Best RAAF Podcasts (2025)

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Workhorse - E54 - Flight Engineers with Tony Hall 1:40:18

15h ago1:40:18

1:40:18

This episode features a wide-ranging discussion of the flight engineer category and its place on the C-130 Hercules. Tony Hall also covers his operational C-130 experience, along with his transition onto Caribous and then as a Loadmaster on C-130Js. The discussion ranges into: RAAF B-707 operations based in Kyrgyzstan (where Tony was an Operations …

1
Honewell resilient communications sytems and 10 years of RAAF's Plan Jericho 24:20

10d ago24:20

24:20

In this latest episode with content from Avalon 2025, Steve Visscher steps out from the edit suite to fly on Honeywell Aerospace's Boeing 757 test bed then afterwards caught up with Tim Roberts, Director of Connected Defense Solutions at Honeywell Aerospace. Meanwhile, Grant McHerron discussed the learnings from ten years of Jericho with GPCAPT Jes…

1
The current state of Test & Evaluation with Nova Systems 30:42

4d ago30:42

30:42

In this episode, Grant McHerron talks with Dean Rosenfeld, CEO of Nova Systems, and Tim Grabert, Nova's Test & Evaluation Capability Lead, about Test & Evaluation (T&E) with the Australian Defence Force. We start with an overview on the how the industry is aligning with recent strategies, priorities and reviews. We then discuss the need for a susta…

1
Are these US tariffs going to affect us?? Ben Boekeman has the answers. Plus! Your weekly farm weather and a special announcement which may revolutionize TV as we know it :) 55:56

6d ago55:56

55:56

Send us a text S1E19 Are these US tariffs going to affect us?? Ben Boekeman has the answers. Plus! Your weekly farm weather and a special announcement which may revolutionize TV as we know it :) Thanks to Boekeman Machinery, the folks that support No Drama Farmer are your WA home for New Holland and Case IH farm machinery. www.boekemans.com.au 9622…

1
UFO's, Horse's, meteor showers and special guest horse trainer Dona McQueen plus your weather! 34:39

13d ago34:39

34:39

Send us a text S1 E18 UFO's, Horse's, meteor showers and special guest horse trainer Dona McQueen plus your weather! Thanks to Boekeman Machinery, the folks that support No Drama Farmer are your WA home for New Holland and Case IH farm machinery. www.boekemans.com.au 9622 6364 There no harm talking about your farm! Send us an email with your number…

1
Linking F-35 Simulators, AUKUS Innovations, & Lawful By Design 18:06

13d ago18:06

18:06

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Nigel Pittaway and Kirra Davey review and discuss some of the recent news of interest that's occurred recently in the world of Defence. We start by looking at Lockheed Martin's recent press release stating that Australia is the first international F-35 customer to connect our simulators via the Distribut…

1
Avalon Update with BAE Systems and Leidos 43:37

18d ago43:37

43:37

In the next of our Avalon 2025 episodes, Grant McHerron talks initially with Mat Jones, Head of Future Business at BAE Systems, and then with Ed Kearny, Business Development Manager, Leidos. Mat walks us around the BAE Systems stand which featured a large collection of products from their global operation and partners. We start with the MBDA's Mete…

1
Have you ever seen a UFO? We want to talk to you. 3:10

19d ago3:10

3:10

Send us a text Have you ever seen a UFO? We want to talk to you. [email protected] Thanks to Boekeman Machinery, the folks that support No Drama Farmer are your WA home for New Holland and Case IH farm machinery. www.boekemans.com.au 9622 6364 There no harm talking about your farm! Send us an email with your number and we'll give you a call -…

1
What's your farm EDC (every day carry) James Blundell shares his, plus we say goodbye (for now) to a great servant of the Wheatbelt, Mia Davies. 50:29

