So There I Was

NOTICE***There is going to be a Zoom ‘Hangout’ With the “Numbskulls” on 24 September. If you are a Patreon member or Direct Donor you should get an invitation. If not – check back here on the 24th. I will keep the link from being public until the 24th to prevent trolls from trying to ruin it.***NOTICE

So there I was… strapping into a seven-ton “dirt bike with wings.” The Marine Corps OV-10 Bronco was tough, noisy, and sometimes terrifying. It had no autopilot, a canopy down to your thighs, and a relief tube that occasionally worked like a fountain.

Student pilot judgment takes center stage in this absurdly true tale of near-misses, smart calls, and the mysterious power of the “E-word.” We welcome Chock as he fights through weather, maintenance gremlins, and schedule chaos on the winding road to his private pilot check ride. From an RV-12 with opinions to a Cirrus with a parachute and sparrows doing formation work on the runway, he keeps choosing discretion over disaster—and lives to laugh about it. We unpack why declaring an emergency is free (and wise), how to beat get-there-itis, and why a plastic credit card might be your best s...

Booz, a freshly-minted CFI, New Hampshirite, and RePete’s daughter—whose glider-to-airline path includes a first solo at 15, a daddy-daughter cross-country in a Grumman Tiger, and a commercial check ride where a simulated engine roughness forced a wrong-side pattern call (good judgment > dogma). We talk density altitude (rude), VMC demos (also leg fatigue), and why hypoxia makes your alphabet wander off the page — thanks, hyperbaric chamber! An alternator gremlin in Texas led to a fateful diversion and meeting CFI legend Mary Latimer (GIFT) [Episode 162], proving aviation serendipity is real. Booz shares practical advice: take a discovery flight, consider scholarships and AN...

Tito brought stories that will make you laugh, wince, and wonder why anyone gives gunners ANY spare time! Kool-Aid boots and hot-sauce toilets are savage reminders that no one is safe in a combat zone! Tito’s journey took him from slinging bombs as a “Load Toad,” to fighting fires in baked-potato suits, to strapping into the legendary AC-130 Spectre gunship—where 105mm recoil could literally make the airplane flinch. He survived dunkers, duct tape wars, pink-mist firefights, and kept Nair on hand as a weapon of revenge. And when he wasn’t flattening bad guys in Afghanistan and Iraq, he w...

This special mid week episode of So There I Was takes a slight detour from our usual lineup of aviators and aircrew—but it’s still all about aviation at heart. Our guest, Mark, from Long Island Watch Co., joined us to share the story behind a limited-run Harrier commemorative watch designed in collaboration with the folks at Patuxent River Naval Air Station (PAX River). PAX, the Navy’s legendary flight test center, was the perfect place for the Harrier community to dream up a way to honor their jet as it heads into retirement. Mark walked us through the de...

Retired Marine AV-8B Harrier pilot, “Cutter,” brings stories that are equal parts funny and awe-inspiring. He kicks off with the 2005 twelve-ship departure from al-Asad—skimming the Saudi desert on fumes, praying the tankers showed up—before pushing through a 10.5-hour odyssey to Rota, Spain. He rewinds to OCS at Camp Upshur with 300 candidates lined up for a cold gamma-globulin shot, then to flight school in T-2s that needed a literal bicycle pump to make the radio work. Cutter recounts the logging cable in Japan that shredded his wing at 480 knots, and the engine fire in Yuma that ended in...

IIn this wild, laugh-until-your-ribs-hurt episode of So There I Was, we dive into Marine Corps Harrier pilot stories that blur the line between combat history and barroom legend. We round up a squadron of Harrier pilots — including Spiko, who joins mid-flight — for tales of 8.5-G nozzle breaks in the Philippines, midair collisions, midnight carrier deck landings, and questionable uses for government-issued canteens.

