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For episode fifty-three I sat down with CAPT Doug “Cricket” White in his office aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola. CAPT White earned his wings of gold as a Naval Flight Officer in 2002 and he was selected to fly the EA-6B “Prowler” where he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom while assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135. Next, CAPT White was chosen to attend Prowler Weapons School enroute to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) NINE where he flew weapons test missions in the “Prowler” and developed the initial combat tactics for the then brand-new EA-18G “Growler”. CAPT White served as training officer at Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132 where he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn and then to Aviano, Italy where he flew on night one of Operation Odyssey Dawn conducting combat operations over Libya. Next, CAPT White served as a department head at VAQ-135 and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom before being selected to serve as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer at VAQ-132 where he led the squadron on an expeditionary deployment in the Western Pacific. CAPT White currently serves as the Commodore of Training Air Wing SIX (TAW-6) where he is the senior officer responsible with overseeing the Navy’s primary, intermediate, and advanced flight training of all Naval Flight Officers and Navy and Marine Corps Air Vehicle Pilots in order to “ensure global security, prosperity, and to project Naval Air Power worldwide”. Thanks as always for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview, please reach out directly at [email protected]. “Safe on Deck” episode fifty-three with CAPT Doug “Cricket” White. Enjoy! ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

For episode fifty-two I spoke with Dave Burns via phone at his home in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Dave is affectionately known to military aviators across the United States as “Flag Dave”, and in April 2005 Dave began welcoming military aircrew visiting the Fort Smith Regional Airport with the American flag. Over the last two decades Dave has distributed an incredible eighty-thousand personalized miniature American flags to members of the military, each bearing a custom message of thanks and gratitude. Dave has been recognized by a wide variety of military organizations and he is one of only a small handful of civilian members of the prestigious Army Association Hall of Fame “Order of Saint Michael”. Dave is a living legend, a genuine patriot, and a true friend, and I am humbled to be able to share his story with you all here. Thanks as always for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview, please leave it as a comment below. “Safe on Deck” episode fifty-two with Dave Burns. Enjoy! Nick Thomas Aviation Photography https://www.instagram.com/fsmshooter?igsh=dDF0dDdqcGpnNWZ6 https://www.flickr.com/photos/nt161822/ ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

For episode fifty-one I sat down with Maj Al “Ponch” Mendoza in Pensacola, Florida.  Maj Mendoza joined the Marine Corps in 1999 and he served as a Rifle Platoon Commander with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducting combat operations in Afghanistan during America’s initial response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11.  Next, Maj Mendoza deployed to Iraq as a Company Commander with the 1st Marine Division as part of the initial invasion forces of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Maj Mendoza was hand-picked to transition to the cockpit and train as a Naval Aviator, and following flight school he flew the F/A-18D “Hornet” with VMFA(AW)-242 “Bats” and the F/A-18C “Hornet” with VMFA-232 “Red Devils” based aboard MCAS Miramar.  Maj Mendoza served as an instructor pilot in the T-6A and T-6B “Texan II” in Pensacola before being detailed as the MARSOC liaison officer to Air Force Special Operations Command, deploying again to Afghanistan as a rotary and fixed wing close air support (CAS) subject matter expert.  Next, Maj Mendoza was chosen to fly the T-45C “Goshawk” at VT-86 “Sabrehawks” where he led a major rewrite of the CAS syllabus and flew over 1500 hours in the jet as a fully-qualified standardization instructor pilot.  Maj Mendoza currently serves as the president of Kinetic Concepts where he and his team provide hands-on close air support FAC(A) and JTAC qualification and currency training to Department of Defense special operations and special warfare forces. Thanks as always for taking the time to listen.  In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators.  If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview, please leave it as a comment below.  “Safe on Deck” episode fifty-one with Maj Al “Ponch” Mendoza.  Enjoy! Kinetic Concepts www.kineticconcepts.org ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

