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 Was
I'll Get an A for Effort Episode 59
Join hosts Fig and RePete for a fantastic interview with Blackhawk pilot, KO, as he takes us on a thrilling ride through his remarkable military career. From…
So There I WasThe Hammer of God Episode 58
In this interview with Navy Fighter pilot and Top Gun Instructor, Kemo, listeners are taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Kemos energy is contagious as…
- So There I Was
A Water Buffalo for Tam Ky Episode 57
In this episode, A Water Buffalo for Tam Ky, Gunny returns to share more incredible tales: Gunny recounts a humorous, yet impactful incident involving a…
So There I WasBeware the Duck Episode 56
Gunny joins Fig and RePete for an extraordinary episode. An H-34 pilot and Vietnam veteran, Gunny comes out of the blocks at full throttle and doesn’t stop for…
So There I WasHigh Wire Episode 55
Imagine this: You're faced with a heart-wrenching dilemma. Your employer threatens to fire you unless you compromise your own safety and fly without the…
So There I WasYou Quit or You Move Forward Episode 54
Join us for an exciting episode of So There I Was, as we welcome Brian Shul, "Punchy,": Fighter Pilot, “Sled Driver,” Author, and Photographer Extraordinaire…
So There I WasBurial at Sea… Not So Fast! Episode 53
On this episode of So There I Was, Slaf joins Fig and RePete to share some incredible stories from his time as a Marine and Air Guard pilot. From holding a…
- So There I Was
Fifty Thousand Feet & Nothing Running but My Watch Episode 52
This week enjoy a thrilling journey with Slaf (Sr.), NavCad, Marine Corps Aviator who flew the SNJ, T-28 Trojan, TV-2 (t-33) SeaStar, F9F2 Panther, F2H4…
- So There I Was
What If It Was Me? Episode 51
Marine, Author, American Hero: LtCol. W.R. Spicer USMC (ret) joins Fig & RePete this week. We delve into the extraordinary life of this Marine who has written…
So There I WasWhy’s There a Hot Air Balloon in the Traffic Pattern? Episode 50
Take to the skies with the adrenaline-pumping story of SLAF’s adventures flying the iconic Harrier jump jet. In this gripping show, SLAF shares his journey…
So There I WasJohn Wayne in the Break, Woody Allen on the Ball Episode 49
Nightmare joins "co-horsts" Fig & RePete and reveals how he got his call sign in flight school. It stuck with him for the rest of his career; which is a good…
So There I WasCat Shots & Orgasms
Buckle up and prepare for takeoff with Carrott, Fig, and RePete as they explore the incredible journey of Carrott becoming a Naval aviator. Carrott shares…
- So There I Was
Dude, I Have Your Harrier
This is our second show with Kaos. Come along as he tells us about the challenges of owning a Harrier and performing with it in airshows. Spoiler alert: It's a…
So There I WasCarefully Check the Fuel Cell with a Torch Episode 46
Kaos, the only person to ever own his own Harrier jump-jet joins your favorite "co-horsts" Fig and RePete to talk about his early days in the Marine Corps…
So There I Was4 MiG Kills, 1 Fight
Meet Capt Royce Williams, USN (Ret) - Hear how he went out as part of a four-ship and soon found himself alone, in a fur-ball with 6 Russian MiG-15s. When the…
So There I Was120Kts, 10' Off the Ground & I was Bored Episode 44
Former Marine "Grunt" and current Army BlackHawk Pilot "CandyMan" takes us on a ride through the dust bowl that is Afghanistan. Hair-raising stories of taking…
So There I WasThe Honeypot Mission Episode 43
Chaz comes back for another visit with us to tell more incredible stories of hijinks, excitement, fear, tragedy, terror and hilarity. He had an amazing career…
So There I WasI Crashed Every Time Episode 42
Single Engine, Single Seat Attack Pilot, Smytty, joins the show thi week to talk about some of the hijinks that most Marine Attack pilots will relate to…
So There I WasThat's NOT a Tanker! Episode 41
Bo joins Fig & RePete to talk about what it takes to be a "RIO" - Radar Intercept Officer - in the F-14 Tomcat. He talks about training to become a tactical…
So There I WasYou Can't Be Married Episode 40
Kemo joins Fig & RePete this week to tell how he decided to go into the Navy after finishing the first half of Marine Corps OCS because they offered him a seat…
