20) Janet Musters - Everything AND the Kitchen Sink(01:06:36) Rich MacDougall - Your life has just changed forever(01:08:59) Act 5: Blue Skies and the Way Forward - Bob Wade - A consequence of doing what you did(01:10:03) Bryan Morrison - The value of my career vs everything else(01:12:03) Anthony Dyer - Better or bitter(01:13:45) Greg Juurlink - The most important thing is asking for help(01:15:00) Bob Wade - I miss the boys(01:15:52) Vic Weston - Honouring Tom "Toast" McQueen(01:17:42) Rich MacDougall - She was a force to be reckoned with(01:19:37) Paul Goddard - As good as it gets(01:20:01) Mike Houle - Don't Hide the Pain(01:20:26) Vic Weston - Keep movin' forward(01:20:43) Outro and Special Thank YouCONTINUE THE FLIGHTEXPLORE THE LOGBOOKMore stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilots

Operation Midnight Hammer through the eyes of the F-16 Wild Weasel pilots who flew it. This is the firsthand account of the 55th Fighter Squadron and the 20th Fighter Wing. These are the pilots who fly Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses, known as SEAD, the crews who went in first to suppress Iranian air defenses, and the ground support teams who made the mission possible.  Part two covers the mission planning and the thoughts of the pilots and other squadron members when they thought of the upcoming mission to strike Iran's nuclear facilities. Recorded between December 2025 and January 2026, this series preserves the experiences of the people who were there, in their own words.  This is Part 2 of a 3-part series. Have a story? https://theafterburnpodcast.com/contact/ Commonly used Acronyms: https://www.lowdownnews.us/p/operation-midnight-hammer Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) Prep with AFOQT Wingman https://afoqtwingman.com/Code: AFTERBURN for 10% off

On this week's episode of Excelsior Journeys: The Road to Creativity, host & producer George Sirois sits down with bestselling author Kent McInnis. After graduating from Oklahoma State University, Kent served as an Air Force instructor pilot during the Vietnam War, then went into pharmaceutical sales for Westerners International, where he would eventually become chairman. And THEN, with stories from both the Air Force and the medical sales industry, Kent took his lifelong love of writing and became a bestselling novelist. Learn more about Kent by clicking HERE.Excelsior Journeys: The Road to Creativity exists primarily as a platform for creatives of all kinds (authors, filmmakers, stand-up comics, musicians, voice artists, painters, podcasters, etc) to share their journeys to personal success. It is very important to celebrate those voices as much as possible to not only provide encouragement to up-and-coming talent, but to say thank you to the established men & women for inspiring the current generation of artists.If you agree that the Excelsior Journeys podcast serves a positive purpose and would like to show your appreciation, you can give back to the show by clicking HERE.Excelsior Journeys: The Road to Creativity is now a proud member of the Podmatch Podcast Network, and you can access all shows in the network by clicking HERE.

For 100 episodes, The Pilot Project Podcast has explored the world of military and mission aviation through the people who have lived it.In Part 1 of our retrospective series, The Climb, we look back at the making of military aviators.From the first moments that sparked the dream, to the grind of training, the edge of high-performance flying, and the toll service can take even in peacetime, this episode traces the journey behind the wings.These are the moments that shaped them, and the reasons they kept going.CHAPTERS(00:00:00) Intro/Cold open(00:01:31) Act 1: The Spark - Dan McWilliams - First Fighter Flight(00:03:09) Bob Wade - The Wonder of the Golden Hawks(00:03:46) Mike Houle - Hercs Over the Lake(00:05:05) Vince C-Benoit - Wheat Fields in Afghanistan(00:05:57) Rock Veilleux - Gliding with Air Cadets(00:08:44) Act 2: The Grind - Mike Houle - The Firehose(00:09:58) Dan Conway - First Real Doubts(00:10:11) Brian Kilroy - The Pressure Cooker(00:13:38) Pete Musters - P is for Pilot(00:14:17) Dan McWilliams - Owning Mistakes(00:14:45) Jeff Foreman - Scale Change(00:15:09) Dan McWilliams - Fighter Dreams Derailed(00:17:57) Dan Conway - 98% Awesome(00:18:55) Act 3: The Edge - Skye Simpson - The Imposter(00:20:10) Bryan Morrison - The Culture Shock(00:20:53) Rock Veilleux - Flying the Hawk(00:23:08) Brian Kilroy - The Edge of Capability(00:27:19) Skye Simpson - A Stick of Gum(00:29:07) Rock Veilleux - The Ejection(00:37:43) Act 4: The Toll - Dan McWilliams - Twisted Bits of Aluminum(00:38:44) Duncan MacIsaac - How Many Lives Did They Save?(00:40:15) Dan McWilliams - BAM! It Was Over.(00:41:52) Bob Wade - The Weight of Instructing(00:42:43) Rock - The Road to Recovery(00:47:02) CFMAP information(00:47:27) Act 5: Why We Fly - Blake McNaughton - Brothers and Sisters(00:48:23) Jeff Foreman - This is Your Captain Speaking(00:49:00) Blake McNaughton - A Gig Like Nothing Else

