John "Rain" Waters

The Afterburn Podcast

Leisure EN ↓ 275 episodes

Strap in the cockpit as we dive into the stories of the men and women who defend the freedoms we love. From the cockpit of military jets to boots on the ground. The Afterburn Podcast dives into their stories, the planes, and the missions. For Advertising Opportunities or more information visit: https://theafterburnpodcast.com/

Author

John "Rain" Waters

Category

Leisure

Podcast website

bleav.com

Latest episode

Jun 28, 2026

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Episodes

Lowdown 17 Nov | B-21 First Flight | Delta Pilot Threatens Captain | T-7 Flight and more. 17.11.2023

Grab the Lowdown  ⁠newsletter⁠  to stay in the fight with critical insights into defense, aviation, and geo-political happenings around the globe ->  ⁠Sign Up Here⁠ Guns Garin Memorial Foundation gunsgarin.com/rain   "Is the Future African" https://www.sandboxx.us/news/intel-analysis-is-the-future-african/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-afterburn-podcast8255/exclusive-content...

#84 Kevin Latchman | Air Force Cross Recipient | Missed Bus on Runway by 10 feet! 08.11.2023

Kevin Latchman is a Royal Air Force C-17 officer who has commanded at multiple levels within the RAF. He joined the  @AfterburnPodcast  to share his story and perspectives throughout his Air Force Career. He was awarded the Air Force Cross for his actions during the Kabul Afghanistan evacuation in August 2021. Group Captain Kevin Latchman's superior airmanship adverted certain disaster during a ta...

#83 Brett Yoakum - From Firefighting to Law Enforcement to C-17 Loadmaster: Afghanistan Withdrawal Chaos 03.11.2023

Brett Yoakum joins  @AfterburnPodcast  for episode 83. Brett is a C-17 loadmaster a former police officer and a firefighter. Brett recalls his harrowing time in Afghanistan, where he found himself in the midst of chaos during the Kabul evacuation missions. Grab the newsletter 👉 https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter Brett shares the challenges he faced as a police officer and the often negative publi...

Lowdown 30 October | 767 Engine Failure | Pilot Attempted Murder | Chinese Defense Minister Fired 30.10.2023

Grab the Lowdown ⁠newsletter⁠ to stay in the fight with critical insights into defense, aviation, and geo-political happenings around the globe -> ⁠Sign Up Here⁠ Guns Garin Memorial Foundation ⁠https://bit.ly/GunsGarin Dive into the latest global events as we discuss escalating tensions with Iran's proxy forces in the Middle East, and the U.S. bolstering its defense posture. We'll also touch on th...

Lowdown 23 Oct | Chinese Fighter Intercepts | 757 Hydraulic Failure | Charges Dropped Against Army Colonel 23.10.2023

Grab the Lowdown newsletter to stay in the fight with critical insights into defense, aviation, and geo-political happenings around the globe -> Sign Up Here Guns Garin Memorial Foundation https://bit.ly/GunsGarin Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-afterburn-podcast/message Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-afterburn-podcast8255/exclusive-content...

#82 Dylan "Habu" Thorpe: A-10 Fighter Pilot - From Weapon Systems Operator to A-10 Demo Pilot 19.10.2023

Retired A-10 Fighter Pilot, Dylan "Habu" Thorpe joins episode 82 of  @AfterburnPodcast  with John "Rain" Waters. Dive deep into Habu's career from a Weapon Systems Operator in the F-15E to his journey to becoming an A-10. Explore combat stories, air show highlights, and the intricate world of Combat Search and Rescue. Thanks to  @e3aviationassociation  for bringing out the film crew. Check out E3...

Lowdown 16 Oct | Airbus Flying out of a Field - Reno T-6 Crash Report - F/A-18 Near Miss and More 16.10.2023

Grab the newsletter here https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter for your weekly insider look at all things aviation, defense, and geopolitics. 🚨Afterburn Podcast Links🚨 Newsletter - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter Contact - https://www.theafterburnpodcast.com/contact Patreon -  https://www.patreon.com/theafterburnpodcast Apple - https://apple.co/3dLradT Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3SAeSUr Rain on...