“Mongoose” lets the squadron run wild, “Woody” wakes up surrounded by boots, and one Marine’s coffee ritual nearly sparks an international hygiene incident. Between the absurd tales, these Marine Corps Harrier pilot stories also carry moments...

Strap in and try not to twist your balls. This week’s episode goes full afterburner with the “Young Guns” of VMA-542: Auto, Disco, Pisser, Spiko, Strut, and Vapor join Fig and RePete to recount the wild, the ridiculous, and the occasionally flammable moments of Marine Harrier squadron glory.

There’s a missile shoot that nearly ends in a self-induced jet barbecue, poker games that could fund small countries, and bar fights with women who can deadlift your Harley. You’ll hear how napalm delivery tactics were invented on the fly (literally), how morale was fueled by Scope bott...

This week, we flip the script—Fig and RePete aren’t hosting, we’re the guests on The Flying Dutchman Show. Dutch dives into the stories, chaos, and camaraderie that define life as a Marine Harrier pilot, pulling out unforgettable tales from our years in the cockpit.

From flight school struggles and first carrier landings to NATOPS checkride drama and mid-air close calls, no part of Marine aviation is off limits. You’ll hear how Fig got his call sign, how RePete nearly lost his flight contract, and how both of us beat the odds to fly the lege...

So there he was…35 feet above the water, at night, trying to airlift survivors. What happens next involves a suitcase, a shrug, and one hell of a throw. Join So There I Was as Coast Guard helo pilot “Sticks” returns to recount harrowing rescues during the Texas floods—where flying into chaos is just another Tuesday.

From medevacs that look more like belly-flop contests to triaging 170 people solo in rising waters, Sticks paints a vivid—and frequently absurd—picture of what real-world Coast Guard rescues look like. We talk dynamic rollovers, helicopter dogfights (yep), shared controls (don’t try this at...

From screw-up recruit to revered drill instructor, First Sergeant John Crouch takes us deep into the crucible of Marine Corps transformation. In this gripping episode, Crouch recalls his early days at bootcamp, his infamous misstep during the Laws of Land Warfare class, and the brutal but formative experience of Drill Instructor School at Parris Island. He shares harrowing tales of PT punishment, spit-shined leadership, and the unwavering standards that mold raw recruits into Marines. Whether he’s talking about the origin of “YUT!” or the moment he lost all attraction to a stunning Staff Sergeant mid-drip, Crouch delivers humor, humility, and ha...

So there I was… with $174 in loose change, one Garande rifle, and a sandpit full of regret. In this unforgettable episode, retired Marine First Sergeant John Crouch returns to So There I Was to share a story so absurd, it should be fiction—but it’s 100% real! From psychological stress at Officer Candidate School to creative punishments involving unsecured wallets and rifles. And you’ll hear how a Medal of Honor dog tag program gave candidates something bigger than themselves to fight for—and how a quiet act of remembrance, years later, brought that message full circle. This one has it all. Yo...

We’re honored to be joined by retired USCG Chief Claude Morrissey—a veteran rescue swimmer with decades of gripping search and rescue tales. From cliffside hoists in Kodiak to extracting F-18 pilots from the Atlantic, Claude brings raw stories, grit, humor, and humility. He shares what it takes to make it through the brutal Rescue Swimmer A-School, the harrowing rescues that shaped his career, and what it’s like to fly missions from the Bering Sea to Hurricane Katrina. This one’s packed with adrenaline, emotion, and classic “so there I was” storytelling you won’t find anywhere else. Stick around a...

Stealth takes us straight into the Cold War cockpit on a Navy E-2 Hawkeye as he stood the watch during some of America’s most tense moments. From scrambling on alert after Reagan was shot, to deploying over the North Atlantic in DEFCON 2, to narrowly avoiding catastrophe when a 'friendly' dropped a bomb on a U.S. cruiser—this episode is packed with edge-of-your-seat stories. Stealth shares what it was like controlling the airspace above the fleet, even spotting submarines that were 'never there' from 15,000 feet, and managing chaos (and comedy) from the radar station. It’s a mix of Cold W...

