So There I Was

This is an incredible week as our guest “Rosie” recalls his experiences growing up on a Kansas farm during the “Dust Bowl” years in the 1930s and going from austere beginnings to enlisting in the Army Air Corps on his 18th birthday. Not wanting to be an infantryman, Rosie passed the tests necessary and convinced the medics to let him fly when it looked like they might ground him. After training, h...

In this riotous saga, a quartet of RePete, Fig, Sticks, and the impossibly chill pilot Ice (who’s cooler than a yeti’s icebox) – embark on a whirlwind of sky-high shenanigans. Ice, a maestro of the skies, has tamed both SH-60 helicopters and UH-1s in realms chillier than a snowman’s handshake—yep, Antarctica. He unveils tales of aerial school antics, including how to auto-r...

In an engaging episode, Gallo shares more unforgettable tales from his time as a test pilot. He tells of his first time flying a two-seat “T AV-8” marked by a canopy incident that almost ended disastrously. The conversation takes an unexpectedly humorous turn when Gallo finds himself explaining the nuances of space travel to none other than Neil Armstrong, the pioneer of lunar exploration. This mo...

Dive into an extraordinary tale of survival with Guvna as he shares his heart-stopping experience of cheating death by mere milliseconds. From an unassuming start on a routine flight, fate takes a dramatic turn, thrusting him into a pulse-pounding showdown against the odds. Witness the incredible interplay of sheer luck, piloting prowess, masterful engineering, and the unforgiving forces of nature...

Fasten your seatbelts and prepare for a high-flying adventure with Kerry McCauley, the intrepid author of “Ferry Pilot” and “Dangerous Flights” as well as star of the Discovery Channel show by the same name; “Dangerous Flights.” He’s touching down on our show to share his thrilling and often unpredictable experiences in ferrying light civilian aircraft ove...

Get ready for the finale of our chat with the one and only Gallo! This isn’t just any interview – it’s a rollercoaster ride through the epic tales of a man who practically became one with his Harrier jet. Picture this: a career so gripping, Gallo didn’t hang up his Harrier flying even after bidding adieu to the Marine Corps. Oh, and remember “Kaos” from episodes...

Gallo joins us to talk about his time at the Naval Aceademy, why he chose the Marines and only planned to stay in for 4 years, flight school with the Air Force, Flying Phantoms in Combat in Vietnam, his transition to Harriers, Test Pilot assignments and much much more! A true legend of Marine Aviation – This is the first half of two shows with Gallo… Enjoy! Enola Gay Crew Paul Tibbets

Join us for an enthralling episode. We delve into the remarkable life story of Butch Rutt, a man of many talents and experiences. A high school dropout turned Navy P-3 Pilot, Rutt’s journey is anything but ordinary. From his time as a bail bondsman to his role in Customs & Border Patrol, his diverse career has been filled with unique challenges and adventures. One highlight of this episo...

This week we look back at the last 18 months and bring you some of the best of the stories and guests who have graciously spent time with us and shared their stories. We have Chaz, Moose, Bonnie, Father, Lawman, Yogi & Master, Vapor and Fister. Then the Dos Gringos close it out with I’m a Pilot! 🧑‍✈️ 🛩️ Happy New Year! See you in ’24! And the photos this week are, again, courtesy...

This week we look back at the last 18 months and bring you some of the best of the stories and guests who have graciously spent time with us and shared their stories. We have Nasty, Capt Royce Williams, Gunny, Kemo, One-Eye, Taco, Sugar, Double-L, Air-Cav-Chris & The Dos Gringos close it out with Jeremiah Weed! Photos below are courtesy of Brad Silcott at BDSAviationPhotography.com THANK YOU,...

Capt. Dave Dollarhide USN (ret) “Hide” honored us by spending an evening with us talking about his amazing career as a Naval Aviator. Currently the editor of the A-4Ever Skyhawk Journal online at Skyhawk.org , Hide brings us along on his journey from NAvCad in the mid 60s to the horrific day of July 29, 1967 while he was in his A-4 getting ready to launch from the USS Forrestal and a Zuni rocket m...

Get ready to soar with laughter in our chat with Sluggo, the ex-E-2C Hawkeye pilot with tales taller than a tail fin! Hear how a Naval Academy Midshipman’s mom innocently developed a film roll, giving new meaning to “naval exposure.” Hear how he navigated Aviation Officer Candidate School on one good leg and a wing. Sluggo’s not just full of high-flying stories but also some close shav...

