Combat Story Ryan Fugit
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- History
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Real combat stories from the military's elite. This podcast highlights the courageous, outrageous, crazy, and surreal experiences veterans recall from their toughest days in the foxhole, cockpit, and front lines. We interview JTACs, Special Operators (Delta), Special Forces, Jet Pilots, Combat Aviators, Infrantrymen, Marines, and vets from over 50 years of combat experience.Interviews touch on the toughest missions these vets faced, how they handled them, their first combat experiences, how they found their way to the military, and how they managed after leaving the combat behind.
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F-15E Weapons System Officer from Marine Helo Mechanic | Mike “Pako” Benitez (Round 1)
Today we hear Round 1 of a two part Combat Story with former F-15E Strike Eagle Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) Mike “Pako” Benitez. In this episode, we follow Mike’s very unlikely path to the cockpit that begins with a career in the Marine Corps as a helicopter mechanic and aircrew member in the very first push into Afghanistan to fighting in Iraq during Fallujah II.
Mike’s path is anything but direct as he found his way to becoming an expert tactician and aviator in the F-15E. Since retiring, Mike has gone on to create The Merge (themerge.co) newsletter - which has 20K subscribers - and podcast - which has 40 episodes as of this airing. The Merge brings defense and tech news and insights in a more lighthearted and interesting approach that I’m confident most listeners of Combat Story will appreciate!
We only found Pako thanks to former guest Ryan “Stinger” Fishel who was a beneficiary of the tough love and tutelage of Pako (Stinger mentions a crusty older Weapons Officer during his interview who made Stinger look info up as opposed to handing it to him - that was Pako). Stay tuned for a follow-on episode after Rounds 1 and 2 with Pako to hear both Pako and Tom “Gunny” Moser be interviewed together about their experiences in Afghanistan and Syria leading units together.
Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.
This episode was sponsored by HelloFresh! Go to www.HelloFresh.com/combatstoryfree and use code combatstoryfree for FREE breakfast for life!
Thanks to our sponsor, Mint Mobile. To get the new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to www.mintmobile.com/combatstory. Additional taxes, fees, & restrictions apply.
🔗 Find Mike Online:
- The Merge https://themerge.co/
- The Merge Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@TheMergeMedia
🔗 Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.
👇 Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction
00:52 - Guest Profile: Mike Benitez
02:13 - Start of Interview
02:37 - PAKO Callsign
07:45 - Finding Aviation
10:03 - Family Military Background
11:17 - Recruitment
13:43 - Bootcamp
21:29 - Time in Marines
23:43 - 9/11
33:23 - Hello Fresh Ad
34:37 - Time As A Mechanic
40:15 - First Raid Outside the Wire
50:25 - Reenlistment to Weapons Officer
01:06:30 - Mint Mobile Ad
01:07:51 - Transition From Marines to Air Force
01:11:12 - Path to Strike Eagle
10:18:24 - Welcome to First Air Force Unit
01:20:00 - First Operational Squadrant
01:39:07 - First Danger Close
01:42:02 - First Fatality
01:42:03 - Listener Feedback -
Inside Look at The Unit (not Delta Force) from Operator Adam Gomal | Getting Shot | Taking Out HVTs
Today we have an amazing Combat Story with someone from the very elite Special Missions Unit community who was part of an organization still referred to only as The Unit for operational security purposes: Adam Gomal. Not to be confused with Delta Force (which is also often referred to as The Unit), this SMU blended intel and special operations in combat and non-combat theaters and remains highly secretive and rightly so.
Adam recently wrote a fantastic book - the first about this organization - titled “The Unit: My Life Fighting Terrorists as One of America’s Most Secretive Military Operatives” that details the experiences of someone operating in this shadowy, kinetic, and clandestine world so other fellow unit operators would have something they can point much the way DEVGRU and Delta can explain the great work they did by referencing other excellent books written about those experiences.
Since the work remains so secretive, however, you’ll notice we’ve implemented some controls to protect Adam’s identity, including not clearly showing his face on camera and distorting his voice. We are able to vouch for Adam’s experience thanks to previous guests who know him personally and worked with him directly. Additionally, Adam’s book went through the lengthy publication review process with DoD, indicating his story is, in fact, legitimate.
With that, please enjoy this amazing story from an epic and unlikely upbringing in Egypt to being ambushed downrange, shot in the stomach, surveilling HVTs, and delivering missile strikes that have a 90 minute time of flight, and more from one of the very, very few cleared to talk about their experiences.
Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.
Thanks to our sponsor, Mint Mobile. To get the new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to www.mintmobile.com/combatstory. Additional taxes, fees, & restrictions apply.
🔗 Find Adam Online:
- The Unit: My Life Fighting Terrorists as One of America's Most Secret Military Operatives
https://www.amazon.com/Unit-Inside-Americas-Secret-Military-ebook/dp/B09Y457JN5
🔗 Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.
👇 Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro
08:36 - Connecting with Foreign Fighter Through Interrogation
16:26 - The American Dream: Coming to America with $500 and no English
36:04 - Mint Mobile Ad
59:59 - First deployment
01:05:15 - Close calls in an Arms Market
01:09:50 - Getting shot downrange and fighting your way out
01:24:16 - Deciding to stay in or get out after being shot
01:26:22 - Hostile counterintelligence environment and Embassy attack
01:31:07 - Tracking down a high value target and delivering a TLAM
01:46:15 - The Operator Syndrome
01:54:42 - Listener Feedback -
Dropping Danger Close with F-15E Strike Eagle Fighter Pilot Tom Moser (Round 2)
Today we hear round two of our two-part Combat Story from seasoned F-15E Strike Eagle fighter pilot Tom “Gunny” Moser. Moser would go on to be a Weapons Fighter School graduate (the Air Force’s Top Gun), in addition to a Squadron and Wing Weapons Officer, and Squadron Commander.
In this episode, we dig into several combat experiences from the F-15’s front seat and what makes this aircraft so lethal. This includes the very first strikes into Syria in 2014 taking on ISIS where Gunny helped plan these missions and lead some of the first attacks into theater.
If you didn’t hear round one with Gunny, he’s finally made it to his Squadron after three years as a Marine infantryman (hence the call sign!) and a stint as a Police Officer (something he loved). He’s got an incredibly supportive spouse who told him to not come home if he didn’t get F-15s because there are only winners in their house!!
Gunny is good friends with both former guest Ryan “Stinger” Fishel and our next guest coming in one week - Mike “Pako” Benitez - another F-15E Strike Eagle aviator. Stay tuned after our interviews with Pako to hear Gunny and Pako interviewed together about their time downrange as a front seater and back seater as standard bearer Weapons Officers!
Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.
🔗 Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.
👇 Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction
00:55 - Guest Profile: Tom Moser
02:17 - Start of Interview
03:10 - After Mission Debrief
06:06 - '07 Deployment
20:25 - Providing Cover for Marines on the Ground
25:54 - Home Life
29:24 - '09 Deployment pt. 1
32:20 - Verstreppo Inspiration
37:00 - '09 Tough Missions
51:34 - Moral After Losing A Teammate
54:40 - The Officer's Club
56:20 - '14 Deployment
01:15:00 - After The Last Deployment
01:20:50 - Cutting Edge Technology
01:23:49 - Deciding to Retire
01:29:04 - New Career Path
01:31:28 - Miss Most About The Military
01:32:03 - Most Courageous Act
01:33:48 - Favorite Role
01:38:42 - Sentimental Items
01:40:38 - Would You Do It All Again?
01:41:23 - Listener Feedback -
F-15E Fighter Pilot, Marine & Police Officer | Fighter Weapons School | Tom Moser
Today we hear Round 1 of a two part Combat Story from seasoned fighter pilot Tom “Gunny” Moser who flew the F-15E Strike Eagle, served as a Squadron and Wing Weapons Officer, was a Fighter Weapons School graduate (akin to the Navy’s Top Gun), commanded a Squadron, and more.
In this episode, we follow Gunny’s circuitous route into the military first as a Marine 0311 (Infantryman), followed by a stint as a Police Officer, followed by a very decorated career in the Air Force.
Since retirement, Gunny has gone on to a career flying for the commercial airlines which we should all be grateful to know that we’ve got this seasoned combat aviator at the controls on our regular domestic flights!
Special thanks to former guest Ryan “Stinger” Fishel for helping us find Gunny!
And with that, please enjoy this first round discussion with someone who found his way to his dream job.
Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.
🔗 Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.