🎙️ No New Episode This Week – But Wait… It’s a Good Thing! 🎙️ Last week’s So There I Was with Dos Gringos clocked in at over 2 hours and 15 minutes — a wild ride packed with laughs, songs, and unforgettable stories. Add in some tech gremlins this week, and we figured: let’s give you a little more time to soak it all in. If you haven’t heard it yet (or just want to hear it again), now’s your chance to dive back into the mayhem: 👉 https://sothereiwas.us/episode/163 Trust us — it’s one of our most epic episodes yet. We’ll be back next week with...

This very long—but hilarious and heartfelt—episode dives deep into fighter pilot culture; think less dogfights, more Dos Gringos. We sat down with the irreverent band, their musical wingmen from Los Gringos, and the founders of Winglore Spirits to talk whiskey, war stories, squadron bars, and the art of laughing at yourself. You’ll hear about bad rides that birthed great songs, the origin of Two’s Blind, near-death ejections, the mythos of Shaved Dog’s Ass, and a whiskey label that offers a conservative joker and generous bingo! This isn’t just an episode—it’s a celebration of camaraderie...

She’s five feet tall and larger than life! She once grounded an entire A&P school’s ego. Meet Mary Latimer — a pilot, mechanic, controller, examiner, and walking aviation pioneer. In this episode, she narrowly avoids lawn-darting a Cessna 172 from 5,000 feet with no elevator control using trim like a Jedi, and managed a mag failure mid-checkride. She once told an Air Traffic Control manager she was only going to hit one airliner! From launching 2,000 passengers in one night to getting told to “go back to the kitchen,” Mary’s tales are equal parts horrifying and hilarious. Oh — and she turned a terri...

Ben Densley joins So There I Was to share his extraordinary journey—opening with a terrifying incident during a night parachute jump on to becoming a Green Beret, then a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He recalls intense special forces training, covert operations in Laos, and flying for Air America in combat zones. Ben speaks candidly about the dangers he faced, the emotional toll of war, and the resilience needed to navigate PTSD. He also offers a behind-the-scenes look at missions involving rescues, supply drops, and demolitions. Post-war, Ben continued his aviation career with the NTSB and even flew for Trump Ai...

This week we hand the mic to Pisser — a Marine aviator whose call sign isn’t an insult… it’s a proven skill... Yes, he really can clear a 15-passenger van... LENGTH-WISE! From calling in fast movers to dropping bombs and one-liners, Pisser takes us on a high-speed run through the hilarity and hazards of military aviation. He crushed flight school, built tactical air control programs, and somehow kept a straight face through “murder boards” that were anything but academic. You’ll hear about combat missions, ballsy-flybys, and just enough bathroom humor to stay on brand. Strap in — this one’s got altitude, at...

In this riveting episode of So There I Was, we sit down with John “Apache 2-3” Haugen, a Vietnam-era Army aviator with stories that span from the draft line in 1968 to combat flying in the Mekong Delta. John shares how he dodged a ground-pounder fate by heading to Officer Candidate School, ultimately flying slicks and accumulating over 900 hours of combat flight time. With humor, humility, and gripping detail, he recounts narrow escapes, night missions, forced landings, and his close call in a mangrove swamp that led to a surreal “third man” experience. From learning in OH-23s and flying Hueys to coord...

Dr. David Hamilton, retired surgeon and award-winning historian joins us to to discuss his upcoming book The Enigmatic Aviator: Charles Lindbergh Revisited (out May 21, 2025—on the 98th anniversary of Lindbergh’s legendary flight to Paris). Dr. Hamilton unveils the lesser-known side of Lindbergh—his pivotal contributions to medical science, organ perfusion technology, and even the design of early centrifuges. We explore Lindbergh’s engineering brilliance, his secretive private life, and how his scientific legacy was buried beneath decades of political smears and tabloid noise. From barnstorming to building perfusion pumps, from fighting with the Luftwaffe to shaping the future U.S. Air F...

