Combat Story

This episode is brought to you by Nutrisense. Visit nutrisense.com/combat and get $30 off your first month and one month of board certified nutritionist support. When they ask how you learned about Nutrisense make sure to tell them it was the Combat Story podcast.

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Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we hear a Combat Story from both a veteran Cav soldier and active duty Green Beret, Kenny Stone and Ben Raymond. Kenny and Ben did not serve together but have found community, purpose, and challenge as part of Kenny's non-profit, Soldiers on Singletrack, which brings veterans and active duty soldiers together through mountain bike and racing.

Kenny served as a Cav soldier with 1-5 Cav in Iraq across two tough deployments during the surge where, during an IED event, he ended up with TBI. He found a rekindled love for mountain biking and realized it helped address some of the cognitive issues he'd experienced after leaving the service and wanted other vets to experience the same.

Ben met Kenny at a Soldiers on Singletrack event where they struck up a friendship. Ben is still in service with 3rd Special Forces Group and started his SF career as an 18D medic but then transitioned to the 18C route. He found mountain biking to be the hobby he needed to disconnect and clear his head when he's out of uniform.

I hope you enjoy this story about finding a new path after service to help deal with the challenges faced after years of a traumatic and trying job like those in the military, law enforcement, or first responders and please check out Soldiers on Singletrack if this is something that you feel could help you or someone you know.

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Find Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Find Kenny and Ben Online: - Website: https://soldiersonsingletrack.org/ - Instagram https://www.instagram.com/soldiersonsingletrackmtb/

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Show Notes: 00:00 - Intro 00:37 - Guest Introduction (Kenny Stone & Ben Raymond) 01:54 - Interview begins 02:24 - Soliders On Singletrack 05:48 - Childhood and Mountain Biking 11:37 - Ben Joining the Army 15:47 - Kenny Joining the Army 18:37 - Recruiter experience 21:20 - Life in a CAV unit 26:02 - Nutrisense Ad 27:39 - Kenny's first time outside the wire 30:01 - Kenny's challenging moments 34:03 - Ben's path through the Army 44:20 - Kenny's deployment mid-rotation 46:51 - The right approach to loss in combat 49:22 - Coming back after combat deployments 55:33 - A mission that went wrong 01:00:05 - Shooting pistols and Mentors 01:04:49 - Marines and Army banter 01:05:47 - Most courageous action 01:10:28 - Commaderie while serving 01:12:50 - Transitioning out and S.O.S. 01:21:31 - Listener comments and shout outs

Go to www.HelloFresh.com/50combatstory and use code 50combatstory for 50% off plus free shipping to get delicious and healthy meals that you can make at home with your family in no time and add some variety to what you serve! Our family has used Hello Fresh for years! =======

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we hear a second round Combat Story with long-time Night Stalker from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), Steve Lapping. Steve spent 31 years in Army Aviation, including two decades in 160th at the tip of the spear flying the MH-6 and AH-6.

This second round interview is chalked full of combat scenarios that Steve found himself in across 15 combat deployments, this time focusing primarily on his time flying guns for 160th. We talk vehicle interdictions, weapon malfunctions, danger close shots near women and children, a Dukes of Hazard-like chase, weaponeering, and more!

Steve also shares his experiences on the Saddam Hussein capture (including something I'd never heard before about the aftermath of that operation) and the somber experience covering ground forces as they recovered the remains of Americans who didn't survive the Jessica Lynch capture.

Many will recall our first interview with Steve, which was a clear favorite for so many listeners and seen or heard by over 200K people, as we touched on Steve's childhood, decision to join the military (that story's a great one where the advice he receives comes from an unexpected role model), and his combat experiences in Objectives REINDEER and LEADVILLE, which included a DFC.

One thing that impressed me so much about Steve beyond being a CW5 and the unbelievable number of years he spent "rowing the boat" as he puts it (which is a reference to being at the very tip of the spear), is his humility and how he put his family as close to first as the mission will allow, wrapping up a storied career with the same wife and his children still by his side.

