Fighter Pilot Podcast

On this bonus episode, FPP host and former TOPGUN instructor, Vincent "Jell-O" Aiello and past podcast guests and fellow TOPGUN instructors Andy "Grand" Mariner (episode 7), Dave "Chip" Berke (59), and Jim "Jambo" Ray (143) review Top Gun: Maverick immediately following a private screening in San Diego, Calif.

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Top Gun (the movie): You probably know the storyline cold and can name your favorite flying scene. You can even quote several lines from the film (e.g. “son, your ego is writing checks your body can’t cash…”), but how much do you know about the behind-the-scenes efforts necessary to get the movie from initial draft to the final product we all know and love?

On this episode, retired U.S. Navy Reserve Commander Jim “Jambo” Ray and former Navy Lieutenant John “Smegs” Semcken, two junior officers stationed at then-NAS Miramar, Calif. in the mid-80’s, explain their participation in the filming and storyline development of everyone’s favorite flying movie and, hint, it was a significant effort! Jambo and Smegs discuss filming flying scenes, such as the tower flyby and the time an F-14 pilot almost crashed into the film crew on a Fallon hilltop, as well as how they worked with Paramount to craft the movie (not “documentary”!) into a product everyone would enjoy.

Listener questions addressed on this episode include how TOPGUN students take notes during syllabus academics and whether graduates return to their previous squadrons as was the case during the pre-1996 Power Projection course. Be sure to check out Jambo’s Rooster Racing organization and Smegs’ Land of the Free Foundation to support veterans.

Top Gun anthem covered by Jaime Lopez / announcement by Clint Bell.

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As part of 'Top Gun Month' we are revisiting episode 7 with now-Captain Andy "Grand" Mariner who rejoins the show five years later to update us on his career and the Navy Fighter Weapons School since the retirement of the F/A-18A-D Hornet and the addition of the F-35 Lightning II.

View the Tailhook panel on the Navy's latest shoot down here.

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On this episode, author Brad Elward, returns for the conclusion of what he learned about the Navy Fighter Weapons School during his nearly decade-long research and writing of TOPGUN: The Legacy: The Complete History of TOPGUN and its Impact on Tactical Aviation. The 80's, 90's, 00's, and today are covered including the impact of the 1986 blockbuster, Top Gun, and the school's mid-90's move to Fallon, Nevada.

Top Gun anthem covered by Jaime Lopez / announcement by Clint Bell.

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'Top Gun Month' kicks off in earnest with this exhaustive look at the Navy Fighter Weapons School with Brad Elward, author of TOPGUN: The Legacy: The Complete History of TOPGUN and its Impact on Tactical Aviation. A former attorney and college professor, Mr. Elward spent a decade interviewing more than 400 TOPGUN graduates and instructors for this authoritative book.

On this episode, Mr. Elward explains the background leading up to the formation of TOPGUN in the late 1960's, then the institution's first decade developing tactics and instructing students.

Episode artwork by Janek Krause. Top Gun anthem covered by Jaime Lopez / announcement by Clint Bell.

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'Top Gun Month' kicks off here on the Fighter Pilot Podcast with a discussion on... wait, what?!

Sure, the long-awaited sequel looks to be "all that" but let's not lose track of what else is happening in the world and that includes the 40th anniversary of the Falkland Islands war between the U.K. and Argentina.

On this episode, retired Royal Navy Commander Tim "Bobsleigh" Gedge joins us to discuss the Falkland Islands air war based on his experiences as the former 809 Squadron boss riding the converted freighter Atlantic Conveyor into battle where he flew more than 30 combat sorties. Cmdr Gedge is heavily featured in Rowland White's outstanding book Harrier 809 which is mentioned frequently during the interview. See his post-military boat building academy endeavors here.

Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.

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Skynet. Cyborgs... When you think of advanced technology in military applications, odds are Hollywood has you convinced it is to our species' peril. Never mind entertainment, what is artificial intelligence, really, and how might it be adapted in military aviation?

On this episode, U.S. Air Force Colonel Randel Gordon, Vice Commander of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, California joins guest cohost Ken Katz to describe how AI is shaping the way the military trains, fights, works logistics and repairs, and a host of other activities where big data can bring about efficiencies and improved capabilities.

During the listener question portion we learn the distinction between the Navy Fighter Weapons School (aka TOPGUN) and other Navy and Marine Corps adversary squadrons. Check out Ken's book, The Supersonic BONE: A Development and Operational History of the B-1 Bomber.

Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell. Opening audio clip from Terminator 2: Judgement Day directed by James Cameron (1991, Paramount).

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Being labeled a "jack of all trades" is oftentimes derisively applied to people or things with the inevitable follow up, "master of none." But every once in awhile an exception comes along—an unassuming platform devised for a myriad of missions that it performs so well it remains relevant over six decades later.

On this episode, retired U.S. Air Force Major Carter Clark discusses the OV-10 Bronco's role during the Vietnam War and retired U.S. Navy Commander Phil "Convoy" Clay follows up with how updated Broncos continued serving in the recent war on ISIS as part of the modern light attack armed overwatch program. The Bronco was—and still is—a real work horse.

Listener questions addressed on this episode include whether a boom has ever broken off during in-flight refueling and why the U.S. Air Force is beginning to retire the F-22 Raptor.

Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.

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You've heard on this podcast—and likely seen videos online—of how pilots land high performance military jets on the angled, steel flight decks of modern aircraft carriers, but how did they do it back in the beginning on wooden, straight-deck carriers?

On this episode, former U.S. Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade Dale Berven joins us to describe the procedures he followed when landing his F9F Panther aboard the USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) in 1953. Adapted from a 2020 Happy Hour discussion exclusive for our Patreon supporters, Dale and host Jell-O have a meandering discussion about more than simply day carrier landings on straight-deck carriers, such as the hydraulic catapults used at the time and even Naval Aviation's contribution to the Korean War.

Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.

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Since the USS Langley’s commissioning in 1922, America's aircraft carriers and embarked air wings have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, and maintained the U.S.'s enduring commitments worldwide.

On this episode, former USS Abraham Lincoln commanding officer Captain Walter "Sarge" Slaughter and episode 83 guest Dave "Mini Me" Kurtz, both U.S. Navy, discuss the relevance of America's carriers since their debut a century ago, through World War 2 to today, and even what the future holds for these capital ships.

Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.

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