#81 Sam McIntyre - Valor Above Kabul: U-28 Special Operations Pilot | Distinguished Flying Cross 09.10.2023

In episode 81  @AfterburnPodcast  Colonel Samuel G. McIntyre, a U-28A Air Force Special Operations Pilot, who distinguished himself during the tumultuous events unfolding at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan. Amidst the initial Taliban invasion and the emergency United States embassy evacuation, Colonel McIntyre's exceptional flying skill, courage, and precision defensive mane...

Richard "Spad" McSpadden 06.10.2023

Unfortunately, this week the aviation world lost a pillar of the community. Richard McSpadden tragically lost his life in a general aviation mishap on Sunday October 1st. I was fortunate to have been able to talk "Spad" and capture a few of those moments in the podcast. This episode was initially released as #57 back in November of 2022. Lt Col (Ret) Richard "Spad" McSpadden is the Senior Vice Pre...

"There I was..." with Richard McSpadden (No Subscription Required) 06.10.2023

Richard McSpadden is a former Air Force Fighter pilot, Commander of the USAF Thunderbirds, and led AOPA's Air Safety Institute. He unfortunately passed away this week in a General Aviation accident. Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-afterburn-podcast/message Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-afterburn-podcast8255/exclusive-content Support this p...

#80 (Part II) Captain Sterling Gilliam - Life as a Naval Aviator 05.10.2023

Episode 80 - Part II - Captain Sterling "Sterls" Gilliam joins the ⁠ @AfterburnPodcast ⁠ for episode 80. Sterls is a career naval fighter pilot and is now the National Naval Aviation Museum director in Pensacola, Florida. Check out E3 Aviation Association: ⁠https://bit.ly/E3Aviation⁠ ✈️ Grab the newsletter - ⁠https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter⁠ 🚨Afterburn Podcast Links🚨 Newsletter - https://bit....

#80 Captain Sterling Gilliam (Part I) | Navy Fighter Pilot - 1300+ Carrier Landings - Director of National Naval Aviation Museum 02.10.2023

Captain Sterling "Sterls" Gilliam joins the  @AfterburnPodcast  for episode 80 (Part I). Sterls is a career naval fighter pilot and is now the National Naval Aviation Museum director in Pensacola, Florida. Check out E3 Aviation Association: https://bit.ly/E3Aviation ✈️ Grab the newsletter - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🚨Afterburn Podcast Links🚨 Newsletter - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewslett...

#79 F-35B Marine Corps Fighter Pilot | Nathaniel "Bobbitt" Keegan 25.09.2023

Grab the newsletter and stay in the know. Nathaniel "Bobbitt" Keegan is an F-35B fighter pilot in the United States Marine Corps. He's an MIT grad with combat deployments to Somalia and Operation Inherent Resolve. Afterburn Podcast Sponsors Launch Your Aviation Career - BogiDope: https://bit.ly/BogiDope Secure Your Digital Identity - Aura: https://aura.com/afterburn E3 Aviation Association: https:...

Lowdown - How an F-35 went missing? | Also Missing...China's Defense Minister | Air Force Misses Recruiting Goal - 22 Sep 2023 22.09.2023

This week on the Lowdown we look at how an F-35 can go missing, China's Defense minister has been "missing," why the Air Force missed it's recruiting goals for the first time in 25 years. Join the free newsletter and get a weekly snapshot of defense, aviation, and geopolitics: https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter Afterburn Podcast Sponsors Launch Your Aviation Career - BogiDope: https://bit.ly/BogiD...

#78 Under Enemy Fire: Air Force Pilot's Distinguished Flying Cross | Chris "Chewy" Richardson 19.09.2023

In episode 78 of  @AfterburnPodcast , we jump into the mission where Chris 'Chewy' Richardson, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for a mission in Afghanistan. On approach into an austere airfield Chris' C-130J Hercules came under enemy fire, striking his loadmaster and damaging his aircraft. Join our Newsletter for weekly insights into defense, aviation, and geo-politics 👉 https://bit.ly...

Lowdown for the week | Russian A320 Runs out of Fuel | Air Force Pilot Training Changes | Merchant of Death Running for Office and more 15.09.2023

Join our new newletter or don't. The choice is yours. This week we cover the Ural A-320 that ran out of fuel and ditched into a field, a United 777 has a loss of cabin pressure, the Russian Merchant of Death is running for officer, a SU-27 almost shot down a Royal Air Force Rivet Joint last year...turns out not a malfunction, and Air Force Pilot Training 2.5 (UPT 2.5) become just UPT. 🚨Afterburn...