20d ago50:29

50:29

Send us a text S1E16 What's your farm EDC (every day carry) James Blundell shares his, plus we say goodbye (for now) to a great servant of the Wheatbelt, Mia Davies. Thanks to Boekeman Machinery, the folks that support No Drama Farmer are your WA home for New Holland and Case IH farm machinery. www.boekemans.com.au 9622 6364 There no harm talking a…

1
Avalon Update with Sikorsky Australia & Lockheed Martin Space 43:03

25d ago43:03

43:03

In the next of our Avalon 2025 episodes, Grant McHerron talks initially with Cliff Kyle, General Manager of Sikorsky Australia, and then he catches up with Rod Drury, Vice President International with Lockheed Martin Space. Cliff steps us through his career with Navy and then industry, before discussing Sikorsky Australia's work to sustain the curr…

1
IT'S ALL WRONG! Post election wrap up with special guest and Media Watch darling, Austen Tayshus. 30:05

27d ago30:05

30:05

Send us a text S1E15 POST ELECTION WRAP UP with special guest and Media Watch darling, Austen Tayshus. Thanks to Boekeman Machinery, the folks that support No Drama Farmer are your WA home for New Holland and Case IH farm machinery. www.boekemans.com.au 9622 6364 There no harm talking about your farm! Send us an email with your number and we'll giv…

1
Northern Australia Defence Summit, low funds for AUKUS Innovation, & our industry grows the economy 17:42

27d ago17:42

17:42

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Nigel Pittaway and Kirra Davey review and discuss some of the recent news of interest that's occurred recently in the world of Defence. We start with an update on the common themes running through the Northern Australia Defence Summit that was recently held in Darwin then move on to discuss the AUKUS Mar…

1
Avalon Update with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace 28:39

1M ago28:39

28:39

In the first of our Avalon 2025 episodes, Grant McHerron talks initially with Oyvind Kolset, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace’s Executive Vice President of their Missiles division, after which he also catches up once again with John Fry, Managing Director of Kongsberg Defence Australia. Oyvind discusses the state of their operation in the United State…

1
Workhorse - E53 - Innovation with Gav Nicholson 1:18:53

1M ago1:18:53

1:18:53

Gav Nicholson recounts his involvement with systems integration on RAAF C-130Hs during the late 1990s to the late 2000s, including electronic warfare self-protection, the FMS-800 flight management system, and other modifications of that era. Also discussed are PNG operations, Operations Falconer (Iraq 2003), Shaddock (PNG), Catalyst (Iraq, as C-130…

1
He was on Media Watch last night, now he's on No Drama farmer (No ABC bias here). Austen Tayshus rocks in to give some comedy advice. 30:19

1M ago30:19

30:19

Send us a text S1E14 He's played in Keller and across WA, he was on Media Watch last night, you probably even have a recording of this AUSTRALIAN comedy icons work, actually chances are you do! Click here. Plus rain coming up?? We catch up with Jessica Lingard from the BOM for your CWB weather. He was on Media Watch last night, now he's on No Drama…

1
How to cook the perfect steak and do pork crackling with Chef John Mountain. (some swear words). 1:04:33

2M ago1:04:33

1:04:33

Send us a text S1E13 Chef John Mountain drops by, we learn how to cook the perfect steak, warning swear words! https://fyrebar.com.au/ Thanks to Boekeman Machinery, the folks that support No Drama Farmer are your WA home for New Holland and Case IH farm machinery. www.boekemans.com.au 9622 6364 There no harm talking about your farm! Send us an emai…

1
6th Gen Combat Aircraft, AUKUS risks and HEO Space working with Space Machines Company 24:19

2M ago24:19

24:19

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick and Nigel Pittaway review and discuss some of the recent news of interest that's occurred recently in the world of Defence. Having recovered from Avalon, we start our discussion by looking at the UK's Global Air Combat Program (GCAP) and Future Combat Air System (FCAS), Australia's interest i…

1
WA Farm Tech talk with Ben Boekeman, plus we touch on what tariffs could mean for us? And you know those RAAF aircraft that you see doing exercises over the Wheatbelt? James gives you a personal back ... 1:07:41

