Fighter Pilot Podcast
by E. Vincent "Jell-O" Aiello, Retired U.S. Navy Fighter Pilot
The Fighter Pilot Podcast explores the fascinating world of air combat: the aircraft, the weapons systems, and most importantly—the people. Each episode typically features a guest who helps explain the topic at hand such as how ejection seats work or what it's like to fly on and off nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.If you love the roar of a high-speed flyby or are enamored by the poise and confidence of the brave men and women who pilot these aircraft, then this show is for you!For advertising, partnerships or other business opportunities, please contact: [email protected]
Episodes
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FPP229 - The Red Eagles
This week, Tucker sits down with Rob "Z-Man" Zettel to talk about flying Soviet MiG-21s and MiG-23s as part of the highly classified Red Eagles under Constant Peg. The program helped prepare American fighter pilots to face and defeat their adversaries by training against real Soviet aircraft.…
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FPP228 - Returning to the SR-71
On October 10, 1997, Bert Garrison piloted the last SR-71 Blackbird flight for the United States Air Force. In this conversation with him, he recounts his time flying one of the most iconic aircraft in aviation history, the SR-71’s brief revival in the 1990s, and the mission that brought its Air...
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FPP227 - Dogfighting Goes Digital
Tucker talks with retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel and TOPGUN graduate, Tim "Monk" Miller. He's the founder and CEO of the Strike Fighter League, the world's first professional air combat digital sport, where elite virtual pilots battle through precision, speed, and gunnery trials before...
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FPP226 - A Lifetime in Combat Aviation
Today, CAPT Jack Ashmore talks through a remarkable combat career spanning Korea and Vietnam, flying the AD Skyraider, A-4 Skyhawk, F-4 Phantom, and A-7 Corsair II. He shares dozens of firsthand stories from the 1968 Tet Offensive, the evolution of naval aviation, carrier operations, and the...
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FPP225 - In the Skies Over Iraq
Rear Admiral Doug "Woody" Beal came on the show having spent 35 years in Navy strike fighters, 13 on active duty and 22 in the reserves. Flying Intruders and Hornets from Whidbey to China Lake to the skies over Iraq. He has experienced everything from a medical disqualification at USAFA to combat...
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FPP224 - The Software Problem
Have you ever thought about how you update your F-22? Probably not, but someone has to. Rob Slaughter, former Air Force officer and co-founder of Defense Unicorns, joins the Fighter Pilot Podcast to discuss fixing how the Department of War builds, delivers, and updates software. From the Pentagon...
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FPP223 - The Human Factor
If only we treated the human being in the cockpit with the same care and lifecycle management we give the aircraft... In this episode, I sit down with Commander Kevin Bernstein, MD, to explore a new approach to human performance across Naval Aviation. Drawing on his experience in sports medicine...
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FPP222 - Afghanistan: America's Longest War
On October 7, 2001, a US Air Force B-2 Spirit crossed into Afghan airspace as part of the opening campaign of Operation Enduring Freedom. Nearly twenty years later, a C-17 Globemaster carrying the final American soldiers lifted off from Kabul as the Taliban returned to power. Between those two…
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FPP221 - The Israeli Ace with 12 MiG Kills
Brigadier General (Ret.) Israel Baharav is one of Israel's most accomplished fighter pilots, credited with twelve MiG-21 kills during his distinguished career in the Israeli Air Force. Over three decades of military service, he flew on the front lines, commanded a fighter squadron, served as Head...
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FPP220 - Launching Satellites from F-104s
In this episode, I sit down with Tim Franta, CEO of Starfighters Space, to discuss the company's mission to transform access to space using high-performance aircraft. We explore the STARLAUNCH air-launch system, how Starfighters operates the world's only commercial fleet of Mach 2+ F-104...
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FPP219 - From Wimbledon to Mach 1.58: Louis Skupien’s Wild Ride into Telling Aviation’s Story
He was a national champion tennis player headed for Wimbledon, then COVID and injury ended that dream overnight. Two years later, Louis Skupien was strapped into a jet suit. Four years after that, he was breaking the sound barrier twice in an F-16D over Edwards Air Force Base, filming a…
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FPP218 - The Humans Behind Autonomous Air Combat
Former US Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot turned Autonodyne CEO Steve Jacobson discusses one of the most important and least understood aspects of future air combat: the human-machine interface. Jake shares stories from flying and testing the Warthog, explains why he turned down Test Pilot...
