Best Lessonslearned Podcasts (2025)

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Episode #113: Strategy and Tactics for the Surge with Joe Katuzeinski 1:18:34

10d ago1:18:34

1:18:34

🎙️ Episode – Lessons from the Cockpit Welcome to another mission-ready episode of the Lessons from the Cockpit show! I’m your host Lt. Col. Mark Hasara, retired Air Force KC-135 pilot, Weapons School graduate, and aviation fanatic for over 60 years. Strap in for this one—because we’re bringing serious airpower experience to the table. Joining me to…

1
Episode #112: When do you CEASE FIRE? 59:51

10d ago59:51

59:51

🎙️ Episode 112 – How Do You Know When to Stop the Fight? Welcome back to another airpower-packed episode of Lessons from the Cockpit! I’m your host Lt. Col. Mark Hasara, retired KC-135 Weapons Officer and Joint Specialty Officer. For 60 years, I’ve lived and breathed aviation. Today we are going to talk about a very tough aspect of planning for war…

1
Episode #111: Operation Rising Lion and US Response Options 2:22:49

10d ago2:22:49

2:22:49

🎙️ Episode 111 – Operation Rising Lion: Israel’s Knockout Blow to Iran! Strap in for the 111th episode of the Lessons from the Cockpit show! I’m Mark Hasara, retired Air Force KC-135 pilot, Weapons School graduate, and the guy who’s been obsessed with aviation for over 60 years. This episode dives into one of the most aggressive and precise modern …

1
NORAD Intercepts Russian Bombers | F-35 Delays | China’s J-35 Stealth Jet Enters Service 14:55

16d ago14:55

14:55

📧 Want the full newsletter? https://www.lowdownnews.us 6 months free with Authentic Media: Just use code 62F6D at Patreon.com/AuthenticMedia/redeem/62F6D. This week on The Lowdown, we break down the biggest stories in airpower and national defense: 🔺 NORAD intercepts Russian Tu-95 bombers and Su-35 fighters near Alaska 🔺 U.S. pauses full F-35 procu…

1
#136 Lorenzo Harris | “The Day I Never Talk About” | Most Intense Mission 1:19:02

18d ago1:19:02

1:19:02

In this episode, deeply personal conversation, A-10 Weapons Officer Lorenzo Harris opens up with Mike "Flash" McVay about the mission that changed his life, and the battle he rarely talks about. From earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for a harrowing 8-hour firefight in Afghanistan to silently struggling with guilt, identity, and loss, Lorenzo …

1
KC-46s over NGAS? F-35s Make Moves | B-21 Raider Updates | Threat of the Day: SA-21 Growler 13:48

25d ago13:48

13:48

🔹 Check out my sponsor https://aura.com/afterburn to get a 14-day free trial and see if your personal information has been compromised🔹 🔺 Grab our free newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺 This week on The Lowdown, we break down the biggest moves in military aviation and defense: ✈️ …

1
David Bellavia: Medal of Honor | Battle of Fallujah (Re-Release) 1:32:31

29d ago1:32:31

1:32:31

David Bellavia earned the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 10, 2004, during Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah, Iraq—one of the most intense urban battles in U.S. military history. In this re-release of The Afterburn Podcast, Bellavia shares raw, unfiltered reflections on leadership in combat, the trauma of modern warfare, and the deep bo…

1
What is China's Latest J-20 Variant | KC-46 Loses Boom & More 10:06

1M ago10:06

10:06

🔹 Check out my sponsor https://aura.com/afterburn to get a 14-day free trial and see if your personal information has been compromised🔹 🔺 Grab our free newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺 Welcome to this week’s Lowdown with The Afterburn Podcast! 🚀 Dive into the latest defense and a…

1
What's Really Impressive about Operation Midnight Hammer 8:28

2M ago8:28

8:28

🔺 Grab our free newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺 In this episode of The Lowdown, we’re breaking down one of the biggest military aviation operations in recent memory — Operation Midnight Hammer, a massive coordinated strike targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure. With over 125+…

1
Bro Chat 18.0 Fighter Pilot Reality, F-35 Magic, Why Torching Waymo Cars is Bad 1:03:54

2M ago1:03:54

1:03:54

Three time zones. One car seat. Two hotel WiFi connections held together by hope. In this Bro Chat, “Rain”, “Vader”, and “Bender” catch up on everything from flying jets to why flyovers are a lose-lose game. Vader’s knee-deep in the IPUG grind, Bender’s dodging work at a chill TDY, and Rain’s flying big ole fat planes around the world. We break dow…

1
Episode #110 – The Drone Swarm Wake-Up Call: Is the US and our Allies Ready? 57:48

2M ago57:48

57:48

🎙️ Episode 110 – The Drone Swarm Wake-Up Call: Is the US and our Allies Ready? Welcome to the 110th episode of the Lessons from the Cockpit show! I’m Mark Hasara, former Air Force KC-135 pilot, Weapons School graduate, and author of Tanker Pilot. For 60 years, aviation has been my world—from flying gas station in the sky to mission planning at the …

