About this episode
From a kid watching F-16s in Albuquerque to flying the legendary AV-8B Harrier, Warren’s journey into Marine Corps aviation is packed with twists, challenges, and near-disasters. It all started with a recruiter’s dare and his mother’s skepticism—fueling his path from Navy ROTC to the cockpit of one of the most unique aircraft in military aviation. But the road to the sky wasn’t easy. Warren overcame a broken leg in flight school , a last-minute major change, and grueling combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. He pulls back the curtain on white-knuckle night sorties , navigating strict rules of engagement, and managing fuel over hostile terrain—where a single mistake could mean disaster. Then there’s the moment that gives this episode its title: a functional check flight gone horribly wrong . At 18,000 feet, Warren found himself in an uncontrolled spin… with no engine . How did he survive? You’ll have to listen to find out. This episode is loaded with hidden gems —including a jaw-dropping story of rebuilding Harrier engines in record time after catastrophic water contamination in Afghanistan. And when you’re done here – go to our GiveAway page to enter to win one of 5 custom engraved flasks with your name or callsign etched on it!