America can destroy most of an enemy's air threat and still leave enough hidden launchers to keep the war dangerous. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ to get a daily intel brief on Russia, China, Iran, Economics/Sanctions, Espionage, and more Ryan Fugit sits down with Dave Berke, a retired Marine Corps fighter pilot, former TOPGUN instructor, and the only Marine ever to fly the F-22 Raptor. Drawing on combat missions, carrier deployments, and experience flying the F-18, F-16, F-22, and F-35, Berke explains what extended operations at sea demand from sailors and aviators, why Iran can continue launching missiles after a massive strike campaign, and how drones are forcing the military to rethink air warfare. In this episode, we cover: • What more than 250 days at sea can do to an aircraft carrier crew • Steam catapults versus electromagnetic launch systems • Why promising military technology sometimes gets worse before it gets better • What Ukraine has demonstrated about drones, autonomy, and AI • How TOPGUN and frontline warfighters are adapting to unmanned warfare • Why Iran's mobile missile launchers are so difficult to eliminate • What reported aircraft losses reveal about modern combat • How decentralized command gives American forces an advantage • Why Berke filled his leadership book with his own mistakes • Jocko Willink's advice to write 1,000 words a day This conversation offers a rare operator's view of carrier aviation, technological change, and the uncomfortable reality that even the world's most capable military cannot remove every threat from the battlefield. Timeline / chapters • 00:00 The Herculean performance of carrier aviation over Iran • 00:24 Meet former TOPGUN instructor Dave Berke • 02:47 What 250 days at sea does to a carrier crew • 06:25 The shore leave question no one can answer on air • 08:00 Steam catapults versus electromagnetic launch systems • 11:13 What Ukraine teaches the U.S. military about drones and AI • 13:20 How TOPGUN is adapting to unmanned warfare • 14:48 Why Iran's mobile missile launchers are so hard to eliminate • 17:54 What reported U.S. aircraft losses reveal about modern combat • 20:12 Why even a dominant military still takes losses • 21:34 Decentralized command and the future of American airpower • 24:06 Why writing The Need to Lead was so difficult • 26:19 Jocko's 1,000-words-a-day advice • 27:08 Why authentic failure makes leadership lessons stronger • 28:19 How junior pilots helped Berke master the F-22 About Dave Berke Dave Berke is a retired Marine Corps fighter pilot, former TOPGUN graduate and instructor, and the only Marine ever to fly the F-22 Raptor. He flew combat missions from aircraft carriers and in Iraq and Afghanistan, commanded the world's first F-35B squadron, and is rated on the F-18 and F-16. He is now the Chief Development Officer at Echelon Front and the author of The Need to Lead: A Top Gun Instructor's Lessons on How Leadership Solves Every Challenge. The Need to Lead: A TOPGUN Instructor's Lessons on How Leadership Solves Every Challenge In The Need to Lead, retired Marine fighter pilot and former TOPGUN instructor Dave Berke transforms hard-earned lessons from aerial combat, ground operations, business, and family life into a practical guide to leadership. Through candid stories about mistakes, pressure, humility, and growth, Berke shows that leadership is a skill anyone can develop. The book features a foreword by Jocko Willink and offers useful lessons for anyone responsible for leading a team, a family, or themselves. Restricted Handling https://www.restrictedhandling.com/