1
Episode #109 – From MiG-21s to the A-10 Hawg: The Incredible Journey of Major Joszph “Boarat” Jonas 2:35:14

2M ago2:35:14

2:35:14

🎙️ EPISODE 109 – From MiG-21 to A-10 Hawg: The Incredible Journey of Lt Col Joszph “Boarat” Jonas Welcome back to Lessons from the Cockpit, the show that brings you stories and lessons learned from aviators who've been there, done that, and brought the jet home. I’m Mark Hasara—KC-135 instructor pilot, Air Force Weapons School grad, author of Tanke…

1
Episode #108 – The Tanker World’s in Trouble: ARSAG, Anaconda, and Global Tensions on the Nation’s DIME. 1:44:49

2M ago1:44:49

1:44:49

🎙️ EPISODE #108 – The Tanker World’s in Trouble: ARSAG, Anaconda, and Global Tensions on the Nation’s DIME Strap in and listen up, warriors. Welcome to Episode 108 of the Lessons from the Cockpit Show. I’m Lt Col Mark Hasara, USAF (Ret.)—KC-135 pilot, Weapons School grad, Joint Specialty Officer, and your host for this mission. I just got back from…

1
Episode #107 – Hercules to Hawgs: Flying Both Ends of the Fight with Col. Derek “Woody” Oaks 1:53:10

2M ago1:53:10

1:53:10

🎙️ Episode 107 – Hercules to Hawgs: Flying at Both Ends of the Fight with Col. Derek “Woody” Oaks. Welcome aboard the 107th sortie of the Lessons from the Cockpit Show I’m Lt Col Mark Hasara, USAF (Ret.), KC-135 Weapons Officer and your pilot for today’s mission. I’ve flown jets, built war plans, and stayed hopelessly addicted to aviation for over …

1
F-18 Journey Through TopGun and Beyond | Ep 135 Vincent "Jell-O" Aiello 1:17:42

2M ago1:17:42

1:17:42

In this episode of the Afterburn Podcast, host John “Rain” Waters sits down with Vincent “Jell-O” Aiello, former Navy fighter pilot and host of the @FighterPilotPodcast for a deep dive into the highs and hardships of naval aviation. From his first spark of inspiration at an airshow to flying over 700 successful carrier landings, Jell-O shares a can…

1
#134 Vince "Snapper" Sherer | A-10 Fighter Pilot - Inside Close Air Support and Combat Operations 1:33:43

3M ago1:33:43

1:33:43

In this episode of the Afterburn Podcast, John “Rain” Waters is joined by Vince “Snapper” Sherer, a veteran A-10 pilot with 4,500 flight hours and 299 combat missions. Snapper breaks down his path from the Air Force Academy to deployments across Afghanistan flying the A-10A and A-10C, including time in the MC-12. He details the evolution of close a…

1
Dos Gringos is Back! Live Concert 7 June 2025 14:27

3M ago14:27

14:27

Before Netflix made their documentary, Dos Gringos captured the true spirit of the USAF Thunderbirds. Born in the trenches of a fighter squadron and fueled by the finest Jeremiah Weed, Dos Gringos turned the fighter pilot life into a soundtrack—raw, irreverent, and unapologetically real. On June 7th, "Trip" and "Snooze" reunite for a one-night-only…

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#133 Trent “Teddy” Meisel | F-16 Fighter Pilot 1:17:09

4M ago1:17:09

1:17:09

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…

1
#132 Denmark's F-16 Demo Pilot | Troels "TEO" VangTroels 1:03:44

4M ago1:03:44

1:03:44

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…

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Episode #104: Black Jets and Gucci Birds with Retired Lt Col Mike Ethridge 2:02:00

4M ago2:02:00

2:02:00

Welcome to Episode 104 of Lessons from the Cockpit! I’m Mark Hasara, former KC-135 pilot, author of Tanker Pilot: Lessons from the Cockpit, and a lifelong aviation fanatic. For over 60 years, aviation has been my passion, and this show brings you stories from the cockpit, the mission planning room, and beyond. This week, I sit down with Mike Ethrid…

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Episode #105: Lessons from Marine Corps Aviation with Colonel Byron “Shrek” Sullivan 2:01:56

4M ago2:01:56

2:01:56

EPISODE #105 – Marine Airpower, the Battle of Ramadi, and Flying the Beast: The F-35 and MV-22 Strap in and arm hot, folks—this one’s a burner. Welcome to Episode 105 of the Lessons from the Cockpit show! I’m your host Mark Hasara, retired KC-135 pilot, author of Tanker Pilot, and a lifelong aviation nut with over 60 years of airpower obsession. Th…

1
Episode #106: Lessons from Marine Corps Aviation with Shrek Sullivan and Glibby Gillette 2:14:57

4M ago2:14:57

2:14:57

🎧 Episode 106 – Rewriting the Rules of Marine Airpower Welcome back to Lessons from the Cockpit! I’m your host, retired Air Force Lt Col Mark “Sluggo” Hasara—KC-135 pilot, Joint Specialty Officer, and full-throttle aviation fanatic for over 60 years. In this episode, we finish a powerful two-part dive into Marine Corps aviation weapons, tactics, te…