Bill Robinson recounts the harrowing story of being shot down over North Vietnam in 1965 during a rescue mission gone sideways. What followed was nearly eight years as a prisoner of war — making him the longest-held enlisted POW in American history. From in-flight helicopter refueling with 55-gallon drums to the chaos of capture, jungle survival, torture, and eventual release, Robinson shares vivid memories and razor-sharp insights. His humor, humility, and perspective on service, sacrifice, and resilience offer a powerful reminder of the cost of war and the strength of the human spirit. You’ll hear tales of duct-taped helicopters, donkey competitions, and...

Former U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer Jason “Quinny” Quinn shares the harrowing story behind the Distinguished Flying Cross he earned after saving five people from a burning ship in the Bering Sea. With only one helicopter and 26 people reported in the water, Quinn was deployed near the vessel Galaxy as it rolled violently in 25-foot seas. Swimming close to massive propellers and through smoke and flames, he rescued survivor after survivor—fighting exhaustion, freezing water, and chaos along the way. Quinn also takes us back to where it all started: growing up on a lake in Massachusetts, joining the Coast...

In this unforgettable episode of So There I Was, Howie Franklin—the only steward to serve five U.S. Presidents aboard Air Force One—joins us for an incredible deep dive into presidential history. With unmatched humor, insight, and warmth, Howie shares behind-the-scenes stories about Presidents Clinton, Reagan, Carter, Bush, and Ford. From rock-and-roll boombox diplomacy to emotional moments following family loss, Howie paints a vivid portrait of the human side of leadership. He details what it was like to see President Clinton evolve in office, the unmatched organization of the Reagan administration, and hilarious anecdotes about presidential quirks—including brocco...

In this episode, Howie Franklin, the only flight steward to serve five U.S. Presidents aboard Air Force One, joins us with jaw-dropping stories from a life lived at the center of American history. It kicks off with a story with former Marine Commandant General Krulak and quickly dives into Howie’s early days — from rubbing elbows with celebs on Fire Island to working in elite kitchens as a teenager. Drafted into the Air Force, he found his way from a toxic chow hall in South Dakota to flying global missions with generals and diplomats. Howie shares how a single flig...

In this high-speed, low-altitude ride of So There I Was, the guest—a decorated WSO in both the F-111 Aardvark and F-15E Strike Eagle—shares some of the most intense moments of his flying career. He takes us over the Nevada desert at Mach 1.3 and just 100 feet above ground level. He recalls near-misses, like narrowly avoiding an A-10 while threading a ridge line. The thrill of tactical aviation comes through in every story. The episode also covers his nuclear weapons delivery training in Europe, pulling Gs at 600 knots, and precision strikes during Red and Green Flag exercises. Listeners get an i...

In August 2017, about 100 miles west of Key West, a Yort found himself in a tense moment during what was supposed to be a routine intercept mission. After being redirected to the Phantom airspace, he learned an aircraft might have gone down—a chilling way for any aviation story to turn serious.  That moment of uncertainty launched a gripping tale that unfolds with career-spanning insights into military aviation. From childhood memories of climbing into old B-17s to intense training with the Navy SEALs, to navigating ROTC, OCS, and finally flying F-18s off carriers, the story offers an unfiltered look at...

From a kid watching F-16s in Albuquerque to flying the legendary AV-8B Harrier, Warren’s journey into Marine Corps aviation is packed with twists, challenges, and near-disasters. It all started with a recruiter’s dare and his mother’s skepticism—fueling his path from Navy ROTC to the cockpit of one of the most unique aircraft in military aviation. But the road to the sky wasn’t easy. Warren overcame a broken leg in flight school, a last-minute major change, and grueling combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. He pulls back the curtain on white-knuckle night sorties, navigating strict rul...