#77 The Evolution of an Warrior: Path to Green Beret and Special Mission Unit Medic | Paresh Amin 11.09.2023

Dive deep into the world of elite military operations with Paresh Amin Paresh who is a seasoned warrior who has seen it all from rigorous training and covert missions. From a corpsman with Marine Reconnaissance to the Green Berets' high-stakes operations and Special Mission Unit medic, to now his pursuit to professional golf. Paresh's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. In this episode, he...

Lowdown for the week - Chinese spies | AIM-120 Production | B-2 Lands in Norway 09.09.2023

We are just getting started with our newsletter and want to hear what you think. The good, the bad, and what you want to see. Use the links below to join the newsletter and contact us. Newsletter - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter Contact - https://www.theafterburnpodcast.com/contact Patreon -  https://www.patreon.com/theafterburnpodcast What's lowdown mean? Lowdown is a request for the tactical...

Chief Warrant Officer Rosamond - Into the Fire - 242 Lives Saved | Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient 05.09.2023

Three years ago, on September 5th, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Joseph Rosamond was the pilot in command of a California Air National Guard CH-47 that rescued hundreds of trapped campers in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The campers were cut off and surrounded by wildfires.  The actions of CW5 Rosamond, his crew, and a fellow UH-60 Blackhawk crew risked their lives to land and recover 242 individuals in...

Making a Difference - Guns Garin Memorial Foundation 04.09.2023

Guns Garin Memorial Foundation - Supporting veteran families in their time of need and inspiring the next generation of pilots: https://bit.ly/GunsGarin Guns Garin Memorial Foundation - Supporting veteran families in their time of need and inspiring the next generation of pilots: https://bit.ly/GunsGarin In this episode I chat with brothers Michael and Zachary "Baldly" Thompson. Michael and "Baldy...

Afghanistan Withdrawal - 2 Years Later - C-17 Pilot's Reflect | Alex "AP" Pelbath & Courtney "Voodoo" Vidt 01.09.2023

Alex "AP" Pelbath and Courtney "Voodoo" Vidt join in for a live discussion and Q&A to share their thoughts and experiences during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. "AP" served as the Air Mission Commander for the final mission out of Afghanistan. "Voodoo" is a C-17 Instructor Pilot and Weapons Officer who flew numerous evacuation missions during August 2021. Newsletter - ⁠https://bit.ly/AfterburnNe...

#76 Grace Tinkey - From Chaos to Grace: A Loadmaster's Experience in the Evacuation of Afghanistan & the Road to Pilot Training 28.08.2023

Grace Tinkey joins us on  @AfterburnPodcast  for episode 76. Grace is a former C-17 loadmaster and has made a roundabout way to becoming an Air Force officer. We jump into Grace's experience during August 2021 and the role her and her fellow crew played in the daunting evacuation of Afghanistan at Hamid Karzai International Airport. She shares her firsthand experience at the challenges many faced...

F-16s for Ukraine: Understanding the Training, Logistics, and Operational Hurdles at Hand 25.08.2023

The U.S. approved F-16's to Ukraine. Denmark and the Netherlands will donate F-16's to Ukraine. A coalition of 11 nations will be training Ukrainian pilots and maintainers. But there is a lot to break down with Ukraine receiving F-16's. In this episode, we talk about how many F-16's Ukraine will receive, how Ukrainian pilots will be trained, and just a few of the logistical hurdles and challenges...

Bro Chat 14.0 | Bender’s Solo F-35 Adventure | Tough to Hit Islands | Canopy Bows Always in the Way 21.08.2023

Bro Chat returns to solve more problems...the problems you didn't know you had. Today we hear about "Bender" being "hubcapped" by his squadron in the Pacific, using the rearview mirror in the F-15C to get gas, fighting ISIS, and dropping ordinance in the F-16. If you haven't yet, check out the Kodiak Shack Podcast hosted by "Vader" and "Bender" Afterburn Pod...

Carl Miller - Helping to Get about Afghan Allies Out of Afghanistan 14.08.2023

Carl began his career flying the C-17. He taught Undergraduate Pilot Training in the T-6 and trained our Afghan Allie’s how to fly and employ the C-206. The episode originally aired in Feb of 2021. Carl shared his efforts alongside many of his peers’ efforts to help get our Afghan allies and counterparts out of Afghanistan in August of 2021. Live Discussion and Q&A with “AP” and Voodoo” on the...

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