1
#131 Future of the Wild Weasel - Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) 58:34

4M ago58:34

58:34

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…

1
B-2 Show of Force - Air Force Readiness Declines - F-47 Next Gen Fighter | Lowdown 4 Apr 2025 12:50

4M ago12:50

12:50

🔺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…

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#130 SEAD Part IV - Operation Iraqi Freedom 2:13:33

4M ago2:13:33

2:13:33

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.…

1
Through the Yellow Visor - Fighter Pilot Podcast Host Jell-O's Book 5:28

4M ago5:28

5:28

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…

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#129 SEAD Part III - Operation Allied Force - Wild Weasel Fighter Pilot 1:25:40

5M ago1:25:40

1:25:40

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…

1
#128 Desert Storm's Wild Weasels | Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses Part II 1:34:22

5M ago1:34:22

1:34:22

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…

1
#127 Vietnam Wild Weasels | Deadly Evolution of Surface-to-Air Missiles 1:51:36

5M ago1:51:36

1:51:36

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 …

1
Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs) Lowdown 17:00

5M ago17:00

17:00

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…

1
F-16 Bombing Accident, KC-46 Grounded, Su-57 Stop in Iran & More 12:50

5M ago12:50

12:50

🔺 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…

1
Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) Introduction 16:20

5M ago16:20

16:20

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…

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#126 Brad Thomas | Surviving Black Hawk Down Inside Look | Ranger Regiment - Delta Force 1:19:50

6M ago1:19:50

1:19:50

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…

1
J-20 Beast Mode, Navy Crash & Chernobyl Drone Strike | The Lowdown 6:39

6M ago6:39

6:39

🔺 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 …

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#123 Derek 'Woody' Oaks – C-130 to A-10 | Combat Flying & Leadership 1:37:43

6M ago1:37:43

1:37:43

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…

1
Frankenstein F-35 - Marine Corps F-35 Shakeup - U.S. Official Caught Selling Secrets to China 15:05

6M ago15:05

15:05

🔺 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…

1
Su-35s for Iran, China's "Special" boats, and Sweden’s Big Military Gift 13:15

6M ago13:15

13:15

🔺 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 …

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#123 - What Happened to Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 | Jeff Wise 1:55:15

6M ago1:55:15

1:55:15

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.…

1
#125 Fighter Aircraft Maintenance | Col Hall Sebren 1:30:48

6M ago1:30:48

1:30:48

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…

1
F-22 IRST Upgrade, A-10's Stranded, & Boeing's BIG Loss 9:19

6M ago9:19

9:19

🔺 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…

1
#124 Lt General (ret) Dan "Razin" Caine | F-16 Air National Guard | 9/11 Scramble | JSOC | CIA 1:36:30

7M ago1:36:30

1:36:30

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…

1
Bro Chat 17.0 1:26:43

7M ago1:26:43

1:26:43

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…

1
Lowdown 9 Jan | Serbia Gets Chinese Missiles | D.C. Vipers to MD | Saudi Arabia Eyes New 5th-Generation Fighter 11:07

7M ago11:07

11:07

🔺 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…

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Episode #95: AMC Command Chief Jamie Newman: Security Policeman and Ranger! 1:11:01

8M ago1:11:01

1:11:01

Welcome to the ninety-fifth episode of the Lessons from the Cockpit Show! I am your host Mark Hasara, former KC-135 pilot and Airplane Nerd! I’m really excited to bring this episode to you! Air Mobility Command's Command Chief Master Sergeant Jamie Newman and I met at the Airlift Tanker Association convention in Dallas earlier this year. Coming up …

1
#122 The Taliban Unveiled: Insights from 'Hollywood Gate' | Ibrahim Nash'at 58:33

8M ago58:33

58:33

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…

1
Episode #94 Painting Legacies with Aviation Artist Wade Meyers 2:12:10

8M ago2:12:10

2:12:10

Welcome to the Lessons from the Cockpit Show and episode number ninety-four! I’m your host retired Air Force KC-135 pilot Lieutenant Colonel Mark Hasara and my passion is everything aviation! This episode is unique! I’ve known this incredible artist for years through LinkedIn and Facebook and thought it would be cool to have him explain how he acco…

1
Peaceful Transfer of President Power 🇺🇸 Why Syria Matters 🇸🇾 Why Biden Visited Angola 🇦🇴 29:04

8M ago29:04

29:04

“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…

1
#121 Chad "Vinny" Vincelette | TOP GUN Fighter Pilot | F-14 & F/A-1 1:26:43

8M ago1:26:43

1:26:43

🔺 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…

1
A-10 to Leave Overseas | 🇷🇺 Russia Trades S-400🇰🇵 | OA-1K SkyWarden 18:01

8M ago18:01

18:01

🔺 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…

1
#120 Kyle Rempfer | From Combat Controller to Washington Post Journalist 1:23:35

8M ago1:23:35

1:23:35

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…

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