Madcat Podcast

In this episode, John Pighini and Scott Gearen sit down to recount stories of John's career in uniform — from flying combat rescue missions over Laos and Thailand during the Vietnam War, to becoming the founding Pararescuemen at the classified JSOC unit known as Det 4 NAFCOS (later known as the 24th STS). John recounts:

Flying 100+ combat missions in the Jolly Green Giant, picking up downed pilots under fire, and earning the Silver Star. 

Lima Sites and what life was really like in Udorn and NKP during the Vietnam War

Being hand-selected by a general to establish Pararescue's presence within JSOC alongside Delta Force and SEAL Team Six

A harrowing helicopter crash on a training mission when a C-130's tire clipped their rotor blades on a darkened runway. 

How he fought to define Pararescue's combat identity — pushing for CQB training, combat medicine, and independence from the aircraft commander

John's story is one of a man who was voted "least likely to succeed" and went on to shape the modern Pararescue career field — driven by the motto: "That Others May Live."

Episode 32 of the Madcat Podcast is with Al Stanek.  He is a legend of the PJ community! He survived a shoot-down, saved his pilots from a burning wreck, and spent a night in the dirt fighting off enemy forces to protect the wounded. He’s a Silver Star recipient and a PJ's PJ. Join us for an incredible conversation.

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Mike Fish served as a PJ at the 41st ARRS at Hamilton AFB, California, 38th ARRS at Tuy Hoa AB and the 71st ARRS at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. He shares his story of earning the Air Force Cross and all of the jump missions he managed to get on! He remains a titan of the PJ community, this was an awesome interview for us to do in person.  

Check out the full video on our YouTube.  Buy Podcast SWAG or Donate to the Cause. 

https://linktr.ee/madcatpodcast

John Nusbaum joined the Air Force in 1965 and earned his beret in PJ class 65-5.  After being stationed in Spain, he volunteered for a tour in Southeast Asia.  We delve into the missions John conducted in Da Nang, most notably when John earned a Silver Star during an extremely hazardous extraction of a Special Forces team.  

Buy Podcast SWAG or Donate to the Cause: https://linktr.ee/madcatpodcast

In this episode, we sit down with Chuck McGrath, a recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Silver Star and an Air Force Cross.  Chuck is a true embodiment of the motto "That Others May Live." 

Buy Podcast SWAG or Donate to the Cause: https://linktr.ee/madcatpodcast

In this episode, we sit down with Jessica Lynch, the former POW from the Iraq War, for an honest and unfiltered conversation. Hosted by PJ Benji Brudnicki, they discuss her life in the Army prior to deploying, her captivity, and her ongoing journey with mental health and healing.

Watch the full pod on youtube: https://youtu.be/W0Eb6BlSpvc

Buy Podcast SWAG or Donate to the Cause: https://linktr.ee/madcatpodcast

Check out Benji's Instagrams: @benjifilm.us and 

Green Feet Medical: https://www.greenfeetmedical.com/

Here's a link to Jessica's book: 

https://www.amazon.com/Am-Soldier-Too-Jessica-Lynch/dp/1400077478/ref=asc_df_1400077478?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=79920806880899&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=91075&hvtargid=pla-4583520385864363&psc=1

Dennis McKiver joins us to talk about his career.  Dennis goes into detail about the missions he was a part of in Southeast Asia and the 3 jump missions he got in a row! To look up more about the Mayaguez Incident check out the wiki link below.  As always check out out linktree to buy swag or donate to the cause! 

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/madcatpodcast?utm_source=linktree_admin_share

Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayaguez_incident

From Navy deckhand to MACV-SOG recon leader to Air Force Pararescueman, Jim ‘Wild Carrot’ Shorten lived a life most only read about. He went deep behind enemy lines, then spent decades trying to bring the fallen home. This is his story.

Chief Al Richmond was the first PJ Chief of the 129 RQS.  Chief joined the Marine Corps in 1954, 3 years later after the Marines wouldn't let him jump he joined the Army. Finally that he joined the Air Force as a Pararescueman.  He was a Reservist and Guardsman at the 301 RQS, 302 RQS and 129 RQS.  He retired in 1981 after a legendary career.  

All of Al's literary works can be found on amazon, but here are a couple of them!   

https://www.amazon.com/Story-Grand-Canyon-Railway-Presidents/dp/1934656917/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.OXmgQRUCQ8WvV-GiIWxwPNJ0sELhB-CZFkzg3Ze3bQfgvcMIhSZD61aoLgKwXItLkGnheIHBLoFAKlldZqNhYdx10zVzITKoHwTWSZnscoAEeF6qMgNz3siao2K3-wI7NfD9El5f42yGBGyOtFh-PyYdDLAJFDb1F5Ym79GK2U5MMszwJt6eXVmhnpyap2E_d1E-QKzQv2oxy7PCZXXl6NGF01Ksu_GStd5tchVTn_k.wMyrBuDsgdbR4DiVd4ttttlCOJ5NDAbafPdpEQOLk-c&dib_tag=se&qid=1745769682&refinements=p_27%3AAl+Richmond&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Al+Richmond

https://www.amazon.com/Rails-Rim-Milepost-Canyon-Railway/dp/B0030LV942/ref=sr_1_8?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.OXmgQRUCQ8WvV-GiIWxwPNJ0sELhB-CZFkzg3Ze3bQfgvcMIhSZD61aoLgKwXItLkGnheIHBLoFAKlldZqNhYdx10zVzITKoHwTWSZnscoAEeF6qMgNz3siao2K3-wI7NfD9El5f42yGBGyOtFh-PyYdDLAJFDb1F5Ym79GK2U5MMszwJt6eXVmhnpyap2E_d1E-QKzQv2oxy7PCZXXl6NGF01Ksu_GStd5tchVTn_k.wMyrBuDsgdbR4DiVd4ttttlCOJ5NDAbafPdpEQOLk-c&dib_tag=se&qid=1745769930&refinements=p_27%3AAl+Richmond&s=books&sr=1-8&text=Al+Richmond

Enjoy! 

Chief Williamson served from 1966-2000. Was a major player in the implementation of square parachutes and rescue jumpmaster TTPs. He has some incredible missions and hilarious Charlie stories. Hope you guys enjoy.