Safe on Deck

Antonio Gemma More'
  • 4.9 (41)
  • AVIATION
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Welcome to the "Safe on Deck" podcast! In the fleet I flew the MH-53E "Sea Dragon" helicopter, and these days I instruct the next generation of Naval Flight Officers in the T-6A "Texan II". Throughout my incredibly short time in aviation I have been fortunate to meet a wide cross-section of aviators. Along the way I have done my best to document each and every flying memory, but eventually I came to realize that even the sharpest photo or the highest-quality video can only really capture so much.. Everyone I have met has a unique story to tell, and "Safe on Deck" is my humble attempt to capture as many of those exciting and inspiring aviation stories as possible. ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

  1. Episode 53: Doug White (EA-6, EA-18)

    06/26/2025

    Episode 53: Doug White (EA-6, EA-18)

    For episode fifty-three I sat down with CAPT Doug “Cricket” White in his office aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola. CAPT White earned his wings of gold as a Naval Flight Officer in 2002 and he was selected to fly the EA-6B “Prowler” where he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom while assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135. Next, CAPT White was chosen to attend Prowler Weapons School enroute to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) NINE where he flew weapons test missions in the “Prowler” and developed the initial combat tactics for the then brand-new EA-18G “Growler”. CAPT White served as training officer at Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132 where he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn and then to Aviano, Italy where he flew on night one of Operation Odyssey Dawn conducting combat operations over Libya. Next, CAPT White served as a department head at VAQ-135 and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom before being selected to serve as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer at VAQ-132 where he led the squadron on an expeditionary deployment in the Western Pacific. CAPT White currently serves as the Commodore of Training Air Wing SIX (TAW-6) where he is the senior officer responsible with overseeing the Navy’s primary, intermediate, and advanced flight training of all Naval Flight Officers and Navy and Marine Corps Air Vehicle Pilots in order to “ensure global security, prosperity, and to project Naval Air Power worldwide”. Thanks as always for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview, please reach out directly at safeondeck@gmail.com. “Safe on Deck” episode fifty-three with CAPT Doug “Cricket” White. Enjoy! ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

    2h 19m
  2. Episode 52: Dave Burns ("Flag Dave")

    04/18/2025

    Episode 52: Dave Burns ("Flag Dave")

    For episode fifty-two I spoke with Dave Burns via phone at his home in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Dave is affectionately known to military aviators across the United States as “Flag Dave”, and in April 2005 Dave began welcoming military aircrew visiting the Fort Smith Regional Airport with the American flag. Over the last two decades Dave has distributed an incredible eighty-thousand personalized miniature American flags to members of the military, each bearing a custom message of thanks and gratitude. Dave has been recognized by a wide variety of military organizations and he is one of only a small handful of civilian members of the prestigious Army Association Hall of Fame “Order of Saint Michael”. Dave is a living legend, a genuine patriot, and a true friend, and I am humbled to be able to share his story with you all here. Thanks as always for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview, please leave it as a comment below. “Safe on Deck” episode fifty-two with Dave Burns. Enjoy! Nick Thomas Aviation Photography https://www.instagram.com/fsmshooter?igsh=dDF0dDdqcGpnNWZ6 https://www.flickr.com/photos/nt161822/ ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

    2h 5m
  3. Episode 51: Al Mendoza (F-18, JTAC)

    04/14/2025

    Episode 51: Al Mendoza (F-18, JTAC)

    For episode fifty-one I sat down with Maj Al “Ponch” Mendoza in Pensacola, Florida.  Maj Mendoza joined the Marine Corps in 1999 and he served as a Rifle Platoon Commander with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducting combat operations in Afghanistan during America’s initial response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11.  Next, Maj Mendoza deployed to Iraq as a Company Commander with the 1st Marine Division as part of the initial invasion forces of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Maj Mendoza was hand-picked to transition to the cockpit and train as a Naval Aviator, and following flight school he flew the F/A-18D “Hornet” with VMFA(AW)-242 “Bats” and the F/A-18C “Hornet” with VMFA-232 “Red Devils” based aboard MCAS Miramar.  Maj Mendoza served as an instructor pilot in the T-6A and T-6B “Texan II” in Pensacola before being detailed as the MARSOC liaison officer to Air Force Special Operations Command, deploying again to Afghanistan as a rotary and fixed wing close air support (CAS) subject matter expert.  Next, Maj Mendoza was chosen to fly the T-45C “Goshawk” at VT-86 “Sabrehawks” where he led a major rewrite of the CAS syllabus and flew over 1500 hours in the jet as a fully-qualified standardization instructor pilot.  Maj Mendoza currently serves as the president of Kinetic Concepts where he and his team provide hands-on close air support FAC(A) and JTAC qualification and currency training to Department of Defense special operations and special warfare forces. Thanks as always for taking the time to listen.  In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators.  If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview, please leave it as a comment below.  “Safe on Deck” episode fifty-one with Maj Al “Ponch” Mendoza.  Enjoy! Kinetic Concepts www.kineticconcepts.org ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

