Author: sothereiwas

Former U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer Jason “Quinny” Quinn shares the harrowing story behind the Distinguished Flying Cross he earned after saving five people from a burning ship in the Bering Sea. With only one helicopter and 26 people reported in the water, Quinn was deployed near the vessel Galaxy as it rolled violently in 25-foot seas. Swimming close to massive propellers and through smoke and flames, he rescued survivor […]

In this unforgettable episode of So There I Was, Howie Franklin—the only steward to serve five U.S. Presidents aboard Air Force One—joins us for an incredible deep dive into presidential history. With unmatched humor, insight, and warmth, Howie shares behind-the-scenes stories about Presidents Clinton, Reagan, Carter, Bush, and Ford. From rock-and-roll boombox diplomacy to emotional moments following family loss, Howie paints a vivid portrait of the human side of leadership. […]

In this episode, Howie Franklin, the only flight steward to serve five U.S. Presidents aboard Air Force One, joins us with jaw-dropping stories from a life lived at the center of American history. It kicks off with a story with former Marine Commandant General Krulak and quickly dives into Howie’s early days — from rubbing elbows with celebs on Fire Island to working in elite kitchens as a teenager. Drafted […]

In this high-speed, low-altitude ride of So There I Was, the guest—a decorated WSO in both the F-111 Aardvark and F-15E Strike Eagle—shares some of the most intense moments of his flying career. He takes us over the Nevada desert at Mach 1.3 and just 100 feet above ground level. He recalls near-misses, like narrowly avoiding an A-10 while threading a ridge line. The thrill of tactical aviation comes through […]

In August 2017, about 100 miles west of Key West, a Yort found himself in a tense moment during what was supposed to be a routine intercept mission. After being redirected to the Phantom airspace, he learned an aircraft might have gone down—a chilling way for any aviation story to turn serious.  That moment of uncertainty launched a gripping tale that unfolds with career-spanning insights into military aviation. From childhood […]

From a kid watching F-16s in Albuquerque to flying the legendary AV-8B Harrier, Warren’s journey into Marine Corps aviation is packed with twists, challenges, and near-disasters. It all started with a recruiter’s dare and his mother’s skepticism—fueling his path from Navy ROTC to the cockpit of one of the most unique aircraft in military aviation. But the road to the sky wasn’t easy. Warren overcame a broken leg in flight […]

🎙️Episode 150: Fast Eddie Ed Cobleigh—Fighter Pilot & Aviation Adventure Author Strap in for a high-speed, low-drag episode as we welcome “Fast Eddie” Ed Cobleigh—fighter pilot, weapons instructor, and best-selling aviation author. If you’ve ever dreamed of pulling 5 Gs, dodging bureaucracy, and outmaneuvering enemy fire, this episode puts you right in the cockpit. Fast Eddie shares pulse-pounding tales, from weaving through the fog over Loch Ness (yes, with an […]

This week on So There I Was, Jeff & Jay Moss join us to share their unique journeys as Army attack pilots and men of faith. From the cockpit to the home front, their paths have been shaped by battlefield decisions and life’s toughest challenges—the kind that test both the body and the soul. Jeff has faced the crucible of war. Jay has forged his own path, carrying on the […]