With that, please enjoy this (second) wild ride from the cockpit of one of the baddest aircraft on the planet (no bias of course!) with Steve Lapping.

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Find Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Find Steve Lapping Online: - Learn more about Steve: https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/71550 ======= Show Notes: 00:00 - Intro 00:53 - Guest Introduction (Steve Lapping) 02:39 - Interview begins 05:12 - Connection with Pete Blaber 08:55 - Training in calmness 10:21 - Good and bad leaders 13:42 - 9/11 17:10 - The Black Swarm 20:55 - Little Birds and A-10's 26:05 - 9 Lines 27:46 - Sadam Hussein Capture 36:20 - Sadam Hussein post-mission 38:06 - Hello Fresh Ad 39:50 - Danger close shots 54:43 - First time pulling the trigger on a live target 01:02:12 - Training to take a life 01:12:48 - Layers of Management 01:15:24 - Jessica Lynch 01:26:18 - Ground Force and SAS mission 01:38:28 - Ticket on the airfield 01:42:49 - Jumping into trees 01:48:50 - Sentimental Items and do it all again 01:50:00 - Family relations during deployments 01:54:01 - Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by DeleteMe. Go to www.joindeleteme.com/combat and use the code COMBAT to get 20% off your plan and keep your personal information online secure. =======

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

This is a unique Combat Story with a Gregg Martin, a retired Two Star Army General who has two Combat Stories: one about fighting in uniform that included engineering the US military's push into Iraq in 2003 and another that involved battling bipolar disorder for years.

Gregg was one of the highest achievers you can imagine as he road a wave of hyperthymia (a near continual state of mild-mania with abnormally high levels of energy, enthusiasm, and positivity that helped him graduate West Point, complete Ranger School, get a Masters and PhD from MIT, successfully command at multiple levels in the Army, while being an active leader in his community.

Eventually, during the euphoria of leading combined operations in Iraq in 2003, Gregg had what he describes as the onset of his bipolar disorder that manifested as times of mania followed by bouts of depression until, after attained the rank of two star general, he was relieved of command.

Gregg's book has just come out and is aptly titled "Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness" that goes into detail about his military experience and career alongside the mental health challenges he faced.

I hope you enjoy this insightful interview with a retired General who has successfully managed bipolar disorder for several years as much as I did.

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Find Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Find Ryan Rogers Online: - Website: https://www.generalgreggmartin.com

- Book Bipolar General: https://www.amazon.com/Bipolar-General-Forever-Illness-Association/dp/1682473805

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Show Notes: 00:00 - Intro 00:49 - Guest Introduction (Gregg Martin) 02:03 - Interview begins 02:35 - Traits of a General 05:37 - Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder 18:04 - PTSD to Bipolar Disorder 21:02 - Family Military history 25:30 - Engineer Corps. 27:02 - 5 year mark commitment 28:10 - Time at MIT 33:15 - Pre 9/11 Military experience 39:23 - Signs of Mania during enlistment 43:01 - DeleteMe Ad 44:06 - Time at Army War College 45:30 - Bipolar Disorder and Genetics 56:40 - Time in Germany during war time 49:24 - Mission set for Engineer Corps. 58:23 - Bridges to Baghdad 01:06:26 - Average day in Iraq 01:16:10 - Onset of Bipolar disorder during Ops. 01:20:46 - Challenging moments 01:26:13 - Differences in character coming home 01:29:18 - Being Relieved 01:53:14 - Life with medication 01:54:29 - Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness 01:54:50 - Sentimental items 01:55:32 - Would you do it all again? 01:56:37 - Closing thoughts 01:57:33 - Listener comments and shout outs

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

🎙️ Today's Combat Story: Unveiling the Truth Behind Pat Tillman's Tragic End in Afghanistan

🎙️ In this episode, we delve deep into the life and tragic end of Pat Tillman, the former NFL star turned Army Ranger, through the meticulous research and firsthand accounts of Pete Blaber, a former Delta Force Commander with extensive experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond.

🔍 Why Pete Blaber?

