The David Johnson Show

Operation Iraqi Freedom - Shock and Awe Campaign - How did the stealth fighter pilots think and feel during this mission? This was the largest air campaign in history.

Steve Ankerstar was THE FIRST F-117 Fighter Pilot who flew into Iraq for this at the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He shares his full story about how and what led him to the day of this mission. Who doesn't think these planes are super cool?! Steve explains the dynamics and what makes these planes "stealthy".

After Steve's time in the Air Force, he moved into a life of Entrepreneurship, building a successful wealth management firm and starting a podcast "On Time On Target".

Thank you Steve Ankerstar for coming on The David Johnson Show and sharing your incredible story!

The David Johnson Podcast is the fastest-growing military show online. Not your typical military/veteran podcast, but a veteran podcast that focuses on bringing stories, perspectives, and fascinating new content to our community.

Hit the SUBSCRIBE button and find out more about The David Johnson Show or check us out on YouTube HERE.

What is Bitcoin? What is Crypto? Why is currency so important? What does it all mean? This Entrepreneur shares how his journey of becoming an Entrepreneur led him down the path of finance.

Long time entrepreneur and sought after crypto expert, Heath Shaffer, discusses how he got into entrepreneurship at such a young age and why he is devoting much of his time to the crypto currency  and blockchain sector.

The David Johnson Podcast is the fastest-growing military show online. Not your typical military/veteran podcast, but a veteran podcast that focuses on bringing stories, perspectives, and fascinating new content to our community.

Hit the SUBSCRIBE button and find out more about The David Johnson Show or check us out on YouTube HERE.

There are common themes between Military History, Philosophy, Strategy, Behaviors, and more. The military has many functions and is tasked with going to war.  What is the philosophy and behavior of military leaders? In this shorter clip of the main episode, Kevin Black, uniquely details the connection between these topics.

Kevin Black is a former U.S. Army Officer, host of the Black Market Leadership Podcast, Adjunct Professor of History at Scottsdale Community College and member of Forbes Coaches Council.


The David Johnson Podcast is the fastest-growing military show online. Not your typical military/veteran podcast, but a veteran podcast that focuses on bringing stories, perspectives, and fascinating new content to our community.

Hit the SUBSCRIBE button and find out more about The David Johnson Show or check us out on YouTube HERE.

PTSD is affecting our Law Enforcement Officers! This retired LEO opens up about his struggles, how he coped, and how he eventually overcame his mental health battle.

Kurt Dabb had a 20 year career in law enforcement, went from Army Grunt to Pima County Sheriff Officer. During his career he lost fellow comrades, was part of an officer involved shooting, and saw things that most people don't dream of in their worst nightmares. Kurt shares what most won't talk about. Mental Health and the affects of his PTSD. 

His analogy of a light switch dimmer and being able to control it in escalated situations, gives a more clear understanding of how PTSD can affect a person. Kurt quit drinking and is now an active runner and exercise enthusiast. 

There are many first responders, active military, and veterans that deal with these same struggles. We encourage you to speak up and get help. There are many resources out there.


The David Johnson Podcast is the fastest-growing military show online. Not your typical military/veteran podcast, but a veteran podcast that focuses on bringing stories, perspectives, and fascinating new content to our community.

Hit the SUBSCRIBE button and find out more about The David Johnson Show or check us out on YouTube HERE.

Former female Apache Pilot breaks down her deployment mindset during her tour in Syria. She explains the importance of compartmentalization and how being deployed allows for that full focus on missions.

Although this command team had some difficult moments which challenged their relationship, they were unique in the sense that they were able to successfully overcome challenges without arguing. Having complete trust in each other allowed them to be able to focus on their missions. They both wanted to give a good product to their customer and get everybody in their troop home.

Transitioning out of the military during deployment was not an easy task. It took time as handing over Command is not an easy thing to do. Once out, Kat chose not to take advantage of the many incredible resources out there for transitioning vets as she knew what direction she wanted to go.

Quotes:
When it comes to transitioning out of the Military - “Do as I say, not as I do”. Kat explains how she didn’t transition out how she would recommend. There are so many resources available to help those transitioning vets that should be utilized.

