Retired USAF Col. “KC” shared incredible moments from her journey as an A-10 pilot, showcasing bravery, determination, and grit. Some highlights include: The Lucky Rabbit’s Foot and a Baghdad Mission KC recounts a harrowing close air support mission over Baghdad in 2003. Battling poor visibility, she and her flight lead responded to a desperate call for help. Diving under the clouds, she targeted enemies beneath a bridge amid chaos. Her […]
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Join us for part two with RobRoy! Hear about his Naval Academy days, life aboard a carrier, landing a C-2 Greyhound, his YouTube channel, FlyBuyer.com, and his final Navy tour. Don’t miss this engaging pilot-to-pilot conversation!
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Rob Roy’s path to becoming a Navy pilot started with inspiration from watching Top Gun as a child. Coming from a non-military background, he navigated the path to military aviation on his own, attending the U.S. Naval Academy and graduating in 2011. After completing Aviation Pre-flight Indoctrination in Pensacola, he trained in the T-34 and T-45, before Selecting C-2 Greyhounds, used for carrier onboard delivery. Rob’s journey included deployments, experiences […]
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General Jay shares an intense aviation experience during Desert Storm. While on a KC-135 mission, his aircraft suddenly rolled sharply left and right, resulting in the detachment of two engines. The unexpected maneuver was later attributed to wake turbulence from another plane, which caused severe G-forces that sheared the bolts holding the engines. Despite losing power on one side and handling significant challenges, including hydraulic issues and fuel loss, the […]
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In this episode, G. brings listeners along a remarkable journey from piloting the A-10 Warthog to operating drones in combat. One story that stands out is the transition to remotely piloted aircraft after a neck injury. When introduced to the world of RPAs, she faced the unique challenges of flying remotely and adapting to drone camera interfaces, something very different from a traditional cockpit. Her experience highlights the adaptability required […]
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RePete and Fig are joined by “G,” a highly experienced pilot who instructed in both the T-37 and T-38, flew the A-10 Warthog (Thunderbolt), and operated the Reaper. She shares her remarkable journey into aviation. “G” recounts how she initially pursued the military without knowing much about it, joining Air Force ROTC and landing a pilot slot after what was initially thought to be a medical disqualification turned out to […]
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Bart shares the thrilling journey of his military service, beginning with a long flight from Japan to Saudi Arabia due to overflight restrictions. He humorously recalls the camaraderie and memorable moments with fellow officers during training. Upon arriving in Iraq, Bart’s experience takes an unexpected turn as he navigates logistical challenges, including a less-than-welcoming committee. The stakes heighten as Bart recounts his first combat missions, filled with adrenaline and unpredictability. […]
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Bart takes us through some gripping moments from his Marine Corps career, starting with his during a change of command in Iraq. He talks about using the advanced Targeting Pod, known as the Litening Pod. Bart shares stories of operating early versions of the Litening pod and Lasing targets for Hornets on bombing missions, highlighting the technological advancements of the time. He recounts taking command of the 542 squadron in […]
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In this episode, we speak with Bart, a retired two-star general and Harrier pilot, as he shares his incredible journey from discovering his passion for aviation through ROTC to his experiences in the Gulf War, where he was shot down and taken prisoner. Bart recounts humorous anecdotes from flight school, the challenges of flying Harriers, and the camaraderie of military life. He reflects on the impact of his service, advocacy […]
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This week on So There I Was, we continue our conversation with retired Marine Colonel and aviator extraordinaire, Baron. He shares how his career progressed after his initial experiences in the Iranian desert, covering his involvement in the development of the Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructor program. Baron recounts his journey back to Yuma, where he eventually became the commanding officer of HMM-361. He also discusses his time as […]
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