Sadam Hussein's Pilot Mohammed Sulaiman | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 128

What if you served a cruel and powerful dictator to provide for your family? Witnessed a top-secret meeting that could cost you your life? What if death notices showed up at your front door and assassins hunted you? Meet Mohammed Sulaiman: VIP Pilot of Saddam Hussein, father of four beautiful children, and keeper of secrets. Across his career, Mohammed's had a number of wild adventures, both on the ground and off. But nothing compares to the story author Lauren Ungeldi's helped him to tell in their new book 'Flying the Tyrant' - that of Saddam Hussien, the tyrant who personally paid him to fly to secret meetings, classified conferences, and untold dangers. ---------- Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 03:30 - Brought Up in the Cockpit 06:00 - Daily Routine 07:30 - How Did We Get This Interview? 11:30 - Growing Up in Habbaniya 14:30 - My Oldest Brother Was Killed 18:00 - Blocked from Global Politics 22:30 - Cuisine and Combat 26:30 - Flying before Driving 32:30 - A Prayer Tower & An Umbrella 34:30 - Joining the Air Force 38:30 - Lost Lives 44:30 - First Flight with Saddam 48:30 - Saddam Hussein, In His Underwear 52:00 - The Israeli Prime Minister Meeting 1:03:30 - Out of Country, Overweight, with an Engine Fire 01:20:30 - Nobody Knew Americans Were Coming 01:23:30 - Everything Changed in 1991 01:29:30 - America Should've Finished The Job 01:33:30 - Grounded 01:40:00 - An Active-Duty Appliance Salesman 01:45:30 - Sending the Family to America 01:51:30 - Death Threats on My Door 01:54:30 - Narrowly Escaping A Drive-By Shooting 01:58:30 - Danger Close 01:58:30 - Getting Out (with a Bad Wheel) 02:06:30 - Evading Highwaymen 02:10:30 - Safe in Michigan 02:14:30 - A New Last Name 02:17:30 - The Kids are Alright 02:20:30 - Lauren's Perspective 02:23:30 - A Quick Story of Saddam's Sons 02:29:30 - To Hell ---------- Support Mohammed Sulaiman: Book - Flying the Tyrant: The Declassified Story of Flying Saddamn Hussein, Keeping Secrets, and Escaping Assasination: https://amzn.to/3IMkgSw Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/flyingthetyrant/ Support Lauren Ungeldi: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/laurenungeldi/ ---------- Sponsors: Black Buffalo Go to blackbuffalo.com/discount/MIKEDROP and use promo code Mike Drop at checkout for 15% off your first order! ---------- MUD/WTR Go to mudwtr.com/mike to support the show and use code MIKEMUD for 15% off ---------- BUBS Naturals The BUBS namesake derives from Glen ‘BUB’ Doherty, who was heroically killed in Benghazi, Libya in 2012. In addition to remembering Glen for the patriot he is, the BUBS ethos centers around the passionate and adventure seeking life that Glen lived. BUBS Naturals products are rooted in sustainably sourced ingredients and controlled consistency to provide our customers with the highest quality Collagen Protein & MCT Oil Powder that help you feel amazing and live a fuller life. Our mission is simple. FEEL GREAT. DO GOOD. 10% always goes back to charity, helping military men and women transition back into civilian life. Go to bubsnaturals.com and use code MIKEDROP for 20% off your order. ---------- Ketone-IQ You can find Ketone-IQ at hvmn.com. Visit hvmn.com and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout to save 20%. Again, that’s hvmn.com and promo code MIKEDROP. ---------- Fueled by TeamDog | www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet ALL THINGS MIKE RITLAND: SHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs - MikeRitlandCo.com -... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices