In this episode of the Fly Girls’ Guide Podcast, René talks with Tammy Barlette, a retired U.S. Air Force fighter pilot who spent the highlight of her career flying the A-10 Warthog. From missions overseas to training the next generation of pilots, Tammy shares what it really takes to strap into a jet that’s built for combat and carry the responsibility of protecting lives on the ground.

Tune in as they discuss:

• Tammy’s journey into the cockpit of the A-10 Warthog.
• The emotional and mental toll of flying combat missions.
• Why situational awareness and decision-making under pressure are critical skills.
• How resilience, emotional intelligence, and risk-taking shaped her career.
• The advice she gives to aspiring fighter pilots and aviators.

Tammy’s career offers a rare look inside the world of combat aviation and the personal discipline it demands. Her path shows how resilience, awareness, and decisiveness are built in high-pressure environments and carried forward into leadership. Whether you’re navigating your own course or guiding a team on the ground, her perspective brings clarity to what it takes to succeed in aviation.

About Tammy Barlette

Tammy Barlette, a US Air Force fighter pilot, retired in 2018 as a Lieutenant Colonel and became a professional speaker. In addition to speaking she devoted the last 6 plus years to studying mental performance training, shifting the content from elite athletics into aviation and beyond. In 2022 she founded Crosscheck Mental Performance Training, a business that offers online mental performance training courses specifically tailored for aviators and business professionals. Tammy also has a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, is the mother of three and is married to a US Federal Agent.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammybarlette/
https://www.facebook.com/tammybarlette/
https://www.instagram.com/tammybarlette/

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Connect with Us

Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss future stories from women shaping the skies. And if you enjoyed today’s episode, leave a review and share it with a friend. It’s one of the best ways to help us grow the Fly Girls’ Guide community!

https://weareflygirls.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareflygirls/
https://www.instagram.com/weareflygirls_
https://www.facebook.com/weareflygirls
https://www.youtube.com/@weareflygirls