    1h 44m
  4. Episode 50 - Christopher Hill (E-2, CVN 69)

    03/28/2025

    Episode 50 - Christopher Hill (E-2, CVN 69)

    For episode fifty I sat down with CAPT Christopher “Chowdah” Hill on board the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in Norfolk, Virginia. CAPT Hill earned his wings of gold as a Naval Flight Officer in 1997 and he was selected to fly the E-2C “Hawkeye” where he flew in Operations Southern Watch, Desert Fox, and Deliberate Forge during his time at Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 126. CAPT Hill went on to serve in VAW-124 as a Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI), VAW-115 as a department head, and VAW-124 as the executive officer and commanding officer where he led the squadron during Operations Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve. As part of the Naval Nuclear Power Training program, CAPT Hill was selected to serve as executive officer of the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) – participating again in Operation Inherent Resolve – and as commanding officer of the USS Arlington (LPD 24) before ultimately serving as commanding officer of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during their highly-lauded 2023-2024 deployment to the US Fifth Fleet area of operations. CAPT Hill currently serves as the interim commanding officer of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) forward-deployed conducting combat operations in support of Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea. Thank you for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview please reach out directly at safeondeck@gmail.com. “Safe on Deck” episode fifty with CAPT Christopher “Chowdah” Hill. Enjoy! ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

    1h 25m
  5. Episode 49 - Ryan Rankin (JET EYES)

    01/08/2025

    Episode 49 - Ryan Rankin (JET EYES)

    For episode forty-nine I sat down with Ryan Rankin at his home in Pensacola, Florida. For episode ten, Ryan detailed his career as a Naval Aviator flying the E-2C “Hawkeye” and T-6A “Texan II”, but for episode forty-nine we took a deep dive into one of Ryan’s three aviation-centric businesses: MACH METAL, PLANEORAMA, and JET EYES. JET EYES are unique, small-run, one-of-a-kind collectable tags made from scrap and retired aircraft components. During the podcast we discussed the origin of JET EYES, how Ryan sources such unique aerospace materials, the tag design and manufacturing process, and we wrapped up by answering several collector questions. Ryan is a close personal friend, a gifted artist, and a highly skilled craftsman, I’m a proud to count myself as a customer of JET EYES with both SR-71A "Blackbird" (61-7964 "The Bodo Express") and U-2A "Dragon Lady" (56-6692) tags! Thank you for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview, please reach out directly at safeondeck@gmail.com. “Safe on Deck” episode forty-nine, with Ryan Rankin and JET EYES. Enjoy! JET EYES www.jeteyes.com PLANEORAMA www.planeorama.com ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

    44 min
  6. Episode 48 - Ryan Cobb (KC-135, U-28)

    10/31/2024

    Episode 48 - Ryan Cobb (KC-135, U-28)

    For episode forty-eight I sat down with Capt Ryan “SNAP” Cobb in Pensacola, Florida. Capt Cobb was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant following graduation from the Air Force Academy in May 2011, and upon completion of Combat Systems Officer training he was selected to fly as a navigator aboard the iconic KC-135R/T “Stratotanker.” Capt Cobb completed seven deployments to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar where he flew over 200 combat sorties and 1700 combat hours as a Special Operations Air Refueling (SOAR) low-level aerial tanking navigator flying in support of Air Force Special Operations aircraft. Additionally, Capt Cobb completed a deployment to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan as the tanker liaison for Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component – Afghanistan and Joint Special Operations Air Directorate – Iraq. Next, Capt Cobb was hand-picked to transition to Air Force Special Operations Command and the U-28A “Draco” at Cannon Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field where he deployed to three separate AORs in support of Special Operations Command missions - Capt Cobb most recently returned from his eleventh deployment in support of a crisis response mission in US Southern Command. Capt Cobb currently serves as one of the initial cadre of Weapons Systems Officers flying the Air Force’s newest close air support platform, the OA-1K “Skyraider II”. Capt Cobb has logged over 3000 hours in the KC-135R/T and the U-28A to date, and he is an avid general aviation pilot and certified flight instructor and the proud owner of an immaculate Vans RV-8 named “Satin Doll”. Thank you for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview please reach out directly at safeondeck@gmail.com. “Safe on Deck” episode forty-eight, with Capt Ryan "SNAP" Cobb. Enjoy! Operation Song: "Karachi Sunrise" https://youtu.be/iiMKVJ0EG0U ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