So There I WasStart With the End in Mind Episode 39
This is the second half of our show with Adm. Mike "Nasty" Manazir this week. We chat about his new book, Learn How to Lead to Win: 33 Powerful Stories and…
- So There I Was
Learn How to Lead to Win Episode 38
In this first of two shows this week, we welcome back Adm. Mike Manazir "Nasty" to talk about his new book, Learn How to Lead to Win - 33 Powerful Stories and…
So There I WasToday We're Flying Beer Can Width Episode 37
Come ride along with us and feel like you're on the Blue Angels Team for the next hour. This is the last of five shows with Lawman. We recorded this in late…
So There I WasLike a Couple Gorillas in Your Chest Episode 36
Panther checked in with us this week to talk about how he knew, before going to the Naval Academy, that he wasn't interested in flying. After spending a few…
So There I WasSouthwest Airlines 1380 ~ She Hit Me Episode 35
OAviators: Our Little Horror Story In This Gripping Episode, We Delve Into The Harrowing Tale Of Aviators Our Little Horror Story That Unfolded During The…
So There I WasNerves of Steel Episode 34
We are joined by "Bonnie" who gained attention the hard way back in 2018 when she and her first officer saved the lives of 148 people after her Southwest…
So There I WasWhich Kid Is Your Favorite Episode 33
This is the second show with Dos Gringos - Trip and Snooze joined us to talk more about their music, their experiences in combat and their latest project to…
So There I WasThey Lack Judgment Episode 32
This week, Dos Gringos join us for some discussion about their music and their flying careers in the F-16. It was fun to learn how they became the Dos Gringos…
So There I WasDon't Do Anything Stupid Episode 31
Our second hour with Coast Guard H-65 Pilot “Sticks” begins with a funny story about a wildly specific “target” for their Search & Rescue “SAR” mission. The…
So There I WasAre You Sure It's Mine? Episode 30
Coast Guard pilot and medical professional, "Sticks," joins us to talk about his path to a commission in the Coast Guard by way of the Merchant Marine Academy…
So There I WasHe Left His Footprint on My Face Episode 29
We are proud to welcome our first helicopter pilot, "GT" this week: Capt. Wayne Tunick USN (ret) author of the book "American Quest" The book is a fun read and…
So There I WasThe Boss is HAM'N Episode 28
What's the worst part about being a Blue Angel? Get the unbelievable answer here. And what's the best part? Lawman says it's completing a successful tour with…
So There I WasNEVER Talk to the Boss Again Episode 27
Our third show with Lawman is a fun one. He opens the show describing how embarrassed he felt living the good life in Qatar while getting combat pay - though…
So There I WasKeep an Eye Out for Me Episode 26
Fatty joins the show this week to talk about how he became a Guardsman - and the benefits thereof. He tells how plans went awry when the BRAC (Base Realignment…
So There I WasHere's to Woody. The Last Worst Day Episode 25
In our second hour with Lawman, things get real. This episode is not entirely comprised of our usual light-hearted hijinks and buffoonery - though we throw…
So There I WasThe Lieutenant Savoy Incident Episode 24
Lawman sat with us for more than 5 hours to discuss his unique career before becoming a Blue Angel; and how he got to fly almost every plane in the Marine…
So There I WasNowhere To Go But Up Episode 23
Double-L of the "Hollywood Guard" regales us with stories from Marine bootcamp to doing really dangerous things like fighting fires with an airplane... "More…
So There I WasIt's a Small World Episode 22
We are joined by Author, Viper & Phantom Driver, and exceptional story-teller, "Jedi" this week. Jedi tells of the adventures of flying the Phantom and the…
So There I WasA Vicious Pack of Lieutenants Episode 21
This week we are joined by "Curly" of the VMA-231 Ace of Spades squadron. Curly closes the loop on some of the fun discussed in episode 15 - "Sir, Don't Eat…
So There I WasThe Eagle Was Grounded Episode 20
