Retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General John "Dragon" Teichert knows leadership. As an F-15E Strike Eagle and F-22 Raptor pilot early on, Dragon went on to multiple command tours before concluding his 27-year-career as the Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force for International Affairs. Along the way, he championed inspirational, innovative, integrity-filled leadership that culminated in a 2024 run for the U.S. Senate . Check out Dragon's book, Boom! Leadership that Breaks Barriers, ...
Apr 01, 2024•2 hr 2 min
Scott Dworkin won't take "no" for an answer. As a fighter pilot-hopeful, Scott encountered roadblocks that forced him to pivot to aviation photography and eventually aviation photojournalism, where he went on to fly in most U.S Air Force and many U.S. Navy aircraft, without ever wearing the uniform. Today, Scott is the genius behind Mach 91 Aerial Photography and the author of this generation's greatest #navalaviation book, Becoming the Rhino . For financial planning questions or assistance, con...
Mar 25, 2024•2 hr 7 min•Ep. 183
'On Future War' is a 12-part series exploring the evolving landscape of military strategy and defense technologies with a focus on the Pacific. On this month's episode Scott "Roger" Chafian, Mike "Pako" Benitez, and Matt "Flounder" Arny explore the strategic and controversial world of China's man-made island bases including the historical locations, construction strategies, and strategic intent of these so-called "unsinkable carriers.” Brought to you by Authentic Media with the support of Cubic ...
Mar 18, 2024•1 hr
Former U.S. Air Force F-15E WSO Mike "Pako" Benitez describes how future fighter pilots will train alongside (and go to war with) unmanned 'collaborative combat aircraft', sometimes also known as 'loyal wingmen.' Subscribe to Pako's newsletter, 'The Merge' here . Check out 'The Merge' on YouTube here . For financial planning questions or assistance, contact Zach Mindel at zmindel@forumfinancial.com , (630) 474-3599, or visit https://www.forumfinancial.com/profile/zachary-mindel/ Zach Mindel, CFP...
Mar 11, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 186
Guest host Ken 'Primetime' Katz returns with his first foray into warbirds, exploring the venerable Douglas C-47 Skytrain (plus its many derivatives) and the role it played in the pivotal D-Day invasions of World War II with guests Eric Zipkin and Moreno 'Mo' Aguiari. Visit the DC-3 Society here . Watch Into Flight Once More on Amazon Prime here . For financial planning questions or assistance, contact Zach Mindel at zmindel@forumfinancial.com , (630) 474-3599, or visit https://www.forumfinancia...
Mar 04, 2024•1 hr 33 min
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Jim "Boone" Jamison describes being a Presidential Command Pilot with HMX-1 during the Reagan and Bush 1 presidencies. For financial planning questions or assistance, contact Zach Mindel at zmindel@forumfinancial.com , (630) 474-3599, or visit https://www.forumfinancial.com/profile/zachary-mindel/ Zach Mindel, CFP®, i s a Financial Advisor with Forum Financial Management, a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Neither specia...
Feb 26, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 185
'On Future War' is a 12-part series exploring the evolving landscape of military strategy and defense technologies with a focus on the Pacific. On this inaugural episode, Mike "Pako" Benitez and Scott "Roger" Chafian set the stage by delving into the challenges posed by technologies (including cruise- and hypersonic missiles) to power projection and the sustainability of forward deployed bases in modern, peer-level conflicts. Brought to you by Authentic Media with the support of Cubic Defense . ...
Feb 19, 2024•1 hr 36 min
Planning, briefing, executing per standard operating procedures (SOPs) while using checklists, and then debriefing--these are some of the best practices military aviators routinely employ to ensure safe, effective operations whether in combat or in training. This week, former U.S. Navy and Air National Guard pilot Yarko "J.J." Sos and Navy RIO-turned-WSO Keith "Kombat" Kimmel explain these best practices and how their company, Check 6 , adapts these practices to other consequential industries. F...