This episode was designed for video. Watch this episode for text and graphical explanations: https://youtu.be/EDnLrP_45fk Operation Midnight Hammer through the eyes of the F-16 Wild Weasel pilots who flew it. This is the firsthand account of the 55th Fighter Squadron and the 20th Fighter Wing. These are the pilots who fly Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses, known as SEAD, the crews who went in first to suppress Iranian air defenses, and the ground support teams who made the mission possible.  Part One covers Operation Rough Rider, the air campaign over Yemen in the spring of 2025 that put these pilots into combat months before Iran. What they learned there is the reason they were ready for what came next. Recorded between December 2025 and January 2026, this series preserves the experiences of the people who were there, in their own words.  This is Part 1 of a 3-part series.  Commonly used Acronyms: https://www.lowdownnews.us/p/operation-midnight-hammer  The full one-on-one interview episodes are coming soon to  @afterburnpodcast  Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) Prep with AFOQT Wingman https://afoqtwingman.com/Code: AFTERBURN for 10% off

Retired Lieutenant-Colonel Maryse Carmichael returns to discuss the Snowbirds, the retirement of the CT-114 Tutor, the planned operational pause, and the future of one of Canada's most recognizable aviation teams.In Part 2 of this conversation, Maryse explains what Canadians do not see behind a Snowbirds performance, from months of training and preparation to the trust, discipline, teamwork, and safety culture required to fly nine aircraft in close formation. She also shares powerful stories about the team's impact, including how one airshow inspired a future Snowbirds pilot.Drawing on her experience as both a Snowbirds pilot and former Commanding Officer, Maryse reflects on the team's legacy, the risks of losing hard-earned expertise, and what she hopes the next generation of Snowbirds pilots will inherit.CHAPTERS(00:00:00) Introduction and Episode Overview(00:01:01) The Hidden Work Behind a Snowbirds Airshow(00:06:13) Flying a First Snowbirds Show in Quebec City(00:09:32) Common Misconceptions About the Snowbirds Demonstration Team(00:12:26) Training for Emergencies in a Nine-Jet Snowbirds Formation(00:14:16) How Snowbirds Prepare for Emergencies Before Every Flight(00:15:00) The Snowbirds Mission: Inspiration, Recruitment, and Public Engagement(00:16:04) Inspiring the Next Generation of Canadian Military Pilots(00:17:01) Why the Snowbirds Still Matter After 55 Years(00:17:56) What Makes a Great Snowbird Pilot?(00:19:12) How Pilots Are Assigned Their Snowbirds Positions(00:20:28) How Long It Takes to Build a Snowbird Pilot(00:21:07) The Hardest Skills to Teach a Snowbird Pilot(00:24:47) How Trust Is Built Inside the Snowbirds(00:27:08) Balancing Safety and Spectacle in an Air Demonstration Team(00:28:51) The Story Behind the Snowbirds Heart Maneuver(00:29:44) What Keeps a Snowbirds Commanding Officer Awake at Night(00:33:29) Why the CT-114 Tutor Was the Perfect Demonstration Aircraft(00:34:31) Did Anyone Expect the CT-114 Tutor to Fly for 63 Years?(00:35:38) Saying Goodbye to the CT-114 Tutor(00:37:31) What Canadians Underestimate About the CT-157 Siskin Transition(00:39:10) Lessons from the Red Arrows and Other Aerobatic Teams(00:41:19) The Strongest Argument for a Snowbirds Pause(00:43:25) What Canada Risks Losing During the Snowbirds Pause(00:45:51) The Hardest Snowbirds Skills to Rebuild(00:48:58) What Concerns Snowbirds Alumni Most(00:49:33) What the Snowbirds Alumni Association Wants to See Happen(00:54:24) What the Snowbirds Mean to Maryse Carmichael(00:55:18) What Canadians Should See in Nine Red and White Aircraft(00:55:38) The Legacy Maryse Carmichael Hopes the Next Snowbirds InheritCONTINUE THE FLIGHTMaryse's story begins in Part 1, where she discusses flying the CT-114 Tutor, becoming the first female jet demonstration pilot, and her path to the Snowbirds. Snowbirds: The Pause Part 1: Flying the CT-114 Tutor and Becoming the First Female Jet Demonstration Pilot - Maryse CarmichaelMaryse mentioned our interview with Comd RCAF, Jamie Speiser-BlanchetCommand: The Future Force: Building a Fifth Generation Air Force - Jamie Speiser-Blanchet Maryse also discusses the challenge of preserving specialized aviation expertise during transition, a theme we explored in our SEEDCORN series. Long Range Patrol: The P-8 SEEDCORN Part 1Long Range Patrol: The P-8 SEEDCORN Part 2MORE SNOWBIRDS EPISODESMore Snowbirds episodesEXPLORE THE LOGBOOKMore stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilots

As France and Germany abandon plans for a next-generation fighter aircraft, we assess the possibilities for European governments to build a stronger defence industry. Plus: we join our design editor at the opening day of 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before she commanded the Snowbirds, Maryse Carmichael was a young Air Cadet from Quebec City with a dream of becoming a military pilot. That dream would eventually make her the first woman to fly with the Snowbirds - and the first woman to fly with any jet aerobatic demonstration team in the world.In Part 1, Maryse shares her journey through Air Cadets, flight training in Moose Jaw, instructional flying on the CT-114 Tutor, operational flying with 434 Squadron, VIP operations with 412 Squadron, and serving in Bagotville during the post-9/11 years. Along the way she discusses Exercise RV92, flying with her brother, supporting the Prime Minister, and the experiences that shaped her leadership philosophy.Maryse also reflects on earning a position with the Snowbirds, learning precision formation aerobatics, flying formation inverted, and eventually returning to command 431 Air Demonstration Squadron. It is a story of perseverance, trust, leadership, and one of the most remarkable careers in Canadian military aviation.CONTINUE THE FLIGHTMaryse mentioned our interview with Jamie Speiser-Blanchet. Check it out:https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes/command-the-future-force-jamie-speiser-blanchetIf you're interested in another Snowbirds perspective, check out our interview with Blake McNaughton:https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes/snowbirds-the-unexpected-path-blake-mcnaughtonHEAR MORE SNOWBIRDS EPISODEShttps://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/search?query=snowbirdsEXPLORE THE LOGBOOKMore stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilotshttps://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes

In Part 3, Captain Troy Clarke discusses flight instruction, standards flying, STARS Air Ambulance operations, and his decision to return to the RCAF after leaving military service. 

Captain Troy Clarke shares incredible stories from his time flying the CH-149 Cormorant with 103 Search and Rescue Squadron, including North Atlantic rescues, fatigue lessons, operational pressure, and the realities of SAR flying. 

Enjoyed this episode or the podcast in general? Send me a text message:The Navy's do-everything fighter is heading toward the end of the production line, and the question behind the headlines is bigger than one airplane: what replaces a carrier workhorse when budgets, engineering capacity, and strategy all collide? We dig into the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet story from the moment the Navy needed a lifeline after the Cold War drawdown, the A-12 “Flying Dorito” fiasco, and an aging flight deck that was burning through airframes and maintenance dollars.We walk through the procurement sleight of hand that got the Rhino approved as a “derivative,” then break down what made it a different beast in practice: more internal fuel, more payload flexibility, and the bring-back performance that saves real money and preserves options on the carrier. We also get into the compromises that come with a jack-of-all-trades Navy fighter, including the canted pylons that fix dangerous weapon separation and the early wing-drop problem that nearly killed the program before software and aerodynamic fixes turned it into a low-speed carrier monster.From there, the focus shifts to electronic warfare and modern upgrades. We revisit the ES-3A Shadow and why it disappears despite strong performance, then explain how the EA-18G Growler evolves the carrier air wing from passive listening to integrated electronic attack. Finally, we look at Block III modernization, DTP-N processing power, open architecture “app-like” upgrades, RST-21 passive counter-stealth sensing, and the AIM-174B's long reach, all while F/A-XX funding stalls and service life modification programs keep 1990s airframes alive into the 2040s. Subscribe, share this with a friend who follows naval aviation, and leave a review with your take: is the Super Hornet the last manned Navy fighter, or just the bridge to what comes next?Support the showTo help support this podcast and become a PilotPhotog ProCast member: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1555784/supportIf you enjoy this episode, subscribe to this podcast, you can find links to most podcast streaming services here: PilotPhotog Podcast (buzzsprout.com)Sign up for the free weekly newsletter Hangar Flyingwith Tog here: https://hangarflyingwithtog.com You can check out my YouTube channel for many videos on fighter planes here:https://youtube.com/c/PilotPhotog If you'd like to support this podcast via Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/PilotPhotog And finally, you can follow me on Twitter here:https://twitter.com/pilotphotog

Captain Troy Clarke shares his unconventional path into aviation, from growing up in rural Newfoundland to navigating early flight training struggles, 9/11's impact on the industry, and joining the RCAF.After earning his wings on fast jets, a serious in-flight decompression incident forced him to rethink his career and ultimately transition to helicopters.This episode is all about persistence, setbacks, and finding your path in aviation.