👇 Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction
00:59 - Guest Profile: Tom Moser
01:57 - Start of Interview
02:26 - Callsign 'Gunny'
04:02 - Growing Up
04:55 - Path to Military
11:26 - Love of Flying
12:25 - Choosing Enlistment Route
16:46 - Exiting the Marines
20:40 - Law Enforcement Career
23:02 - Path to Aviation
28:52 - Law Enforcement to Pilot Experience
31:08 - Family Life
35:09 - Close Calls
39:00 - Mindset during Dangerous Jobs
41:29 - Flight School
47:25 - Getting Assigned Strike Eagle
51:52 - Responsibility as an Aviator
57:40 - Strike Eagle Mission Set
01:02:05 - Weapon Loadout for F-15
01:08:53 - Hazing Stories
01:12:11 - Schedule for Pilots
01:14:24 - Weapons Officer
01:21:06 - Why Not Marine Corps.
01:22:17 - First Unit
01:26:58 - First Deployment
01:30:30 - First Flying Operation
01:38:49 - Listener Feedback -
Two SEALs Talking Combat Operations
This is our first JOINT Combat Story where we bring two combat veterans on the show to talk about combat operations they were part of together. This time we’re fortunate to have Sam Mackey and Joel McGuire, both former SEALs, who speak about some of the toughest moments they had deployed to Afghanistan.
I always wanted to have two guys who fought side by side to see what they remember, where they each have gaps and to watch the bond firsthand that was forged in those difficult moments downrange.
For those who listened to the individual interviews with both Sam and Joel, you’ll recall that Sam was somewhat of a free agent SEAL being shipped to various teams to support operations for weeks or months at a time given his unique sniper skill set. Joel was leading a team at a smaller FOB that needed all the help they could get and welcomed Sam with open arms.
Please enjoy two seasoned vets get down to what actually happened on particular ops when they were downrange together.
This Combat Story was sponsored by Factor, America’s #1 Ready-To-Eat Meal Delivery Service. Use FACTORMEALS.com/combatstory50 and use code combatstory50 to get 50% off!
🔗 Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.
👇 Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction
00:42 - Guest Profile: Sam Mackey and Joel McGuire
01:40 - Start of Interview
02:13 - Joel and Sam post deployment relationship
05:50 - How Joel and Sam met
21:28 - Factor Meals Ad
22:45 - Deploying A Sniper in Battle
31:40 - Sam and Joel Reminiss Same Gun Fight
42:12 - Hairy Engagements
47:29 - Deployment During Bin Laden Raid
49:54 - Favorite MRE
51:59 - Favorite Part About Teams
01:02:44 - Joel Grazed In The Range
01:10:31 - Advice to A Future SEAL
01:12:34 - Outsider Mugs
01:13:08 - Listener Feedback -
Black Hawk Down - Setting the Record Straight | Silence and Light Musician - Brad Thomas Catchup
We sit down with previous guest and former Ranger and Delta Force operator Brad Thomas as he sets the record straight about what happened back in Mogadishu and how his recollection of one event (as he shared back on Episode 58) was different than what another person remembered.
Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.
In the former interview, Brad describes a "jackass lieutenant" running around during the battle collecting fastropes because they were an accountable item. The individual in question listened to the interview and contacted Brad to explain what was actually going on.
Being the standup guy that he is, Brad immediately wanted to acknowledge this new information and share that we often don't recall things as they were.
Many will recall Brad gave up a promising musical career to serve, first with Ranger Battalion and then finding his way into Delta Force. His first combat experience was in Mogadishu in what we know as Black Hawk Down as part of 3rd Ranger Battalion in a true baptism by fire.
Since leaving the military, Brad returned to his passion: music. He gathered a group of veterans who now make up the band “Silence and Light” and saw far more success than they expected on their debut album.
We sit down today to discuss misinterpretations on the battlefield and clarify a situation discussed in Brad's interview from two years ago (Ep58).
🔗 Find Brad Online:
- Instagram @bradthomas_official
- Silence and Light Website https://www.silenceandlightmusic.com/
- Silence and Light Merch http://www.silenceandlightmusic.com/
🔗 Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.
Customer Reviews
Outstanding
Ryan does a great job of interviewing these individuals! The stories highlight the actions they have taken in service of their country! Very interesting and informative!
What a career!
Tom moser’s story was not only entertaining but it really his experiences hit home reminding me of what my life was like as an Air Force aviator. I really enjoy the way you share these experiences and bring the stories to life for the listeners!
Rodger McElrea. USAF retired
Need better audio/mics
Love this podcast, but can hardly hear audio quality. I will continue to support, just wanted to share my honest opinion.