Feb 12, 2024•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 179
Art Palmer is a child of the dust bowl and self-admitted "hobo" who joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and piloted B-24 Liberators during World War II. Art's plane was shot down on his 50th mission and he spent the remainder of the war as a German prisoner. Now, at 104-year-young, Art shares his recollections with guest host Matt "Flounder" Arny, proving why his truly was the Greatest Generation . To read the book of stories and prisoner poems compiled by Art's late wife, visit our Patreon page . Fo...
Feb 05, 2024•1 hr 24 min
Former U.S. Air Force pilot Jeff "Guinnbob" Guinn and navigator Kevin "Rim" Allen describe their participation in Operation Desert Storm flying F-111Es out of Turkey. For financial planning questions or assistance, contact Zach Mindel at zmindel@forumfinancial.com , (630) 474-3599, or visit https://www.forumfinancial.com/profile/zachary-mindel/ Zach Mindel is a Financial Advisor with Forum Financial Management, a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Neither ...
Jan 29, 2024•2 hr 6 min•Ep. 183
"Do you have to be good at math to be a fighter pilot?" On this episode, the host Vincent Aiello shares a September 2020 blog addressing this question, providing examples of the common math concepts fighter pilots must be able to master. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations
Jan 22, 2024•11 min
Hal Sundt author of Warplane, How the Military Reformers Birthed the A-10 Warthog describes the origination story of the close air support aircraft the U.S. Air Force never wanted but pilots and ground troops came to love. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations
Jan 15, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 182
Every year we feature the hard working men and women of NORAD who tirelessly monitor threats all year long and then, on December 24th, add the mission of tracking Santa. Enjoy this 2022 update on the NORAD Santa Tracker program featuring then-U.S. Air Force Gen. Glen VanHerck, the Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. James Porterfield, the NORAD and NORTHCOM Senior Enlisted Leader And Merry Christmas from all of us here at...
Dec 24, 2023•7 min
Situational awareness. Confidence. Teachability and ability to teach. ...wait, helpful? Ever stop and think about the traits that make a 'good' member of your industry? This week, host Vincent Aiello continues the "audio musing" show format with the narration of a 2019 musing on the Fighter Pilot Podcast blog inspired by a question posed during a live YouTube session. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations...
Dec 18, 2023•13 min
More than 81,000 American service members remain listed as 'missing in action' from conflicts dating back to World War 2. This week, retired U.S. Marine Derek Abbey, PhD, explains how Project Recover enlists 21st century science and technology to find and repatriate those missing in order to provide recognition and closure for families and the nation. As a podcast listener, enjoy a $300 savings when you upgrade your inexpensive suit cases to all aluminum travel cases with Sterling Pacific . Supp...
Dec 11, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 181
“December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy...” are among the most famous words spoken by a United States President and have reverberated every year on this day for more than eight decades. On this special bonus from 2021, author Bert Kinzey of Detail and Scale Aviation Publications explains the significance of the attack and what took place on that fateful Sunday morning. Having conducted extensive research for his book Attack On Pearl Harbor, Japan Awakens a Sleeping Giant , Bert giv...
Dec 07, 2023•1 hr 15 min
People are often quick to comment on the Fighter Pilot Podcast's various social media channels that the Navy does not fly F-16s. Wrong. This week, host Vincent Aiello shares another article from the Fighter Pilot Podcast blog , this one from 2019 describing how we can all do a better job of avoiding being wrong and reacting when we inevitably are. Find the original musing here . Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations...
Dec 04, 2023•8 min
Retired U.S. Navy F/A-18 pilot Jack "Farley" Stewart explains who "adversary" pilots are, what they do, how TOPGUN trains them, and why it is vital to have professional adversaries (or "aggressors," as the U.S. Air Force calls them). Be sure to check out Farley's exciting first novel, Unknown Rider . Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations...
Nov 27, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 180
Hollywood portrays fighter pilots as devil-may-care risk takers and rule breakers intolerant to authority. Is that true in the real world? This week, host Vincent Aiello shares another article from the Fighter Pilot Podcast blog , this time identifying the top 10 myths about military aviators and why they are wrong. Find the original 2021 musing here . Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations...
