PODCAST · leisure
The Hangar Z Podcast
by Jon Gray
A podcast where we explore the personnel and equipment behind the missions in Public Safety Aviation.
Episodes
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Supporting Law Enforcement Beyond the Sale: Dallas Avionics part 2 | Ep 394
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. We're coming to you from the show floor at ECHO 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where we're joined by Kenny Hall and Cody Klaehn from Dallas Avionics. Although they took very different paths...
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Supporting Law Enforcement Beyond the Sale: Dallas Avionics part 1 | Ep 393
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. We're coming to you from the show floor at ECHO 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where we're joined by Kenny Hall and Cody Klaehn from Dallas Avionics. Although they took very different paths...
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Public Safety's Next Chapter: Workforce Evolution in Modern Policing, part 2 | Ep 392
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. In this special two-part series of the Hangar Z Podcast, hosts Jon Gray and Jeff Ratkovich explore how modern public safety agencies can overcome critical work force development hurdles. Joined…
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Public Safety's Next Chapter: Workforce Evolution in Modern Policing, part 1 | Ep 391
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. In this special two-part series of the Hangar Z Podcast, hosts Jon Gray and Jeff Ratkovich explore how modern public safety agencies can overcome critical work force development hurdles. Joined…
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Chief Gillespie: How leadership and aviation helped reduce crime | Ep 390
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. In this episode, we're joined by Chief Brandon Gillespie of the Modesto Police Department. Building on our previous conversations in Episodes 372 and 373 with Lieutenant Hicks and Lieutenant...
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Earning the buy-In: Professionalism, politics, and building in-house advocates part 2 | Ep 389
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. Celebrating the sixth anniversary of the Hangar Z Podcast, host Jack Schonely steps into the lead chair, alongside Jon Gray, for a comprehensive two-part panel dedicated to one of the most...
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Beyond the mission: The strategy behind justifying your air support program part 1 | Ep 388
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. Celebrating the sixth anniversary of the Hangar Z Podcast, host Jack Schonely steps into the lead chair, alongside Jon Gray, for a comprehensive two-part panel dedicated to one of the most...
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Elevate and Connect: Creating impact past the call part 2 | Ep 387
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. In this special two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by Vertical Plus editor-at-large Brent Bundy and Delaware State Police aviation commander Jeff Whitmarsh for a...
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Leadership & Trust: The power of consistency with Delaware State Police part 1 | Ep 386
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. In this special two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by Vertical Plus editor-at-large Brent Bundy and Delaware State Police aviation commander Jeff Whitmarsh for a...
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Wade Bourassa’s blueprint for smarter police aviation part 2 | 385
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. Today’s episode was recorded at the Vertical Valor Plus booth, on the floor of APSCON in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We are honored to welcome Wade Bourassa, pilot and supervisor of the Saskatoon...
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Wade Bourassa’s blueprint for smarter police aviation part 1 | 384
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. Today’s episode was recorded at the Vertical Valor Plus booth, on the floor of APSCON in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We are honored to welcome Wade Bourassa, pilot and supervisor of the Saskatoon...
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Data, Fatigue & Innovation: Joel Smith on Building Hero Aviation part 2 | 383
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. In this special two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by L.A. City Fire Department (LAFD) pilot and safety officer Joel Smith for an inside look at the high-stakes world…
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Flying the Frontlines: Inside L.A. City Fire with Pilot Joel Smith part 1 | 382
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. In this special two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by L.A. City Fire Department (LAFD) pilot and safety officer Joel Smith for an inside look at the high-stakes world…
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Data, Fatigue & Innovation: Joel Smith on Building Hero Aviation | 383
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. In this special two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by L.A. City Fire Department (LAFD) pilot and safety officer Joel Smith for an inside look at the high-stakes world…
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Tactical Labs, Zero Ego, Real Training: Why ECHO 2026 Is a Must-Attend | Bonus
Welcome to this special joint episode of the Hangar Z Podcast and the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. In this special episode, Jon Gray of Hangar Z and Blake Shrider and Mike Fadale of the Valor Flight Crew, preview the 2026 ECHO Public…
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How Blades of Valor Turned a Vision Into a Powerful Public Safety Story Part 2 | Ep 381
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. We're glad you're with us, because today we're pulling back the curtain on one of our favorite projects of the year—the 2026 Blades of Valor Tour through Florida. For this special episode,...
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How Blades of Valor Turned a Vision Into a Powerful Public Safety Story Part I | Ep 380
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. We're glad you're with us, because today we're pulling back the curtain on one of our favorite projects of the year—the 2026 Blades of Valor Tour through Florida. For this special episode,...
