So There I Was

This week we are joined by “Curly” of the VMA-231 Ace of Spades squadron. Curly closes the loop on some of the fun discussed in episode 15 – “Sir, Don’t Eat the Donuts” and other escapades of the LRF. Curly also tells us about some of his 38 combat missions in Gulf War I and how he survived in spite of himself. He sheds light on the adrenalin flow and narrow foc...

Another first for the show! This week “Father” joins Fig and Repete in the first Air Force pilot interview on So There I Was. Father flew the F-15 Eagle acquiring 3800+ hours and was the Squadron Commander in St. Louis, MO when he finished his career. Father had the misfortune of being the witness to an accident so mystifying at the time the Air Force Grounded the entire fleet of Eagle...

This show is a little different than our others in that it isn’t directly about aviation. But, it IS about a right of passage most Naval Aviators had to go through before being commissioned as officers and starting flight school We are joined by Marine Corps 1st Sgt Retired – “Gunny-Go” – A shortened version of his name. Many a Marine and Navy pilot in the 1980s were...

This is the second half of our time with “Nasty;” the former Commanding Officer of VF-31, The USS Sacramento, The USS Nimitz and a Strike Group aboard the USS Eisenhower. He tells of the time he ejected from an F-14 over the shark-infested waters of the Pacific. He describes why “Nuke-School” is hard – and the benefits thereof. And he tells us what the “Best Job...

Here’s to Bug Roach! Cdr. Roach was a legendary LSO and mentor to our guest this week and next: Nasty. Hear why he was so legendary and the poignant event right before Nasty was presented the “Bug Roach Award” for the LSO of the year. Nasty is the LSO who waived Yogi & Master aboard the Lincoln that fateful day in the summer of ’91 when Yogi came as close to ejecting fr...

Hear directly from two of the pilots who flew the Harriers you see in the 1994 Arnold Schwarzenegger / Jamie Lee Curtis hit movie True Lies. Director James Cameron had a clear idea of what he wanted. He took good care of our Marines who were there to support the filming and made sure they were treated well and had time with their families over the holidays. Buggs and Moto join us to talk about the...

Shiny joins us to tell how there wasn’t a Lieutenant’s Protective Association, but rather a Lieutenant’s Revolutionary Front that took action to get even with the senior officers in the squadron who were relentless in their hazing of all the new lieutenants. He also recounts their time in Saudi Arabia and flying combat sorties in Gulf War I; getting sent to the training command b...

Yogi and Master join us this week to tell their first-hand account of one of the most terrifying landings on an aircraft carrier in Naval Aviation history. Period. What started as a routine mission on Yogi’s birthday was supposed to end with Yogi becoming a “Centurion” as he got his 100th “trap” aboard an aircraft carrier. Instead, it turned into one of the most harro...

This week we welcome F-14 Driver “Jake” who relates how he got to fly the Tomcat, losing a mutual friend, what the real Top Gun school is about, what it feels like to be alone at night in 60º water and 6 foot seas in a one man survival raft, and watching a rescue helicopter stop, look, and fly away. Jake relays more of Fig’s adventures and why he was considered the ultimate &#821...

This is another very inspirational episode – a story of personal triumph in the face tragedy. OB Joins us to tell of his days as a line support guy at an FBO in his home town – fueling and towing light civils. He goes on to tell of his time as a Harrier pilot and how it was cut way too short. But this isn’t a story of woe and defeat. OB’s perseverance and tenacity and force...

Sheriff joins Fig and Repete to tell how his interest in aviation was initially sparked. Then he relays how it evolved from some wild adventures in light civil aircraft to his pursuit and success in becoming a Naval Flight Officer flying in military tactical jets. There is one specific story in light civil planes that was described then and now as: ‘We were on a mission from God!’ Sher...

Fig and Repete recount their time in VMA-223 with Colonel Mitch Triplett. Col. Triplett passed away this week and the show is dedicated to him. The consummate Marine, Aviator, Leader; “Trip” will be missed by all and remembered fondly. Some funny ATC interactions are recounted and then we lead into the prior-teased tale of the “Fig-Dog”. Not for the feint of heart, this rea...

This week’s show is dedicated to the memory of Retired Navy Captain James “Sinzy” Sinz. A former Commanding Officer of both Repete and this week’s guest, Pester, Sinzy was an exceptional leader who cared deeply about setting the example, providing guidance when needed, and helping his Sailors and Marines whenever he could. Capt Sinz’s obituary can be found here . Capt...

Spaz joins Fig & Repete to tell of his time with the VMA-331 Bumble Bees before the squadron was “flamed-out” (Decommissioned); some of his time in 223; and what happened to cause him to return a Harrier to the tax-payers in many thousands of pieces. Spaz has some great stories to share and is not shy about doing so. Not always a patient man, he describes himself as caffeinated at...

This is the second half of our interview with Chaz – Navy S-3 Pilot and now Retired from the majors. Chaz has had an amazing career and is a raconteur extraordinaire! From hilarious to tragic and everything in between. Enjoy the show and please write us with any comments and questions at Fig@SoThereIWas.us or Repete@SoThereIWas.us.

Chaz joins Fig & Repete to tell of his adventures as the child of a Pennsylvania Railroad engineer; learning to fly and making life decisions based on recruitment posters! Now retired from the majors, Chaz is a font of aviation lore. We spent a little less than two hours together and realized we were only about half-way through, at best. This interview is split into two shows – the first...

Luke Joins hosts Fig & Repete to talk about his journey from the midwest to the Naval Academy. He tells how he became a Marine heavy helicopter pilot and Harrier pilot. He recounts a couple of brushes with disaster and how he avoided jumping out of a Harrier right before leaving active duty. There is a saying in aviation: It’s better to be lucky than good. But when your luck runs out, yo...

Sinbad joins hosts Fig & Repete to recount flying low and fast - terrorizing livestock and breaking glass. But it was a good enough show to get him a 'free pass' from the local highway patrol 35 years later!

Join Fig and Repete as Auto joins them for more fun aviation stories. The real story behind Auto's callsign. There's a saying in aviation about landing gear up: There's those who have and those who will. In there episode there's a story about one who . . . did.

Join hosts Fig & RePete as they welcome Sleeper to expound on his callsign and some of the other antics. More naked stories crop up. You can't make this stuff up!

So there I was… It’s how every great aviation tale begins. Join Fig and Repete – two former Harrier pilots as they kick off the show that will tell funny, harrowing, tragic and incredible stories in aviation. This first episode is more of a ‘get to know us’ show and was done to iron out some kinks in the process of getting underway. It is posted in its entirety, warts...

Lawman describes how no good deed goes unpunished his first time flying a Blue Angel jet!