So There I Was

Lucky may be the most fitting callsign ever. On September 11, 2001, she and her squadron were caught off guard—just like the rest of the nation. Thrust into an unprecedented mission, they had to adapt and overcome in real-time. In this gripping firsthand account, hear how Lucky responded to the attacks, the challenges she faced, and why she still believes they failed that morning. This episode del...

This week on So There I Was , we sit down with Dan from the Danger Close podcast—an active-duty ATC Tower Controller with a wealth of experience keeping the skies safe. Dan takes us inside the tower, where every day is a mix of routine operations, high-pressure moments, and the occasional heart-stopping emergency. Ever wondered what really happens when pilots mess up on the radio? Or how controlle...

Double-L comes back to chat with us about firefighting from the air! This episode takes an in-depth look at the dangers and challenges of aerial firefighting, featuring returning guest, Double-L. The discussion kicks off with his harrowing experiences flying C-130s through valleys engulfed in flames, emphasizing the immense risks pilots face. He shares firsthand accounts of Modular Airborne Firefi...

This week, A-10 pilot Soup shares the untold story of leading the first mission into Afghanistan during Operation Anaconda. Navigating chaotic airspace without deconfliction in a high-stakes “knife-fight in a phone booth” battlespace, Soup delivers gripping accounts of close air support, critical decisions, and coordinating dozens of aircraft to protect troops on the ground. This episode dives int...

Shyster joins us to talk about flying Marine Attack helicopters after being told by the recruiter, “The Air Force is down the hall.” After combat deployments, Shyster found himself at HMX-1 – The Presidential lift squadron – and one fateful morning in September when the world turned upside-down, Shyster was right there at the highest levels of our government watching and wo...

Some of the best stories of 2024. May you have a blessed and happy 2025. We’re thrilled you’re with us and we only ask that you please share the show with friends. Each chapter of this show lists the episode from which the story was taken. Check Six!

Welcome to the first ever So There I Was Hangout. Being as it’s the holiday week we are publishing this hangout as a show. Sound quality is rough in some parts and it’s not a ‘smooth’ interview… but there are thousands of folks who didn’t get to come hang out with us. We will do a “Best Of” show on New Years Day – and plan on resuming with regu...

This week Fig, RePete & Sticks engage in some hangar talk this week as we had a tech issue preventing our scheduled guest from joining us. Hear us numbskulls recount some of the stories that led us to where we are today! Hang Out with us on Zoom 22 Dec at 5PM Eastern Time Click Here for the zoom link!

Hop aboard for a thrilling second episode with Bātar, packed with stories that will make you laugh, gasp, and question if pilots moonlight as comedians. The adventure kicks off with the baffling “Hawaii out of gas” debacle and revisits the unfinished “Football Island” tale from last week. Bātar shares a white-knuckle “Utility Hydraulic Failure” and a hilariously questionable moment with his pilot,...

Join us on this exhilarating episode as we dive into the gripping tales of “Bātar,” a Marine Corps F-4 Phantom RIO who recounts his heart-pounding experiences in the skies over Vietnam. From navigating treetop-level ordnance runs while dodging streams of tracer fire to his journey from a mechanical engineering student at the University of Rochester to the cockpit of one of aviation’s most legendar...

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...

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! default

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 o...

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 si...

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 cockpi...

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 disqua...

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 sta...

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...

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 im...

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 off...

Baron joins us to tell of a harrowing story of survival during his first tour in Vietnam. After an engine exploded mid-flight, shrapnel tore through the aircraft, leaving the crew struggling to maintain altitude. With one engine failing and the other insufficient to keep them airborne, they made an emergency landing at Camp Eagle, narrowly avoiding disaster. The episode then explores how this vete...

Dominique Prinet, author and legendary bush pilot, recounts his harrowing experiences navigating the remote and unforgiving Canadian Arctic. Born in France just prior to World War II, Prinet’s passion for aviation began as a child watching aerial dogfights overhead. He shares captivating stories of his bush flying career, where he faced life-threatening situations, including flying overloaded plan...

We’re thrilled to have Beef join us to share his incredible journey. From his formative days at Annapolis, where his roommate ‘Swede’ ( featured in episode 115 ) introduced him to his sister, to his passion for motocross racing, and his impressive flying career with the S-3 and the Hornet. We’ll also dive into his experience as the Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels. This motivational speaker h...

This week features guest S.A.M., a Marine F-18 pilot with an impressive and unconventional career. ‘Sam’ shares stories from his time in the Marine Corps, including his journey from having a ground contract to aviator; the unexpected challenges of military aviation; and a memorable deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He discusses the intricacies of flying combat missions, the ch...

We’re Baaack! So There I Was —the podcast where the stories are real, and sometimes, the lessons come from unlikely sources. Like this week’s gem: ever been told that even a monkey could do your job? Our guest, LoJack, sure has. When he was scrambling to get his private pilot’s license in just two months, his flight instructor looked him dead in the eye and said, “I could teach a monkey to f...