2M ago1:07:41

1:07:41

Send us a text S1E12 Farm tech talk with Ben Boakeman and touch on tariffs, and you know those RAAF planes you always see over the Wheatbelt? James gives you the back story on that :) Thanks to Boekeman Machinery, the folks that support No Drama Farmer are your WA home for New Holland and Case IH farm machinery. www.boekemans.com.au 9622 6364 There…

1
Farmer Wants a Wife contestant Jarrad Wrigley drops in for a chat and reveals his not so well known role in a Baz Lurhman film... 45:32

2M ago45:32

45:32

Send us a text S1E11 Your weeks farming weather from the BOM plus Jarrad Wrigley from Farmer Wants a Wife drops in and we explore his music and that scene from Yellowstone when Jimmy first joins the four sixes and his not well known role in a Baz Lurhman film... @itsmejarradwrigley letsgetwrigley.com.au Jarrad Wrigley from Farmer Wants a Wife drops…

1
Workhorse - E52 - Formation Lead with Andrew Elliott 1:25:16

2M ago1:25:16

1:25:16

Royal Australian Air Force C-130s airdrop parachutists and equipment to force project Australian military capabilities. C-130s flew in formation as a tactic to concentrate Army parachutists on a target area as quickly as possible (thereby minimising the risk to the paratroopers and aircraft). In this episode of 'Workhorse', Andrew "Stretch" Elliott…

1
Avalon Airshow Day 3 has Counter UAS, 6th gen capability, and more AI 11:04

2M ago11:04

11:04

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick, Nigel Pittaway and Ben Felton are joined by Julian Kerr and our producer, Steve Visscher. It's the end of the trade days and there has been plenty of Counter UAS information thanks to Land 156, and the news that Boeing are planning to conduct the launch of a missile from Ghost Bat. We also h…

1
Avalon Airshow Day 2 reveals a potential new platform for RAAF and Ghost Bat updates 12:45

2M ago12:45

12:45

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick, Nigel Pittaway and Ben Felton are joined by Julian Kerr to review their experiences from Day 2 of the Avalon Airshow. We note that there are more people here today, especially now that the budget has been released, then give quick summaries of our experiences today. From there, we discuss th…

1
Avalon Airshow Day 1 and we're getting good news from Defence! 14:02

2M ago14:02

14:02

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick, Nigel Pittaway and Ben Felton review their experiences from Day 1 of the Avalon Airshow. There's been a flood of releases and a number of briefings during the day, plus a few items that were released yesterday, including the big news about Boeing being selected for the F-47 Next Gen Air Domi…

1
Blue healers and big crowds, a down to earth chat with James Blundell. 49:50

2M ago49:50

49:50

Send us a text E1S10 Today, we just have a down to earth chat with James Blundell. Thanks to Boekeman Machinery, the folks that support No Drama Farmer are your WA home for New Holland and Case IH farm machinery. www.boekemans.com.au 9622 6364 There no harm talking about your farm! Send us an email with your number and we'll give you a call - NoDra…

1
Canadian JORN, Hanwha trying to buy more of Austal, and whither Collins LOTE? 26:51

2M ago26:51

26:51

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick and Ben Felton review and discuss some of the recent news of interest that's occurred in the world of Defence over the past two weeks. We start with the news that Canada's PM has announced that they've shortlisted BAE Systems' Jindalee Over the horizon Radar Network (JORN) technology. It's no…

1
Farmers, want a wife? Mia from Howdy Global (country dating app) drops in for a chat. 23:27

3M ago23:27

23:27

Send us a text S1E9 Mia Ryan joins us from Howdy Global, an AUSTRALIAN app linking people on the land and the city... HowdyGlobal.com.au Thanks to Boekeman Machinery, the folks that support No Drama Farmer are your WA home for New Holland and Case IH farm machinery. www.boekemans.com.au 9622 6364 There no harm talking about your farm! Send us an em…