Pete served twice in the same Ranger Battalion as Pat Tillman, giving him unparalleled insights into the people, locations, and responsibilities involved in the battlefield.

📖 The Quest for Truth

Mary Tillman, Pat's mother, sought Pete's help to uncover the truth about her son's death. Despite multiple military investigations, the true story remained elusive until Pete's involvement.

📘 Common Sense Leadership Matters

Pete documents his findings and the toxic leadership climate in his book, "Common Sense Leadership Matters: Toxic Leadership Destroys, A Case Study." This book offers new perspectives on Pat Tillman's leadership, the state of special operations in 2004, and the daily life of a Ranger in combat.

#CommonSenseLeadership #CommonSenseSuperpower #LeadershipTransformation #UnleashYourPotential #leadershipawareness #LanguageOfCommonSense

📸 Visual Aids

Follow along with images of the terrain at firefight.commonsenseway.com.

======= Find Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Find Pete Blaber Online: - Common Sense Leadership Matters: Toxic Leadership Destroys, A Case Study https://www.amazon.com/Common-Sense-Leadership-Matters-Destroys/dp/B0C87BVQZY

- Follow along with the battlefield description at: https://firefight.commonsenseway.com/ The Common Sense Way: A New Way to Think About Leading and Organizing https://www.amazon.com/Common-Sense-Way-Organizing-Leadership-ebook/dp/B096N2KGJZ

- The Mission, The Men, and Me: Lessons from a Former Delta Force Commander https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XQEVWQ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0 Instagram @blaberpete https://www.instagram.com/blaberpete/

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Show Notes: 00:00 - Intro 00:44 - Guest Introduction (Peter Blaber) 02:51 - Interview begins 03:35 - Peter's background 08:55 - Being an Author and case studies 20:52 - Hello Fresh Ad 22:18 - 3rd book synopsis 29:48 - Patrick Tillman's mother Mary 36:42 - Command structure leading to firefight 41:18 - Toxic Management 45:17 - Structure of the Rangers and terrain of the Spera District 54:23 - Command at Selarino 01:02:16 - Battle readiness in Afghanistan 01:10:41 - Oversought preventitive measures 01:24:00 - The mission and the firefight 01:44:00 - Writing the firefight 01:46:50 - The firefight 02:03:04 - Kevin Tillman 02:09:54 - Patrick Tillman 02:29:57 - Mission Debreif 02:38:12 - Relationships after book publishing 02:41:48 - Toxic climates 002:45:56 - Closing thoughts 02:46:43 - Listener comments and shout outs

Go to www.HelloFresh.com/50combatstory and use code 50combatstory for 50% off plus free shipping to get delicious and healthy meals that you can make at home with your family in no time and add some variety to what you serve! Our family has used Hello Fresh for years!

This episode is brought to you by RocketMoney. Go to www.RocketMoney.com/combatstory and get help finding and canceling your unwanted subscriptions, monitor your spending, and help lower your bills—all in one place. This episode is brought to you by DeleteMe. Go to www.joindeleteme.com/combat and use the code COMBAT to get 20% off your plan and keep your personal information online secure. =======

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

🎙️Dive into the riveting life journey of Mike Bloch, a valorous Marine Corps Veteran and MARSOC Special Operator. Mike's story is a tapestry of courage, resilience, and sacrifice, woven through multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

🇺🇸 #MarineCorps #MARSOC #VeteranStories #CombatStoryPodcast

📅 A Turning Point in Mike's Life 📅

On February 15, 2022, Mike encountered a life-altering mental health crisis, spotlighting the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support for our veterans. This episode is not just an interview; it's a call to action.

🧠 #MentalHealthAwareness #VeteranSupport #PTSD

🎯 Why This Episode Matters 🎯

Our mission at Combat Story is to give a voice to the voiceless and bridge the gap between policymakers and the lived experiences of veterans. Mike's ongoing legal battle serves as a case study for how we treatment of veterans when they return from war.

