🎙️ EPISODE 109 – From MiG-21 to A-10 Hawg: The Incredible Journey of Lt Col Joszph “Boarat” Jonas

Welcome back to Lessons from the Cockpit, the show that brings you stories and lessons learned from aviators who've been there, done that, and brought the jet home. I’m Mark Hasara—KC-135 instructor pilot, Air Force Weapons School grad, author of Tanker Pilot, and your host for Episode 109.

This one’s going to hit you right between the afterburners.

✈️ From Opposing Forces to Brothers-in-Arms My guest is Cliff Wilson, an Air Force C-141 Starlifter driver and UPT instructor in both the T-37 Tweet and T-6 Texan II. Cliff has a powerful lesson on facing failure head-on—and how his faith changed his perspective and helped him turn setbacks into comebacks. But here's where the story really takes off! Cliff tells us about his friend—Lt Col József “Boarat” Jonas, a Hungarian-born pilot who trained to fight against us in a MiG-21 Fishbed during the Cold War.

 And now?

He flies the A-10 Warthog for the United States Air Force!

Let that sink in.

This guy served as a US Army CH-47 Chinook Crew Chief in Iraq, then fought his way through the system to earn his USAF pilot wings. Despite every door being slammed in his face, a few bold leaders gave him the shot at Air Force Silver Wings on his chest. Now he’s tearing it up in the Hawg. Lt Col Jonas has many titles now... including A-10 Instructor Pilot of the Year! This is a story of redemption, grit, and brotherhood—the kind of story that reminds you why we do what we do.

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This episode proves one thing: It doesn’t matter where you start—it matters who’s willing to fight beside you.

Until next time… Nobody Kicks Ass Without Tanker Gas... NOBODY!