About this episode
In this high-speed, low-altitude ride of So There I Was , the guest—a decorated WSO in both the F-111 Aardvark and F-15E Strike Eagle—shares some of the most intense moments of his flying career. He takes us over the Nevada desert at Mach 1.3 and just 100 feet above ground level. He recalls near-misses, like narrowly avoiding an A-10 while threading a ridge line. The thrill of tactical aviation comes through in every story. The episode also covers his nuclear weapons delivery training in Europe, pulling Gs at 600 knots, and precision strikes during Red and Green Flag exercises. Listeners get an inside look at the F-111’s unique systems: its terrain-following radar, manually controlled swing wings, and infamous escape capsule. Hair-raising tales continue with compressor stalls at Mach 1.69, sandstorm landings during Southern Watch, and using sheer speed to evade enemies in mock combat. Throughout the episode, the guest delivers a masterclass in military aviation history, tactics, and aircraft systems—especially the Aardvark’s legendary low-level, high-speed mission profile.