This week buckle up with Grease as he takes us on a high-flying journey through his storied aviation career. From zipping across skies in sleek Saber-Liners and Lear Jets to commanding the formidable B-1 Bomber and the elusive U-2, Grease has done it all. He dives into the thrilling early days of the B-1 and reveals the sky-high challenges of piloting the U-2—like pre-breathing oxygen just to sidestep the bends and enduring nine-hour flights in a cockpit so tight, scratching your nose...

This week's guest, KK, hails from East Germany—back when the Berlin Wall was more than just a memory. Believe it or not, flying was nowhere on her radar until one fateful birthday in her 40s when she was gifted a sightseeing flight that quite literally propelled her into the skies. From the second that engine roared to life, KK was smitten. She wasn't just hooked—she was lassoed by the thrill of flight! Her newfound passion took flight, launching her through a whirlwind of background checks,...

Disco joins us to share tales from his thrilling experiences—from his days at OCS to piloting the AV-8B Harrier during the Gulf War and teaching both students and instructors in the Harrier Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS). With his vivid storytelling, sharp wit, and infectious humor, Disco’s narratives will leave you clutching your sides in laughter. His legendary pranks, executed fearlessly on anyone, are just as memorable. If he hadn’t succeeded in aviation, Disco undoubtedly had a...

Note: Don't miss out on even more laughs! Head over to https://sothereiwas.us/patreon to join and hear two additional hilarious call sign stories not included here! In this wild episode of our podcast, we dive into the wild and whimsical world of naval aviation call signs with Lobo, the famed author of "What's Your Call Sign?: The Hilarious Stories behind a Naval Aviation Tradition" Prepare to chuckle, gasp and sometimes howl outloud as we unveil eyebrow-raising tales from the skies....

Buckle up for a jaunt through the skies with the dynamic duo Fig & RePete, known to the world as "Co-Horsts," as they prepare to take you on a slightly less than ordinary flight with Professor Hal Sundt. He's not just any guest; he's the mind behind "Warplane: How the Military Reformers Birthed the A-10 Warthog," and he's about to drop some knowledge bombs about Pierre Sprey, the visionary behind the A-10 Warthog. Imagine, if you will, a man so devoted to the safety of ground troops that...

Episode 101 of our show, "Fun in the Mach Loop," promises a whirlwind of tales with our guest, "Sniper," affectionately also known as "Divot," a seasoned F-15 Strike Eagle pilot whose exploits in the skies are as thrilling as they are enlightening. From the nail-biting tension of being shadowed by French Mirages without diplomatic clearance to a dramatic engine failure over the North Sea, Sniper's stories transport listeners into the cockpit of one of the most formidable fighters in the air....

Welcome to So There I Was episode 100!!! This week's title is short for, My Girlfriend, Now Wife, She’s a Keeper is a testament to persistence, love, and the unexpected journeys life can throw our way. In this episode, we delve into the remarkable story of Woody, who began his career in the skies as a load master. With every cargo secured and every flight a new lesson, his dreams of becoming a pilot seemed a distant star in the vast aviation universe. Yet, despite numerous obstacles that...

Meet retired Marine Drill Instructor "JC," the man who turned terrorizing into an art form for officer candidates dreaming of the skies! In his time, JC wasn't just flying high as a Marine Plane Captain in an F-4 Phantom Squadron or mastering the systems as a Flight Engineer on the KC-130. Oh no, he was also the gatekeeper of dreams at the Navy’s Aviation Officers' Candidate School in Pensacola. Imagine trying to become a naval aviator with JC as your personal obstacle course! In his...

YouTube Pilot Debrief channel creator, Hoover, joins us to talk about Flight School, Flying the F-15 Strike Eagle in Combat, How he got the callsign "Hoover" and his time as an exchange pilot flying F/A-18 Hornets with the Marines; inlcuding becoming "Carrier Qual'd" - one of the few Air Force pilots ever to do so! Don't miss this great interview! OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

In episode 97 of "So There I Was," Mooch, a former F-14 Rio Extraordinaire, shared gripping aviation experiences from intercepting Iranian P3s to near collisions over Morocco. From Naval Academy training to missions aboard the USS Independence, Mooch's journey showcased the camaraderie within the aviation community. The discussion included anecdotes of aerial refueling, humorous incidents in flight, and technological advancements in carrier aviation. The interview also delved into Mooch's...

Dive into an electrifying episode of So There I Was, where hosts, Fig, RePete, and Sticks, engage in a riveting conversation with the "Great Tuntini." In this episode, Tuntini returns to share his experiences piloting helicopters and the evolution of them as weapon platforms in the US Navy, delving into the significant advancements the US Navy has made to enhance their effectiveness in this role. But that's not all – Tuntini takes us on a gripping journey into the heart of darkness,...

This is an incredible week as our guest “Rosie” recalls his experiences growing up on a Kansas farm during the “Dust Bowl” years in the 1930s and going from austere beginnings to enlisting in the Army Air Corps on his 18th birthday. Not wanting to be an infantryman, Rosie passed the tests necessary and convinced the medics to let him fly when it looked like they might ground him. After training, he describes a brief respite home before going by train to the East Coast and boarding a ship for...

