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 epi…

In this episode, Captain Troels “TEO” Vang joins The Afterburn Podcast host, John “Rain” Waters. As one of the most experienced F-16 pilots in the Royal Danish Air Force, TEO offers an in-depth look into the life of a European Viper driver with more than two decades of combat aviation experience. From missions over Libya, Iraq, Syria, and the Balti…

In Part V of the SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) series, host Mike “Flash” McVay sits down once again with A-10 pilot Ridge "Kelso" Flick to dive deep into the critical role the Warthog plays in SEAD and close air support operations. Drawing from his extensive experience flying the A-10 in hostile environments, Kelso shares insights into h…

🔺Lowdown Newsletter - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺 In this packed episode of The Lowdown, host John “Rain” Waters breaks down a wide range of developments in global military aviation and defense strategy. From General Kane’s anticipated confirmation as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the strategic forward positioning of B-2 bombers…

Mike “Flash” McVay welcomes seasoned fighter pilot Sham “Vandal” Mann to break down the evolution of the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses mission in the Viper community. From crafting airplanes out of bobby pins as a toddler to executing real-world SEAD missions over Baghdad, this guest’s career spans decades of pivotal moments in combat aviation.…

Through the Yellow Visor: https://amzn.to/4jaAfc6 Get a signed copy: https://www.fighterpilotpodcast.com/product-page/through-the-yellow-visor In this short promo episode, host John “Rain” Waters highlights an exciting new release from fellow aviator and podcast host Vincent “Jell-O” Aiello, founder of the Fighter Pilot Podcast. Jell-O’s new book o…

In this episode of the Afterburn Podcast, we continue our Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) series hosted by Mike “Flash” McVay. Our guest, Sonny “Blink” Blinkinsop, brings decades of Wild Weasel experience to the table — from Vietnam-era air combat tactics to F-16 SEAD missions during Operation Allied Force. Blink dives into the mindset shi…

In this episode of the Afterburn Podcast, host Mike "Flash" McVay continues the exploration of the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) in Part II of the series. Joined by Pat “Curly” Pence, they delve into the evolution of the Wild Weasel mission during Operation Desert Storm. Curly recounts his progression from pilot training to becoming a Wi…

In this episode of the Afterburn Podcast, Mike “Flash” McVay hosts Leonard “Lucky” Ekman and Jim “Gringo” Webster, two original Wild Weasel fighter pilots from Vietnam, as they share firsthand experiences and insights from their military careers. This is Part I of the five-part Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) Series. The discussion follows …

The Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) mission has evolved alongside the development of Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) systems. In this episode of The Lowdown, host Mike "Flash" McVay takes a deep dive into the history and advancements of SAM technology, from its early origins to today’s modern, highly integrated air defense networks. 🛡️ How di…

🔺 Grab our free newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺 In this week’s Lowdown on The Afterburn Podcast, we cover the Korean F-16 bombing mishap, the Air Force grounding KC-46 tankers, Ukraine’s new GBU-39 bomb strikes, and Russia’s Su-57 stopping in Iran. From defense industry failures…

The Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) mission, better known as the Wild Weasel mission, has been a critical component of air warfare since Vietnam. In this special five-part series, host Mike "Flash" McVay explores the evolution of SEAD from its early days in Rolling Thunder to Desert Storm, Kosovo, and today’s modern air battles. 🛫 Become a…

In this episode of The Afterburn Podcast, he reflects on his time in 3rd Ranger Battalion, the intense urban warfare of Black Hawk Down. Recently, Brad was featured in Netflix’s Surviving Black Hawk Down. #blackhawkdown Brad takes us inside the realities of special operations, how gear and tactics evolved, and the raw, unfiltered truth about Mogadi…

🔺 Lowdown Newsletter Defense & Aviation - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺 The U.S. Navy’s USS Harry S. Truman was struck by a merchant vessel in the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s air exercise featured JF-17s, Rafales, F-16s, and F-15s, showcasing multinational airpower. A drone strike at Chernobyl punctured the protective dome over …

In this episode of The Afterburn Podcast, Mike “Flash” McVay sits down with Col (Ret) Derek "Woody" Oaks, a pilot who made the rare transition from flying C-130 to the A-10. Woody shares his experiences flying combat missions, the challenges of transitioning between vastly different airframes, and the leadership lessons he learned throughout his Ai…

🔺 Lowdown Newsletter Defense & Aviation - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺 This week on The Lowdown, we break down the biggest headlines in defense and aviation. The Marine Corps is shifting its F-35 fleet, cutting planned F-35B purchases in favor of more carrier-based F-35Cs. The Air Force has built a Frankenstein F-35—merging two damaged jets…

🔺 Grab our free newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter This week on The Lowdown, we break down the latest aviation and defense stories. An F-35 crashed in Alaska, but the pilot ejected safely. Meanwhile, Iran has secured a deal to purchase Su-35 fighters from Russia, adding to its aging …