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Nicholas Ianiero - APSCON 2026 - Maintainer of the Year | Ep 379
Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Valor Plus. For this episode of Hangar Z, recorded live at APSCON 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely sit down with Nicolas Ianiero, aircraft maintenance engineer with Canadian Helicopters...
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Todd Jager Shares the Hard-Earned Lessons That Changed Aviation Tactics Part 3 of 3 | Ep 378
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. This is a three-part podcast! Make sure you listen to all three. Today, we're honored to welcome retired San Diego Police Department Chief Pilot Todd Jager. Todd is a true aviation...
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Todd Jager Shares the Hard-Earned Lessons That Changed Aviation Tactics Part 2 of 3 | Ep 377
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. This is a three-part podcast! Make sure you listen to all three. Today, we're honored to welcome retired San Diego Police Department Chief Pilot Todd Jager. Todd is a true aviation...
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Todd Jager Shares the Hard-Earned Lessons That Changed Aviation Tactics Part 1 of 3 | Ep 376
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. This is a three-part podcast! Make sure you listen to all three. Today, we're honored to welcome retired San Diego Police Department Chief Pilot Todd Jager. Todd is a true aviation...
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Over the black ocean: Teamwork, determination, and the rescue of 3 survivors Part 2 | Ep 375
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus. On today's episode, we're honored to welcome Deputy Jonathan Lazada and Deputy Chase Gomez of the Indian River County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit. Jonathan and Chase are the recipients of the Airborne...
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Over the black ocean: Teamwork, determination, and the rescue of 3 survivors Part I | Ep 374
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus. On today's episode, we're honored to welcome Deputy Jonathan Lazada and Deputy Chase Gomez of the Indian River County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit. Jonathan and Chase are the recipients of the Airborne...
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How Has Modesto’s New Air Unit Made a Positive Impact on Public Safety? Part 2 | Ep 373
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. In this episode we are heading to Modesto, California, to hear how a brand-new air support unit was built from the ground up, and how it’s already changing the way the department fights...
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How Has Modesto’s New Air Unit Made a Positive Impact on Public Safety? Part 1 | Ep 372
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. In this episode we are heading to Modesto, California, to hear how a brand-new air support unit was built from the ground up, and how it’s already changing the way the department fights...
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What makes a tactical training legacy last for over 25 years? Part 2 | Ep 371
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. In this special two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by Clay Lacey of the Texas Department of Public Safety and Harald Brink of the Dutch National Police to explore the...
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What makes a tactical training legacy last for over 25 years? Part 1 | Ep 370
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. In this special two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by Clay Lacey of the Texas Department of Public Safety and Harald Brink of the Dutch National Police to explore the...
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Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Air Unit: Longline rescue and air support part 2 | EP 369
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. On today's episode, we're taking you to California's Central Valley as we visit the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit. Joining us are Deputy AJ Nikkel and Deputy Tyler...
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Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Air Unit: Longline rescue and air support part 1 | EP 368
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. On today's episode, we're taking you to California's Central Valley as we visit the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit. Joining us are Deputy AJ Nikkel and Deputy Tyler...
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The Danger You Can't See: Fatigue in Public Safety Aviation Part 2 | Ep 367
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Valor Plus. Today's episode is a special collaboration with our friends from the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, and we're tackling a topic that impacts every one of us in aviation — fatigue. Joining us…
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The Danger You Can't See: Fatigue in Public Safety Aviation Part 1 | Ep 366
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Valor Plus. Today's episode is a special collaboration with our friends from the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, and we're tackling a topic that impacts every one of us in aviation — fatigue. Joining us…
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APSA 2026 Northeast Director Candidates | Ep 365
Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS in partnership with Valor Plus. On today’s episode, we’re pleased to welcome the two candidates for the Airborne Public Safety Association’s Northeast Regional Director position. Joining us are Eric Bourn of the South Berwick...
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The Digital Front Line: Social Media Strategy for Public Safety with Tamrin Olden Part 2 | Ep 364
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus. In this comprehensive two-part conversation, Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by Tamrin Olden, founder of TOC Public Relations, to discuss why social media has become a...
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The Digital Front Line: Social Media Strategy for Public Safety with Tamrin Olden Part 1 | Ep 363
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus. In this comprehensive two-part conversation, Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by Tamrin Olden, founder of TOC Public Relations, to discuss why social media has become a...
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How Glenn Daley's Experience Shapes Aviation Safety Part 3 | Ep 362
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus. Our guest is retired Lieutenant Glenn Daley of the New York City Police Department Aviation Unit. Glenn’s career in airborne law enforcement spans decades of service, leadership,...
