Shows / So There I Was
So There I Was
So There I Was” is a weekly aviation podcast and YouTube show featuring true pilot stories from fighter pilots, airline captains, helicopter pilots, and other military and civilian aviators. “So – There I was.” It’s how ALL great aviation tales begin! 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. Fig and Repete met more than 30 years ago as Marine Attack pilots in Marine Attack…
Episodes
So There I WasSquints and Moles Episode 177
NOTICE***There is going to be a Zoom 'Hangout' With the "Numbskulls" on 24 September. If you are a Patreon member or Direct Donor you should get an invitation…
- So There I Was
Don’t Be Afraid to Use the E-Word Episode 176
Student pilot judgment takes center stage in this absurdly true tale of near-misses, smart calls, and the mysterious power of the “E-word.” We welcome Chock as…
So There I WasYou Fly By Your Seat & Your Ears Episode 175
Booz, a freshly-minted CFI, New Hampshirite, and RePete's daughter—whose glider-to-airline path includes a first solo at 15, a daddy-daughter cross-country in…
So There I WasMoon Child Episode 174
Tito brought stories that will make you laugh, wince, and wonder why anyone gives gunners ANY spare time! Kool-Aid boots and hot-sauce toilets are savage…
So There I WasTime Flies: The Harrier Watch Episode 173
This special mid week episode of So There I Was takes a slight detour from our usual lineup of aviators and aircrew—but it’s still all about aviation at heart…
So There I WasHunting Tankers In The Desert Episode 172
Retired Marine AV-8B Harrier pilot, “Cutter,” brings stories that are equal parts funny and awe-inspiring. He kicks off with the 2005 twelve-ship departure…
So There I WasDisco’s Canteen Got a Refill Episode 171
IIn this wild, laugh-until-your-ribs-hurt episode of So There I Was, we dive into Marine Corps Harrier pilot stories that blur the line between combat history…
So There I WasTwisted Balls & Flaming Intakes Episode 170
Strap in and try not to twist your balls. This week’s episode goes full afterburner with the “Young Guns” of VMA-542: Auto, Disco, Pisser, Spiko, Strut, and…
So There I WasHook Slaps & Nozzle Flops Episode 169
This week, we flip the script—Fig and RePete aren’t hosting, we’re the guests on The Flying Dutchman Show. Dutch dives into the stories, chaos, and camaraderie…
So There I WasThey Had Their Shoes On and Everything episode 168
So there he was…35 feet above the water, at night, trying to airlift survivors. What happens next involves a suitcase, a shrug, and one hell of a throw. Join…
So There I WasEarly Is On Time, Unless You're Too Early Episode 167
From screw-up recruit to revered drill instructor, First Sergeant John Crouch takes us deep into the crucible of Marine Corps transformation. In this gripping…
So There I Was$174 in Pain and Pennies Episode 166
So there I was… with $174 in loose change, one Garande rifle, and a sandpit full of regret. In this unforgettable episode, retired Marine First Sergeant John…
So There I WasGoat 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…
- So There I Was
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…
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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…
- So There I Was
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…
So There I WasI 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…
So There I WasA 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…
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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…
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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…
So There I WasThe Enigmatic Aviator Episode 158
Dr. David Hamilton, retired surgeon and award-winning historian joins us to to discuss his upcoming book The Enigmatic Aviator: Charles Lindbergh Revisited…
So There I WasThe Longest Rescue Episode 157
Bill Robinson recounts the harrowing story of being shot down over North Vietnam in 1965 during a rescue mission gone sideways. What followed was nearly eight…
- So There I Was
Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable Episode 156
Former U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer Jason “Quinny” Quinn shares the harrowing story behind the Distinguished Flying Cross he earned after saving five people…
So There I WasHe's Guilty, But He's a Nice Guy Episode 155
In this unforgettable episode of So There I Was, Howie Franklin—the only steward to serve five U.S. Presidents aboard Air Force One—joins us for an incredible…
So There I WasYou've Got Me in Steerage Episode 154
In this episode, Howie Franklin, the only flight steward to serve five U.S. Presidents aboard Air Force One, joins us with jaw-dropping stories from a life…
So There I WasWe're Gonna Get Skinny Episode 153
In this high-speed, low-altitude ride of So There I Was, the guest—a decorated WSO in both the F-111 Aardvark and F-15E Strike Eagle—shares some of the most…
So There I Was500 Looks at the Ball Episode 152
In August 2017, about 100 miles west of Key West, a Yort found himself in a tense moment during what was supposed to be a routine intercept mission. After…
So There I WasAss Over Teakettle in a Spin Episode 151
From a kid watching F-16s in Albuquerque to flying the legendary AV-8B Harrier, Warren’s journey into Marine Corps aviation is packed with twists, challenges…
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That's Us You Moron! Episode 150
🎙️Episode 150: Fast Eddie Ed Cobleigh—Fighter Pilot & Aviation Adventure Author Strap in for a high-speed, low-drag episode as we welcome “Fast Eddie” Ed…
So There I WasMy Leading Edge Episode 149
This week on So There I Was, Jeff & Jay Moss join us to share their unique journeys as Army attack pilots and men of faith. From the cockpit to the home front…
So There I WasYou Can Run, But You'll Just Die Tired Episode 148
Buckle up for a wild ride with A-10 Warthog pilots T-Dub and Quintana! From dodging bureaucracy to dodging bullets, these two bring hilarious and jaw-dropping…
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It's Like Surfing in the Sky Episode 147
From ‘Worm’ to ‘Wolfy’: A wild ride through a career in Naval Aviaton What happens when a determined young man with a dream of flying almost misses his…
So There I WasDon't Get Shot Episode 146
JTAC Combat Stories with Black Rifle Coffee’s JT This week, So There I Was takes a wild turn as we welcome JT—combat veteran, Air Force JTAC, and co-founder of…
- So There I Was
I'll Ram the Cockpit You Take the Tail Episode 145
Lucky may be the most fitting callsign ever. On September 11, 2001, she and her squadron were caught off guard—just like the rest of the nation. Thrust into an…
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Put a Check Runway Strip Over the Guys You Don’t Want to Kill Episode 144
This week on So There I Was, we sit down with Dan from the Danger Close podcast—an active-duty ATC Tower Controller with a wealth of experience keeping the…
So There I WasLow, Heavy & Slow is No Way to Go Through Life Episode 143
Double-L comes back to chat with us about firefighting from the air! This episode takes an in-depth look at the dangers and challenges of aerial firefighting…
So There I WasA Pig in Space Episode 142
This week, A-10 pilot Soup shares the untold story of leading the first mission into Afghanistan during Operation Anaconda. Navigating chaotic airspace without…
So There I WasWe’re Here - You’re There - Just Clear us Hot! Episode 141
Shyster joins us to talk about flying Marine Attack helicopters after being told by the recruiter, "The Air Force is down the hall." After combat deployments…
So There I WasBest of 2024 - Happy New Year Episode 140
Some of the best stories of 2024. May you have a blessed and happy 2025. We're thrilled you're with us and we only ask that you please share the show with…
So There I WasSo There I Was Hangout Episode 139
Welcome to the first ever So There I Was Hangout. Being as it's the holiday week we are publishing this hangout as a show. Sound quality is rough in some parts…
So There I WasHangar Talk Episode 138
This week Fig, RePete & Sticks engage in some hangar talk this week as we had a tech issue preventing our scheduled guest from joining us. Hear us numbskulls…
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3 Beers In: Are You Guys OK to Fly? Episode 137
Hop aboard for a thrilling second episode with Bātar, packed with stories that will make you laugh, gasp, and question if pilots moonlight as comedians. The…
So There I WasDOOM Club Episode 136
Join us on this exhilarating episode as we dive into the gripping tales of “Bātar,” a Marine Corps F-4 Phantom RIO who recounts his heart-pounding experiences…
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Oh $#¡+! Two's Hit! Episode 135
Retired USAF Col. “KC” shared incredible moments from her journey as an A-10 pilot, showcasing bravery, determination, and grit. Some highlights include: The…
So There I WasLook At That Mustache! You Can Trust That Guy Episode 134
Join us for part two with RobRoy! Hear about his Naval Academy days, life aboard a carrier, landing a C-2 Greyhound, his YouTube channel, FlyBuyer.com, and his…
So There I WasPissed Off the Skipper Episode 133
Rob Roy’s path to becoming a Navy pilot started with inspiration from watching Top Gun as a child. Coming from a non-military background, he navigated the path…
So There I WasBalls-13 Episode 132
General Jay shares an intense aviation experience during Desert Storm. While on a KC-135 mission, his aircraft suddenly rolled sharply left and right…
- So There I Was
You Can’t Just Pull Over on a Cloud Episode 131
In this episode, G. brings listeners along a remarkable journey from piloting the A-10 Warthog to operating drones in combat. One story that stands out is the…
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It Has To Be 10% Truth Episode 130
RePete and Fig are joined by “G,” a highly experienced pilot who instructed in both the T-37 and T-38, flew the A-10 Warthog (Thunderbolt), and operated the…
So There I WasI'm Going Back to Get My Nametag Episode 129
Bart shares the thrilling journey of his military service, beginning with a long flight from Japan to Saudi Arabia due to overflight restrictions. He…
- So There I Was
They Love You Until You Punt One Into the Stands Episode 128
Bart takes us through some gripping moments from his Marine Corps career, starting with his during a change of command in Iraq. He talks about using the…
So There I WasI Didn’t Do It Episode 127
In this episode, we speak with Bart, a retired two-star general and Harrier pilot, as he shares his incredible journey from discovering his passion for…
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Beautiful… Just ƒµ¢√¡π§ Beautiful Episode 126
This week on So There I Was, we continue our conversation with retired Marine Colonel and aviator extraordinaire, Baron. He shares how his career progressed…
- So There I Was
I Hit Everything but the Tiger Episode 125
Baron joins us to tell of a harrowing story of survival during his first tour in Vietnam. After an engine exploded mid-flight, shrapnel tore through the…
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Flying to Extremes Episode 124
Dominique Prinet, author and legendary bush pilot, recounts his harrowing experiences navigating the remote and unforgiving Canadian Arctic. Born in France…
- So There I Was
A Stunned Mullet Episode 123
We’re thrilled to have Beef join us to share his incredible journey. From his formative days at Annapolis, where his roommate ‘Swede’ (featured in episode 115)…
- So There I Was
Double Ugly Episode 122
This week features guest S.A.M., a Marine F-18 pilot with an impressive and unconventional career. 'Sam' shares stories from his time in the Marine Corps…
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I Could Teach a Monkey to Fly in 2 Months Episode 121
We're Baaack! So There I Was—the podcast where the stories are real, and sometimes, the lessons come from unlikely sources. Like this week’s gem: ever been…
So There I WasThe Boss is HAM'N Episode 120
So There I Was - It’s how ALL Great Aviation Tales Begin… This is a replay of episode 28: The Boss is HAM’N - Listen to Lawman and learn what it’s like to be a…
So There I WasYour Going to Have to Talk Me Out Episode 119
So There I Was - It’s how ALL Great Aviation Tales Begin… This is episode 119. This is a replay of episode 64 - You’re Going to Have to Talk Me Out. This tells…