    1h 41m
  7. Episode 47 - Sam Larson (F-22)

    07/31/2024

    Episode 47 - Sam Larson (F-22)

    For episode forty-seven I sat down with Capt Sam “RaZZ” Larson at the Newport News/ Williamsburg International Airport in Newport News, Virginia. Capt Larson was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant following graduation from the Air Force Academy in May 2015, and upon completion of Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) he was selected to train to fly the iconic F-22 “Raptor”. After completing the basic course at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, Capt Larson was detailed to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska where he stood air defense alert and conducted numerous intercepts of Russian aircraft. Next, Capt Larson was selected to serve in the coveted role of “Raptor” instructor pilot at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, all while continuing to deploy worldwide as a four-ship flight lead and F-22 mission commander. Capt Larson currently serves as commander of the F-22 Demonstration Team, charged with showcasing the unmatched maneuverability of the Air Force’s fifth-generation air dominance stealth fighter. To date, Capt Larson has logged over 750 hours in the T-6A, T-38C, and F-22A, and he is an avid general aviation pilot with a wide breadth of experience flying bush planes, floatplanes, ski planes, and tail-draggers across the continental United States and Alaska. Thank you for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview please reach out directly at safeondeck@gmail.com. “Safe on Deck” episode forty-seven, with Capt Sam “RaZZ” Larson. Enjoy! F-22 Demonstration Team https://www.jble.af.mil/About-Us/Units/Langley-AFB/F-22-Demo-Team Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation https://www.airforceheritageflight.org ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

    1h 41m
  8. Episode 46 - Paul Entrekin (Airboss)

    06/30/2024

    Episode 46 - Paul Entrekin (Airboss)

    For episode forty-six I sat down with Paul “Bandit” Entrekin at his home in Walnut Hill, Florida. For episode thirty-three, Paul detailed his time as a Naval Aviator flying the Marine Corps UH-1N “Huey” as well as his time on the airshow circuit as the first civilian MiG-15bis “Fagot” demonstration pilot in the free world, but for episode forty-six we took a deep dive into his responsibilities as air boss for the annual Pensacola Beach Airshow. In 2023, Paul marked thirty years of service as air boss for the Pensacola Beach Airshow, and during this episode we discussed many behind-the-scenes operational, logistics, and scheduling considerations that he and the team at the Santa Rosa Island Authority skillfully manage each July in order to pull off an exciting, memorable, and most importantly safe “Red, White, and Blues Week”. Thank you for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview please reach out directly at safeondeck@gmail.com. “Safe on Deck” episode forty-six, with Paul “Bandit” Entrekin. Enjoy! Entrekin Aviation https://paulentrekin.com "Walnut Hill Man Was The Boss Of The Pensacola Beach Air Show. Here’s A Behind The Scenes Look." http://www.northescambia.com/2024/07/walnut-hill-man-was-the-boss-off-the-pensacola-beach-air-show-hes-a-behind-the-scenes-look Episode 33: Paul Entrekin (UH-1, MiG-15) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-33-paul-entrekin-uh-1-mig-15/id1615450730?i=1000597446022 ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

    59 min
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4.9
out of 5
41 Ratings

About

Welcome to the "Safe on Deck" podcast! In the fleet I flew the MH-53E "Sea Dragon" helicopter, and these days I instruct the next generation of Naval Flight Officers in the T-6A "Texan II". Throughout my incredibly short time in aviation I have been fortunate to meet a wide cross-section of aviators. Along the way I have done my best to document each and every flying memory, but eventually I came to realize that even the sharpest photo or the highest-quality video can only really capture so much.. Everyone I have met has a unique story to tell, and "Safe on Deck" is my humble attempt to capture as many of those exciting and inspiring aviation stories as possible. ** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **

Information

  • Creator
    Antonio Gemma More'
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    53
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Safe on Deck 2022