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How Glenn Daley's Experience Shapes Aviation Safety Part 2 | Ep 361
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus. Our guest is retired Lieutenant Glenn Daley of the New York City Police Department Aviation Unit. Glenn’s career in airborne law enforcement spans decades of service, leadership,...
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How Glenn Daley's Experience Shapes Aviation Safety Part I | Ep 360
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus. Our guest is retired Lieutenant Glenn Daley of the New York City Police Department Aviation Unit. Glenn’s career in airborne law enforcement spans decades of service, leadership,...
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Inside SR3: Revolutionizing Rescue Training | Ep 359
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus. This episode was recorded live from the floor of VAI Verticon 2026 in Atlanta at the Vertical Plus booth. In this episode we catch up with two returning guests and highly respected…
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Episode 358 - Blades of Valor Tour 2026: Inside Broward Sheriff's Office Part 3
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus. This three-part series comes to you from the hangar at Broward Sheriff's Office as part of the 2026 Blades of Valor Tour, where we had the opportunity to interview Sgt Paul Seda and…
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Episode 357 - Blades of Valor Tour 2026: Inside Broward Sheriff's Office Part 2
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus. This three-part series comes to you from the hangar at Broward Sheriff's Office as part of the 2026 Blades of Valor Tour, where we had the opportunity to interview Sgt Paul Seda and…
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Episode 356 - Blades of Valor Tour 2026: Inside Broward Sheriff's Office Part 1
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus. This three-part series comes to you from the hangar at Broward Sheriff's Office as part of the 2026 Blades of Valor Tour, where we had the opportunity to interview Sgt Paul Seda and…
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Episode 355 - Trends in the Helicopter Industry Featuring Terry Miyauchi Part 2
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus. In this two-part series of The Hangar Z Podcast, host Jon Gray is joined by OG co-host Jeff Ratkovich and industry veteran Terry Miyauchi. The conversation takes us on a deep dive into...
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Episode 354 - Trends in the Helicopter Industry Featuring Terry Miyauchi Part 1
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus. In this two-part series of The Hangar Z Podcast, host Jon Gray is joined by OG co-host Jeff Ratkovich and industry veteran Terry Miyauchi. The conversation takes us on a deep dive into...
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Episode 353 - The Foundation of Honor: A Police Week Special with Craig Floyd Part 2
Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus. This episode is being released during Police Week 2026, a time set aside to honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others. It’s a...
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Episode 352 - The Foundation of Honor: A Police Week Special with Craig Floyd Part 1
Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus. This episode is being released during Police Week 2026, a time set aside to honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others. It’s a...
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Episode 351 - Mike Durant: Blackhawk Down and Beyond Part 2
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus. Today, we are truly honored to be joined by Michael J. Durant—retired Chief Warrant Officer 4, Night Stalker, and MH-60 Black Hawk pilot—whose story is one of extraordinary…
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Episode 350 - Mike Durant: Blackhawk Down and Beyond Part 1
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus. Today, we are truly honored to be joined by Michael J. Durant—retired Chief Warrant Officer 4, Night Stalker, and MH-60 Black Hawk pilot—whose story is one of extraordinary…
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Episode 349 - APSCON 2026: What to Expect in Fort Lauderdale
This episode of The Hangar Z Podcast is brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus. The Hangar Z Podcast welcomes Airborne Public Safety Association CEO/Executive Director Dan Schwarzbach, APSA President Dave Ellis and Broward Sheriff's Office Sergeant Paul…
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Episode 348 - Navigating Mental Wellness with Dave Wuertz: Peer Support in Action Part 2
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. Today’s episode is a powerful and deeply human conversation centered on service, trust, and taking care of one another in some of the most demanding environments imaginable. Our guest is Dave...
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Episode 347 - Navigating Mental Wellness with Dave Wuertz: Peer Support in Action Part 1
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. Today’s episode is a powerful and deeply human conversation centered on service, trust, and taking care of one another in some of the most demanding environments imaginable. Our guest is Dave...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Hangar Z Podcast have?
The Hangar Z Podcast currently has 396 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Hangar Z Podcast about?
A podcast where we explore the personnel and equipment behind the missions in Public Safety Aviation.
How often does The Hangar Z Podcast release new episodes?
The Hangar Z Podcast publishes regularly with 396 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Hangar Z Podcast?
You can listen to The Hangar Z Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Hangar Z Podcast?
The Hangar Z Podcast is created and hosted by Jon Gray.
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