1
Australia's ability to survive in a rapidly changing world, with the Grumpy Strategists 57:57

3M ago57:57

57:57

In this episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick, Nigel Pittaway and Ben Felton join with Marcus Hellyer and Michael Shoebridge (aka The Grumpy Strategists) to discuss recent developments, both local and global, and the need for Australia to quickly adapt to the new geopolitical environment. We start with Sea 3000 and the statements at Senate Estimates…

1
A cattle truck and Tinder date on the Gibb River rd, what's missing?? 15:51

3M ago15:51

15:51

Send us a text The Gibb River rd, a cattle Roadtrain and a Tinder date, what could possibly go wrong? S1E8 A TINDER date in a cattle road train along the Gibb River Road? What could possibly go wrong? Ben Watson from Lake Grace joins us to explain... A tinder date, a road train carrying cattle, the Gibb River Rd and a fire... Thanks to Boekeman Mac…

1
Getting new farm equipment is easier than you think. 29:52

3M ago29:52

29:52

Send us a text S1E7 Getting new farm equipment easier than you think. We're joined by the boss! Thanks to Boekeman Machinery, the folks that support No Drama Farmer are your WA home for New Holland and Case IH farm machinery. www.boekemans.com.au 9622 6364 There no harm talking about your farm! Send us an email with your number and we'll give you a…

1
Workhorse - E51 - Somalia and PNG with Graham Johnson 2:17:25

3M ago2:17:25

2:17:25

Graham 'Johno' 'Johno1' 'Kramer' Johnson flew C-130Hs on a variety of operations from 1989 to 1999, including Operations Solace (Somalia 1993), Immune (Pilot Strike 1989) and Ples Drei (PNG famine 1998), all of which he discusses in this episode. Johno also discusses the differences between pushing crew training to the boundaries of aircraft limits…

1
Has the ship sailed for the NBN? Farmtech talk with Ben Boekeman. 25:07

3M ago25:07

25:07

Send us a text S1E6 Ben Boekeman joins us for Farm Tech Talk, he has just set up Starlink in his work utes... And we talk about the stuff farmers can do with their new found connectivity, plus how this works in with GRDC. Thanks to Boekeman Machinery, the folks that support No Drama Farmer are your WA home for New Holland and Case IH farm machinery…

1
When 98ft is just too high, crop dusting! 35:39

3M ago35:39

35:39

Send us a text S1E5 A frank chat with a with the operations manager of the scariest craft in farming, crop dusting... Plus your weekly weather thanks to the BOM Thanks to Boekeman Machinery, the folks that support No Drama Farmer are your WA home for New Holland and Case IH farm machinery. www.boekemans.com.au 9622 6364 There no harm talking about …

1
ADM Congress, AUKUS Pillar 2 Conference and the Space Summit. Wow! 19:06

3M ago19:06

19:06

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Nigel Pittaway and Ben Felton review and discuss the highlights from the ADM Congress, AUKUS Pillar 2 Conference and Space Summit that were held on the same day this week in the same venue. You could tell that it's an election year as both Pat Conroy (minister for Defence Industry) and Andrew Hastie (sha…

1
Workhorse - E50 - C-130J Goes Tactical with Justin Ryder 1:34:32

3M ago1:34:32

1:34:32

The Royal Australian Air Force's C-130J fleet was acquired in 1999, but it was not fitted with electronic warfare self-protection systems. When C-130Hs deployed to the Middle East in early 2003, 37 Squadron had only just begun training its C-130J crews in tactical procedures. Thus when Middle East operations were extended into 2004, 36 Squadron's C…

1
Ethics and the Militarisation of Space 34:33

3M ago34:33

34:33

In this episode, Grant McHerron talks with the Reverend Doctor Nikki Coleman about ethics and the militarisation of space. The discussion starts off with getting a background of Dr Coleman’s previous roles and experience as a chaplain, congregation minister and professor, as well as how their work calling out ADF’s problems surrounding sexual haras…

1
Cheap Drones in farming, $700 23:03

3M ago23:03

23:03

Send us a text S1E4 Jessica Lingard from the BOM gives us the weeks weather for the wheatbelt, plus we touch on drones for farming and James shares how he helped a mate on the land suffering a health crisis. Thanks to Boekeman Machinery, the folks that support No Drama Farmer are your WA home for New Holland and Case IH farm machinery. www.boekeman…

1
The Live Sheep Export ban to be rolled back? David Littleproud explains. 21:42

4M ago21:42

21:42

Send us a text S1E3 Nationals leader David Littleproud drops by to outline their plan to roll back the May 2028 ban on live sheep exports if elected. Plus he makes his prediction for the election and we discuss phone reception etc in the bush. Thanks to Boekeman Machinery, the folks that support No Drama Farmer are your WA home for New Holland and …

1
Take back control. Easy time management for life on the land. 20:04

4M ago20:04

20:04

Send us a text S1E2 Easy time management for life on the land. Thanks to Boekeman Machinery, the folks that support No Drama Farmer are your WA home for New Holland and Case IH farm machinery. www.boekemans.com.au 9622 6364 There no harm talking about your farm! Send us an email with your number and we'll give you a call - [email protected] J…

1
Stay sane. Mental health on the land. 40:15

4M ago40:15

40:15

Send us a text S1E1 The pilot! No Drama Farmer with James Blundell and Carwyn we discuss how important mental health is on the land and other farm stuff!... Thanks to Boekeman Machinery, the folks that support No Drama Farmer are your WA home for New Holland and Case IH farm machinery. www.boekemans.com.au 9622 6364 There no harm talking about your…

1
First Arafura in Defence trials, 2nd & 3rd Tritons this year, & a lack of Defence information 26:46

4M ago26:46

26:46

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick, Nigel Pittaway and Ben Felton review and discuss some of the recent news of interest that's occurred in the world of Defence over the past two weeks. We start with the news that the first Arafura class Offshore Patrol Vessel has been accepted by Defence for sea trials, three years after it w…

1
Workhorse - E49 - Extended Range Surveillance with Michael Phillips 1:29:44

4M ago1:29:44

1:29:44

Reports arising in 1996 from Australian-flagged fishing vessels indicated the presence of dozens of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing vessels in the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Exclusive Economic Zone. In response, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) sought an enforcement action and requested Defence assistance with…

1
The role of Women in Leadership in delivering Defence Capability 25:26

4M ago25:26

25:26

In this episode, Grant McHerron talks with Sarah Baker, Partner for Program Design & Delivery, and Sheena Ireland, Executive Director for Program Design & Delivery, from Synergy Group about the role of women in leadership in delivering Defence capability. We start the discussion by getting an overview of the importance that diversity in leadership …

1
Elections, New Zealand defence developments, and last minute reviews 26:07

4M ago26:07

26:07

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Nigel Pittaway and Ben Felton review and discuss some of the recent news of interest that's occurred in the world of Defence since early December. We start off noting that the government has shifted into election mode with plenty of announcements with almost every quote in the announcement stating that t…

1
Workhorse - E48 - Test Flight at the North Pole with Matt Hegarty 1:19:18

4M ago1:19:18

1:19:18

The FMS-800 flight management system was installed on RAAF C-130Hs in 1999 under Project AIR 5195. The FMS-800 delivered a range of enhanced capabilities for C-130Hs making them even more ideally suited for the Airborne Operations and Special Operations support roles. These capabilities included GPS precision navigation, airdrop navigation, receive…

1
Workhorse - E47 - 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami with Charlie Siedentopf 55:06

5M ago55:06

55:06

On 26 December 2004, an earthquake measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale struck north of Simeulue Island in the Indian Ocean. The earthquake lifted an estimated 30 cubic kilometres of water which radiated from the epicentre devasting coastal communities around the Indian Ocean. Banda Aceh was hardest hit, and the RAAF responded immediately. This episo…