In this episode of the Afterburn Podcast, we dive into the mystery surrounding Malaysian Airlines Flight 370. The disappearance of MH370 remains a mystery. In this episode, former fighter pilot and current 777 pilot John 'Rain' Waters interviews aviation expert and author Jeff Wise on the mysterious disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370.…

In this episode of the Afterburn Podcast, Colonel G. Hall Sebren Jr., Deputy Commander of the Air Force Sustainment Center, discusses the critical role of aircraft maintenance in the U.S. Air Force. He shares insights on the challenges of maintaining fighter jets like the F-16, the importance of communication between operations and maintenance team…

🔺 Grab our free newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter This week on The Lowdown, we cover some of the biggest stories in aviation and defense. The A-10 Warthogs that were stranded overseas are finally home. We take a look at the MiG-29 for our Threat of the Day. Meanwhile, the F-22 Rapto…

Join host John 'Rain' Waters as he sits down with recently retired Lt. Gen. Dan ‘Razin’ Caine, former Associate Director for Military Affairs at the CIA and F-16 Fighter pilot. In this episode, Lt. Gen. Caine reflects on his incredible journey from flying F-16s in the Air National Guard to leading special operations missions and working at the high…

In this episode, Jeff "Vader" Brandon, Jeff "Bender" Page, and John "Rain" Waters rejoin for a fighter pilot "bro chat" to cover various military topics, including the humorous aspects of military life, the complexities of awards and recognition, the hiring and training processes for fighter pilots, the escalation of global conflicts, and the impor…

🔺 Grab our free newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺 In this week’s episode of The Lowdown, John 'Rain' Waters explores the integration of China’s HQ-22 surface-to-air missile system into Serbia’s air defense. Known as the 'Red Banner,' this advanced missile system is capable of targ…

Watch Hollywood Gate at jolt.film/3N97E99 IG: @IbrahimNSHT IG: @joltfilm | https://www.facebook.com/joltspacefilm Documentary filmmaker Ibrahim Nash’at joins The Afterburn Podcast to share the extraordinary story behind Hollywood Gate, his harrowing year embedded with the Taliban during their rise to power in Afghanistan. Gain unparalleled insights…

“Toad’s” Layman Geopolitics https://laymangeopolitics.substack.com/p/navigating-the-syrian-labyrinth 🔺 Grab our free newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter In this episode of the Afterburn podcast, the "Flash" McVay hosts "Toad" Williamson and "Zero" Fox. Both "Toad" and "Zero" are intel…

🔺 Lowdown Newsletter your insight into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺 Join John 'Rain' Waters, former Air Force fighter pilot, on The Afterburn Podcast as he sits down with Captain (Ret) Chad "Vinny" Vincelette, a retired Navy F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 fighter pilot, to share his experiences during his time i…

🔺 Grab our free newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter . In this week’s episode, we dive into the latest global defense and aviation updates: Turkey’s renewed push for F-35s and its shifting modernization plans, Russia’s experimental Oreshnik missile test, and a closer look at Iran’s Sha…

In this episode 120 of the @AfterburnPodcast host John 'Rain' Waters as he sits down with Kyle Rempfer, a former Combat Controller in the U.S. Air Force and current Washington Post journalist. In this episode, Kyle shares his journey from special operations to the newsroom, recounting stories from the battlefield and insights from his journalism ca…

🔺 Grab our free newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter . This conversation covers a range of significant military and geopolitical topics, including the enduring legacy of the B-52 bomber, the emergence of China's DF-26 missile as a strategic threat, the implications of recent espionage …

Su-57 Mocked By Chinese Airshow Attendees: https://youtu.be/J_w2JttD944 Free Lowdown newsletter for insights into aviation and defense: https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter In this episode of The Lowdown, we dive into the latest military aviation and geopolitical developments. We discuss the Su-57 or rather the T-50 that made an appearance in China, …

Retired Navy fighter pilot Seamus "Flats" Flatley joins @AfterburnPodcast for an episode that dives deep into Naval Aviation. Join Mike "Flash" McVay as he discusses with "Flats" a wide range of topics from the F-14 Tomcat's evolution into an Air-to-Ground platform, his experiences as a Forward Air Controller (FAC-A) during Operation Iraqi Freedom,…

Free Lowdown newsletter for insights into aviation and defense: https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🎙️ Sponsor Links🎙️ Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | https://aura.com/afterburn 14-day free trial. 🇺🇸 Support Veterans in Their Time of Need or Apply for Help: http://gunsgarin.com/rain 🇺🇸 In this episode of The Lowdown, we dive i…

In this episode of the Afterburn Podcast, John "Rain" Waters sits down with Jon "Muttley" Behuniak, a seasoned Army aviator. They dive into the intense realities of helicopter operations, sharing experiences from a recent mission in Asheville that demanded quick thinking and precision. They explore the roles within the Army National Guard, emphasiz…

