In this Authentic Media Snap Shot, Mike "Pako" Benitez joins Scott "Roger" Chafian to discuss the history and evolution of the F-15 Eagle. Pako explains how the F-15 was developed in response to the Soviet Union's MiG-25 interceptor and how it outperformed everything that came before it, becoming the premiere fourth-generation fighter.

The F-15's enduring design allowed for changes in software, engines, and avionics, making it a versatile and reliable fighter. Host and guest also discuss the advanced features of the F-15EX, which works in conjunction with other aircraft to create a formidable force. The speakers also discuss the limitations of the F-22 and F-35 and the importance of having more than one fighter production line.

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Nelson "Ed" Cobleigh is a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and Vietnam veteran-turned author who flew the A-4 Skyhawk, F-4 Phantom, Jaguar, F-104 Starfighter, and F-16 Fighting Falcon, among others.

This episode is adapted from a 2022 'Happy Hour' discussion over Zoom.

Visit Ed's website here.

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Retired U.S. Navy Captain Jim "Guido" Dimatteo is the son of a WW2 fighter pilot, himself a former A-4, F-14, F-16N, F/A-18 pilot and still an F-5 pilot, the former purveyor of a successful bar & restaurant, a rugby veteran, former Director of the Red Bull Air Races, Director of the Breitling Jet Team North American tour, and so much more as you will learn on this exciting episode.

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FPP friend and occasional cohost, Ken Katz, welcomes back to the show Dr. Eileen Bjorkman to discuss her new book, Fly Girls Revolt: The Story of the Women Who Kicked Open the Door to Fly in Combat.

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Rogers E. Smith is a Canadian-American pilot who served in the RCAF, U.S. Marines, and U.S. Air National Guard and spent a long career testing nearly every American fighter (and several Russian ones), despite never attending a formal test pilot school!

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Retired U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General Mike Aguilar explains how the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum is moving from MCAS Miramar in San Diego to the Great Park in Irvine, near the former MCAS El Toro., California.

Visit the FLAM website here.

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Retired Italian Air Force General and former Tornado pilot Gianmarco Bellini joins guest host Craig "Crunch" Snyder to discuss his terrifying low-altitude, high-speed ejection in the opening hours of Operation Desert Storm.

Watch the Gianmarco Bellini: Gulf War POW (2023) Official Trailer here.

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Retired U.S. Navy Captain Brett "Chopper" Crozier describes his career from flying SH-60B Seahawks to returning to flight school to learn the F/A-18 Hornet to nuclear power school and eventually command of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, including his very public firing at the beginning of COVID.

Order Chopper's book, Surf When You Can, from Amazon here.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Phillip Frawley is not only a retired Royal Australian Air Force fighter pilot, he is a Guinness World Record holder for being the oldest and longest-serving fighter pilot in the world. With a half-century of service and nearly 500 flight students taught, "Frawls" has seen it all.

This Zoom interview was originally recorded during a late 2020 happy hour session for FPP Patreon supporters.

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U.S. Air Force Reserve fighter pilot, Justin "Hasard" Lee, describes his career flying the block 50 F-16 before transitioning to the F-35 and ultimately starting a compelling YouTube channel. His exploits and many lessons learned are captured in his book, The Art of Clear Thinking.

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