Watch online: https://youtu.be/uvAyxlmpBdk We spent two days in Waco, Texas, inside the L3Harris facility where the Sky Raider II International™ is built. From the beginning, where an 802 Air Tractor enters the production line until it rolls out as Air Force Special Operations Command's newest airplane, the OA-1K Sky Raider II. We dive into what it takes to turn a crop duster into a precision-strike and ISR platform capable of operating from austere environments with only a two-man crew and 6,000 pounds of ordnance. Exclusive access to the production line, the weapons systems, and the people who build and fly it. Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) Prep with AFOQT Wingman https://afoqtwingman.com/Code: AFTERBURN for 10% off

Military pilots bring discipline, leadership, and thousands of hours — but airline interviews test something different. Here is what transitioning aviators need to understand before the hiring process begins. To learn more, visit https://emeraldcoastinterviewconsulting.com/pilot-interview-prep/ Emerald Coast Interview Consulting City: N/A Address: N/A Website: https://emeraldcoastinterviewconsulting.com/ Phone: +1 850 774 6712 Email: support@emeraldcoastprep.com

What drives the passion behind flying and preserving some of the world's most iconic military aircraft? And how can air shows inspire the next generation of aviators, engineers and defence personnel? Find out in this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast as senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by aerobatic pilot and renowned warbird aviation enthusiast Paul Bennet, founder of Paul Bennet Airshows. Fresh from preparation flights for Australia's largest regional air show, Wings Over Shellharbour 2026, Bennet discusses his lifelong passion for aviation, which began with model aircraft and evolving into flying aerobatic aircraft and some of the world's most recognisable warbirds. Bennet operates and flies an extensive collection of historic and aerobatic aircraft, including the Hawker Sea Fury, de Havilland Vampire, F4U Corsair, CAC Wirraway, T-28 Trojan, Grumman Avenger and two Yak-52 aircraft. He maintains the collection while regularly flying Mustang, Kitty Hawk and Hurricane fighters alongside competing in aerobatics and performing internationally. Drawing on decades of experience in aviation operations, aircraft ownership and international air show performances, Bennet discusses the engineering, maintenance and operational realities of preserving historic military aircraft while promoting aviation to future generations. The podcast conversation includes the following topics: The origins of Bennet's passion for aviation, aerobatics and warbird aircraft. Flying characteristics and performance differences between aircraft, including the Sea Fury, Spitfire, Mustang and early jet aircraft such as the Vampire. The operational challenges of maintaining historic military aircraft, including sourcing parts, engineering replacements and preserving authenticity. Australia's warbird preservation community, aviation museums and the importance of supporting historic aircraft collections. The rarity and restoration difficulties associated with Axis aircraft such as the Japanese Zero and German Bf 109. The role of air shows in promoting aviation, defence recruitment and STEM education pathways for young Australians. Comparisons between Australian, US and South Korean air show culture and military participation. Opportunities for collaboration between the defence industry, aviation enthusiasts and advanced manufacturing supply chains in Australia as well as the give and take of working with the Australian Defence Force. Career pathways into aviation, including military aviation, commercial flying, aerobatics and flight instruction. Finally, the discussion explores the future of Australian air shows, the importance of growing aviation engagement nationally, and Bennet's ambitions to continue expanding both his aircraft collection and international air show presence. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Watch this episode on YT: https://youtu.be/8X_ll2FrRIA Beijing confirmed Chinese engineers were at Pakistani air bases supporting J-10CE operations during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. Today we discuss PL-15 & the J-10CE's combat performance data, what China just proved about its export hardware, and what the J-35 deal with Pakistan means now. Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) Prep with AFOQT Wingman https://afoqtwingman.com/Code: AFTERBURN for 10% off

After his time on the Sea King, Niels Olson moved into instructing at 3 CFFTS.In Part 3, he shares what it's like teaching new pilots, working in Standards, and supporting wildfire operations during Op Lentus. From coaching students through complex flying to landing in smoke so thick it turns day into night, this episode shows a different side of military aviation.

Enjoyed this episode or the podcast in general? Send me a text message:The A-10 Warthog was supposed to be done. Too slow, too old, and too exposed for modern wars. Then Operation Epic Fury kicks off and suddenly the most advanced stealth jets run into a problem they can't solve cleanly: small, fast attack boats weaving through commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, plus high-pressure missions that demand hours of persistent overwatch and instant, precise firepower.We walk through how the A-10 Thunderbolt II earns a new nickname, “boat buster,” and why its “weaknesses” become advantages in a medium-threat environment. From AGM-65 Maverick strikes to APKWS rockets and the bone-rattling GAU-8 Avenger cannon, the Warthog's close air support mindset translates into maritime interdiction. We also dig into the most dramatic moment of the operation, the rescue of Dude 44, where A-10s reprise the “Sandy” mission by suppressing enemy forces and coordinating recovery under fire.From there, we get technical: the titanium bathtub, self-sealing fuel tanks, manual reversion, and the engineering realities of firing a cannon so powerful it can threaten your own engines. We explain the refueling challenge created by the KC-46 transition and the rapid fix that adds probe-and-drogue capability, unlocking agile combat employment with C-130 style tankers and lower-altitude refueling below the radar horizon. Finally, we weigh the looming 2030 retirement and the proposed replacements, including what changes when you compare gun time, cost per flight hour, and situational awareness.Subscribe, share this with the aviation nerd in your life, and leave a review if you want more deep dives like this. After listening, what aircraft should we break down next?Support the showTo help support this podcast and become a PilotPhotog ProCast member: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1555784/supportIf you enjoy this episode, subscribe to this podcast, you can find links to most podcast streaming services here: PilotPhotog Podcast (buzzsprout.com)Sign up for the free weekly newsletter Hangar Flyingwith Tog here: https://hangarflyingwithtog.com You can check out my YouTube channel for many videos on fighter planes here:https://youtube.com/c/PilotPhotog If you'd like to support this podcast via Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/PilotPhotog And finally, you can follow me on Twitter here:https://twitter.com/pilotphotog

