Flight Suit Friday

We are back with a continuation of NOLA sar stories! We love it when a recording is so good we just don't stop. During part two we finish where we left off in the heat of sar and are joined later by CDR Dusty Williams, the AIRSTA NOLA Operations Officer. We get into some life advice, figure out CISAR, and finish hearing about the never ending week of sar. We plan to release shows on a bi-weekly ba...

Sorry for the delay! AIRSTA NOLA get's a great shout-out this week as we do a deep-dive into a harrowing week of SAR for the crews. LCDR Tim Olah, LT Andrew Scheffy, LT Isaac Babcock discuss their cases, the unit, and of course, the area. The episode ran long as most SAR cases do, so we broke it into two episodes. Enjoy part one! We plan to release shows on a bi-weekly basis. On Fridays of course!...

AIRSTA Houston gets the spotlight this week as LCDR Matt Krueger tells us about the life and SAR at the AIRSTA. Matt is proof that us black hat ATC IP's can have a life back in the fleet. He shares how meaningful being a unit IP has been and how it has been difficult becoming the "they" that they've been talking about. One moment you're a part of the wardroom, the next you're a leader in the wardr...

Welcome to the final installment of what has been an incredible ride! The crew of the 6547 launched the next day to affect the rescue of trapped crew members within the hull of the Golden Ray. Their unique approach toward executing this mission led to the safe return of the crew. Don't just take our word for it though, let LCDR Crystal Barnett, LCDR Daniel Blaich, AMT2 Matthew Baker and AST1 (ret....

In this second installment of our "Golden Ray Rescue" series we hear the phenomenal tale of the second MH-65 aircrew on scene that night. LCDR Mike Vickers, LT Jeb Slick, AMT2 Jared Blitz and AST1 Nate Newberg tell us their story. This episode is a great reminder to all of us that Rescue Swimmers are in fact ridiculously good at their jobs. Enjoy! We plan to release shows on a bi-weekly basis. On...

1 am, 23 crew members rescued, 3 sorties, multiple water assets, a meritorious advancement, landing on the side of a ship (technique only), this is the story of the Golden Ray Rescue. A capsized roro that trapped her crew and led to one of the most memorable rescues for the Coast Guard. We've been wanting to tell this story for a while and plan to release each episode from the perspective of a dif...

Big Rig starts us off with another fantastic segment of "What Grinds My Gearbox" as we finish up part two of our chat with the ATC Mobile Commanding Officer, CAPT Chris Hulser. We dive into how much sleep the CAPT gets (you can tune out if you're a flight surgeon) and hear some phenomenal SAR and Hurricane stories! CAPT Hulser also gives some excellent advice regarding investing in our people. Ple...

We finally got our biggest fan on the show! Well, we claim him as our biggest fan, hopefully he agrees. The Commanding Officer of ATC Mobile, Captain Chris Hulser joins us this week. We get in some great shout-outs, discuss the best beers of his career, and the CAPT doesn't hold back when Kenny and Sam ask the hard-hitting questions about the future of ATC and Flight School. It's our privilege thi...

Not only are our guests this week great at their jobs, but they have found a way to find time for themselves too! We've got LCDR Blake Morris and LT Maggie Morgan on the show today discussing what it's like being Echo IP's and everything they love, and don't love as much, about the model upgrade. The crew also dives into Blake's secret ambition to be Instagram famous #helicamper_rv and Maggie's pa...

Happy 4th of July everyone! This episode took us a while to put together and pair down from it's original 2.5 hours of audio. Thank you Chuck for making us sound way better than we do in real life. This episode is full of great stories from two extraordinary Flight Mechanics. Fleet STAN and AHRS Instructors AMT1 Johnathan Bailey and AMT1 Jeff Maher tell us about their first SAR Cases and the group...

We're back with more epic SAR! This time with two MH-60 crews from AIRSTA Cape Cod. LCDR Brian Kudrle, LT Travis Christy, LTJG Craig Campbell, AET1 Phillip Morales, and AST2 Adam Via join us to share the incredible story of an unforgettable night. 2 Canadian helicopters, 2 USCG helicopters, fixed wing assets from the USCG and Canada as well as a Canadian CG vessel came together to work as one and...

Wait, we have an R&D division that takes input from the fleet?? Of course we do. Check out this episode to hear about the great things they are working on, their predictions of the future of CG aviation, and unique job opportunities in our organization. CDR Chad Thompson and Mr. Scott Craig (USCG CAPT, Retired) join us and answer all of Sam's good-idea-fairy plans for drone usage in the CG. Th...

