Triple MiG Killer Colonel 'Rico' Rodriguez

Welcome to another episode of the Lessons from the Cockpit show! An opening line in the new TOPGUN Maverick movie is so appropriate for this episode. Our lessons learned discussion is with MiG Killer US Air Force retired Colonel Cesar "Rico" Rodriguez, an A-10 Hawg and F-15 Eagle pilot who DOES have three MiG kills in forty years. Rico tells the story of his two kills during Desert Storm in 1991 and the opening night of Allied Force over Kosovo in 1999. He also shares lessons learned from working sixteen years in the defense industry with one of the largest defense companies in the world.   This episode is sponsored by Wall Pilot, custom aviation art for the walls of your home, office, or hanger. Rico's Desert Storm 58th Tac Fighter Squadron Gorillas double MiG Killer F-15C and the the 493rd Fighter Squadron Grim Reapers F-15C he flew on the opening night of Allied Force are available for listeners to purchase in four, six, or eight-foot prints that peel off and can be stuck to any flat surface.   This is a link to the AIM-7 Sparrow missile picture Rico and I discuss in the episode... the missile is about to impact the cockpit of an Iraqi MiG-29 Fulcrum shot by Rico's wingman Capt Craig "Mole" Underhill.   Here is a link to Rico telling his story on YouTube and the History Channel.   Please share this and previous episodes of the Lessons from the Cockpit podcast with your friends and family, found on the Mark Hasara website under the Podcast pull down.   Thanks for listening and look forward to another episode next week.