Professional Development and thinking about your next move is Keith’s best advice he gave to his soldiers.

The David Johnson Podcast is the fastest-growing military show online. Not your typical military/veteran podcast, but a veteran podcast that focuses on bringing stories, perspectives, and fascinating new content to our community.

Hit the SUBSCRIBE button and find out more about The David Johnson Show or check us out on YouTube HERE.

Kurt Dabb, retired Pima County Sheriff's Officer, talks about his US Army infantry days, career as a police officer, and battling mental health.

Kurt's early career started off on Patrol, shortly after 9/11. After loosing 2 fellow officers, he realized how it could easily be his life next. After an officer involved shooting, Kurt began struggling with mental health until he finally asked for help and turned his life around. This story brings mental health awareness to the law enforcement community and all those that suffer from it.

The David Johnson Podcast is the fastest-growing military show online. Not your typical military/veteran podcast, but a veteran podcast that focuses on bringing stories, perspectives, and fascinating new content to our community.

Hit the SUBSCRIBE button and find out more about The David Johnson Show or check us out on YouTube HERE.

A classic 80's movie inspired this Air Force Pilot to become one of the few pilots that flew the stealthy F-117 Nighthawk. Steve Ankerstar shares his story of how he got into flight school, where he trained, and what makes an F-117 stealthy. 

After 500 hours of flying, Steve was able to fly the F-117. He had been flying for over a year when 9/11 happened. 

The US Air Force (USAF) semi-retired the F-117A Nighthawk back in 2008. It was developed by Lockheed and designed backwards. Started with making it stealthy, then made it fly. It was the first of its kind for stealth technology. It was known as the invisible man and also known as the wobbly goblin due to the wobbling during flight. 

Scott A Huesing is a Retired Marine Major who wrote the book "Echo in Ramadi". In this episode David pulls out different parts of the book and Scott breaks down everything from his leadership, to building trust, to leading a company in one of the deadliest cities in Iraq. 

Scott shares his incredible story from his days in Ramadi Iraq. 

The David Johnson Podcast is the fastest-growing military show online. Not your typical military/veteran podcast, but a veteran podcast that focuses on bringing stories, perspectives, and fascinating new content to our community.

Hit the SUBSCRIBE button and find out more about The David Johnson Show or check us out on YouTube HERE.

Retired Marine Major, now Best Selling Author of Echo in Ramadi Scott Huesing, shares his viewpoints on how the Marine Corps takes kids, just out of high school and makes them Marines.  He led a company size element to Ramadi, Iraq in the early days of GWOT. 

When Scott Huesing had a change of duty station, he was compelled to build trust with the Marines he commanded. He realized that even at such a young age, these Marines were risking their lives for the American population. Scott reflects on how he realized just how young each Marine was when he was writing his first book. Listen to how he describes many of the Marines in his company. 

He expected his Marines to “perform superhuman acts, day in and day out, in the face of great danger”.

Scott believes that most people who join the military are looking for some sort of stability. Although the kids aren’t necessarily bred for the military, they all seem to have something in them that makes them protectors.

The David Johnson Podcast is the fastest-growing military show online. Not your typical military/veteran podcast, but a veteran podcast that focuses on bringing stories, perspectives, and fascinating new content to our community.

Hit the SUBSCRIBE button and find out more about The David Johnson Show or check us out on YouTube HERE.

Retired U.S. Air Force F-117 Stealth Fighter Pilot, Steve Ankerstar, was the pilot who dropped the first ordinance in the 2003 (Shock and Awe) air campaign in Iraq. This is the true, emotional and raw account of that night. 

The term Shock and Awe  (also known as rapid dominance) is a military tactic based on using a massive amount of force and overwhelming power. 

The 2003 bombing campaign in Iraq was one of the largest air campaigns in U.S. Military History. 

The David Johnson Podcast is the fastest-growing military show online. Not your typical military/veteran podcast, but a veteran podcast that focuses on bringing stories, perspectives, and fascinating new content to our community.

Hit the SUBSCRIBE button and find out more about The David Johnson Show or check us out on YouTube HERE.