🏛️ #JusticeForVeterans #LegalReform #PolicyChange

👇 Take Action 👇

If Mike's story resonates with you, we urge you to support his case through the UAP organization and reach out to your elected officials. Your voice can make a difference. 📝 #UAP #VeteranRights #TakeAction

📲 Connect with Mike Bloch

• Support Mike's Case via UAP - https://www.uap.org/case/michael-bloch-marine-raider/
• Donate to UAP to support Mike's case: https://www.uap.org/donate/
• Mike's Non-Profit for Veterans https://www.projectvetwerx.org/
• You can make an impact by contacting your state's elected representatives, along with contacting North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, to request that they use their powers to help the transfer of Staff Sergeant Bloch's case to the Veterans Court. You can also read Michael Bloch's own letter to Governor Cooper here to aid with your effort to support: https://www.uap.org/post/michael-bloch-case-district-attorney-ernie-lee/bloch-letter-to-governor-cooper/

📲 Connect with Ryan

• Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory Merch Store https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory
• Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
• Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
• Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
• Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
• Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
• 🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

======= This is an important Combat Story with former MARSOC Special Operator and Marine Rifleman Mike Bloch. Mike served multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan with conventional and special operations forces, returned with PTSD and TBI (like so many) but preserved. He went on to serve in a contractor role with JSOC, created his own company (EBS, a Defense Contracting Company), and founded a non-profit to help other veterans.

On February 15, 2022, Mike was on his way to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for a business meeting when he suffered a mental breakdown brought on by a combination of high-stress, lack of sleep, and a drug called 'Nuvigil' prescribed by the VA to Mike for over four years (when it should not be taken for more than 12 weeks).

Mike is now being treated as a violent criminal by the North Carolina court system and a District Attorney who has decided to target an honorable veteran who spent years in combat. The DA set Mike's trial for September 11th in case you want to understand just how out of touch this is.

Part of the reason we created Combat Story was for politicians to understand what really happens to veterans when they're sent down range, from the trauma and loss during combat to the experience when they return home and try to reintegrate. This interview does exactly that. Try to imagine where you were on Christmas day in 2004 and compare it to Mike's experience. Listen to the number of brothers he lost along the way. Then try to understand what it's like to lead a normal life afterwards.

Beyond an amazing set of combat stories, this is also an episode about how we treat our veterans when they come home. If Mike's story moves you, as it did me, I'd ask you to check out the UAP site and donate what you can and write to your congressional representative and ask to move this case to a veteran court designed for such cases. You can find the necessary links in the episode description.

This is a special one and I hope you enjoy this humble combat story as much as I did.

======= Show Notes: 00:00 - Intro 01:00 - Guest Introduction (Mike Bolch) 02:57 - Interview begins 04:15 - Trial backstory 06:43 - Motivation to go into the Military 13:59 - what life without the Military would be 14:53 - Family reaction to joining the Military 16:02 - Youth Ranch compared to Basic 20:25 - Rocket Money Ad 21:48 - Post 9/11 Deployment 27:14 - Deployment in Babylon 29:48 - Integrating with the Platoon 34:30 - First combat experience 39:45 - First deployment from Iraq 41:48 - DeleteMe Ad 45:51 - Subsequent Deployments 44:50 - Transition back home 47:28 - Close encounters 01:01:10 - Traumatic events 01:07:20 - Jay and MARSOC 01:11:45 - Preparing mentally for Deployments 01:14:00 - Arrival and preparation for MARSOC 01:18:38 - Challenging Operation 01:34:38 - Transition to Contracting 01:48:35 - FOMO on the Job 01:51:20 - PTSD, V.A and New Vigil, Trial case 02:05:32 - Sentimental Items 02:06:30 - Would you do it all again 02:07:19 - Listener comments and shout outs

Go to www.HelloFresh.com/50combatstory and use code 50combatstory for 50% off plus free shipping to get delicious and healthy meals that you can make at home with your family in no time and add some variety to what you serve! Our family has used Hello Fresh for years!