In this riotous saga, a quartet of RePete, Fig, Sticks, and the impossibly chill pilot Ice (who's cooler than a yeti's icebox) - embark on a whirlwind of sky-high shenanigans. Ice, a maestro of the skies, has tamed both SH-60 helicopters and UH-1s in realms chillier than a snowman's handshake—yep, Antarctica. He unveils tales of aerial school antics, including how to auto-rotate and that jaw-dropping moment when SH-60 float bags decided to throw a surprise party mid-air. Ice's adventures span...

In an engaging episode, Gallo shares more unforgettable tales from his time as a test pilot. He tells of his first time flying a two-seat “T AV-8” marked by a canopy incident that almost ended disastrously. The conversation takes an unexpectedly humorous turn when Gallo finds himself explaining the nuances of space travel to none other than Neil Armstrong, the pioneer of lunar exploration. This moment, filled with irony and laughter, highlights Gallo's unique ability to bridge generations and...

Dive into an extraordinary tale of survival with Guvna as he shares his heart-stopping experience of cheating death by mere milliseconds. From an unassuming start on a routine flight, fate takes a dramatic turn, thrusting him into a pulse-pounding showdown against the odds. Witness the incredible interplay of sheer luck, piloting prowess, masterful engineering, and the unforgiving forces of nature, all converging in a moment that could have been his last. Discover how Guvna emerged from the...

Fasten your seatbelts and prepare for a high-flying adventure with Kerry McCauley, the intrepid author of "Ferry Pilot" and "Dangerous Flights" as well as star of the Discovery Channel show by the same name; "Dangerous Flights." He's touching down on our show to share his thrilling and often unpredictable experiences in ferrying light civilian aircraft over oceans and through remote, challenging landscapes. These are places where these planes are as out of place as a penguin in the Sahara!...

Get ready for the finale of our chat with the one and only Gallo! This isn't just any interview - it's a rollercoaster ride through the epic tales of a man who practically became one with his Harrier jet. Picture this: a career so gripping, Gallo didn't hang up his Harrier flying even after bidding adieu to the Marine Corps. Oh, and remember "Kaos" from episodes 45 and 46? He and Gallo go way back and the reference to Art are about him! Strap in for this episode. It's not just...

Gallo joins us to talk about his time at the Naval Aceademy, why he chose the Marines and only planned to stay in for 4 years, flight school with the Air Force, Flying Phantoms in Combat in Vietnam, his transition to Harriers, Test Pilot assignments and much much more! A true legend of Marine Aviation - This is the first half of two shows with Gallo... Enjoy! Enola Gay Crew Paul Tibbets

Join us for an enthralling episode. We delve into the remarkable life story of Butch Rutt, a man of many talents and experiences. A high school dropout turned Navy P-3 Pilot, Rutt's journey is anything but ordinary. From his time as a bail bondsman to his role in Customs & Border Patrol, his diverse career has been filled with unique challenges and adventures. One highlight of this episode is Rutt's harrowing tale of being 1000 miles over the Pacific Ocean, facing an onboard fire. This...

This week we look back at the last 18 months and bring you some of the best of the stories and guests who have graciously spent time with us and shared their stories. We have Chaz, Moose, Bonnie, Father, Lawman, Yogi & Master, Vapor and Fister. Then the Dos Gringos close it out with I'm a Pilot! 🧑‍✈️ 🛩️ Happy New Year! See you in '24! And the photos this week are, again, courtesy of Brad Silcott at BDSAviationPhotography.com - The theme of these is focused on the pilots and crews of...

This week we look back at the last 18 months and bring you some of the best of the stories and guests who have graciously spent time with us and shared their stories. We have Nasty, Capt Royce Williams, Gunny, Kemo, One-Eye, Taco, Sugar, Double-L, Air-Cav-Chris & The Dos Gringos close it out with Jeremiah Weed! Photos below are courtesy of Brad Silcott at BDSAviationPhotography.comTHANK YOU, Brad for allowing us to see your amazing work!8 Cobra VMA-542 Tigers CH-46 Sea...

Capt. Dave Dollarhide USN (ret) “Hide” honored us by spending an evening with us talking about his amazing career as a Naval Aviator. Currently the editor of the A-4Ever Skyhawk Journal online at Skyhawk.org, Hide brings us along on his journey from NAvCad in the mid 60s to the horrific day of July 29, 1967 while he was in his A-4 getting ready to launch from the USS Forrestal and a Zuni rocket misfired into the 400 gallon fuel tank of the A-4 parked next to him. When it was all over more...

Get ready to soar with laughter in our chat with Sluggo, the ex-E-2C Hawkeye pilot with tales taller than a tail fin! Hear how a Naval Academy Midshipman's mom innocently developed a film roll, giving new meaning to “naval exposure.” Hear how he navigated Aviation Officer Candidate School on one good leg and a wing. Sluggo's not just full of high-flying stories but also some close shaves – like that time he played chicken with a hydraulic failure in the dead of night, danced with a ramp...

In the dance of skies, Chucker’s tale unfolds,Through starts and stops, his dream he holds.Years, like clouds, drifted in his way,Yet he seized his wings, come what may. Rating earned, he soared anew,To rotary wings, his path he drew.From flight, a story, a laugh, a thrill,to a moonshine raid to find a still. In an ugly plane, he danced on air,And a surprise solo, with flair to spare.To a friend, a callsign, a jest so bright,It's Make-a-wish, but he's alright. Don’t miss the tales,...