• #146 MiG-29 Shootdown to Testing the F-22 Raptor | Mike "Dozer" Shower
    Feb 20 2026

    Mike "Dozer" Shower is a proven combat fighter pilot, having flown both the F-15C and F-22. He is an F-15C MiG killer from Operation Allied Force and one of the original eight pilots handpicked for the F-22 Raptor's initial operational test (IOT&E) at Edwards Air Force Base. In this deep-dive interview, Dozer provides a firsthand account of the transition from 4th-generation fighters to 5th-generation air dominance. We break down the YF-22 and the development of "offensive stealth," and the haunting story of the Raptor's original "Skynet" debrief system.

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    1 hr and 55 mins
  • Super Bowl LX Flyover Deep Dive: The Pilots of Super Bowl 60 Flyover
    Feb 7 2026

    Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/74ItE7NtKfE

    The Super Bowl flyover is an iconic tradition, but Super Bowl LX marks a historic first: a massive joint formation featuring both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. In this episode, we dive into the "puzzle pieces" of this mission, from the complex coordination of mixed-service flight procedures to the technical challenges of flying an eight-ship formation over one of the most congested airspaces in the world.

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    1 hr and 23 mins
  • #145 Dr. Anthony Vinci | Former NGA Chief Technology Officer | Future of A.I. & Espionage
    Jan 20 2026

    The AI-driven future of espionage is here. In a world where China is building super soldiers and weaponizing AI, the battle to protect America's intelligence dominance has never been more critical. Hear from former NGA Chief Technology Officer Dr. Anthony Vitchie as he reveals the chilling realities of the Fourth Intelligence Revolution - from AI-powered cyber attacks to the democratization of super weapons. This is no science fiction - this is the future of global competition, and the stakes have never been higher.

    Website: https://www.anthonyvinci.com/

    Dr. Vincis substack: https://vascoduarte.substack.com/p/bonus-saving-democracyhow-ai-is-transforming

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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • #144 Why the 2026 MH370 NEW Search is Different: New Tech & The Avionics Bay Theory | Jeff Wise
    Jan 3 2026

    How does a massive airliner with hundreds of people onboard simply vanish off the face of the Earth? As we approach 2026, the disappearance of MH370 remains the greatest aviation mystery of our time. In this episode, I sit down with aviation investigative journalist Jeff Wise to separate fact from fiction. Jeff Wise ( @Jeff_Wise ) has spent over a decade deep in the data, appearing in documentaries and writing the definitive books on this mystery.

    But today, we’re looking at this from the perspective of the cockpit. In this episode, Jeff joins John "Rain" Waters, a current 777 pilot and former Air Force fighter pilot. We dive into the "impossible" shutdowns of the transponder and ADS-B, the vulnerability of the E/E (electronics) bay hatch in the cabin floor, and the precision required to fly through radar shadows undetected.

    Jeff breaks down his theory on the Kazakhstan route, while we analyze the latest 2026 search efforts by Ocean Infinity to finally locate the wreckage. This isn’t just about theories; it’s about the technical reality of what it takes to "disappear" a Boeing 777.

    Jeff's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCKYproxqiM217g8f4LFwLzQ

    Jeff's website: https://www.jeffwise.net/

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    1 hr and 37 mins
  • #143 Fighter Pilot's Harrowing Dogfight: Aircraft on Fire, Enemy Closing In : Col Joe Peterburs
    Dec 24 2025

    Colonel Peterburs is a highly decorated, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and legendary P-51 Mustang fighter pilot whose extraordinary service spans three wars. During WWII, serving with the 20th Fighter Group, 55th Fighter Squadron, he achieved the remarkable feat of shooting down German jet ace Walter Schuck.

    Later shot down himself, Col. Peterburs was captured and became a prisoner of war—only to orchestrate a daring escape. After linking up with Russian forces, he fought alongside them until V.E. Day. His distinguished career continued through the Korean and Vietnam Wars, cementing his legacy as a true hero of the Greatest Generation.

    Recently celebrated at his 100th birthday, Col. Peterburs' story is one of courage, resilience, and unwavering service to his country. In 1945, Lt. Col. Joe Peterburs flew his final mission over Europe. His wingman, Lt. Kenneth Pettit, never made it home. Eighty years later, Joe is returning to England to honor Kenneth and the men of the 20th Fighter Group with a permanent memorial at their former base. This Afterburn episode tells their story of courage, loss, and brotherhood and a promise that even time can’t erase.

    Their mission isn’t over. Listen now and help carry it forward: gofund.me/57e9ed76

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    1 hr and 44 mins
  • Bro Chat 20 - "Brakes as Required"
    Dec 6 2025

    In this Bro Chat episode, the guys dive deep into the realities of modern fighter pilot life in the Guard and Reserve, from the brutal competition of hiring boards to DSG vs. AGR career paths, fitness test changes, and the unexpected challenges of keeping squadrons manned. They also break down the strange trade-offs behind the F-15EX, legacy parts, radar limitations, and what the future holds for the next generation of Vipers, Eagles, and F-35 drivers. It’s an honest look at pilot culture, jet upgrades, leadership quirks, and the everyday frustrations (and humor) of military aviation today. Whether you're trying to get hired, in UPT, or just love fighter pilot talk, this episode brings real insight straight from inside the squadron

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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • #142 Rob “Trip” Raymond | F-16 Combat, SEAD, Iraq, and Dos Gringos
    Nov 22 2025

    Colonel (Ret) Rob “Trip” Raymond sits down with Flash McVay for one of the most wide ranging fighter pilot interviews ever captured on The Afterburn Podcast. Trip is known across the fighter community for his combat time in the F-16, his leadership as a weapons officer and commander, and, of course, his role in the legendary fighter pilot band Dos Gringos.

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    1 hr and 37 mins
  • Lowdown 17 Nov | NATO Drops the E-7, Air Force Eyes New Anti-Drone Missile, Su-57 Activity
    Nov 17 2025

    Get your free copy of the Lowdown here: https://www.lowdownnews.us/

    This week on The Lowdown, Rain breaks down the biggest stories shaping aviation and global defense. From the growing drama around the E-7 Wedgetail to new counter-drone weapons and intelligence developments across Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific, this episode dives deep into the headlines that matter.

    We start with the Air Force and NATO’s shifting stance on the E-7 AWACS replacement and why survivability is becoming a major concern in high end air combat. Rain explains how the E-7 compares to the aging E-3, why funding stalled, and what a stopgap C2 solution might actually look like as hypersonic missiles and long range threats spread across the battlespace.

    Next, we look at the Air Force’s push for cheaper counter-air options as drones continue to reshape modern conflict. Rain breaks down real cost comparisons between AMRAAM shots, laser guided rockets, and the proposed 500 thousand dollar missile aimed at small UAS defense.

    In the Snapshot segment, we highlight a series of major global updates including the Turkish C-130 crash, the Marine Corps’ past C-130 mishap, new AI driven munitions storage plans, the reported Iranian training on the Su-57, Russia’s intelligence ship operating off Hawaii, and the latest news on Taiwan’s incoming MQ-9 and F-16V aircraft.

    Aviation, national security, and global defense trends all in one episode.

    For full breakdowns, sources, and the weekly Threat of the Day, subscribe to The Lowdown newsletter. It is free and lands straight in your inbox.

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    13 mins