This week, we flip the script—Fig and RePete aren’t hosting, we’re the guests on The Flying Dutchman Show. Dutch dives into the stories, chaos, and camaraderie that define life as a Marine Harrier pilot, pulling out unforgettable tales from our years in the cockpit.

From flight school struggles and first carrier landings to NATOPS checkride drama and mid-air close calls, no part of Marine aviation is off limits. You’ll hear how Fig got his call sign, how RePete nearly lost his flight contract, and how both of us beat the odds to fly the legendary AV-8B.

We talk about our time in VMA-223, what makes the Harrier such a beast to fly, and why landing on a postage stamp at sea isn’t just a figure of speech. Whether you’re a pilot, veteran, or aviation junkie—if you’ve ever wondered what it takes to survive a nozzle-flop or why a death equation matters at 50 feet—this one’s for you.

So there he was…35 feet above the water, at night, trying to airlift survivors. What happens next involves a suitcase, a shrug, and one hell of a throw. Join So There I Was as Coast Guard helo pilot “Sticks” returns to recount harrowing rescues during the Texas floods—where flying into chaos is just another Tuesday.

From medevacs that look more like belly-flop contests to triaging 170 people solo in rising waters, Sticks paints a vivid—and frequently absurd—picture of what real-world Coast Guard rescues look like. We talk dynamic rollovers, helicopter dogfights (yep), shared controls (don’t try this at home), and why some paramedics apparently prefer jumping out of perfectly good aircraft with their shoes still on.

This one’s funny, terrifying, and humbling. Spoiler: someone ends up soaking wet, and it’s not just the patient.

🎧 Strap in. You’ll laugh, you’ll gasp, and you’ll come away thanking your local Coastie.

From screw-up recruit to revered drill instructor, First Sergeant John Crouch takes us deep into the crucible of Marine Corps transformation. In this gripping episode, Crouch recalls his early days at bootcamp, his infamous misstep during the Laws of Land Warfare class, and the brutal but formative experience of Drill Instructor School at Parris Island. He shares harrowing tales of PT punishment, spit-shined leadership, and the unwavering standards that mold raw recruits into Marines. Whether he’s talking about the origin of “YUT!” or the moment he lost all attraction to a stunning Staff Sergeant mid-drip, Crouch delivers humor, humility, and hard-earned wisdom. You’ll hear how tradition, stress, and shared adversity forge the kind of leaders America needs. This one’s got everything: embarrassment, endurance, and the emotional gravity that only the Corps can provide. Don’t miss this raw, hilarious, and unforgettable ride through the making of a DI.

So there I was… with $174 in loose change, one Garande rifle, and a sandpit full of regret. In this unforgettable episode, retired Marine First Sergeant John Crouch returns to So There I Was to share a story so absurd, it should be fiction—but it’s 100% real! From psychological stress at Officer Candidate School to creative punishments involving unsecured wallets and rifles. And you’ll hear how a Medal of Honor dog tag program gave candidates something bigger than themselves to fight for—and how a quiet act of remembrance, years later, brought that message full circle. This one has it all. You’ll laugh, wince, and maybe reconsider ever presetting a lock again. Plus: the mystery of the disappearing platoon, and the officer candidate who DOR’d mid-leg lift (spoiler: she made captain). Whether you’re a vet, a pilot, or someone who just likes your wallets where you left them, this episode is a wild ride through discipline, leadership, and 34 pounds of copper and nickel-based motivation.

We’re honored to be joined by retired USCG Chief Claude Morrissey—a veteran rescue swimmer with decades of gripping search and rescue tales. From cliffside hoists in Kodiak to extracting F-18 pilots from the Atlantic, Claude brings raw stories, grit, humor, and humility. He shares what it takes to make it through the brutal Rescue Swimmer A-School, the harrowing rescues that shaped his career, and what it’s like to fly missions from the Bering Sea to Hurricane Katrina. This one’s packed with adrenaline, emotion, and classic “so there I was” storytelling you won’t find anywhere else. Stick around as we tease Fig for slacking, honor Claude’s incredible service, and try not to get kicked off our recording platform again.

Stealth takes us straight into the Cold War cockpit on a Navy E-2 Hawkeye as he stood the watch during some of America’s most tense moments. From scrambling on alert after Reagan was shot, to deploying over the North Atlantic in DEFCON 2, to narrowly avoiding catastrophe when a ‘friendly’ dropped a bomb on a U.S. cruiser—this episode is packed with edge-of-your-seat stories. Stealth shares what it was like controlling the airspace above the fleet, even spotting submarines that were ‘never there’ from 15,000 feet, and managing chaos (and comedy) from the radar station. It’s a mix of Cold War intensity, humor, and reverent remembrance for shipmates lost. Don’t miss this look into the flying saucer dome of naval aviation.

🎙️ No New Episode This Week – But Wait… It’s a Good Thing! 🎙️

Last week’s So There I Was with Dos Gringos clocked in at over 2 hours and 15 minutes — a wild ride packed with laughs, songs, and unforgettable stories. Add in some tech gremlins this week, and we figured: let’s give you a little more time to soak it all in.

If you haven’t heard it yet (or just want to hear it again), now’s your chance to dive back into the mayhem:

👉 https://sothereiwas.us/episode/163

Trust us — it’s one of our most epic episodes yet.

We’ll be back next week with a brand-new show. Until then… crank up the volume and enjoy more Dos Gringos!

— RePete & Fig ✈️🎧

This very long—but hilarious and heartfelt—episode dives deep into fighter pilot culture; think less dogfights, more Dos Gringos. We sat down with the irreverent band, their musical wingmen from Los Gringos, and the founders of Winglore Spirits to talk whiskey, war stories, squadron bars, and the art of laughing at yourself. You’ll hear about bad rides that birthed great songs, the origin of Two’s Blind, near-death ejections, the mythos of Shaved Dog’s Ass, and a whiskey label that offers a conservative joker and generous bingo! This isn’t just an episode—it’s a celebration of camaraderie, chaos, and culture that spans generations of pilots, crew dogs, and hanger-flying heroes.

Note: We left this extra-long for a reason—trimming it would’ve felt like cutting verses from a fighter pilot anthem. Strap in and enjoy this episode for a couple of weeks!

She’s five feet tall and larger than life! She once grounded an entire A&P school’s ego. Meet Mary Latimer — a pilot, mechanic, controller, examiner, and walking aviation pioneer. In this episode, she narrowly avoids lawn-darting a Cessna 172 from 5,000 feet with no elevator control using trim like a Jedi, and managed a mag failure mid-checkride. She once told an Air Traffic Control manager she was only going to hit one airliner! From launching 2,000 passengers in one night to getting told to “go back to the kitchen,” Mary’s tales are equal parts horrifying and hilarious. Oh — and she turned a terrified passenger into a private pilot. Mary’s been breaking barriers, rules (when necessary), and stereotypes for over 50 years. Aviation students: take notes. Everyone else? Just hang on and try not to say “it gets hard sometimes” on the radio!

Ben Densley joins So There I Was to share his extraordinary journey—opening with a terrifying incident during a night parachute jump on to becoming a Green Beret, then a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He recalls intense special forces training, covert operations in Laos, and flying for Air America in combat zones. Ben speaks candidly about the dangers he faced, the emotional toll of war, and the resilience needed to navigate PTSD. He also offers a behind-the-scenes look at missions involving rescues, supply drops, and demolitions. Post-war, Ben continued his aviation career with the NTSB and even flew for Trump Air. Along the way, he shares humorous stories, personal reflections, and gratitude for those who supported him through both war and peace. This episode is packed with history, heroism, and humanity—told by someone who lived it all.