Join John Waters as he hosts this episode of the Afterburn Podcast with his guest, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Alex "Malibu" Grandahl. In this episode, Alex "Malibu" Grandahl shares his journey from aspiring race car driver to Army aviator, detailing the challenges he faced along the way, including setbacks in his military recruitment process…

Free Lowdown newsletter for insights into aviation and defense: https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🎙️ Sponsor Links🎙️ Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | https://aura.com/afterburn 14-day free trial. 🇺🇸 Support Veterans in Their Time of Need or Apply for Help: http://gunsgarin.com/rain 🇺🇸 In this episode of The Lowdown, we dive i…

Free Lowdown newsletter for insights into aviation and defense: https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🎙️ Sponsor Links🎙️ Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | https://aura.com/afterburn 14-day free trial. 🇺🇸 Support Veterans in Their Time of Need or Apply for Help: http://gunsgarin.com/rain 🇺🇸 In this episode of The Lowdown, we dive i…

Free Lowdown newsletter for insights into aviation and defense: https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🎙️ Sponsor Links🎙️ Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | https://aura.com/afterburn 14-day free trial. 🇺🇸 Support Veterans in Their Time of Need or Apply for Help: http://gunsgarin.com/rain 🇺🇸 🛫 Become a Fighter/Bomber/Cargo/Tanker/RP…

This is part three of a multi-series episode recorded on-site at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, TN. In this episode, Kevin Shipp, a seasoned expert with 16 years of experience at the Y-12 National Security Complex, discusses the critical role of Y-12 in the United States' nuclear deterrence strategy. From disassembling Cold War-er…

Free Lowdown newsletter for insights into aviation and defense: https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🎙️ Sponsor Links🎙️ Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | https://aura.com/afterburn 14-day free trial. 🇺🇸 Support Veterans in Their Time of Need or Apply for Help: http://gunsgarin.com/rain 🇺🇸 In this week's lowdown, we discuss variou…

This is part two of a multi-series episode recorded on-site at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, TN. In this episode, we sit down with Gene Sievers, who is the Site Manager at Y-12 National Security Complex and retired Navy Captain. The Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is a site that plays a crucial ro…

“Stab” Holmes — father, loving husband, and F-16 fighter pilot in the D.C. Guard. — In August, he was diagnosed with an incurable tumor that grows in the brain stem, making surgery almost impossible. An attempt to remove the cancer was made but was unsuccessful. As you might imagine, there is a long list of expenses that rack up, from treatment to …

Oak Ridge, TN. In this episode, Dr. Martin Williamson sits down to discuss nuclear security and the role of the Y-12 National Security Complex. Dr. Williamson is the Senior Director of Global Security and Strategic Partnerships for Consolidated Nuclear Security at Y-12. He is a Nuclear Engineer by trade and has over twenty years of experience with …

Protect You and Your Family's data - Visit the sponsor of this episode https://aura.com/afterburn - Get a 14-day FREE trial! Free Lowdown newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🇺🇸 Support Veterans in Their Time of Need or Apply for Help: http://gunsgarin.com/rain 🇺🇸 This week we cover va…

Join John "Rain" Waters and guest Wade "Prada" Hetrick on Ep 112 of @AfterburnPodcast. "Prada" is a C-17 Weapons School graduate and instructor who shares his insight and experience flying the C-17, the C-17's performance capabilities, and How the C-17 fits into the operations against a near-peer adversary. 🔺 Join our free newsletter for insights i…

Protect You and Your Family's data - Visit the sponsor of this episode https://aura.com/afterburn - Get a 14-day FREE trial! Free Lowdown newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter In this week's lowdown, we discuss various topics, including an ISIS, F-35 TR-3 issues, Japanese airspace incur…

A paradigm shift is happening in the defense industry with the integration of AI. AI has the potential to provide significant benefits to the warfighter. In episode 111 of @AfterburnPodcast Mike "Flash" McVay and guest Forrest Underwood dive into the world of defense, technology, innovation, business, and how they interact in today's world. Helpful…

Protect You and Your Family's data - Visit the sponsor of this episode https://aura.com/afterburn - Get a 14-day FREE trial! Free Lowdown newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geo-politics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter In this week's lowdown, we discuss various topics, including Soviet Union's first atomic bomb, KC-46 landing w…

Protect You and Your Family's data - Visit the sponsor of this episode https://aura.com/afterburn - Get a 14-day FREE trial! Free Lowdown newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geo-politics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter In this week's lowdown, we discuss various topics, including Colonel Bud Anderson, arms deals, espionage, mili…

General Minihan is the Commander of Air Mobility Command. General Minihan is responsible for leading over 100,000 active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Airmen, and civilians to ensure execution of the air mobility mission for the joint force, allies, and partners. Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | https://aura.com/…

Hear "Yokel's" seconds from death 💀 "There I was..." story over on Patreon for free: Here ---- Protect Your Digital Footprint | Secure Your Identity - https://aura.com/afterburn 14-day free trial - No "Gotchas" - Cancel Anytime Don't miss out on the newsletter (or do...the choice is yours) for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - http…