For episode fifty I sat down with CAPT Christopher “Chowdah” Hill on board the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in Norfolk, Virginia. CAPT Hill earned his wings of gold as a Naval Flight Officer in 1997 and he was selected to fly the E-2C “Hawkeye” where he flew in Operations Southern Watch, Desert Fox, and Deliberate Forge during his time at Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 126. CAPT Hill went on to serve in VAW-124 as a Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI), VAW-115 as a department head, and VAW-124 as the executive officer and commanding officer where he led the squadron during Operations Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve. As part of the Naval Nuclear Power Training program, CAPT Hill was selected to serve as executive officer of the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) – participating again in Operation Inherent Resolve – and as commanding officer of the USS Arlington (LPD 24) before ultimately serving as commanding officer of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during their highly-lauded 2023-2024 deployment to the US Fifth Fleet area of operations. CAPT Hill currently serves as the interim commanding officer of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) forward-deployed conducting combat operations in support of Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea. Thank you for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview please reach out directly at [email protected]. “Safe on Deck” episode fifty with CAPT Christopher “Chowdah” Hill. Enjoy! ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

For episode forty-nine I sat down with Ryan Rankin at his home in Pensacola, Florida. For episode ten, Ryan detailed his career as a Naval Aviator flying the E-2C “Hawkeye” and T-6A “Texan II”, but for episode forty-nine we took a deep dive into one of Ryan’s three aviation-centric businesses: MACH METAL, PLANEORAMA, and JET EYES. JET EYES are unique, small-run, one-of-a-kind collectable tags made from scrap and retired aircraft components. During the podcast we discussed the origin of JET EYES, how Ryan sources such unique aerospace materials, the tag design and manufacturing process, and we wrapped up by answering several collector questions. Ryan is a close personal friend, a gifted artist, and a highly skilled craftsman, I’m a proud to count myself as a customer of JET EYES with both SR-71A "Blackbird" (61-7964 "The Bodo Express") and U-2A "Dragon Lady" (56-6692) tags! Thank you for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview, please reach out directly at [email protected]. “Safe on Deck” episode forty-nine, with Ryan Rankin and JET EYES. Enjoy! JET EYES www.jeteyes.com PLANEORAMA www.planeorama.com ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

For episode forty-eight I sat down with Capt Ryan “SNAP” Cobb in Pensacola, Florida. Capt Cobb was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant following graduation from the Air Force Academy in May 2011, and upon completion of Combat Systems Officer training he was selected to fly as a navigator aboard the iconic KC-135R/T “Stratotanker.” Capt Cobb completed seven deployments to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar where he flew over 200 combat sorties and 1700 combat hours as a Special Operations Air Refueling (SOAR) low-level aerial tanking navigator flying in support of Air Force Special Operations aircraft. Additionally, Capt Cobb completed a deployment to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan as the tanker liaison for Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component – Afghanistan and Joint Special Operations Air Directorate – Iraq. Next, Capt Cobb was hand-picked to transition to Air Force Special Operations Command and the U-28A “Draco” at Cannon Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field where he deployed to three separate AORs in support of Special Operations Command missions - Capt Cobb most recently returned from his eleventh deployment in support of a crisis response mission in US Southern Command. Capt Cobb currently serves as one of the initial cadre of Weapons Systems Officers flying the Air Force’s newest close air support platform, the OA-1K “Skyraider II”. Capt Cobb has logged over 3000 hours in the KC-135R/T and the U-28A to date, and he is an avid general aviation pilot and certified flight instructor and the proud owner of an immaculate Vans RV-8 named “Satin Doll”. Thank you for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview please reach out directly at [email protected]. “Safe on Deck” episode forty-eight, with Capt Ryan "SNAP" Cobb. Enjoy! Operation Song: "Karachi Sunrise" https://youtu.be/iiMKVJ0EG0U ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

For episode forty-seven I sat down with Capt Sam “RaZZ” Larson at the Newport News/ Williamsburg International Airport in Newport News, Virginia. Capt Larson was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant following graduation from the Air Force Academy in May 2015, and upon completion of Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) he was selected to train to fly the iconic F-22 “Raptor”. After completing the basic course at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, Capt Larson was detailed to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska where he stood air defense alert and conducted numerous intercepts of Russian aircraft. Next, Capt Larson was selected to serve in the coveted role of “Raptor” instructor pilot at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, all while continuing to deploy worldwide as a four-ship flight lead and F-22 mission commander. Capt Larson currently serves as commander of the F-22 Demonstration Team, charged with showcasing the unmatched maneuverability of the Air Force’s fifth-generation air dominance stealth fighter. To date, Capt Larson has logged over 750 hours in the T-6A, T-38C, and F-22A, and he is an avid general aviation pilot with a wide breadth of experience flying bush planes, floatplanes, ski planes, and tail-draggers across the continental United States and Alaska. Thank you for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview please reach out directly at [email protected]. “Safe on Deck” episode forty-seven, with Capt Sam “RaZZ” Larson. Enjoy! F-22 Demonstration Team https://www.jble.af.mil/About-Us/Units/Langley-AFB/F-22-Demo-Team Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation https://www.airforceheritageflight.org ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

