Most people can readily explain what a pilot is and does, but what about a Radar Intercept Officer, Bombardier / Navigator, or Tactical Coordinator? On this episode, FPP friend and occasional cohost Matt "Flounder" Arny, former RIO-turned WSO, explains the world of Naval Flight Officers--what they are, how they're trained, what they do, and how far up the promotion ladder they can go. To learn more about Flounder's services in management consulting and leader development, or to book him as a keynote speaker, click here. Current Sponsors National University {Title Sponsor} - Visit nu.edu to discover how Nat'l Univ. supports service members, veterans, and their families through flexible online programs in high-demand fields. AirCorps Aviation - Click here to explore exciting aerospace career opportunities in northern Minnesota. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General John "Dragon" Teichert knows leadership. As an F-15E Strike Eagle and F-22 Raptor pilot early on, Dragon went on to multiple command tours before concluding his 27-year-career as the Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force for International Affairs. Along the way, he championed inspirational, innovative, integrity-filled leadership that culminated in a 2024 run for the U.S. Senate. Check out Dragon's book, Boom! Leadership that Breaks Barriers, Challenges Convention, and Ignites Innovation here. Current Sponsor AirCorps Aviation - If you're looking for an exciting career in the field of aviations, click here. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Scott Dworkin won't take "no" for an answer. As a fighter pilot-hopeful, Scott encountered roadblocks that forced him to pivot to aviation photography and eventually aviation photojournalism, where he went on to fly in most U.S Air Force and many U.S. Navy aircraft, without ever wearing the uniform. Today, Scott is the genius behind Mach 91 Aerial Photography and the author of this generation's greatest #navalaviation book, Becoming the Rhino. Current Sponsor AirCorps Aviation - If you're looking for an exciting career in the field of aviations, click here. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

On this month's episode of 'On Future War,' Scott "Roger" Chafian, Mike "Pako" Benitez, and Matt "Flounder" Arny explore the strategic and controversial world of China's man-made island bases including the historical locations, construction strategies, and strategic intent of these so-called "unsinkable carriers.” Brought to you by Authentic Media with the support of Cubic Defense. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Former U.S. Air Force F-15E WSO Mike "Pako" Benitez describes how future fighter pilots will train alongside (and go to war with) unmanned 'collaborative combat aircraft', sometimes also known as 'loyal wingmen.' Subscribe to Pako's newsletter, 'The Merge' here. Check out 'The Merge' on YouTube here. Current Sponsor AirCorps Aviation - If you're looking for an exciting career in the field of aviations, click here. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Guest host Ken 'Primetime' Katz returns with his first foray into warbirds, exploring the venerable Douglas C-47 Skytrain (plus its many derivatives) and the role it played in the pivotal D-Day invasions of World War II with guests Eric Zipkin and Moreno 'Mo' Aguiari. Visit the DC-3 Society here. Watch Into Flight Once More on Amazon Prime here. Current Sponsor AirCorps Aviation - If you're looking for an exciting career in the field of aviations, click here. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Jim "Boone" Jamison describes being a Presidential Command Pilot with HMX-1 during the Reagan and Bush 1 presidencies. Current Sponsor AirCorps Aviation - If you're looking for an exciting career in the field of aviations, click here. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

'On Future War' is a 12-part series exploring the evolving landscape of military strategy and defense technologies with a focus on the Pacific. On this inaugural episode, Mike "Pako" Benitez and Scott "Roger" Chafian set the stage by delving into the challenges posed by technologies (including cruise- and hypersonic missiles) to power projection and the sustainability of forward deployed bases in modern, peer-level conflicts. Brought to you by Authentic Media with the support of Cubic Defense. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Planning, briefing, executing per standard operating procedures (SOPs) while using checklists, and then debriefing--these are some of the best practices military aviators routinely employ to ensure safe, effective operations whether in combat or in training. This week, former U.S. Navy and Air National Guard pilot Yarko "J.J." Sos and Navy RIO-turned-WSO Keith "Kombat" Kimmel explain these best practices and how their company, Check 6, adapts these practices to other consequential industries. Current Sponsor AirCorps Aviation - If you're looking for an exciting career in the field of aviations, click here. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Art Palmer is a child of the dust bowl and self-admitted "hobo" who joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and piloted B-24 Liberators during World War 2. Art's plane was shot down on his 50th mission and he spent the remainder of the war as a German prisoner. Now, at 104-year-young, Art shares his recollections with guest host Matt "Flounder" Arny, proving why his truly was the Greatest Generation. To read the book of stories and prisoner poems compiled by Art's late wife, visit our Patreon page. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Former U.S. Air Force pilot Jeff "Guinnbob" Guinn and navigator Kevin "Rim" Allen describe their participation in Operation Desert Storm flying F-111Es out of Turkey. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

"Do you have to be good at math to be a fighter pilot?" On this episode, the host Vincent Aiello shares a September 2020 blog addressing this question, providing examples of the common math concepts fighter pilots must be able to master. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Hal Sundt author of Warplane, How the Military Reformers Birthed the A-10 Warthog describes the origination story of the close air support aircraft the U.S. Air Force never wanted but pilots and ground troops came to love. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Every 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 update on the NORAD Santa Tracker program featuring then-U.S. Air Force Gen. Glen VanHerck, the Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. James Porterfield, the NORAD and NORTHCOM Senior Enlisted Leader And Merry Christmas from all of us here at the Fighter Pilot Podcast. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Situational awareness. Confidence. Teachability and ability to teach. ...wait, helpful? Ever stop and think about the traits that make a 'good' member of your industry? This week, host Vincent Aiello continues the "audio musing" show format with the narration of a 2019 musing on the Fighter Pilot Podcast blog inspired by a question posed during a live YouTube session. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

More than 81,000 American service members remain listed as 'missing in action' from conflicts dating back to World War 2. This week, retired U.S. Marine Derek Abbey, PhD, explains how Project Recover enlists 21st century science and technology to find and repatriate those missing in order to provide recognition and closure for families and the nation. As a podcast listener, enjoy a $300 savings when you upgrade your inexpensive suit cases to all aluminum travel cases with Sterling Pacific. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

“December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy...” are among the most famous words spoken by a United States President and have reverberated every year on this day for more than eight decades. On this special bonus from 2021, author Bert Kinzey of Detail and Scale Aviation Publications explains the significance of the attack and what took place on that fateful Sunday morning. Having conducted extensive research for his book Attack On Pearl Harbor, Japan Awakens a Sleeping Giant, Bert gives detailed examples of all sides of the engagement including the array of forces, scale of the attack, and the short and long term toll on both sides. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

People are often quick to comment on the Fighter Pilot Podcast's various social media channels that the Navy does not fly F-16s. Wrong. This week, host Vincent Aiello shares another article from the Fighter Pilot Podcast blog, this one from 2019 describing how we can all do a better job of avoiding being wrong and reacting when we inevitably are. Find the original musing here. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Retired U.S. Navy F/A-18 pilot Jack "Farley" Stewart explains who "adversary" pilots are, what they do, how TOPGUN trains them, and why it is vital to have professional adversaries (or "aggressors," as the U.S. Air Force calls them). Be sure to check out Farley's exciting first novel, Unknown Rider. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Hollywood portrays fighter pilots as devil-may-care risk takers and rule breakers intolerant to authority. Is that true in the real world? This week, host Vincent Aiello shares another article from the Fighter Pilot Podcast blog, this time identifying the top 10 myths about military aviators and why they are wrong. Find the original 2021 musing here. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations