So There I Was

Chuck Newton and Pete Harmon
  • 4.9 (186)
  • AVIATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
So There I Was

Join hosts, Fig and Repete, as they bring in some great aviation raconteurs to relate the glamorous, hilarious, poignant, tragic, and incredible tales of aviation. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll laugh ’til you cry, but you’ll never be bored!

  1. 5D AGO

    Goat Hunters, Jet Jocks & a $3,000 Rifle Episode 165

    We’re honored to be joined by retired USCG Chief Claude Morrissey—a veteran rescue swimmer with decades of gripping search and rescue tales. From cliffside hoists in Kodiak to extracting F-18 pilots from the Atlantic, Claude brings raw stories, grit, humor, and humility. He shares what it takes to make it through the brutal Rescue Swimmer A-School, the harrowing rescues that shaped his career, and what it’s like to fly missions from the Bering Sea to Hurricane Katrina. This one’s packed with adrenaline, emotion, and classic “so there I was” storytelling you won’t find anywhere else. Stick around as we tease Fig for slacking, honor Claude’s incredible service, and try not to get kicked off our recording platform again.

    1h 25m

  2. JUN 28

    Just Get Airborne Episode 164

    Stealth takes us straight into the Cold War cockpit on a Navy E-2 Hawkeye as he stood the watch during some of America’s most tense moments. From scrambling on alert after Reagan was shot, to deploying over the North Atlantic in DEFCON 2, to narrowly avoiding catastrophe when a 'friendly' dropped a bomb on a U.S. cruiser—this episode is packed with edge-of-your-seat stories. Stealth shares what it was like controlling the airspace above the fleet, even spotting submarines that were 'never there' from 15,000 feet, and managing chaos (and comedy) from the radar station. It’s a mix of Cold War intensity, humor, and reverent remembrance for shipmates lost. Don’t miss this look into the flying saucer dome of naval aviation.

    1h 44m

  3. JUN 19

    No Show – 19 June 2025

    🎙️ No New Episode This Week – But Wait… It’s a Good Thing! 🎙️ Last week’s So There I Was with Dos Gringos clocked in at over 2 hours and 15 minutes — a wild ride packed with laughs, songs, and unforgettable stories. Add in some tech gremlins this week, and we figured: let’s give you a little more time to soak it all in. If you haven’t heard it yet (or just want to hear it again), now’s your chance to dive back into the mayhem: 👉 https://sothereiwas.us/episode/163 Trust us — it’s one of our most epic episodes yet. We’ll be back next week with a brand-new show. Until then… crank up the volume and enjoy more Dos Gringos! — RePete & Fig ✈️🎧

    3 min

  4. JUN 12

    We're Gonna Piss on That Episode 163

    This very long—but hilarious and heartfelt—episode dives deep into fighter pilot culture; think less dogfights, more Dos Gringos. We sat down with the irreverent band, their musical wingmen from Los Gringos, and the founders of Winglore Spirits to talk whiskey, war stories, squadron bars, and the art of laughing at yourself. You’ll hear about bad rides that birthed great songs, the origin of Two’s Blind, near-death ejections, the mythos of Shaved Dog’s Ass, and a whiskey label that offers a conservative joker and generous bingo! This isn’t just an episode—it’s a celebration of camaraderie, chaos, and culture that spans generations of pilots, crew dogs, and hanger-flying heroes. Note: We left this extra-long for a reason—trimming it would’ve felt like cutting verses from a fighter pilot anthem. Strap in and enjoy this episode for a couple of weeks!

    2h 22m

  5. JUN 5

    I Was Only Going to Hit One Episode 162

    She’s five feet tall and larger than life! She once grounded an entire A&P school’s ego. Meet Mary Latimer — a pilot, mechanic, controller, examiner, and walking aviation pioneer. In this episode, she narrowly avoids lawn-darting a Cessna 172 from 5,000 feet with no elevator control using trim like a Jedi, and managed a mag failure mid-checkride. She once told an Air Traffic Control manager she was only going to hit one airliner! From launching 2,000 passengers in one night to getting told to “go back to the kitchen,” Mary’s tales are equal parts horrifying and hilarious. Oh — and she turned a terrified passenger into a private pilot. Mary’s been breaking barriers, rules (when necessary), and stereotypes for over 50 years. Aviation students: take notes. Everyone else? Just hang on and try not to say “it gets hard sometimes” on the radio!

    1h 44m
  6. A Case of Scotch the Hard Way Episode 161

    MAY 29

    A Case of Scotch the Hard Way Episode 161

    Ben Densley joins So There I Was to share his extraordinary journey—opening with a terrifying incident during a night parachute jump on to becoming a Green Beret, then a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He recalls intense special forces training, covert operations in Laos, and flying for Air America in combat zones. Ben speaks candidly about the dangers he faced, the emotional toll of war, and the resilience needed to navigate PTSD. He also offers a behind-the-scenes look at missions involving rescues, supply drops, and demolitions. Post-war, Ben continued his aviation career with the NTSB and even flew for Trump Air. Along the way, he shares humorous stories, personal reflections, and gratitude for those who supported him through both war and peace. This episode is packed with history, heroism, and humanity—told by someone who lived it all.

    1h 30m

  7. MAY 22

    Young Guns Episode 160

    This week we hand the mic to Pisser — a Marine aviator whose call sign isn’t an insult… it’s a proven skill... Yes, he really can clear a 15-passenger van... LENGTH-WISE! From calling in fast movers to dropping bombs and one-liners, Pisser takes us on a high-speed run through the hilarity and hazards of military aviation. He crushed flight school, built tactical air control programs, and somehow kept a straight face through “murder boards” that were anything but academic. You’ll hear about combat missions, ballsy-flybys, and just enough bathroom humor to stay on brand. Strap in — this one’s got altitude, attitude, and absolutely no apologies.

  8. MAY 15

    Tracer Fire; I Sorta Took That Personally Episode 159

    In this riveting episode of So There I Was, we sit down with John “Apache 2-3” Haugen, a Vietnam-era Army aviator with stories that span from the draft line in 1968 to combat flying in the Mekong Delta. John shares how he dodged a ground-pounder fate by heading to Officer Candidate School, ultimately flying slicks and accumulating over 900 hours of combat flight time. With humor, humility, and gripping detail, he recounts narrow escapes, night missions, forced landings, and his close call in a mangrove swamp that led to a surreal “third man” experience. From learning in OH-23s and flying Hueys to coordinating strikes with Cobras and Puff the Magic Dragon, John’s stories highlight the courage, camaraderie, and absurdities of combat aviation in Vietnam. Bonus tales include bar tabs in Manhattan, unexpected rat-kebabs, and the elusive “Hawk's” little black book. This is an episode packed with history, grit, and a whole lot of heart!

    1h 38m
See All (168)

Hosts & Guests

4.9
out of 5
186 Ratings

About

Join hosts, Fig and Repete, as they bring in some great aviation raconteurs to relate the glamorous, hilarious, poignant, tragic, and incredible tales of aviation. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll laugh ’til you cry, but you’ll never be bored!

Information

  • Creator
    Chuck Newton and Pete Harmon
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    168
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    2022 SoThereIWas.us © - All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    So There I Was

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