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Check latest episodes from The Naval Aviation Ready Room Podcast with Ryan Keys podcast

From Fleet to Formation: Armatas on Mastery in Naval Aviation

2026/02/03

In this episode, Cmdr. Alexander “A-Train” Armatas, former Commanding Officer and Flight Leader of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels — delivers a masterclass on precision aviation, leadership under pressure, and the mindsets that separate good aviators from elite ones. Drawing from his career as a fleet fighter pilot and Blue Angel, Armatas explains how focus, trust, and communication shape both combat aviation and world-class formation flying.

Night Rescue in Korea: When One Pilot Said "I'll Go”

2026/01/29

In this Footnotes in History mini-episode of The Naval Aviation Ready Room Podcast, host Captain Tim “Lucky” Kinsella, U.S. Navy (Ret.) recounts the extraordinary life, final mission, and enduring legacy of Lieutenant John Kelvin “Jack” Koelsch, the first helicopter pilot in U.S. history to receive the Medal of Honor. From a near-suicidal night rescue behind enemy lines in Korea to his quiet heroism as a prisoner of war, Koelsch’s story shaped combat search and rescue doctrine, influenced the U.S. military Code of Conduct, and left a legacy that continues to guide American service members decades later.

Ghosts of Baghdad: A Marine Cobra Pilot's Story of Combat Leadership

2026/01/22

In this episode, Colonel Eric F. Buer, USMC (Ret.), takes listeners inside the cockpit of the AH-1W Super Cobra during the opening days of Operation Iraqi Freedom. A decorated Marine aviator, squadron commander, and author of Ghosts of Baghdad, Buer shares raw insights into leadership under fire, the chaos of OIF’s early missions, and the human cost of commanding Marines in sustained combat.

Shot Down Over Laos: F-8 Crusader Pilot's Vietnam War Story

2026/01/08

In this episode of The Naval Aviation Ready Room podcast, host Ryan Keys speaks with Dave Lorenzo, a former Marine Corps F-8 Crusader pilot and Vietnam War veteran, as he shares powerful stories of survival, service, and mentorship. From being shot down in combat to a decades-long commercial aviation career and continued service at the National Naval Aviation Museum, Dave offers a remarkable look into naval aviation history through personal experience.

Naval Aviation Ready Room Podcast: Stories of Courage, Leadership, and Resilience

2025/12/18

In this compilation from The Naval Aviation Ready Room Podcast, host Ryan Keys brings together powerful stories from across generations of naval aviators. From WWII night operations to modern SAR missions, these accounts reveal the decision-making, sacrifice, and resilience that define naval aviation's finest traditions.

Black Cat Squadron: WWII Night Raids with PBY Catalina Veteran Clyde Cash Barber

2025/11/26

In this episode of The Ready Room Podcast, host Ryan Keys sits down with WWII and Korean War veteran Captain Clyde "Cash" Barber, who recounts his extraordinary experience flying PBY Catalinas during the innovative "Black Cat" night operations. From enlisting at age 17 to pioneering radar-based stealth attacks against Japanese shipping, Captain Barber shares how his squadron revolutionized night warfare in the Pacific.

Leadership Under Fire: NAS Pensacola CO Shares Crisis Response, Mental Health & Forgotten Naval Heroes

2025/11/13

In this episode of The Ready Room Podcast, host Ryan Keys speaks with Captain Tim “Lucky” Kinsella, U.S. Navy (Ret.), former Commanding Officer of NAS Pensacola. From facing an active shooter on base to navigating hurricanes and global pandemics, Capt. Kinsella shares a powerful account of crisis command, emotional endurance, and the responsibility of representing the Navy on the world stage.

Building Resilience for the Next Fight: POW Studies and Modern Warfare

2025/09/25

The evolution of POW studies is reshaping the future of military preparedness. In this episode, Dr. John Albano, retired Army Colonel, flight surgeon, and Program Manager at the Robert E. Mitchell Center for POW Studies, shares how decades of research on Vietnam POWs are transforming resilience training, reintegration protocols, and medical readiness for tomorrow’s conflicts.

