This week Fig, RePete & Sticks engage in some hangar talk this week as we had a tech issue preventing our scheduled guest from joining us. Hear us numbskulls recount some of the stories that led us to where we are today!

Hang Out with us on Zoom 22 Dec at 5PM Eastern Time

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Hop aboard for a thrilling second episode with Bātar, packed with stories that will make you laugh, gasp, and question if pilots moonlight as comedians. The adventure kicks off with the baffling “Hawaii out of gas” debacle and revisits the unfinished “Football Island” tale from last week. Bātar shares a white-knuckle “Utility Hydraulic Failure” and a hilariously questionable moment with his pilot, Fox, debating their sobriety before a mission.

Get ready for livestock mishaps, slapstick-worthy landing gear incidents, and the thrill of 685 combat missions (including a wild drop of 24 bombs at once!). From dodging enemy fire to reflecting on the rare boredom when it wasn’t there, Bātar’s experiences are anything but ordinary. Add in SR-71 “that didn’t happen” moments, Great Santini antics, and an F-4 showdown, and you’ve got an episode that’s impossible to miss!

See below for Bātar’s Memoir!

Join us on this exhilarating episode as we dive into the gripping tales of “Bātar,” a Marine Corps F-4 Phantom RIO who recounts his heart-pounding experiences in the skies over Vietnam. From navigating treetop-level ordnance runs while dodging streams of tracer fire to his journey from a mechanical engineering student at the University of Rochester to the cockpit of one of aviation’s most legendary aircraft, Bātar shares his unique perspective on life, combat, and the camaraderie of the Corps. With anecdotes that range from the humorous to the harrowing, this episode is a must-listen for military aviation enthusiasts and fans of thrilling stories alike.

We also explore Bātar’s reflections on the “Old Corps,” the evolution of aviation, and the challenges of his time. His memoirs, A Marine Remembers the F-4, offer a rare window into the life of a Marine RIO during one of the most turbulent periods in history. Buckle up for an unforgettable ride with Fig and RePete as we honor Bātar’s legacy and hear firsthand about his extraordinary life in the skies.

Bātar kept notes and used letters home that his mother kept to reconstruct his memoir – which he graciously shares here!

F-4 Memories: A RIO Remembers the F-4

Retired USAF Col. “KC” shared incredible moments from her journey as an A-10 pilot, showcasing bravery, determination, and grit.

Some highlights include:

The Lucky Rabbit’s Foot and a Baghdad Mission

KC recounts a harrowing close air support mission over Baghdad in 2003. Battling poor visibility, she and her flight lead responded to a desperate call for help. Diving under the clouds, she targeted enemies beneath a bridge amid chaos. Her A-10 was hit by a surface-to-air missile, forcing her to fly in manual reversion. Despite the damage, she safely returned to base, demonstrating her skill, training, and the resilience of the Warthog.

Why She Chose the A-10

KC explains her decision to fly the A-10, the “Warthog,” drawn to its low-level mission focus and dedication to ground troops. Her story highlights the critical role of close air support and her pride in helping soldiers return home safely.

Reflections That Save Lives

KC shares how lessons from Desert Storm veterans and her training shaped her actions during crises. These stories became a lifeline in her most challenging moments.

KC’s vivid storytelling reveals what it means to serve with courage and commitment.

Join us for part two with RobRoy! Hear about his Naval Academy days, life aboard a carrier, landing a C-2 Greyhound, his YouTube channel, FlyBuyer.com, and his final Navy tour. Don’t miss this engaging pilot-to-pilot conversation!

Rob Roy’s path to becoming a Navy pilot started with inspiration from watching Top Gun as a child. Coming from a non-military background, he navigated the path to military aviation on his own, attending the U.S. Naval Academy and graduating in 2011. After completing Aviation Pre-flight Indoctrination in Pensacola, he trained in the T-34 and T-45, before Selecting C-2 Greyhounds, used for carrier onboard delivery. Rob’s journey included deployments, experiences in Corpus Christi, Texas, and roles that spanned from flying in high-stakes environments to assisting with logistics aboard carriers.

