The Fighter Pilot Podcast explores the fascinating world of air combat: the aircraft, the weapons systems, the emerging technologies, and most importantly—the people.
Most episodes feature a guest who helps explain military aviation topics such from Vietnam shoot down stories to how AI is changing air combat.
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 fly, fix, and fight these amazing aircraft, then this show is for you!
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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. They discuss the story behind some of his incredible firsthand experiences from one of aviation's most secretive programs. As the conversation comes to a close, Rob reflects on the lessons he learned in the military that continue to shape his life today.
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FPP228 - Returning to the SR-71
Monday, October 19, 2026 • Duration 01:16:18
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 Force career to a close. From the expectations of a comeback to the reality of the program’s end, Garrison shares the story of the Blackbird’s final chapter as well as his other experiences in aviation. It's a truly unique experience!
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FPP227 - Dogfighting Goes Digital
Monday, October 12, 2026 • Duration 01:02:29
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 facing off in the Dogfight Bracket Finals. It's a fascinating new angle on combat aviation and a new way people are stepping into the space.
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FPP226 - A Lifetime in Combat Aviation
Monday, September 28, 2026 • Duration 59:11
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 experience of adapting from piston-powered aircraft to supersonic jets. His perspective on combat aviation is really something special. Enjoy!
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FPP225 - In the Skies Over Iraq
Monday, September 21, 2026 • Duration 01:22:59
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 ops over Somalia and Iraq as well as the tense 2019 standoff with Iran as Vice Commander of NAVCENT/5th Fleet. Plus, fresh takeaways on EMALS and AAG from a recent Gerald R. Ford strike group debrief.
Support the show at: Fighter Pilot Podcast — Creating air combat-related content. | Patreon
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FPP224 - The Software Problem
Monday, September 14, 2026 • Duration 48:52
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 to disconnected battlefields. We talk innovation, air-gapped systems, and what it takes to bring modern software to the fight.
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Fighter Pilot Podcast — Creating air combat-related content. | Patreon
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FPP223 - The Human Factor
Monday, September 7, 2026 • Duration 01:01:04
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 and Naval Special Warfare, Kevin explains how physical performance, psychology, recovery, and readiness can be brought together to help aviators perform better, stay healthy, and remain operational for longer.
We discuss the Human Performance program being developed across the Navy, what it looks like inside a fighter squadron, the lessons learned from its early implementation, and why preserving experienced aviators may be one of Naval Aviation's most valuable investments.
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FPP222 - Afghanistan: America's Longest War
Monday, August 31, 2026 • Duration 50:03
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 very different aircraft lies the story of America's longest war. What began with a remarkably successful military campaign against the Taliban and al-Qaeda evolved into a two-decade multinational effort encompassing counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, nation-building, and the creation of Afghan security forces.
On this episode, Dr. Lance “Boil” Lewis, a retired Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet pilot and historian, helps examine how—and why—that transformation occurred. Tracing the conflict from Afghanistan's geography and history, through the opening air campaign and the long years that followed, to the final chaotic weeks of August 2021, the evacuation of more than 120,000 people, and the people and equipment left behind, it becomes evident that no single decision or individual explains the outcome. Instead, this is the story of two decades of consequential decisions—and the enduring difference between winning battles and achieving national objectives.
Music by Slater Aiello.
Please support the show at: Fighter Pilot Podcast | Creating air combat-related content. | Patreon
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FPP221 - The Israeli Ace with 12 MiG Kills
Monday, August 17, 2026 • Duration 50:25
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 of Air Force Intelligence, and led strategic planning efforts for the Israel Defense Forces, helping establish the framework for strategic cooperation between Israel and the United States.
Following his military career, General Baharav transitioned into the world of technology and entrepreneurship, founding and leading multiple companies at the forefront of digital printing, 3D manufacturing, and healthcare innovation.
In this episode, Cinco talks with Israel and he shares lessons from a lifetime of leadership in combat, and strategy, offering unique insights into what it takes to succeed in the world's highest-consequence environments.
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FPP220 - Launching Satellites from F-104s
Monday, August 3, 2026 • Duration 47:08
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 Starfighters, and the advantages of launching rockets from the edge of the atmosphere.
Tim also shares insights from his decades of experience in the space industry, including his work shaping Florida's commercial space sector, developing launch infrastructure, and helping bridge the gap between government and private spaceflight. We also talk about the future of commercial launch, what's next for Starfighters Space, and the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.
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Fighter Pilot Podcast, a podcast by Tucker "Cinco" Hamilton, Retired U.S. Air Force Fighter Test Pilot - Stats, Episodes and Rankings - My Podcast Data