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

======= Today we have a unique Combat Story from a long time aviator Sean Borland. Sean flew Cobras, Apaches, MH-53 Pave Lows, and CV-22 Ospreys providing direct support to war fighters pre and post-9/11.

Notably, Sean was in the first set of aircraft to go into Afghanistan immediately after 9/11 as part of Air Force Special Operations flying the MH-53 in both combat search and rescue and multi-purpose infil and exfil operations for special ops units of varying flavors from white SOF to OGA. This is a deep dive into some of the technical aspects of aviation, particularly rotary wing, and some of the differences between the Air Force Special Operations aviation elements and 160th.

I hope you enjoy this wide ranging discussion and insight into the rotary wing side of operations as much as I did.

======= Find Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Find Sean Online: - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-borland-2b0b2045/

======= Show Notes: 00:00 - Intro 00:47 - Guest Introduction (Sean Borland) 01:37 - Interview begins 02:05 - Background in Aviation 07:07 - Media and influences 10:47 - Deciding to go Marines 17:10 - Flying guns 20:30 - HelloFresh 21:45 - Differences between Cobra and Apache 24:27 - Apache mentality in the 90's 30:32 - Going to FLERE?? 32:38 - Path to the Air Force 40:33 - Mision set of MH53 47:35 - Crew Configuration of MH53 50:42 - 9/11 and deployment 01:05:00 - First time outside the wire 01:28:18 - Fighter weapons school 01:32:48 - Challenging Operations 01:52:24 - Change to Osprey 01:58:44 - Close call Operation 02:07:13 - Sentimental items 02:08:44 - Would you do it again 02:09:28 - Vietnam History Flight 02:11:59 - Closing thoughts 02:12:39 - Listener comments and shout outs

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we go for our second Combat Story with a member of the Air Force's aerial special operations community: Mike LaFeve, an MC-130 Navigator in the Air Force's 8th Special Operations Squadron (8th SOS).

Mike was deployed consistently from 2001 to 2006 with the 8th SOS as the most deployed Air Force special operations squadron at the time. This included trips to both Afghanistan and Iraq as both the aircraft technology improved and bases in theater become more fortified.

In the MC-130, Mike was responsible for a variety of mission sets supporting, primarily, the special operations community, including DEVGRU as we hear in this episode. The MC-130 is designed to support the special operations community with airdrops, delivery and extraction of special operators, refueling, combat search and rescue and so much more.

In this episode, we pick up where we left off as Mike goes from the first deployment post-9/11 into the next and more established operational tempo going from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan to Kuwait to Iraq and back again and I hope you enjoy this set of combat stories in the versatile MC-130 as much as I did. =======

Find Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Find Mike LaFeve Online: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikelafeve/ - Stronghold Freedom Foundation https://strongholdfreedomfoundation.org/ =======

Show Notes: 00:00 - Intro 00:53 - Guest Introduction (Mike LaFeve) 02:02 - Interview begins 02:45 - K-2 11:30 - Coming back from first deployment and OIF 26:18 - Night the war kicked off 30:00 - OIF stories 36:50 - GPS guided DZ drops 42:30 - Kuwait deployment 46:22 - Big mission 50:28 - What makes a good crew in the cockpit 59:37 - Funny story from '05 01:05:39 - Keeping it light during missions 01:12:58 - Last deployment to Bagram 01:44:40 - Military persona into the civilian world 01:54:06 - Strong Hold Freedom Foundation 01:57:17 - Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by RocketMoney. Go to www.RocketMoney.com/combatstory and get help finding and canceling your unwanted subscriptions, monitor your spending, and help lower your bills—all in one place.

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

======= Today we hear the Combat Story of a long time Marine and Special Operator Andy Milburn who, after retiring from 31 years of service, decided to then go to Ukraine to support their fight against the Russians through what he aptly named the Mozart Group.

Andy has a knack for getting close to the action that started long before he became a Marine. Growing up in the UK, Andy found himself detained momentarily in Iran before meeting a group of Marine Security Guards in Pakistan that changed his career path from lawyer to Marine. He was part of operations in Somalia, Iraq (from the invasion to counter-ISIS operations), Afghanistan, and Libya.