Very sorry for the delay, but this one is worth it. As we break through 10K downloads we wanted to share our absolute favorite episode we've made. LCDR Kenny Ingram and LCDR McClain Isom share incredible sea stories and talk about what it's like being an instructor pilot in the fleet. Mac learns live that he may have been the hammer out in San Fran... Thank you all for the love and support, this s...

We continue our AHRS Fireside Chats by bringing in the (now former) Coast Guard exchange instructor at the Army's High Altitude Aviation Training Site in Gypsum, Colorado. These aviation experts help us hone our craft and become masters of power management. Sit back, and enjoy this phenomenal conversation with LCDR (ret.) Robb Mackenzie! We plan to release shows on a bi-weekly basis. On Fridays of...

Our AHRS Fireside Chats continue with LCDR Amanda Harris! She is currently stationed in Comox Canada flying with the Canadian Royal Air Force. The Coast Guard has a pilot exchange program through which we send aviators to fly and learn from other countries. The Canadian Royal Air Force is one of the most coveted exchange experience. Hear the amazing SAR and Training stories from Amanda to learn wh...

We take a break from the AHRS Fireside chats to continue our unsustainable guest streak with the CG's most senior aviator, Admiral Charles W. Ray, the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard! Admiral Ray is the Ancient Albatross, has flown multiple airframes, and has held numerous high level leadership positions in the organization. Forgive us for sounding a bit nervous as we discuss SAR stories, the h...

It's AHRS season and we brought our equipment to Astoria with us! Listen in on our "Fireside Chat Sessions" in this next series of episodes. Today we discuss the Advanced Helicopter Rescue School (AHRS), the Coast Guard's only Aviation High Risk Training (HRT) school. Hear from some of the courses leading instructors, LCDR Paul (PJ) Johansen, AMTC Chris Walker, and AST1 Chad Smolar. They have seen...

Difficult and emotional cases happen sometimes. We're here today to share our stories and tell of the ways in which specially trained peer mentors can assist. LCDR Jane Pena and LT Logan Donahey are two amazing people and trained CISM peers. Help us to normalize the tough times so we can be prepared to stand the ready when the alarm goes off. We get into the best beer, missions, SAR and other stor...

Welcom to the TRON, the USCG's Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON). The MH-65 unit specializing in Airborn Use of Force (AUF) for the counter-drug mission out of Jacksonville FL. On the show we have two incredible women, LCDR Kelly McKenzie, the current AOPS and LT Rachel Rychtanek, a mission commander for the unit. We get into the best beer, missions, SAR and other stories from one...

This week we welcome current CO and former OPS, CDR Brendan Hilleary and former OPS and XO, CDR Andrew Behnke. They share with us stories from throughout their careers as well as insights on what it is like taking Aviation OPS calls and being a wardrooms chief pilot. We dive into their perspectives, philosophies and most importantly, how much sleep they get! We plan to release shows on a bi-weekly...

*fixed* Welcome to this special episode! Our original guests are back with a fascinating look into what made them want to be instructors and what qualities they strive to emulate. Methods of Instruction or MOI is foundationally important to the success of our aircrews. Hear these lessons from the best in the business. CDR Scott Sanborn and CDR Ben Walton, welcome back! We plan to release shows on...

We are back with the crew of CG6561! Hear the epic fanale to their incredible case resulting in 2 lives saved during a forest fire. We plan to release shows on a bi-weekly basis. On Fridays of course! Hosts: LCDR Nate Shakespeare, LCDR Sam Hafensteiner Producer: LT Ryan Vandehei Technical Director & Editor: Chuck Seay Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Flight...

The full crew of CG6561 from Sector Humboldt Bay recounts their harrowing rescue of 2 firefighters from a hot zone in the Trinity Alps. LCDR Derek Schramel, LTJG Adam Ownbey, AST1 Graham McGinnis, AMT2 Tyler Cook. Two Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Air Medals were awarded in the prosecution of this case. Hosts: LCDR Nate Shakespeare, LCDR Sam Hafensteiner Producer: LT Ryan Vandehei Technical...

Hear LCDR Caleb Peacock and LCDR Ian Culver discuss how we went about revising the MH-65 Flight Manual by first cleaning out our collective garage. Hosts: LCDR Nate Shakespeare, LCDR Sam Hafensteiner Producer: LT Ryan Vandehei AV Guru: Chuck Seay Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Flight Suit Friday podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and d...

"Buying Down Risk" is a key tenent of ORM and Mission Success. Today CDR Scott Sanborn and CDR Ben Walton, the MH-65 Division Chief and ATC Mobile Command Safety Officer respectively, are our guest stars. They discuss why buying down risk is important, and how to implement it on a community as well as individual level. Hosts: LCDR Nate Shakespeare, LCDR Sam Hafensteiner Producer: LT Ryan Vandehei...