Author: sothereiwas

Buckle up for a wild ride with A-10 Warthog pilots T-Dub and Quintana! From dodging bureaucracy to dodging bullets, these two bring hilarious and jaw-dropping combat stories straight from the cockpit. Hear about strafing tanks in Iraq, the legendary Kandahar Unicorn, and why British Special Forces will obliterate anyone who messes with their dog. Expect fighter pilot pranks, piddle pack nightmares, and some highly questionable call signs. Oh, and did […]

From ‘Worm’ to ‘Wolfy’: A wild ride through a career in Naval Aviaton What happens when a determined young man with a dream of flying almost misses his shot—only to have fate (and a sharp-eyed Naval Officer) step in? Wolfy joins us to share his incredible journey: from nearly missing his chance to serve, to nailing the perfect interview, to never, ever quitting. Along the way, he’ll crack you up […]

JTAC Combat Stories with Black Rifle Coffee’s JT This week, So There I Was takes a wild turn as we welcome JT—combat veteran, Air Force JTAC, and co-founder of Black Rifle Coffee Company. Not only is he a certified badass, but he also runs a fund to support veterans and first responders—because great coffee and great causes go hand in hand. Surviving JTAC Training & Dodging Bullets JT shares insane […]

Lucky may be the most fitting callsign ever. On September 11, 2001, she and her squadron were caught off guard—just like the rest of the nation. Thrust into an unprecedented mission, they had to adapt and overcome in real-time. In this gripping firsthand account, hear how Lucky responded to the attacks, the challenges she faced, and why she still believes they failed that morning. This episode delivers a powerful inside […]

This week on So There I Was, we sit down with Dan from the Danger Close podcast—an active-duty ATC Tower Controller with a wealth of experience keeping the skies safe. Dan takes us inside the tower, where every day is a mix of routine operations, high-pressure moments, and the occasional heart-stopping emergency. Ever wondered what really happens when pilots mess up on the radio? Or how controllers handle everything from […]

Double-L comes back to chat with us about firefighting from the air! This episode takes an in-depth look at the dangers and challenges of aerial firefighting, featuring returning guest, Double-L. The discussion kicks off with his harrowing experiences flying C-130s through valleys engulfed in flames, emphasizing the immense risks pilots face. He shares firsthand accounts of Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems (MAFFS), strategies for containing wildfires, and the high-stakes decisions made […]

This week, A-10 pilot Soup shares the untold story of leading the first mission into Afghanistan during Operation Anaconda. Navigating chaotic airspace without deconfliction in a high-stakes “knife-fight in a phone booth” battlespace, Soup delivers gripping accounts of close air support, critical decisions, and coordinating dozens of aircraft to protect troops on the ground. This episode dives into leadership, resilience, and the ingenuity of combat aviation, showcasing life-or-death stakes and […]

Shyster joins us to talk about flying Marine Attack helicopters after being told by the recruiter, “The Air Force is down the hall.” After combat deployments, Shyster found himself at HMX-1 – The Presidential lift squadron – and one fateful morning in September when the world turned upside-down, Shyster was right there at the highest levels of our government watching and working in the highest-stress crisis management of his life. […]

Some of the best stories of 2024. May you have a blessed and happy 2025. We’re thrilled you’re with us and we only ask that you please share the show with friends. Each chapter of this show lists the episode from which the story was taken. Check Six!