HawgCast

In Col. Mike "Rio" Leonas's first official podcast as 442d Fighter Wing commander, he and Maj. Shelley Ecklebe talk to Col. Brian "B-Lite" Leiter and Lt. Col. Pat "Chevy" Chevalier, both of whom started as enlisted members, earned a commission through their hard work and dedication, and went on to be two of the most respected leaders in the wing. We also introduce "Babble Time," in which Col. Leonas talks about the wing's news similar to Brig. Gen. Nester's "Nasty Time." In Babble Time, though, there's a twist – and a bit of a challenge! (Edited by Mr. Bob Jennings)

In Brig. Gen. Steve "Nasty" Nester's final HawgCast, he speaks with Chief Master Sgt. Nate Parks, a long-time friend and the inspiration for HawgCast. The two reminisce and look to the future and discuss what it means to be a good leader and to leave a lasting legacy at a wing.

In Brig. Gen. Steve "Nasty" Nester's penultimate HawgCast, he speaks with Brig. Gen. Regina "Torch" Sabric, the 10th Air Force Commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Bluto, the 10 AF command chief, about their careers. Then, our two guests answer a few questions submitted by wing members.

In this episode of HawgCast, the official podcast of the 442d Fighter Wing, Brig. Gen. Steve "Nasty" Nester talks with Col. Mike "Rio" Leonas, Lt. Col. Keith Yersak, Chief Master Sgt. Sal Urbano, and Master Sgt. Bob Jennings about their July 2023 trip to Peru for Exercise Patriot Fury, which represented not only the first A-10 operations south of the equator, but also the first Air Force Reserve Command sourced and led air expeditionary wing, which Leonas commanded.

We give this episode five stars! And not only because Brig. Gen. Steve "Nasty" Nester is joined by two retired major generals. In this episode, Brig. Gen. Nester talks about some of the great things we did in Peru last month, and interviews three legendary former leaders from the 442d Fighter Wing.

In this episode of HawgCast, Brig. Gen. Steve "Nasty" Nester and Maj. Shelley Ecklebe talk with the Bryants, who are slowly taking over the whole wing either through marriage or recruiting their children. We hear their stories about how they met and why they joined the wing.

In this bonus episode of HawgCast, Brig. Gen. Steve "Nasty" Nester, Maj. Shelley Ecklebe, and Master Sgt. Bob Jennings talk to Tech. Sgt. Ricardo Miranda-Navarro, a utilities technician with the 442d Civil Engineer Squadron about how he got chosen to announce an NFL draft pick live on stage at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo., April 29, 2023

In this episode, Brig. Gen. Steve "Nasty" Nester and Maj. Shelley Ecklebe are joined by Col. Mike "Rio" Leonas, who talks about some of the things that happened over the UTA, including a couple of retirements and some advanced pilot training. This episode's guest is Senior Airman Etchi Manga Bessong, a dental assistant with the 442d Medical Squadron, who was born and raised in Cameroon. Airman Manga Bessong talks about the path he took to get to the U.S., and what led him to join the Air Force Reserve.

In this episode, Brig. Gen. Steve "Nasty" Nester talks about Tricare, and retirement. Then, he and Maj. Shelley Ecklebe interview two 442d Airmen -- "Harry" and "Lloyd" -- who just returned from short-notice deployments to help in the dissemination of lethal aid to Ukraine.

Disclaimer: This episode contains descriptions of combat and casualties, mild language, references to suicide and PTSD that some listeners may find disturbing. The views and opinions expressed in HawgCast should not be construed to represent the views of the Air Force Reserve or the Department of Defense.

In the inaugural episode of the 442d Fighter Wing's podcast, HawgCast, Brig. Gen. Steve Nester, the wing commander, gives an update on the future of the wing and projected divestment of the A-10. He also speaks with Lt. Cols. John "Karl" Marks and Tony "Crack" Roe, the two highest-time A-10 pilots currently serving. Marks and Roe tell the stories of the four Distinguished Flying Crosses they have between the two of them.

Additional host: Maj. Shelley Ecklebe

Sound editing: Master Sgt. Bob Jennings