For episode forty-six I sat down with Paul “Bandit” Entrekin at his home in Walnut Hill, Florida. For episode thirty-three, Paul detailed his time as a Naval Aviator flying the Marine Corps UH-1N “Huey” as well as his time on the airshow circuit as the first civilian MiG-15bis “Fagot” demonstration pilot in the free world, but for episode forty-six we took a deep dive into his responsibilities as air boss for the annual Pensacola Beach Airshow. In 2023, Paul marked thirty years of service as air boss for the Pensacola Beach Airshow, and during this episode we discussed many behind-the-scenes operational, logistics, and scheduling considerations that he and the team at the Santa Rosa Island Authority skillfully manage each July in order to pull off an exciting, memorable, and most importantly safe “Red, White, and Blues Week”. Thank you for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview please reach out directly at [email protected]. “Safe on Deck” episode forty-six, with Paul “Bandit” Entrekin. Enjoy! Entrekin Aviation https://paulentrekin.com "Walnut Hill Man Was The Boss Of The Pensacola Beach Air Show. Here’s A Behind The Scenes Look." http://www.northescambia.com/2024/07/walnut-hill-man-was-the-boss-off-the-pensacola-beach-air-show-hes-a-behind-the-scenes-look Episode 33: Paul Entrekin (UH-1, MiG-15) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-33-paul-entrekin-uh-1-mig-15/id1615450730?i=1000597446022 ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

For episode forty-five I sat down with LtCol Rich “Sheriff” Peace at the 100th Fighter Squadron in Montgomery, Alabama. LtCol Peace joined the Air Force Reserve in April 2002, and after being selected to train as a C-130H “Hercules” pilot at Maxwell Air Force Base he executed an exceptionally-rare Air Force Reserve to Air National Guard unit transfer to fly the F-16C+ “Fighting Falcon” at the 187th Fighter Wing. LtCol Peace has executed five combat deployments, flying missions over Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. On December 5th 2023, LtCol Peace delivered one of the first three Alabama-assigned F-35A “Lightning II” jets to Dannelly Field, marking a major step forward in the 100th Fighter Squadron’s long-awaited unit conversion to the new fifth-generation stealth fighter. LtCol Peace currently serves as the 187th Fighter Wing Operations Group Deputy Commander. LtCol Peace is a Command Pilot who has logged more than 3000 hours in the F-16C+ and the F-35A and he is a Boeing 757/ 767 captain and instructor at a major US airline. LtCol Peace is a founding board member of the Red Tail Flight Academy and the Red Tail Scholarship Foundation, dedicated to advancing aerospace career opportunities for minority and under resourced high school and college students to help continue the storied legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. Thank you for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview, please reach out directly at [email protected]. “Safe on Deck” episode forty-five, with LtCol Rich “Sheriff” Peace. Enjoy! Alabama Air National Guard https://al.ng.mil “Alabama’s 100th in Afghanistan” https://youtu.be/ooBYnf42g5w?si=PdGDlAdx4XU6-ejQ Red Tail Flight Academy www.rtfa.org ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

