How realistic is Top Gun Maverick? "Pako" takes us on a GBU-24 journey and breakdown of the mission in Top Gun. Spoiler alert, if you haven't the movie yet then you have failed. "Pako" is breaks down key defense news weekly at https://www.themerge.co/ He is recently retired with 25 years in the USMC and USAF. 
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TAP #51 Mike "Pako" Benitez

Strap in the cockpit as we dive into the stories of the men and women who defend the freedoms we love. From the cockpit of military jets to boots on the ground. The Afterburn Podcast dives into their stories, the planes they fly, and the missions they fight. 

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Ep 97 with Greg "B.A" Anders. B.A." is a former fighter pilot who now wears many hats. He is the founder of https://firecornpopcorn.com/, which has skillfully brought the lifeblood of the fighter squadron, jalapeño popcorn, to your door. 
 "B.A" has over 4,500 flight hours to his name. After graduating from the US Air Force Academy in 1985, he served 15 years on active duty, followed by six years with the Idaho Air National Guard as part of the 190th Fighter Squadron in Boise. During the spring of 2003, Greg was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq for four months as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He participated in major combat operations, flying 27 sorties in the A-10, and conducted numerous additional combat sorties during the operation's build-up phase. Greg is mission-qualified and has served as an instructor pilot for the F-15E and the B-52. His piloting experience includes flying the F-16 B & D, F-15 B & D, F-18, T-38, AT-38, and T-37. 
 He is the Vice President and Executive Director of the Heritage Flight Museum. https://heritageflight.org/. He is also a member of the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation. 
 

#97 Greg "B.A." Anders | Fighter Pilot | Founder FireCorn Popcorn

Dive deep into the high-risk world of a Cold War fighter pilot as Rob "Z-Man" Zettel shares his incredible journey from flying the F-4 Phantom to flying in America's Top Secret Soviet MiG Squadron, the 4477th Red Eagles. Discover the secretive Red Eagles squadron, where elite pilots like Z-Man trained in Soviet jets to prepare American Fighter Pilots for combat. Experience firsthand accounts of dogfights, secret missions, and the sheer adrenaline of flying some of the most controversial jets in aviation history. Whether you're an aviation enthusiast or a history buff, this video offers a rare glimpse into a classified chapter of aerial warfare. ✈️ Join our free weekly newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geo-politics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 
 

#96 Rob "Z-Man" Zettel | America's TOP SECRET Cold War MiG Fighter Pilots

"Peachez" is a former F/A-18 turned F-16 fighter pilot. "Peachez" shares his journey of overcoming several hurdles to becoming a fighter pilot in the Navy and eventually an F-16 pilot in the Air National Guard. "Peachez" is a Top Gun Graduate and former instructor at the US Navy's West Coast Weapons school. Guns Garin Memorial Foundation - Support Military Families in Times of Hardship - gunsgarin.com/rain 
 

#95 Micah "Peachez" Porter | Top Gun Graduate |  F/A-18 Fighter Pilot to F-16 Air National Guard

Episode 94  @AfterburnPodcast  with host John "Rain" Waters and guest, retired U.S. Navy Captain Gene Moran. Capt (Ret) Moran, is a renowned national security expert and founder of Capitol Integration. His initiatives have been implemented by Congress, The President and the Executive branch. He is a multi-best-selling author and university professor, holds a PhD in Public Policy, and previously served as a Captain in the United States Navy, where he commanded both a cruiser and a destroyer. 

#94 Capt (Ret) Gene Moran | How Warfare is Changing | Houthi's and Red Sea | Hypersonic Weapons and Conflict in the Pacific

"Shuter" is a career fighter pilot in the Air National Guard who has also successfully navigated the world of business.  We sat down at the annual Guns Garin Memorial Golf Tournament to hear a little about his path and accomplishments.  Guns Garin Memorial Foundation - Support Military Families in Times of Hardship - gunsgarin.com/rain 
 

TAP #51 Mike "Pako" Benitez

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