One highlight of Rob’s career was flying missions to carriers and ensuring delivery of personnel and supplies, showcasing the essential and often overlooked logistical backbone of naval aviation. He tells the story of getting his parents onto a carrier in the Mediterranean, and going around his Squadron CO (Skipper) to do so; a rare and meaningful gesture that illustrated his resourcefulness and deep connection to his family’s contributions. His tenure also involved unique assignments, transitioning aspirations, and navigating challenges with commanding officers, illustrating both the rigor and fulfillment of a naval aviator’s career.

General Jay shares an intense aviation experience during Desert Storm. While on a KC-135 mission, his aircraft suddenly rolled sharply left and right, resulting in the detachment of two engines. The unexpected maneuver was later attributed to wake turbulence from another plane, which caused severe G-forces that sheared the bolts holding the engines. Despite losing power on one side and handling significant challenges, including hydraulic issues and fuel loss, the crew maintained control and safely landed the aircraft at King Abdulaziz International Airport, blowing several tires but remaining on the centerline. The investigation revealed no structural damage, showcasing the KC-135’s durability. General Jay’s recollections capture the complexity, quick thinking, and teamwork required in emergency situations. His story underscores the reliability of the KC-135 and the commitment of part-time guardsmen, balancing civilian careers while serving their country.

In this episode, G. brings listeners along a remarkable journey from piloting the A-10 Warthog to operating drones in combat. One story that stands out is the transition to remotely piloted aircraft after a neck injury. When introduced to the world of RPAs, she faced the unique challenges of flying remotely and adapting to drone camera interfaces, something very different from a traditional cockpit. Her experience highlights the adaptability required in military aviation and the evolving role of drones in modern warfare.

She also shares her time at the prestigious Air Force Weapons School. Despite the odds — pregnant with her second child and the first-ever RPA student at the school — she navigated this demanding program, emerging as a skilled instructor. Her dedication and resilience shine, inspiring those around her. Wrapping up with insights into “Cross-check Mental Performance” training, she emphasizes the importance of mental agility for pilots. Through her stories, listeners gain a firsthand look at the courage, adaptability, and mental fortitude of military aviators.

RePete and Fig are joined by “G,” a highly experienced pilot who instructed in both the T-37 and T-38, flew the A-10 Warthog (Thunderbolt), and operated the Reaper. She shares her remarkable journey into aviation. “G” recounts how she initially pursued the military without knowing much about it, joining Air Force ROTC and landing a pilot slot after what was initially thought to be a medical disqualification turned out to be a non-issue. Overcoming airsickness and various other challenges, “G” talks about her first assignment as an instructor pilot, where she developed a love for teaching. She candidly shares how she earned her callsign, “G-Spot,” after an amusing and confusing misread of her HUD during an A-10 attack training flight. The episode also delves into a nerve-wracking engine failure during her first A-10 flight in Korea and wraps up with a light-hearted story of encountering a persistent praying mantis en route to the Yokota Airshow. “G” is far too humble in her approach to her accomplished career. Her insights into the world of aviation are both inspiring and entertaining, making this an episode you won’t want to miss.

Bart shares the thrilling journey of his military service, beginning with a long flight from Japan to Saudi Arabia due to overflight restrictions. He humorously recalls the camaraderie and memorable moments with fellow officers during training. Upon arriving in Iraq, Bart’s experience takes an unexpected turn as he navigates logistical challenges, including a less-than-welcoming committee. The stakes heighten as Bart recounts his first combat missions, filled with adrenaline and unpredictability. Tension builds with the onset of Desert Storm, where Bart transitions from training exercises to live combat. The episode takes a dramatic turn when Bart is shot down during his 17th mission, captured by Iraqi forces, and experiences the surreal and dangerous reality of captivity. His eventual release and return to military life underscore the resilience and courage required in such intense circumstances.