Another first for the show! This week "Father" joins Fig and Repete in the first Air Force pilot interview on So There I Was. Father flew the F-15 Eagle…
So There I WasSemper Fi, Do or Die! Episode 19
This show is a little different than our others in that it isn't directly about aviation. But, it IS about a right of passage most Naval Aviators had to go…
So There I WasBest Job in the Galaxy! Episode 18
This is the second half of our time with "Nasty;" the former Commanding Officer of VF-31, The USS Sacramento, The USS Nimitz and a Strike Group aboard the USS…
So There I WasHere's to Bug Roach Episode 17
Here's to Bug Roach! Cdr. Roach was a legendary LSO and mentor to our guest this week and next: Nasty. Hear why he was so legendary and the poignant event…
So There I WasTrue Lies Episode 16
Hear directly from two of the pilots who flew the Harriers you see in the 1994 Arnold Schwarzenegger / Jamie Lee Curtis hit movie True Lies. Director James…
So There I WasSir, Don't Eat the Donuts Episode 15
Shiny joins us to tell how there wasn't a Lieutenant's Protective Association, but rather a Lieutenant's Revolutionary Front that took action to get even with…
So There I WasHappy Birthday, Yogi! Episode 14
Yogi and Master join us this week to tell their first-hand account of one of the most terrifying landings on an aircraft carrier in Naval Aviation history…
So There I WasIt Was a Dark & Stormy Night Episode 13
This week we welcome F-14 Driver "Jake" who relates how he got to fly the Tomcat, losing a mutual friend, what the real Top Gun school is about, what it feels…
So There I WasOne Hook on the Wheel Episode 12
This is another very inspirational episode - a story of personal triumph in the face tragedy. OB Joins us to tell of his days as a line support guy at an FBO…
So There I WasWe Were on a Mission from God Episode 11
Sheriff joins Fig and Repete to tell how his interest in aviation was initially sparked. Then he relays how it evolved from some wild adventures in light civil…
So There I WasFig-Dogs Now Being Served Episode 10
Fig and Repete recount their time in VMA-223 with Colonel Mitch Triplett. Col. Triplett passed away this week and the show is dedicated to him. The consummate…
So There I WasYeeHaw - Pester's Dead! Episode 9
This week's show is dedicated to the memory of Retired Navy Captain James "Sinzy" Sinz. A former Commanding Officer of both Repete and this week's guest…
So There I WasBig Beaver Up & Ready Episode 8
Spaz joins Fig & Repete to tell of his time with the VMA-331 Bumble Bees before the squadron was "flamed-out" (Decommissioned); some of his time in 223; and…
- So There I Was
4-Wheelin' & Fires & Snakes, Oh My! Episode 7
This is the second half of our interview with Chaz - Navy S-3 Pilot and now Retired from the majors. Chaz has had an amazing career and is a raconteur…
- So There I Was
Sounds Like the Beginning of a Dirty Joke: Episode 6
Chaz joins Fig & Repete to tell of his adventures as the child of a Pennsylvania Railroad engineer; learning to fly and making life decisions based on…
So There I WasHarrier: 1 - Nine-Point Buck: Zero Episode 5
Luke Joins hosts Fig & Repete to talk about his journey from the midwest to the Naval Academy. He tells how he became a Marine heavy helicopter pilot and…
So There I WasI Shoulda Been Thrown In Jail 35 Years Ago Episode 4
Sinbad joins hosts Fig & Repete to recount flying low and fast - terrorizing livestock and breaking glass. But it was a good enough show to get him a 'free…
So There I WasTwo's Off - Winchester! Episode 3
Join Fig and Repete as Auto joins them for more fun aviation stories. The real story behind Auto's callsign. There's a saying in aviation about landing gear…
So There I WasWe Weren't Naked ALL the Time! Episode 2
Join hosts Fig & RePete as they welcome Sleeper to expound on his callsign and some of the other antics. More naked stories crop up. You can't make this stuff…
So There I WasSo there I was... Callsigns and Other $#¡+ - Show #1
So there I was... It's how every great aviation tale begins. Join Fig and Repete - two former Harrier pilots as they kick off the show that will tell funny…
So There I WasShow Trailer
Lawman describes how no good deed goes unpunished his first time flying a Blue Angel jet!