In the dance of skies, Chucker’s tale unfolds, Through starts and stops, his dream he holds. Years, like clouds, drifted in his way, Yet he seized his wings, come what may. Rating earned, he soared anew, To rotary wings, his path he drew. From flight, a story, a laugh, a thrill, to a moonshine raid to find a still. In an ugly plane, he danced on air, And a surprise solo, with flair to spare. To a...

Welcome Chris, whose flight tales we admire, A West Point grad, in Air Cav attire. In skies, his passion did conspire, ‘Army Training, Sir!’ his spirited fire. At flight school, where challenges soar, He pushed flying bounds, then pushed some more. In cold Alaska’s daunting door, Helicopter ops, survival lore. A tale of hovering, smart and true, From crash-bound paths, he skillfu...

Join hosts Fig and RePete as they explore the remarkable life of “Jungle,” a man whose experiences could fill an action-packed novel. From his beginnings in Navy ROTC to exhilarating missions piloting F-14Ds, Jungle’s story is a thrilling ride of high-stakes and remarkable achievements. Discover his incredible non-stop transcontinental flight, demanding desert operations, and the...

This week’s episode delves into Sal’s lifelong passion for aviation. It humorously touches on his military days when Drill Instructors refused to call him ‘Marinello,’ opting for ‘Private Ello’ instead, to avoid the word ‘Marine’ in his name! Sal recounts his time with the 3d LAAM Battalion (HAWK Missiles) as well as the pivotal moment of his first f...

This week we’re joined by Sticks who dives deep into his adventures with the Coast Guard’s MH-65 “Tupper-Wolf”, humorously described as “Airwolf meets Tupperware!” He recounts flying in challenging ‘zero-zero’ weather, the heartbreak of unsuccessful missions, and a unique rescue where not saving someone directly meant truly saving him. Hear about a m...

This week’s riveting episode of “So There I Was” podcast, is Episode 78, featuring the incredible “SeaBass.” Originally turning away from the Marine Corps, SeaBass shockingly ended up retiring as a Marine LtCol with 22 years under his belt, but it wasn’t handed to him… in fact once you hear how he got in the Marine Corps, you’ll be as surprised as we...

Dive into the next episode of “So There I Was” and find yourself entranced by the tales of legendary Marine Harrier pilot, “Sugar.” Experience the thrilling moments of aviation as he recounts his vital role in the introduction of the AV-8A into the U.S. arsenal. Discover how Sugar’s unique experiences on helicopter carriers and other aircraft shaped the trajectory of...

LtCol. W.R. Spicer, “Sugar” a Marine who rose from the rank of Private to command an AV-8 Harrier Squadron returns to tell us more stories from his amazing aviation career. We talk of his impressive background to set the stage for why he was able to repeatedly accomplish successful demonstration of the concept of VSTOL aviation. There were many intense situations which he faced, such a...

This week on So There I Was, RePete is joined by guest Co-Horst, Sticks whilst Fig vacations in Italy. Dive deep into the exhilarating world of Naval aviation with Briggs, a seasoned EP-3 pilot. From the intensity of Cold War intelligence missions to the pulse-pounding experience of night carrier operations, Briggs shares gripping tales that will have you at the edge of your seat. Hear about emerg...

In this thrilling episode, we’re joined by Fister, an elite Weapons and Tactics Instructor with an incredible story to share. Get ready to soar through the skies as he takes us on a pulse-pounding journey inside the cockpit of the AV-8B Harrier jump-jet. But that’s not all! Fister was the last Commanding Officer of VMAT-203, the legendary squadron where aspiring Harrier pilots learn to...

Prepare for an exhilarating journey on this week’s episode of So There I Was, aptly titled “156618, My Old War Horse.” Listeners are in for a breathtaking adventure as they meet the remarkable “Hound,” who takes center stage alongside hosts Fig and RePete. Hound’s lifelong fascination with flight ignited in a small airplane, where he gazed upon his own house fro...

We conclude our visit with Taco as he offers a thrilling account of his adventures; starting with recounting his visit to Iwo Jima on the 50th anniversary of the WWII battle, where he met survivors of the invasion force and explored the frozen-in-time caves and bunkers, providing a unique perspective on history. Taco also discusses other aviation experiences, sharing his regret over the unfortunat...

Get ready for an episode that’s going to take your aviation enthusiasm to new heights! In this episode, we’re leaving the ground behind to soar through the incredible stories with our guest, Marine KC-130 Tanker pilot, Taco. This week we open with heartfelt messages from dedicated supporters and a nod to our new “Tanker Aircraft Commander Patron,” Sal Marinello and his self...