For episode forty-four I sat down with CAPT J.J. “Yank” Cummings in Norfolk, Virginia. In 1987, CAPT Cummings joined the Navy Reserve as an Enlisted Hospital Corpsman, and after earning his degree and his commission he was selected to fly the legendary F-14 “Tomcat”. CAPT Cummings deployed to the Middle East nine days after the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and he was among the first Naval Aviators to strike Taliban targets across Afghanistan. Next, CAPT Cummings served as the maintenance officer in Fighter Squadron 143 where he helped sunset the Grumman F-14B “Tomcat” and transition the squadron to the Boeing F/A-18E “Super Hornet”. Following a tour at NATO, CAPT Cummings was chosen to command Strike Fighter Squadron ELEVEN (VFA-11) flying the F/A-18F “Super Hornet” based aboard NAS Oceana. Upon graduation from Navy Nuclear Power School, CAPT Cummings served as Executive Officer aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) where he was second in command of the Navy’s oldest nuclear aircraft carrier for a nine-month deployment as well as the first F-35C “Lightning II” carrier suitability test. Next, CAPT Cummings served as commanding officer of the brand-new $2 billion USS Anchorage (LPD 23) before working as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Aircraft Carrier Suitability at Naval Air Forces. While at North Island, CAPT Cummings was chosen to be the first of three Naval Aviation technical advisors working closely with Paramount Pictures on the script of the internationally-acclaimed film “TOPGUN: Maverick”. In 2018, CAPT Cummings was selected to command the $13.4 billion, 100,000-ton nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), and during his time at the helm he led the crew through the COVID pandemic during a period of intense maintenance work both afloat and ashore. CAPT Cummings retired from the Navy in September 2022 with over 36 years of distinguished service, and he currently works at Boeing Defense in customer and field engagement for Navy programs in addition to acting as a keynote speaker, guest lecturer, and mentor at J.J. Cummings Leadership. Thank you for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview, please reach out directly at [email protected]. “Safe on Deck” episode forty-four, with CAPT J.J. “Yank” Cummings. Enjoy! J.J. Cummings Leadership https://jjcummingsleadership.com Tailhook Educational Foundation https://www.tailhook.net/tef ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

For episode forty-three I sat down with LCDR Andy “Bernie” Phelps at his home in Fairhope, Alabama. After earning his commission via the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC), LCDR Phelps completed Primary and Advanced flight training before being selected to fly the F/A-18F “Super Hornet” at Strike Fighter Squadron 211 (VFA-211) the “Fighting Checkmates” aboard NAS Oceana. Next, LCDR Phelps was hand-picked to transition to the F-35C “Lightning II” where he served as an operational test pilot at Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE (VX-9) Det Edwards, working to expand the jets weapons capabilities and integration into the Naval Aviation Enterprise. In 2023, LCDR Phelps joined into the Navy Reserves where he flies the T-45C “Goshawk” instructing the next-generation of Navy and Marine Corps tailhook aviators. Thank you for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview, please reach out directly at [email protected]. “Safe on Deck” episode forty-three, with LCDR Andy “Bernie” Phelps. Enjoy! ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

For episode forty-two I sat down with CDR Tim “Sheriff” White in Pensacola, Florida. CDR White earned his commission via the United States Naval Academy in May of 2002, and following completion of Navy flight training he went on to fly the then brand-new MH-60S “Knighthawk” helicopter at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWENTY-FIVE (HSC-25) on the island of Guam. Following multiple detachments and overseas deployments while at HSC-25, CDR White returned to the skies over Pensacola as a T-34C “Turbo Mentor” instructor pilot at Training Squadron THREE (VT-3) before serving as a boat detachment Officer in Charge at MSRON-7. Next, CDR White transitioned into the Navy Reserve and returned to NAS Whiting Field as an instructor flying the T-6B “Texan II” before being chosen to command the Naval Operational Support Center (NOSC) in Chattanooga, Tennessee. On the morning of July 16 2015, a self-radicalized lone-wolf Muslim extremist rammed the gate of NOSC Chattanooga before opening fire on the sailors and Marines inside, and in an act contrary to Navy regulations, CDR White opened fire on the attacker utilizing his personal firearm. CDR White went on to serve in a variety of leadership roles in the Navy Reserve including as the Operational Support Officer for Navy Reserve Integration at Naval Education Training Command (NETC) and as Commanding Officer of Navy Reserve Center El Paso. On May 5 2022, CDR White retired from the US Navy with over 20 years of distinguished service and he currently serves as the founder of “Tier Zulu” where he teaches real-world force protection and antiterrorism response skills to the next generation of Aviation, Surface Warfare, Submarine, Recruiting Command, and Reserve commanding officers. Thank you for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview, please reach out directly at [email protected]. “Safe on Deck” episode forty-two, with CDR Tim “Sheriff” White. Enjoy! Tier Zulu https://tierzulu.com Tim and Franicia https://www.timandfranicia.com ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