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FPP217 - Shot Down, Not Out: Col. Richard "Dog" Brenneman on Service and Survival
US Air Force Colonel Richard "Dog" Brenneman describes his incredible story of courage and determination. Shot down over North Vietnam on his 26th combat mission while flying the F-4 Phantom II, Col. Brenneman spent more than 1,900 days as a prisoner of war in the Hanoi Hilton before returning…
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FPP216 - 300 Vietnam Missions in the F-4: Combat and the Making of a Leader
Ron "Toes" Cooper grew up silent, insecure, and certain he'd never amount to much. Then four men believed in him — and everything changed. Toes went on to fly the F-4 Phantom in over 300 combat missions in Vietnam, dodge a MiG-21 missile by a split second, participate in the rescue of a downed...
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FPP215 - U-2s on Aircraft Carriers: A Cold War Gamble
During the Cold War, the Lockheed U-2 gave the United States the ability to peer deep inside denied territory from altitudes once thought unreachable. But after the Francis Gary Powers shootdown and increasing political pressure on foreign host nations, the CIA faced a growing problem: how do you...
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FPP214 - Fighting Falcons: VMF-221 and the Soul of Marine Aviation
From Buffalos at Midway to Corsairs off the deck of Bunker Hill, the Marines of VMF-221 fought, bled, and adapted their way through the Pacific War — and their story reveals far more about combat, leadership, and airpower than the history books let on. Retired Marine Lt. Col. and historian Pete...
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FPP213 - Top Gun, Tomcats, and AI Wingmen: "Yank" Cummings on Tomorrow’s War
JJ “Yank” Cummings returns to the Fighter Pilot Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on F-14 Tomcats, carrier aviation, Top Gun: Maverick, and the rapidly approaching age of autonomous air combat. From war stories over Afghanistan to his work with Shield AI, Yank brings a rare blend of cockpit...
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FPP212 - Four Stars, One Secretary, Zero Ego - Gen. Goldfein & Sec. Wilson on Servant Leadership
What does it take to lead when the mission is hard, the stakes are life-and-death, and nobody is watching? In this extraordinary episode, Tucker Hamilton sits down with two of the most consequential figures in modern Air Force history — General (Ret.) David Goldfein, former Chief of Staff of the...
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FPP211 - The Last Harrier: Inside the Final AV-8B Squadron
The AV-8B Harrier is one of the most demanding, iconic, and battle-proven aircraft in military aviation history. Now, as the Harrier era draws to a close, one squadron remains to carry the torch: VMA-223, the Great American Bulldogs. In this episode, Cinco sits down with the commanding officer...
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Artemis II: Back to the Moon! (Rebroadcast)
With the successful launch of Artemis II and NASA's return to the moon six decades later, we thought this a good time to dust off episode 189 from April 2024 featuring Reid "Tonto" Wiseman, mission commander. Godspeed, astronauts! Support this podcast at — https://www.patreon.com/cw/ftrpltpdcst
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What Happens After Talent Runs Out: Unlocking the Last 20%
At some point, talent is no longer enough. The same is true for preparation, intelligence, and ambition. What remains is the final margin—that last 20% where discipline, resilience, balance, and character decide the outcome. In this episode, Jell-O sits down with Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton to…
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FPP210 - 600knots Through Chicago: From F-22 Raptor to Reinvention
What does it take to command the F-22 Raptor at the edge of the envelope — and then pull the power to idle in a vertical tailslide over 100,000 people? — and then reinvent yourself beyond the cockpit? Josh “Cabo” Gunderson joins Cinco to unpack elite performance, humility under pressure, the...
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FPP209 - When (and Where) 5th Gen Simulation Meets Reality
As software has become the center of gravity for 5th generation fighters, simulation has become increasingly foundational to testing and fielding those aircraft. On this episode, Doug “Rosie” Rosenstock, a U.S. Marine Corps Harrier-turned-test pilot who helped shape the F-35's mission systems and...