Nov 20, 2023•17 min
You've heard of audio books, what about audio blogs? This week, host Vincent Aiello introduces a new show format where he narrates one of the articles on the Fighter Pilot Podcast blog . This first edition is from a December 2022 musing titled, How to Succeed in Flight School? Don't Ask Me! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations...
Nov 13, 2023•11 min
The Fighter Pilot Podcast would not be possible without the support of the hundreds of veterans who served both in uniform and, in this case, in the studio. To those who have served: happy Veterans Day and thank you, from a grateful nation. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations
Nov 11, 2023•5 min
On this 2020 'Happy Hour,' Yonel "Yogi" Dorelis describes a career in aviation that spanned all four branches: Marines, Navy, Army, and lastly Air Force where he spent the majority of his service as a combat search and rescue helicopter pilot. (The Space Force did not yet exist when Yogi served.) Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations
Nov 06, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 179
This week, guest cohost Ken 'Primetime' Katz turns the tables on our usual host Vincent 'Jell-O' Aiello, asking him to explain his role at the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest and what it is like to fly a post-maintenance check flight in F/A-18 Hornets. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations
Oct 30, 2023•1 hr 34 min
U.S. Navy F/A-18 pilot Joe "Jamboy" Kirksey, a career LSO currently serving as "Force Paddles" at the Chief of Naval Air Forces in San Diego, explains the history of LSOs assisting fixed-wing aircraft on aircraft carriers, how LSOs are trained and whether they and their grading methods are still necessary with the advent of Precision Landing Mode. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations...
Oct 23, 2023•2 hr 5 min•Ep. 178
Retired U.S. Navy Captain J.J. "Yank" Cummings joins FPP cohost Matt "Flounder" Arny to talk Tomcats, flight school, surface warfare, nuclear power, Top Gun: Maverick , and above all, how to lead when in charge of the first ship in a new class of aircraft carriers that has had its share of bad press. Visit jjcummingsleadership .com to learn more about Yank and his exploits since leaving uniform service. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations...
Oct 16, 2023•1 hr 47 min
Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Evan "Ivan" Thomas joins cohost Ken "Primetime" Katz to discuss the Stratolaunch Roc —the world's largest aircraft initially designed to haul space vehicles into the upper atmosphere that instead found purpose providing commercial "access to the hypersonic" environment. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations...
Oct 09, 2023•1 hr 26 min
MCAS Miramar-based Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 101 closes its doors after 50+ years of teaching U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators first in the F-4 Phantom and then the F/A-18 Hornet. On this episode, the final VMFAT-101 Commander, LtCol Ryan "Yoshi" Franzen and the -101 Operations Officer Maj Erik "Tucker" Rheinhart share the Sharpshooter history and legacy, and what's next for USMC F/A-18 training. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations...
Oct 02, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 172
On this repurposed 2021 'Happy Hour' discussion, retired U.S. Marine Lieutenant Colonel Larry "Racehorse" Rannals describes his career beginning as a Naval Flight Officer before converting to pilot via Air Force flight training and flying the RF-4 in Vietnam--in both seats! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations
Sep 25, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 172
Robert Dosé was a World War 2 fighter pilot who downed an Imperial Japanese aircraft. Thirty years later, his son Curtis downed a Vietnamese MiG-21, making them the only father-son duo to each achieve aerial victories in combat. "Dozo," as Curt is known, joins us this week to describe the May 10, 1972 engagement and reconciliation with his former enemy 40+ years later. A TOPGUN graduate and test pilot, Dozo also performed much of the aircraft carrier suitability testing on the F-14 Tomcat. Suppo...
Sep 11, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 175
Nelson "Ed" Cobleigh is a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and Vietnam veteran-turned author who flew the A-4 Skyhawk, F-4 Phantom, Jaguar, F-104 Starfighter, and F-16 Fighting Falcon, among others. This episode is adapted from a 2022 'Happy Hour' discussion over Zoom. Visit Ed's website here . Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations...
Aug 21, 2023•49 min•Ep. 174