He commanded at multiple levels, including the first ever O-6 level Special Operations Task Force while battling ISIS in Iraq. He's battled some of the darkest moments of the trauma and grief that come from combat and loss but continues to give back, to include the time he spent in Ukraine with the Mozart Group.

Andy's written a book about his time in service, When The Tempest Gathers, that helps clearly explain how he might end up in Ukraine after retiring and has been published in multiple journals, including The Atlantic and Task and Purpose. He and his Mozart Group have been featured in the New York Times and countless other news outlets.

We need to say a special thanks to our brothers at the Team House for making this interview happen and I hope you enjoy this story of sacrifice and selflessness from a lifelong Marine as much as I did.

Find Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Find Andy Online: - When The Tempest Gathers: https://www.amazon.com/When-Tempest-Gathers-Mogadishu-Operations/dp/1526750554 - Learn more about Andy https://www.mei.edu/profile/andy-milburn - Twitter @andymilburn8 https://twitter.com/andymilburn8?lang=en - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmilburn2023/ - Instagram @milburnar https://www.instagram.com/milburnar/?hl=en ======= Show Notes: 00:00 - Intro 00:47 - Guest Introduction (Andy Milburn) 02:15 - Interview begins 03:00 - Marine House in Islamabad 11:26 - From Islamabad to Australia 16:30 - Family's reaction to dangerous trip 20:15 - Rocket Money 24:54 - Isolation of command 27:22 - Starting as a Private at Paris Island 32:23 - Hollywood Marines 34:23 - Path to Mogadishu 40:41 - First time in combat 52:41 - Being in Command 55:30 - Challenging battles 01:07:57 - Loss during Command 01:15:20 - Time in Libya 01:35:44 - Counter-ISIS 01:47:04 - Perseverance in traumatic times 01:56:05 - Similar role in the future 01:57:30 - Mental health experiences 02:02:12 - Sentimental Items 02:07:52 - Would you do it again 02:10:09 - Listener comments and shout outs

Go to www.HelloFresh.com/combatstory50 and use code combatstory50 for 50% off plus free shipping to get delicious and healthy meals that you can make at home with your family in no time and add some variety to what you serve! Our family has used Hello Fresh for years!

This episode is brought to you by RocketMoney. Go to www.RocketMoney.com/combatstory and get help finding and canceling your unwanted subscriptions, monitor your spending, and help lower your bills—all in one place.

This episode is brought to you by DeleteMe. Go to www.joindeleteme.com/combat and use the code COMBAT to get 20% off your plan and keep your personal information online secure.

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

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Today we have an amazing Combat Story from a 28 year F-16 fighter pilot, Jet Jernigan. Jet's story is remarkable from how he stumbled into aviation to eventually lead the first 20 F-16s into Kuwait in the Gulf War to take out 10 Surface-to-Air (SAM) Missile sites and clear the way for Air Force bombers.

Jet and his 19 wingmen evaded over 40 SAM launches in just a 9 minute period in what can only be described as organized chaos. He would go head-to-head with SA-2s, SA-6s, and SA-9s in a span of just a few months.

As a member of the South Carolina Air National Guard, it seems unlikely that Jet's unit was chosen ahead of other Active Duty Air Force squadrons to be the first F-16s into Kuwait. Fortunately, Jet and his team had just won Gunsmoke, the Air Force's preeminent international aviation air-to-ground combat training exercise despite flying older F-16s against the Active Duty Air Force's modernized variants, proving they were equally capable aviators.