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FPP208 - The Making of an Astronaut: From Fighter Test to the Edge of Space
What does it take to go from strapping into fighters to leaving Earth's atmosphere? This week, Jameel “Chocolate” Janjua — Virgin Galactic astronaut and former U.S. and Canadian fighter test pilot — breaks down the mindset behind elite aviation, how test pilots really think about risk, and what…
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FPP207 - Flying with the Algorithm: AI, Trust, and the F-35
What happens when artificial intelligence starts sharing cockpit responsibilities? On this episode, US Air Force Lt Col Raven “Rost” LeClair—F-35 Lightning II test pilot, squadron commander, and autonomy specialist—breaks down how AI is actually being integrated into 5th-generation fighters. We...
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FPP206 - Delivering the Future: Aviation Acquisition
The future of airpower is not decided in the cockpit—it’s decided by the acquisition process. In this episode, U.S. Air Force Colonel Tim “Ivy” Spaulding joins new FPP host Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton to break down modern aviation acquisition from a fighter pilot’s perspective. They explore why...
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The Fighter Pilot Podcast
Welcome to the Fighter Pilot Podcast! This trailer describes who this show is from, who it's for, and what it's all about. Be sure to check out our website and for exclusive content, subscribe to our Patreon Page. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X. To connect with us, email:...
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End of Year Recap - 2025
A look back at 2025 and introduction to 2026's new FPP host in this end-of-year wrap up episode. Support this podcast at — https://www.patreon.com/cw/ftrpltpdcst
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NORAD Santa Tracker (Rebroadcast)
Near the end of each year, we feature the hard working men and women of NORAD who tirelessly monitor threats all year long and then, on December 24th, add the mission of tracking Santa. Enjoy this 2022 rebroadcast on the NORAD Santa Tracker program featuring then-U.S. Air Force Gen. Glen…
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Scaled Composites: Flying the Impossible
Few companies in aviation history can claim an average of one new aircraft flown every year for four decades. Enter Scaled Composites. Founded in 1982 by legendary designer Burt Rutan, Scaled Composites specializes in designing, building, and flight-testing proof-of-concept, prototype, and...
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Warbirds, the Whale, and a Life Well Lived
We’re opening the vault for another Happy Hour—this one from 2021 with retired U.S. Navy Captain Matthew “Tom” Maxwell. Tom flew numerous World War II– and Korean War–era aircraft from carriers around the world before eventually finding his way into his favorite platform: the Douglas A-3...
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Honoring a Giant: The Life and Legacy of LtGen Richard Carey
We close out our month-long tribute to the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday with a special replay of a 2021 Happy Hour conversation featuring Lieutenant General Richard E. Carey. Across nearly four decades in uniform, General Carey rose from enlisted grunt to three-star general, serving everywhere…
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FPP205 - "Whiskey" at War | Combat Realities in the CH-53E
Our monthlong celebration of the US Marine Corps' 250th birthday continues this week with retired Lieutenant Colonel Isaac "Whiskey" Lee who spent a 20-year career flying CH-53E Super Stallions. Veteran of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, Weapons & Tactics instructor...Whiskey chronicles...
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Veterans Day Guest Mashup (Rebroadcast)
This Veterans Day, we are rebroadcasting a walk down memory lane first shared in 2024 featuring guests from past Fighter Pilot Podcast episodes. Support this podcast at — https://www.patreon.com/cw/ftrpltpdcst
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Snakes in the Sand: Marine Cobra Pilot Recalls Desert Storm
To mark the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th birthday on November 10, 2025, we are repurposing a 2023 Patreon Happy Hour featuring Doug Griffith who flew AH-1 Cobras during Operation Desert Storm. Doug shares great stories and a master class on what it means to be a Marine Aviator. Support this podcast…
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FPP204 - The Adventures of a Vietnam War Crusader Pilot
November 10, 2025 marks the U.S. Marines' 250th birthday and to celebrate, we are dedicating the entire month to the Corps, beginning with this discussion featuring Jim "Bullet" Markel. Bullet, who flew the Vought F-8 Crusader, describes flight training, meeting the love of his life, and flying...
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The Air Boss, 2025
The U.S. Navy has one of the largest air forces in the world comprised of a wide variety of aircraft from helicopters to strike fighters to patrol planes. While squadrons, air wings, and type wings have a well-established chain of command, ultimately they all fall under the purview of a single...
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Feel the Need...
This week, we pause our monthlong celebration of the U.S. Navy's 250th birthday to check in with FPP friend, Dave "Chip" Berke. Fighter pilot extraordinaire, battle-proven forward air controller, and esteemed leadership coach, Chip codifies his many hard-won lessons learned into a powerful and...