For episode 100, we have RCAF Commander Lieutenant-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet on some early lessons learned from her career, modernization, global threats, and the future of Canada's Air Force. 

In Part 2 of this conversation, Captain Niels Olson takes us inside his first deployment as a CH-124 Sea King pilot with 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron - and the reality of life at sea that no one fully prepares you for.After completing his training, Niels went almost straight from the Operational Training Unit to deploying aboard HMCS Ottawa. Niels opens up about the moment he realized he might not want to be a maritime helicopter pilot at all, and how he realized he was right where he wanted to be.This episode breaks down what life is really like on board a Royal Canadian Navy frigate - from how helicopters are loaded and maintained at sea, to the realities of food, sleep, and day-to-day routines during long deployments.He also shares the challenges of landing on a moving ship, the steep learning curve of early deployments, and what it takes to adapt and succeed in one of the most unique flying environments in the military.

Captain Niels Olson didn't grow up dreaming of becoming a military pilot. In fact, while living next to CFB Chilliwack as a kid, he remembers watching soldiers train and thinking, “I'm never doing that.”In Part 1, we cover his early life, joining under CEOTP, the long training pipeline, and his first exposure to maritime helicopter operations before even starting flight training. Then we'll get into a high-level look at what life is like at sea with the CH-124 Sea King operating on Royal Canadian Navy frigates.

This week, inside project SEEDCORN: P-8 training, RAF operations, and the future of Canada's long range patrol fleet. In Part 2, Matt and Dylan break down the P-8 Poseidon conversion process, RAF operations, and how SEEDCORN is preparing Canada for the future of long range patrol aviation.They also share real-world operational experiences and what it's like flying from the UK near global hotspots.

In this episode, Capt Matt Chretien and Capt Dylan Gilje-Allan share their journey from early flight training to operational flying on the CP-140 Aurora, leading to their selection for SEEDCORN and transition to the P-8 Poseidon.They discuss flight training challenges, Aurora operations, deployments on Op NEON, and real-world intercepts in the Indo-Pacific.

Cinco Hamilton | 10 Percent True | EP85Former USAF fighter pilot, F-35 test leader, and AI program director Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton joins the show to explain what artificial intelligence actually means for combat aviation. Drawing on his career flying the F-15C, standing up the MC-12 ISR platform, leading F-35 developmental test, and directing the Department of the Air Force–MIT AI Accelerator, Hamilton breaks down the difference between autonomy and AI, how machine learning is being tested in drones like the XQ-58 Valkyrie, and the ethical limits that should never be crossed. The conversation explores whether AI could ever control lethal weapons, how militaries test AI safely through millions of simulations, what AI could do inside aircraft like the F-35, and whether pilots risk becoming deskilled as automation increases. It's a rare inside look at the future of autonomous combat systems from someone who helped build them0:00 Intro teaser – Drawing a Line 2:23 Welcome Cinco and Episode Outline 5:05 Quick Timeline Introduction 12:50 From Eagle to MC-12? 16:46 Outlining AI in Military Aviation and Defence 22:25 Thought Exercise Presentation 30:14 How Do You Ensure the AI Drone Doesn't Hit the Bus? Should There Be Concern? 36:37 The Practicalities of Putting AI in the Driving Seat 40:22 How Nuanced Does AI Have to Be to Be “Good Enough”? 45:00 From Theory to Implementation 50:42 Can It Be That Simple? 53:22 Adversarial Developments and Excluding AI from Nuclear Decision-Making 1:01:00 AI Applications in the F-35 and Whether Loyal Wingman Is Possible Without AI 1:06:45 Deskilling of Operators 1:14:22 Audience Question (Nucks) 1:17:00 Audience Question (Matthew) 1:20:55 Audience Question (Biggles-Tintin) 1:23:20 Unlocking the Last 20% – Why Write It? 1:26:50 Balancing Risk in Test Flying and the Role of Faith 1:33:50 How to Get the Book 1:35:10 Thanks to Cinco (Plus the Callsign Story Bonus!)

