In August 2017, about 100 miles west of Key West, a Yort found himself in a tense moment during what was supposed to be a routine intercept mission. After being redirected to the Phantom airspace, he learned an aircraft might have gone down—a chilling way for any aviation story to turn serious. 

That moment of uncertainty launched a gripping tale that unfolds with career-spanning insights into military aviation. From childhood memories of climbing into old B-17s to intense training with the Navy SEALs, to navigating ROTC, OCS, and finally flying F-18s off carriers, the story offers an unfiltered look at life as a Marine aviator. 

There are moments of raw humor, anxiety, and pride as he details everything from flight school stress to pulling Gs in low-level bombing runs. Whether you’re an aviation aficionado or a fan of military stories, this account delivers authenticity, adrenaline, and plenty of dark-humored truth from life in the cockpit.

From a kid watching F-16s in Albuquerque to flying the legendary AV-8B Harrier, Warren’s journey into Marine Corps aviation is packed with twists, challenges, and near-disasters. It all started with a recruiter’s dare and his mother’s skepticism—fueling his path from Navy ROTC to the cockpit of one of the most unique aircraft in military aviation.

But the road to the sky wasn’t easy. Warren overcame a broken leg in flight school, a last-minute major change, and grueling combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. He pulls back the curtain on white-knuckle night sorties, navigating strict rules of engagement, and managing fuel over hostile terrain—where a single mistake could mean disaster.

Then there’s the moment that gives this episode its title: a functional check flight gone horribly wrong. At 18,000 feet, Warren found himself in an uncontrolled spin… with no engine. How did he survive? You’ll have to listen to find out.

This episode is loaded with hidden gems—including a jaw-dropping story of rebuilding Harrier engines in record time after catastrophic water contamination in Afghanistan.

And when you’re done here – go to our GiveAway page to enter to win one of 5 custom engraved flasks with your name or callsign etched on it!

🎙️Episode 150: Fast Eddie Ed Cobleigh—Fighter Pilot & Aviation Adventure Author

Strap in for a high-speed, low-drag episode as we welcome “Fast Eddie” Ed Cobleigh—fighter pilot, weapons instructor, and best-selling aviation author. If you’ve ever dreamed of pulling 5 Gs, dodging bureaucracy, and outmaneuvering enemy fire, this episode puts you right in the cockpit.

Fast Eddie shares pulse-pounding tales, from weaving through the fog over Loch Ness (yes, with an entire flight of jets) to nearly giving the Shah of Iran a Maverick missile in the keester! He dishes on precision bombing with the Air Force, teaching Navy pilots a thing or two, and somehow calling a Luftwaffe-designed French brothel home. (Because, naturally.)

This episode delivers adrenaline, laughs, and jaw-dropping near-misses—the kind that make your palms sweat and your respect for tactical aircraft skyrocket.

🔥 Listen NOW, share with your squadron (real or imaginary), and remember:

Give us five stars or risk being labeled a moron on comms! 🎧

This week on So There I Was, Jeff & Jay Moss join us to share their unique journeys as Army attack pilots and men of faith. From the cockpit to the home front, their paths have been shaped by battlefield decisions and life’s toughest challenges—the kind that test both the body and the soul.

Jeff has faced the crucible of war. Jay has forged his own path, carrying on the family legacy as an attack pilot. Through it all, faith, family bonds, and even a connection to a former President have shaped their journey.

Their book, My Leading Edge (co-authored by Jeff & Camille Moss), is a powerful testament to resilience through faith. Facing incredible fear, helplessness and uncertainty when their beautiful daughter, Mallory, experienced life-threatening seizures and were told neither a cure nor a treatment were likely they turned to faith and friends. When Jeff’s faith was shaken, Camille’s remained steadfast. When she struggled, he found the strength to lift them both. Together, they weathered life’s storms—offering a road map for perseverance, trust, and the unshakable power of belief.

🔥 Listen now! | 📖 Read My Leading Edge

And here’s a link to the video where, for the first time, two generations of one family got to fly together as Pilots-in-Command of two generations of Army Attack helicopters.

Buckle up for a wild ride with A-10 Warthog pilots T-Dub and Quintana! From dodging bureaucracy to dodging bullets, these two bring hilarious and jaw-dropping combat stories straight from the cockpit. Hear about strafing tanks in Iraq, the legendary Kandahar Unicorn, and why British Special Forces will obliterate anyone who messes with their dog.