Captain Charlie Plumb: From Top Gun to Hanoi Hilton - A POW's Survival Story

2025/09/18

Experience an extraordinary journey into one of naval aviation’s most profound stories as former POW Captain Charlie Plumb recounts his 2,103 days of captivity in North Vietnam. From ingenious communication methods and maintaining faith under extreme circumstances to crafting measuring devices from light bulbs, Plumb’s account offers powerful lessons in resilience, leadership, and human ingenuity. In this candid conversation with host Ryan Keys, Plumb reveals how military training, community bonds, and unwavering spirit helped POWs not just survive but thrive through unimaginable challenges.

9/11's Hidden Story: How One Schedule Change Saved This Pilot's Life | Capt Steve Schreiber

2025/09/11

In this episode of The Naval Aviation Ready Room Podcast, host Ryan Keys sits down with Captain Steve Scheibner, former Navy P-3 Orion pilot, Scheibner recounts his extraordinary journey from Cold War anti-submarine warfare missions to a life-changing near miss on September 11, 2001, when a last-minute schedule change kept him off American Airlines Flight 11. His story explores how fate, faith, and naval aviation principles shaped his approach to leadership, purpose, and service both in the cockpit and beyond.

From Naval Academy to Navy Foundation: Two Helicopter Pilots' Parallel Careers

2025/08/28

In this episode of The Naval Aviation Ready Room Podcast, guest host Pat Everly flips the script, interviewing regular host Ryan Keys about his remarkable career in Naval Aviation. From their shared beginnings at Naval Academy prep to commanding helicopter squadrons, Keys reflects on leadership challenges, maintaining squadron morale, and the pivotal role of mentorship. Listeners will gain unique insights into the journey of a naval aviator, the weight of command, and the transition from active duty to preserving naval aviation heritage.

Search and Rescue Leadership: Combat Veteran Turns Coast Guard Aviator

2025/08/27

In this episode of The Naval Aviation Ready Room Podcast, host Ryan Keys sits down with Commander Michael Ross, USCG, whose career spans Army combat aviation in Iraq to Coast Guard search and rescue missions in Alaska and beyond. Now Executive Officer at Coast Guard Air Station San Diego, Ross shares insights on adapting leadership across service cultures, making life-or-death decisions in high-stakes missions, and the evolving role of Coast Guard aviation in securing America’s maritime domain.

From 35,000 Naval Aviators to Museum Legacy: Sterling Gilliam's Mission to Preserve History

2025/08/21

In this episode of The Naval Aviation Ready Room podcast, host Ryan Keys is joined by Sterling Gilliam, Director of the National Naval Aviation Museum, to share insights from his 30-year naval aviation career, the preservation of naval aviation heritage, and the museum's mission to inspire future generations.

From Jaws to Justice: How a Middle School Student Exonerated the USS Indianapolis Captain

2025/08/07

In this episode of The Ready Room Podcast, host Ryan Keys sits down with Commander Hunter Scott, whose sixth-grade history project led to the exoneration of USS Indianapolis Captain Charles McVay. From uncovering a decades-old injustice to serving as a naval aviator, Scott shares how determination, research, and advocacy can influence military history and a life of service.

Launching soon: The Ready Room Podcast

2025/07/16

The Ready Room Podcast, presented by The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. , explores the people, missions, and milestones that shaped naval aviation. Hear firsthand stories from veterans, aerospace leaders, and historians in this immersive series on aviation history, leadership, and innovation.

Meat Jr. 2025/08/22

Beat Navy

My dad is a cool guy with a cool job

Lucky Charms 96 2025/08/22

Finally!!

Brilliant stuff!! Perfect host and perfect subject. Really looking forward to listening and learning from the wealth of material you’re going to cover...

Navypilot 2025/08/19

Leadership 101

Ryan Keyes is a killer host! Hats off to the museum for allowing CAPT Keys to engage such excellent guests. His leadership and empathy shines bright i...

TheJimPreston 2025/08/11

Promises to be an outstanding podcast!

I really enjoyed the first episode about the Indianapolis. Not only the story that was told, but the format and overall production quality as well. ...

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