Enjoyed this episode or the podcast in general? Send me a text message:The ocean is the perfect place to hide a weapon you never want seen, and nuclear submarines proved it. We follow the moment the US Navy realizes its World War II era anti-submarine warfare playbook can't protect billion-dollar supercarriers anymore, then track the unlikely solution: a compact jet that sounds like a vacuum cleaner and thinks like a computer. The Lockheed S-3 Viking, nicknamed the “Hoover,” isn't built for speed or glamour. It's built to stay out for hours, digest a flood of signals, and keep a carrier battle group alive.We unpack what made the S-3 a leap in carrier-based ASW: the UNIVAC 1832 digital brain, a sensor suite designed for detection and classification, and the tactics that turn chaos into geometry with sonobuoy grids and triangulation. Then we get into the eerie “sixth sense” that closes the loop, the Magnetic Anomaly Detector boom that can confirm a submarine by sensing tiny changes in Earth's magnetic field. If you've ever wondered how naval aviation makes an opaque ocean feel transparent, this is the roadmap.The story doesn't end with the Cold War. We dig into how the Viking mutates into a surface hunter, tanker, COD aircraft, and intelligence platform, plus the wild footnote of “Navy 1” and a presidential carrier landing. Finally, we wrestle with the hard trade that retires a specialist predator in favor of cheaper generalist logistics and what that decision means now that quiet submarines are back in contested seas. Subscribe, share this with an aviation or naval history fan, and leave a review with your take: should a dedicated carrier-based sub hunter return?Support the showTo help support this podcast and become a PilotPhotog ProCast member: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1555784/supportIf you enjoy this episode, subscribe to this podcast, you can find links to most podcast streaming services here: PilotPhotog Podcast (buzzsprout.com)Sign up for the free weekly newsletter Hangar Flyingwith Tog here: https://hangarflyingwithtog.com You can check out my YouTube channel for many videos on fighter planes here:https://youtube.com/c/PilotPhotog If you'd like to support this podcast via Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/PilotPhotog And finally, you can follow me on Twitter here:https://twitter.com/pilotphotog

In the final part of the MSC Baltic III series, Major Pete Wright and Warrant Officer Greg Hudson describe the dramatic rescue itself.After launching from Gander and racing toward the vessel in distress, the CH-149 Cormorant crew arrives on scene and begins the complex task of hoisting sailors from the stricken cargo ship in harsh winter conditions off Newfoundland.Pete explains the challenges of positioning the helicopter over a moving ship in turbulent conditions, while Greg takes listeners inside the rescue itself, describing the demanding work of hoisting survivors from the vessel and coordinating closely with the flight crew above.

In Part 2 of this three-part series on the MSC Baltic III rescue, we continue the conversation with Major Pete Wright and Warrant Officer Greg Hudson as they describe the moment the call came in and the race to launch from 103 Search and Rescue Squadron in Gander.They walk through the early stages of the mission - preparing the CH-149 Cormorant, coordinating the crew, and launching into challenging weather conditions off the coast of Newfoundland.This episode takes listeners inside the cockpit and cabin as the rescue mission begins to unfold.

Before the dramatic MSC Baltic III rescue, years of training and experience prepared the crew. In Part 1, Major Pete Wright and Warrant Officer Greg Hudson share their paths into the RCAF SAR community and the lessons that shaped them. Pete discusses his path to becoming a CH-149 Cormorant pilot, flying with 103 Search and Rescue Squadron in Gander, and lessons learned from an exchange tour with the U.S. Coast Guard. Greg shares how his deployment to Afghanistan and years of specialized training led him to the elite SAR Tech trade. 

In Bro Chat #21, Mike "FLASH" McVeigh, John "RAIN" Waters, Jeff "VADER" Brandon, Jeff "BENDER" Page, and Kevin "KONAN" Parkhurst debate the greatest fighter pilots in American history — and can't fully agree on a single mountain.  Robin Olds is a given. Everything else is up for grabs.  From Royce Williams' classified Korean War sortie to Richard Bong's 40 kills in a P-38, from John Boyd's OODA loop to Eddie Rickenbacker setting the standard in WWI — we make the case, defend the picks, and violently disagree in the comments section. Who did we miss? Drop your Mount Rushmore below Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) Prep with AFOQT Wingman https://afoqtwingman.com/Code: AFTERBURN for 10% off

Major Sam Behm's path to the CC-130J Hercules wasn't straightforward. As we mark International Women's Day and Women in Aviation Worldwide Week, Sam shares how she joined the Canadian Armed Forces under ROTP as a MARS Officer (now Naval Warfare Officer), and determinedly pursued a transfer to the Royal Canadian Air Force when the opportunity to become a pilot reopened. We walk through her flight training on the Grob in Portage la Prairie, the Harvard in Moose Jaw, and the King Air, as well as her time with the Multi-Engine Utility Flight before beginning her career on the Hercules with 436 Transport Squadron.With 2,400 hours across 52 countries and five continents, Sam reflects on building operational experience, earning aircraft command, and what it means to grow into leadership in military aviation.A story of persistence, adaptability, and carving your own path in uniform.

In part 3 of 3, Major Ian Wookey concludes his Afghanistan story. He describes the execution of evacuation operations in Kabul, the pressure faced by aircrews and planners, and the emotional toll of operating in a collapsing environment. As the final flights departed, Ian reflects on the limits of military power, the people left behind, and how those final days continue to resonate long after leaving Afghanistan.

Enjoyed this episode or the podcast in general? Send me a text message:A supercarrier doesn't just vanish for drama; it goes silent to change the fight. We follow the USS Abraham Lincoln as it cuts its transponder, enters emission control, and sprints from the South China Sea toward Iran, transforming from a visible symbol into a hunting platform built for electronic dominance. Along the way, we unpack how stealth aircraft, Growler jamming, and cyber effects turn a carrier strike group into a mobile switch that can dim an adversary's defenses from hundreds of miles out.We draw a straight line from the “electronic curtain” used during the Caracas raid to the calculus now facing Tehran. Iran's anti-access area denial—coastal missiles, layered radars, and long-range shooters—depends on a clean targeting chain. Ghost mode breaks that chain by forcing radars to emit and reveal themselves, giving the Navy the first clear shot in the electromagnetic spectrum. We also revisit the Red Sea's grinding lessons: how static deterrence, bright signatures, and crowded lanes almost broke crews and triggered tragedies, and why the new doctrine is to stop being a target and start being a specter.Now the stakes rise as bombers land in theater, regional fighters spool up, and air defenses shift into position. The Strait of Hormuz narrows the margin for error, where invisibility protects against missiles but complicates navigation among tankers. We share what a potential day-one strike would look like, what Iran's proxies could attempt at sea, and how a critical 72-hour window might define the next phase of global security. If the carrier's lights come back on near a friendly port, deterrence may have worked; if not, the sky could tell the story first.If this deep dive into strategy, electronic warfare, and carrier operations got you thinking, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help others find it. What do you think happens next?Support the showTo help support this podcast and become a PilotPhotog ProCast member: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1555784/supportIf you enjoy this episode, subscribe to this podcast, you can find links to most podcast streaming services here: PilotPhotog Podcast (buzzsprout.com) Sign up for the free weekly newsletter Hangar Flyingwith Tog here: https://hangarflyingwithtog.com You can check out my YouTube channel for many videos on fighter planes here: https://youtube.com/c/PilotPhotog If you'd like to support this podcast via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PilotPhotog And finally, you can follow me on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/pilotphotog

In part 2 of 3, Major Ian Wookey returns to continue his account of Afghanistan's final days. He describes the shift from a controlled drawdown to the sudden collapse of Afghan security forces, the rapidly deteriorating situation in Kabul, and the mounting pressure on the small coalition force that remained behind. 

In part 1 of a 3-part conversation on the fall of Afghanistan, Major Ian Wookey shares his first-hand account of the Afghanistan drawdown, from closing Kandahar Airfield to becoming the last Canadian on the ground.

Major Matt Neri returns for Part 2 to discuss the Outcast 903 accident, lessons learned, recovery, and leadership as CO of 103 SAR Squadron. He also shares how Mattfrom103 became an unexpected platform for education, transparency, and trust in the SAR community. 

Major Matt Neri joins Bryan Morrison for Part 1 of a two-part interview exploring his career in Search and Rescue. Matt shares his early aviation influences, flight training experiences, and first operational tours on the CH-149 Cormorant. From earning his wings to coordinating SAR missions at JRCC Halifax, this episode offers an inside look at the realities of rescue flying and what it takes to lead the busiest SAR squadron in Canada. 

In Part 2 of this Christmas special, Bryan continues his conversation with Captain Anthony Element-Malouin, a CC-130J Hercules pilot with 436 Transport Squadron, focusing on his operational career and leadership journey. Tony talks about returning to flying after being grounded, a demanding 2024 filled with major exercises, and deployments on Op Reassurance.The episode dives into large-scale training events like Battalion Mass Tactical Week, Storm Flag, and Red Flag, crew culture on deployment, and the process of upgrading to Aircraft Commander. Tony also shares what makes Operation Christmas Drop so meaningful and what it's like returning to the mission this year from the left seat. 

Enjoyed this episode or the podcast in general? Send me a text message:The most decisive move in modern air combat doesn't happen at the merge—it happens minutes earlier, when one side quietly builds a picture the other can't see. We explore how the F-35 flips the script from hero pilot dogfights to information-driven dominance, turning stealth, sensors, and networks into time, options, and control. Instead of juggling raw data, the pilot gets a fused view of the battlespace that accelerates decisions and slows the enemy's. That's how first look becomes first shot and often first kill, not by luck but by design.We break down how data fusion converts radar, infrared, and electronic intelligence into a single, evolving track file, freeing the pilot to command the mission rather than manage screens. Stealth then acts as tempo control—managing when and how the jet is seen—to buy precious minutes to listen, classify, and position. From there, geometry takes over: altitude, angle, and emissions discipline set the fight long before a missile leaves the rail. And because the F-35 is a network node, not a solo act, it can pass perfect targeting to the shooter best placed to finish, whether that's another fighter, a ship, or a ground battery.This shift also changes what “skill” means. The jet rewards patience, coordination, and trust in the system, punishing old habits like chasing visual contacts too soon. The psychological effect is real: when an opponent can't find the threat, caution spreads, decisions slow, and initiative drains away. We acknowledge the program's costs and software challenges while focusing on resilience and the trendline toward tighter integration and faster kill chains. If you've ever wondered how information, time, and teamwork now decide air power, this conversation lays out the new playbook.Enjoyed the episode? Follow, share with a friend who loves aviation, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find the show. What part of the modern kill chain surprised you most?Support the showTo help support this podcast and become a PilotPhotog ProCast member: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1555784/supportIf you enjoy this episode, subscribe to this podcast, you can find links to most podcast streaming services here: PilotPhotog Podcast (buzzsprout.com) Sign up for the free weekly newsletter Hangar Flyingwith Tog here: https://hangarflyingwithtog.com You can check out my YouTube channel for many videos on fighter planes here: https://youtube.com/c/PilotPhotog If you'd like to support this podcast via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PilotPhotog And finally, you can follow me on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/pilotphotog

Colonel (Ret) Rob “Trip” Raymond sits down with Flash McVay for one of the most wide ranging fighter pilot interviews ever captured on The Afterburn Podcast. Trip is known across the fighter community for his combat time in the F-16, his leadership as a weapons officer and commander, and, of course, his role in the legendary fighter pilot band Dos Gringos.Become an owner in Winglore Spirits. Invest and join the Squadron here: Winglore Spirits Netcapital: https://netcapital.com/companies/winglorespirits Pick up a bottle of Winglore Whiskey: Supply Winglore Spirits: https://winglorespirits.com/supply Use promo code AFTERBURN2025 for 10 percent off your whiskey order

At just 27 years old, fighter pilot Kim Campbell was flying a combat mission over Baghdad when a barrage of anti-aircraft fire struck her A-10 Warthog. Her hydraulics failed instantly. Ground troops shifted from receiving air support to preparing a rescue. But instead of ejecting, Kim did the unthinkable—manually flying the crippled aircraft for 45 harrowing minutes before landing safely in southern Iraq.That flight earned her the nickname “Killer Chick.” But Kim joins me to share the deeper story, including what trauma taught her about resilience, the preciousness of human life, and the power of teams—lessons that apply far beyond the battlefield, from leadership to family life.Submit a question for or raise your hand join the Listeners Episode:https://forms.gle/yf9aRU7BokGUTAFj6 Learn more about Kim's journey and her book, Flying in the Face of Fear:https://kim-kc-campbell.comContact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.comCheck out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:https://silverliningshandbook.com/Check out our Patreon to support the show at:https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbookJoin our Facebook Group at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-storeVisit The True Crime Times Substack at:https://truecrimemessenger.substack.comThe Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the Afterburn Podcast, host John “Rain” Waters sits down with Vincent “Jell-O” Aiello, former Navy fighter pilot and host of the  @FighterPilotPodcast  for a deep dive into the highs and hardships of naval aviation. From his first spark of inspiration at an airshow to flying over 700 successful carrier landings, Jell-O shares a candid and compelling journey through the world of military flight. They discuss the grit required to survive flight school, the evolution of airmanship and training, and the life-changing experience of attending Top Gun. JJell-O recounts intense moments from deployments aboard the USS George Washington and John F. Kennedy, reflects on the emotional toll of military service, and gives insight into his time flying as an adversary pilot in the F-16. He also opens up about his book, Through the Yellow Visor, and how storytelling plays a crucial role in honoring those who serve. This episode is rich with wisdom on perseverance, mentorship, and what it truly means to be a fighter pilot. Through the Yellow Visor: https://amzn.to/4jaAfc6 Get a signed copy: https://www.fighterpilotpodcast.com/product-page/through-the-yellow-visor

In Episode 133, John “Rain” Waters sits down with F-16 pilot Trent “Teddy” Meisel for a gripping and emotional conversation. Teddy walks us through his journey from small-town Oklahoma to the cockpit of the Viper, including a traumatic ejection over South Korea that nearly cost him his life. "Teddy" is also the founder of  @4th_GenHuntingCo This episode dives into the moment-by-moment chaos of that day in May 2023, when a systems failure during a combat exercise forced him to make the ultimate call—pulling the ejection handle. Teddy reflects on what went wrong, how his training kicked in, and what it's like to come back from an ejection both physically and mentally. Rain and Teddy also discuss the realities of Total Force Integration, life in a Guard unit, and the camaraderie forged through the crucible of flying fighters. Plus, hear how Teddy founded 4th Gen Hunting Co. and how the outdoors became part of his recovery journey. This is more than a story of survival—it's a deep dive into resilience, pilot culture, and the unforgiving nature of modern air combat. 4th GenHuntingCo: https://www.4thgenhuntingco.com/