Warrior Wednesday with The Raider

This week’s Warrior Wednesday takes a different approach as Chad Ray welcomes members of the Dyess First Sergeants Council to discuss the mission of supporting Airmen and families across the base. Joining Chad are Master Sergeant Adrian O’Neill, Tech Sergeant Edwin Rivera, and Master Sergeant Kyle Marcek, who explain the unique role of a First Sergeant and the many ways they help Airmen through li...

This Warrior Wednesday is a deeply personal one as Chad Ray welcomes Air Force veteran Gordy Tatro — and yes, he’s also the father of The Raider’s own Dustin Tatro. Born and raised in Michigan, Gordy shares how a shaky freshman year in college during the Vietnam draft era pushed him to make a life-changing choice: enlist in the U.S. Air Force in 1966. Following a family legacy of service — includi...

On this special Warrior Wednesday with Chad Ray, we honor Rafael Nieves — a Vietnam veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and true American hero. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Rafi shares how he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968, completed basic training at Fort Gordon, advanced infantry training at Fort Ord, and was sent to Vietnam in December of that year. Assigned to the 101st Airborne Divisi...

On this Warrior Wednesday with Chad Ray, we honor the service and leadership of Sergeant First Class (Ret.) Justin Mayes, a 21-year U.S. Army veteran whose career was shaped by duty, adaptability, and people-first leadership. Raised in Wichita Falls, Texas, Justin’s path to service began in high school as he watched the events of 9/11 unfold, eventually leading him to enlist while in college. What...

On this Warrior Wednesday with Chad Ray, Navy veteran Viron Smith shares the story that took him from small-town Winfield, Louisiana to a life of service—and a career that literally put him in charge of saving lives. Viron talks about leaving college football behind, joining the Navy at 19, and reporting to an aircraft carrier—USS George Washington—as an undesignated fireman assigned to damage con...

On this post-Veterans Day edition of Warrior Wednesday with Chad Ray, Retired Master Sergeant Chris Ferguson shares the remarkable journey that took him from a Navy-brat childhood to two decades in the U.S. Air Force. After growing up on bases around the world, Chris joined from Houston, following a dream to work on aircraft and serve his country. From Hurlburt Field in Florida to Mildenhall in En...

In this Veterans Day special edition of Warrior Wednesday , Chad Ray sits down with World War II veteran Franklin Jackson “Frank” Cosby Jr. — a true American original whose memories bring history to life. Born outside of Lewisville, Texas, Frank was drafted at just 18 years old and began a journey that took him from Fort Worth to Camp Hood, across the Pacific to Fort Ord, California, and under the...

In this week’s Warrior Wednesday on The Raider , Chad Ray talks with Retired Air Force Technical Sergeant Steve Winegardner, whose 20-year career began with a leap of faith and led to a lifetime of service at Dyess Air Force Base. Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Steve joined the Air Force from Dallas in 2000, following in his brother’s footsteps to become a B-1 engine mechanic. He shares how one...

On this week’s Warrior Wednesday with Chad Ray on The Raider , meet Retired Air Force Master Sergeant Sal Garcia — a Jersey native whose career began with one unexpected ride to a recruiter’s office. From Newark, New Jersey, to Dover Air Force Base, Misawa, Japan, and finally Dyess AFB in Abilene, Sal’s 20-plus years in uniform took him around the world as a jet engine mechanic, flying crew chief,...

we meet Retired Air Force Veteran Kristin Fane. Originally from Chicago, Kristen joined the Air Force right out of high school after receiving a simple postcard from a recruiter — a decision that led to a remarkable 20-year career, all spent right here at Dyess Air Force Base. As a jet engine mechanic, Kristin worked on B-1 bombers, supported depot-level maintenance at Tinker Air Force Base, and s...

In this episode: Retired Army Staff Sergeant Mark Delgado, a native of Knox City, Texas, whose 24-year Army career spanned artillery, infantry, and combat engineering. Mark shares his journey from small-town beginnings to global service — from breaching minefields and operating heavy equipment to instructing soldiers on early GPS systems. He talks about deployments across the U.S. and Germany, his...

On this week’s Warrior Wednesday on Raider Mornings with Chad Ray , retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Joshua Baker shares his incredible 24-year journey of service. From growing up in Martha’s Vineyard to joining the Air Force in search of career and travel, Josh takes us through assignments in California, Japan, England, and beyond. Hear his stories about working on legendary aircraft, the m...

This week on Warrior Wednesday , Chad Ray welcomes Navy veteran Marc Grivas — a Master Mason and proud American Legion member — for a powerful conversation about life at sea and lessons learned in service. From navigating 100-foot swells in the Atlantic to finding peace on glassy waters, Marc shares vivid stories and timeless wisdom. Tune in for an inspiring salute to resilience, faith, and the co...

Drafted in the Vietnam era but already wearing Air Force blue, Air Force firefighter George Orosco takes you from a military family’s roots to life on the flightline—training, deployments, rescues, and the pride that never leaves. He explains how a San Antonio kid turned firefighting into a lifelong calling across stateside bases and overseas assignments, and why the skills you learn in uniform tr...

Air Force veteran Roy McClendon shares his journey from Pampa, Texas to serving as a B-52 crew chief during the Vietnam era. From Dyess Air Force Base to deployments in Guam and Thailand, Roy reflects on discipline, teamwork, and the lessons of military life.