Jet had many firsts in his career, including being the first Air National Guard pilot to attend the Air Force's elite Fighter Weapons School where, with his high school degree and Air National Guard pedigree, finished as the honor graduate or Top Gun. Jet is an incredibly humble, accomplished, and god fearing veteran who continues to live out a Hollywood-like story. Stay tuned to the end of this episode to hear Colin Powell's very own description of when Jet was interviewed by a reporter just after landing from his first mission in the Gulf War…it says it all. #f16 #fighterpilot #airforce #veteran =======

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Find Jet Jernigan Online: - Instagram @Jetf16 https://www.instagram.com/jetf16/

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Show Notes: 00:00 - Intro 01:00 - Guest Introduction (Jet Jernigan) 02:40 - Interview begins 22:14 - What's an A-7D aircraft? 28:45 - What's it like flying the F-16? 33:53 - What's it like to hit a bird (bird strike) at 450mph? 39:11 - What is Fighter Weapons School? 50:40 - What is Gunsmoke? 52:11 - Greatest answer to a media question in history…what's it like to fly an F-16? 01:01:53 - Why did we have Desert Storm? 01:15:16 - Preparing for the Gulf War 01:23:43 - Taking off for the first F-16 flight of the Gulf War 01:39:31 - How to evade a Surface to Air Missile (the science behind it from a fighter pilot) 01:41:08 - An intense mission in Basra meeting an SA-9 and sinking a ship! 01:46:59 - Sinking a Navy ship with an F-16 01:56:04 - When Colin Powell talks about Jet Jernigan after the Gulf War 02:00:15 - What Jet carried on combat missions 02:03:19 - Sentimental Items 02:04:19 - Would you do it again? 02:07:30 - Listener comments and shout outs

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Today we have a unique and very interesting Combat Story with former Green Beret and later Command Chaplain at Special Operations Command, George Youstra. Do not be fooled by the Chaplain title, George's stories are powerful and show a side of the military very few who have not served will ever see.

George accumulated over 400 flight hours, primarily in the F-16, at the urging of his boss at the time, General Breedlove, so he could better connect with and serve the pilots and airmen he was assigned to. After building his reputation as a Chaplain within the Air Force fighter community, he was given a call sign, "Saul," which is perfectly suited given his role and stature.

In his career, George was a personal advisor to eight Four Star Generals and helped drive religious efforts at both tactical and strategic levels in multiple combat theaters, particularly within the Special Operations community. I had no idea how critical the Chaplain's role would be for combatant commands at the strategic level, which is something we dive into in this episode, in addition to the tactical experience just being present for soldiers and airmen about to go into harm's way, on the verge of taking their own lives, supporting brothers-in-arms who just lost a best friend, and wrestling with their spirituality in the heat of combat.

At SOCOM, George served as the principal and personal staff advisor to the Commander, Directors, and headquarters staff in areas related to morale, ethics and spirituality, to include advising on the role and impact of religion in the strategic environment.

With that, I hope you enjoy this incredibly insightful and moving conversation with one of the few Chaplains to have seen combat himself as a Special Forces officer, as much as I did.

======= Find Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Find George Online: - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-youstra-92865746/ - Instagram @chaplainustra https://www.instagram.com/chaplainustra/?hl=en Suicide Prevention Hotlines: Call: 988 Text: 838255 ======= Show Notes: 00:00 - Intro 00:44 - Guest Introduction (George Youstra) 02:12 - Interview begins 02:45 - Childhood 04:45 - George's Marine Father 06:18 - Religion and the Military 08:48 - Path to the Chapalain Core 12:24 - Time in the Army 13:08 - Strom Thurmond 22:30 - Time in Special Forces 24:27 - Time in South America 29:30 - Challenging Operations as a Green Beret 34:30 - Going down the Chaplain path 37:16 - Training as a Chaplain 39:34 - Differences between Army and Air Force 42:21 - What makes a good Chaplain 50:04 - Day in the life of a Chaplain downrange 54:59 - Goals of a Chaplain 01:02:28 - Assistance with Mental Health 01:08:31 - "Saul" callsign 01:10:10 - Working with Fighter Pilots 01:18:47 - Perspective of leadership 01:22:40 - Leadership lessons 01:26:04 - Different religions in combat 01:37:58 - Most courageous act 01:41:37 - Sentimental items 01:43:03 - Do it all again 01:44:35 - Administering last rights 01:45:18 - Closing thoughts 01:46:19 - Listener comments and shout outs