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Submarines for Dummies... er, Aviators
Torpedoes vs missiles, tomahawks vs smart bombs, fluid mechanics, missions ranging from direct combat to attack to surveillance... turns out, submarines and military aviation have much in common! On this episode marking the U.S. Navy's 250th anniversary, former submarine commander Tony Grayson...
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From Vietnam to F/A-18s with "Bear"
October 2025 marks 250 years of the U.S. Navy and we begin our monthlong celebration with retired Rear Admiral Jeremy "Bear" Taylor, who considers himself the luckiest man alive. Commissioned in 1957, Bear would accumulate more than 6,000 flight hours in fighters and trainers and over 1,000…
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The CH-47 Chinook with "Jellers"
Some aircraft have specialized roles most applicable to certain types of warfare—and thus only appear in certain conflicts around the globe. And then there are the workhorses that show up everywhere. On this episode, former Royal Air Force navigator-turned-pilot Elliott "Jellers" Jardine explains...
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"Fangs" Talks Flight Test
Colonel James "Fangs" Valpiani knows a thing or two about flight test because he's seen a thing or two: first an Air Force Academy graduate, then a combat-tested F-15E Strike Eagle pilot, a graduate of the French Test Pilot School, and most recently Commodore of the USAF TPS. On this episode…
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FPP203 - The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
Per their website, the "Thunderbirds perform for people all around the world to display the pride, precision and professionalism the U.S. Air Force represents." Awesome, but what does that mean for the men and women comprising the team? How do they join, and what is a typical week like during…
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Bottling the Fighter Pilot Spirit with Winglore (Sponsored)
Is it possible to capture the camaraderie of a fighter squadron ready room after hours in a spirits brand? Introducing Winglore. Founded by fighter pilots, for fighter pilots, Winglore captures the spirit of a squadron bar after a day in the skies—where stories get taller, roasts get louder, and...
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After the Merge
A 2008 mid-air collision between an F/A-18 Hornet and F-5F Tiger II near Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada left one pilot dead, two aircraft destroyed, and dozens of squadron mates, family, and friends changed forever. This bonus episode of The Merge reunites the two surviving F-5 aircrew…
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The Merge-6: The Family of the Lost
A 2008 mid-air collision between an F/A-18 Hornet and F-5F Tiger II near Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada left one pilot dead, two aircraft destroyed, and dozens of squadron mates, family, and friends changed forever. This concluding episode of The Merge features the widow of the lost pilot…
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The Merge-5: From other Perspectives
A 2008 mid-air collision between an F/A-18 Hornet and F-5F Tiger II near Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada left one pilot dead, two aircraft destroyed, and dozens of squadron mates, family, and friends changed forever. This fifth episode of The Merge explores the collision from other aviators...
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The Merge-4: Flight Lead and Wingman
A 2008 mid-air collision between an F/A-18 Hornet and F-5F Tiger II near Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada left one pilot dead, two aircraft destroyed, and dozens of squadron mates, family, and friends changed forever. This fourth episode of The Merge explores the unbreakable bond between flight...
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The Merge-3: Impact
A 2008 mid-air collision between an F/A-18 Hornet and F-5F Tiger II near Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada left one pilot dead, two aircraft destroyed, and dozens of squadron mates, family, and friends changed forever. This third episode of The Merge explores the fateful flight of June 13, 2008…
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The Merge-2: Going to NAS Fallon
A 2008 mid-air collision between an F/A-18 Hornet and F-5F Tiger II near Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada left one pilot dead, two aircraft destroyed, and dozens of squadron mates, family, and friends changed forever. This second episode of The Merge explores NAS Fallon and why squadrons detach...
About this show
The Fighter Pilot Podcast explores the fascinating world of air combat: the aircraft, the weapons systems, and most importantly—the people. Each episode typically features a guest who helps explain the topic at hand such as how ejection seats work or what it's like to fly on and off nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.If you love the roar of a high-speed flyby or are enamored by the poise and confidence of the brave men and women who pilot these aircraft, then this show is for you!For advertising, partnerships or other business opportunities, please contact: [email protected]
Hosted by
E. Vincent "Jell-O" Aiello, Retired U.S. Navy Fighter Pilot