In this episode, we sit down with retired Lieutenant Colonel John "Karl" Marks, the A-10 Warthog pilot with the most A-10 flight hours in history (7,500+ hours), for an incredible, in-depth conversation. Karl shares his experience flying combat missions from Desert Storm to Afghanistan, earning a Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, 18 Air Medals, and 13 combat deployments along the way.

We discuss:

Karl’s journey from a childhood fascination with aviation to becoming a legendary A-10 pilot
The evolution of close air support (CAS) and the future role of the A-10 vs. F-35
First-hand stories from Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and more
How the A-10 adapted tactics for modern warfare
Preserving institutional knowledge of CAS amid today's changing military priorities
The importance of trust between pilots and ground forces
Lessons on preparation, opportunity, and resilience in combat
Karl also shares behind-the-scenes moments from pilot training, getting his call sign "Karl” Marx, his first combat strike, and reflections on 37 years of service.

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