Expect fighter pilot pranks, piddle pack nightmares, and some highly questionable call signs. Oh, and did we mention an explosion of 200 barrels of oil? If you love aviation, military humor, and tales of airborne mayhem, this episode is guns hot!

🎧 Listen now for the best A-10 Warthog pilot stories you’ll ever hear!

Below are a couple HUD and ground videos we talked about during the episode!

From ‘Worm’ to ‘Wolfy’: A wild ride through a career in Naval Aviaton

What happens when a determined young man with a dream of flying almost misses his shot—only to have fate (and a sharp-eyed Naval Officer) step in? Wolfy joins us to share his incredible journey: from nearly missing his chance to serve, to nailing the perfect interview, to never, ever quitting.

Along the way, he’ll crack you up with stories of how ‘Worm’ became ‘Wolfy’, and drop some unexpectedly deep wisdom—like what it’s like to attend your own funeral. Oh, and did we mention he’s worked alongside the elite Navy SEALs and somehow made it into the Blue Angels? Yeah, buckle up for this one.

Laugh, learn, and get inspired—you won’t want to miss this episode of So There I Was!

👉 Listen now!

JTAC Combat Stories with Black Rifle Coffee’s JT

This week, So There I Was takes a wild turn as we welcome JT—combat veteran, Air Force JTAC, and co-founder of Black Rifle Coffee Company. Not only is he a certified badass, but he also runs a fund to support veterans and first responders—because great coffee and great causes go hand in hand.

Surviving JTAC Training & Dodging Bullets

JT shares insane combat stories, from his grueling selection process (spoiler: it involved deception, suffering, and maybe some regret) to climbing a ladder in the middle of a warzone while F-16s screamed overhead. What could possibly go wrong?

Explosions, Cows & Annoying Canadians

Ever wonder how to seriously piss off a Canadian soldier? Or what happens when military guys accidentally take out a cow with a .50 cal? Yeah, we go there.

Don’t Miss This One!

If you like wild combat stories, dark military humor, and people making questionable decisions under fire, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now—just don’t get shot!

Lucky may be the most fitting callsign ever. On September 11, 2001, she and her squadron were caught off guard—just like the rest of the nation. Thrust into an unprecedented mission, they had to adapt and overcome in real-time.

In this gripping firsthand account, hear how Lucky responded to the attacks, the challenges she faced, and why she still believes they failed that morning. This episode delivers a powerful inside look at one of the most pivotal days in modern American history.

This week on So There I Was, we sit down with Dan from the Danger Close podcast—an active-duty ATC Tower Controller with a wealth of experience keeping the skies safe.

Dan takes us inside the tower, where every day is a mix of routine operations, high-pressure moments, and the occasional heart-stopping emergency. Ever wondered what really happens when pilots mess up on the radio? Or how controllers handle everything from student pilots to fast-moving military traffic? Dan shares the good, the bad, and the hilarious from behind the mic.

But that’s not all—Dan is also a Iraq War veteran with firsthand experience in high-stakes military operations. He talks about his time in service, the mindset required to make split-second decisions, and how those experiences shape the way he sees the world today.

It’s an episode packed with stories, insight, and the kind of no-BS perspective you can only get from someone who’s lived it. Don’t miss this one!

Double-L comes back to chat with us about firefighting from the air! This episode takes an in-depth look at the dangers and challenges of aerial firefighting, featuring returning guest, Double-L. The discussion kicks off with his harrowing experiences flying C-130s through valleys engulfed in flames, emphasizing the immense risks pilots face. He shares firsthand accounts of Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems (MAFFS), strategies for containing wildfires, and the high-stakes decisions made in extreme conditions. From battling unpredictable microbursts to maneuvering through treacherous terrain, this episode provides an inside look at the crucial role military firefighting pilots play. The crew delves into the coordination required between agencies, the grueling pace of missions, and the ever-present dangers in the cockpit. Packed with real-life stories, technical insights, and a touch of humor, this episode sheds light on a little-known but vital aviation mission.

See the video of the show on YouTube here: https://tinyurl.com/SoThereIWas143

Here’s the URL to the YouTube of this episode including another video that Sticks played of a retardant lay-down run. https://tinyurl.com/SoThereIWas143