🎙️Episode 150: Fast Eddie Ed Cobleigh—Fighter Pilot & Aviation Adventure Author Strap in for a high-speed, low-drag episode as we welcome “Fast Eddie” Ed Cobleigh—fighter pilot, weapons instructor, and best-selling aviation author. If you’ve ever dreamed of pulling 5 Gs, dodging bureaucracy, and outmaneuvering enemy fire, this episode puts you right in the cockpit. Fast Eddie shares pulse-pounding tales, from weaving through the fog over Loch Ness (yes, with an entire flight of jets) to nearly giving the Shah of Iran a Maverick missile in the keester! He dishes on precision bombing with the Air Force, teaching Navy pilots a thing or two, a...

This week on So There I Was, Jeff & Jay Moss join us to share their unique journeys as Army attack pilots and men of faith. From the cockpit to the home front, their paths have been shaped by battlefield decisions and life’s toughest challenges—the kind that test both the body and the soul. Jeff has faced the crucible of war. Jay has forged his own path, carrying on the family legacy as an attack pilot. Through it all, faith, family bonds, and even a connection to a former President have shaped their journey. Their book, My Leading Edge (co-a...

Buckle up for a wild ride with A-10 Warthog pilots T-Dub and Quintana! From dodging bureaucracy to dodging bullets, these two bring hilarious and jaw-dropping combat stories straight from the cockpit. Hear about strafing tanks in Iraq, the legendary Kandahar Unicorn, and why British Special Forces will obliterate anyone who messes with their dog. Expect fighter pilot pranks, piddle pack nightmares, and some highly questionable call signs. Oh, and did we mention an explosion of 200 barrels of oil? If you love aviation, military humor, and tales of airborne mayhem, this episode is guns hot! 🎧 Listen now for the best A-10 War...

From ‘Worm’ to ‘Wolfy’: A wild ride through a career in Naval Aviaton What happens when a determined young man with a dream of flying almost misses his shot—only to have fate (and a sharp-eyed Naval Officer) step in? Wolfy joins us to share his incredible journey: from nearly missing his chance to serve, to nailing the perfect interview, to never, ever quitting. Along the way, he’ll crack you up with stories of how ‘Worm’ became ‘Wolfy’, and drop some unexpectedly deep wisdom—like what it’s like to attend your own funeral. Oh, and did we mention he’s worked alongside th...

JTAC Combat Stories with Black Rifle Coffee’s JT This week, So There I Was takes a wild turn as we welcome JT—combat veteran, Air Force JTAC, and co-founder of Black Rifle Coffee Company. Not only is he a certified badass, but he also runs a fund to support veterans and first responders—because great coffee and great causes go hand in hand. Surviving JTAC Training & Dodging Bullets JT shares insane combat stories, from his grueling selection process (spoiler: it involved deception, suffering, and maybe some regret) to climbing a ladder in the middle of a warzone while F-16s scre...

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 delivers a powerful inside look at one of the most pivotal days in modern American history.

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 controllers handle everything from student pilots to fast-moving military traffic? Dan shares the good, the bad, and the hilarious from behind the mic. But that’s not all—Dan is also a Iraq War ve...

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 Firefighting Systems (MAFFS), strategies for containing wildfires, and the high-stakes decisions made in extreme conditions. From battling unpredictable microbursts to maneuvering through treacherous terrain, this episode provides an inside look at the crucial role military firefighting pilots play. The crew delves...

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 into leadership, resilience, and the ingenuity of combat aviation, showcasing life-or-death stakes and the pride of serving. Perfect for military aviation enthusiasts and history buffs, Soup’s adrenaline-filled stories offer a rare glimpse into the bravery and dedication of those who serve. Don’t miss t...

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 working in the highest-stress crisis management of his life. DON'T miss this one! LEAD Technologies Inc. V1.01

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 regular interviews on the 9th January! We had a ball chatting with so many folks. We will do this again! Come join us next time!