For episode forty-one I sat down with LCDR Michael “COUGAR” Weipert in Pensacola Florida. LCDR Weipert began his career in the military by enlisting in the Utah Army National Guard and after 9/11 he changed his college major to Russian Area Studies/ Russian Literature in order to commission a semester early. After graduating as the top aviator in his class in Army flight training, LCDR Weipert was hand-picked to fly the RC-12 “Guardrail” intelligence-gathering aircraft. Between 2007 and 2012, LCDR Weipert deployed to Iraq for a combined 32 months where he served as a UAV Platoon Leader, UAV Company XO, RC-12 Flight Company Commander, Battalion S-4, Battalion Training Officer, and Task Force Commander. In 2014, LCDR Weipert transitioned into the Navy and attended the Texas A&M School of Medicine, where he was selected as a 2015 Tillman Foundation Scholarship recipient. Upon graduation, LCDR Weipert attended internship as a transitional year intern at Portsmouth Naval Hospital, training at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute (NAMI), before being assigned to Training Squadron TEN (VT-10) as a Flight Surgeon. LCDR Weipert was chosen for a coveted spot in the Residency in Aviation Medicine (RAM) program where he currently works as an aerospace medicine specialist in the NAMI waiver department. LCDR Weipert is designated as a US Navy Flight Surgeon, a Board eligible Aerospace Medicine physician and an Army Senior Aviator and he has logged over 1500 hours in twelve different aircraft types including the C-12 and the RC-12 M, N, Q, and X model aircraft. Thank you for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview, please reach out directly at [email protected]. “Safe on Deck” episode forty-one, with LCDR Michael “COUGAR” Weipert. Enjoy! “Dedicated to service: A path from military to medicine” https://vitalrecord.tamhsc.edu/dedicated-to-service-a-path-from-military-to-medicine/ “The Disability Doctors” https://www.thedisabilitydoctors.org/ https://www.youtube.com/@thedisabilitydoctors9379 ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

For episode forty I sat down with CDR Jeff "Silver Fox" Spencer at his home in Portsmouth, Virginia. CDR Spencer enlisted in the Navy at the age of 18 and after earning his dolphins as a submariner serving aboard USS Greeneville (SSN-772) he completed multiple operational deployments in the Western Pacific, the Eastern Pacific, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia, Central America, Canada, and Alaska. After being selected for a highly-competitive slot in the Seaman to Admiral program (STA-21), CDR Spencer graduated as class valedictorian with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from New York Maritime College. CDR Spencer earned his Wings of Gold in 2008 before going on to fly the MH-53E "Sea Dragon" helicopter, where he has spent a now-unheard of seventeen years in the cockpit all on active duty. Over his time in the Helicopter Mine Countermeasures (HM) community, CDR Spencer has served in a wide variety of flying and leadership roles including as a Fleet Replenishment Squadron Instructor Pilot, CNAL MH-53E NATOPS Evaluator, and MH-53E Weapons and Tactics Instructor (SWTI). CDR Spencer currently serves as the Executive Officer of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron TWELVE (HM-12). CDR Spencer has logged an impressive 2800 hours and counting flying the "Sea Dragon", including over 300 hours of AMCM tow time, 400 hours of NVD time, and he has attained and instructed in every single instructor qualification in the MH-53E training syllabus. Thank you for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview, please reach out directly at [email protected]. “Safe on Deck” episode forty, with CDR Jeff "Silver Fox" Spencer. Enjoy! ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

For episode thirty-nine I sat down with LtCol Chuck “Sly” Magill in Pensacola, Florida. After earning his commission in the Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant, Sly was hand-picked to serve as a SERGRAD instructing in the TA-4J “Skyhawk” before transitioning into the fleet flying the then brand-new F/A-18 “Hornet”. Following multiple overseas deployments and tours at Marine Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) and United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), Sly was chosen for a coveted exchange tour with the United States Air Force flying the F-15C “Eagle” at the 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base. On the morning of January 17th 1991, while leading an offensive counter-air package of sixteen Eagles, Sly was credited with an aerial victory against an Iraqi Air Force MiG-29 “Fulcrum”. After transitioning into the reserves as an F/A-18 pilot, Sly went on to serve as pilot, vice president of flight operations, and chief pilot at a major US airline. Sly has logged more than 15000 hours of flight time including over 2500 hours in tactical fighters and 48 combat missions during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. Thank you for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview, please reach out directly at [email protected]. “Safe on Deck” episode thirty-nine, with LtCol Chuck “Sly” Magill. Enjoy! ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **