From Danger Close Fires to Boardrooms: Gunship Combat & Post-Military Transitions

From Danger Close Fires to Boardrooms: Gunship Combat & Post-Military Transitions

Buckle up for Episode 10 of Death on Call — this one’s loaded with raw AC-130 gunship stories, hilarious crew chaos, and honest talk about transitioning out of the military.Joining JL Pelt are two standout guests:Mike Grochol – Former AC-130U Sensor Operator who flew 100+ combat missions and later built a defense tech company from under $1M to over $100M in revenue before selling to General Dynamics.Brian Flanigan – Former AC-130 Navigator turned Pilot who flew multiple deployments, beat non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (including a tumor the size of a softball), and later served as Director of Operations for MQ-9 Reapers.From intense danger close fires and chaotic missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, to range shenanigans, man-card revocations, P1 Passions dedications, and the infamous “nighttime activities” calls — this episode captures the full spectrum of gunship life.They also open up about the mental and professional transition after leaving the uniform, leadership lessons learned in the booth, and how their gunship experience shaped their success in the civilian world.What You’ll Hear:Wild range stories and crew hazing that only gunship guys understandFirst combat shoots and a few “almost” disastersSupporting SEALs and Army units in heavy contactThe legendary French Tick mission chaosBrian’s battle with cancer and returning to the fightGoing from the flight deck to building companies and airline cockpitsIf you flew the gun, supported it, or just love real military aviation stories — this episode is for you. 🔔 Subscribe for more raw AC-130 gunship stories, crew confessions, and never-before-heard combat tales. 💬 Drop a story about your gunship family in the comments — we read every single one. -- CONNECT WITH US -- Listen/watch us on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Podbean Email: deathoncallpodcast@gmail.com #AC130 #SpookyGunship #Navigator #Firecontrol #GunshipPodcast #DeathOnCall #AFSOC #SpecialOperations #GWOT #CombatStories #AirForceVeteran #GunshipLegacy #MilitaryPodcast #AC130U #VeteranStories #DarkHumorMilitary #gunshipcrew

Eng, Load, P1

Ever wondered what it’s actually like inside an AC-130 gunship when the headsets are on and the cameras are off? In episode nine of the Death on Call Podcast, host JL Pelt sits down with our guests to pull back the curtain on the "Symphony of Chaos." Joining us from the newly renovated "Gun Deck" studios are Tech Sergeant (Ret.) Juan Newman, a veteran flight engineer, and Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Jen Brock (Walker).From the high-stakes pressure of the schoolhouse to the gritty reality of deployments, this episode is a raw look at the brotherhood (and sisterhood) of Special Operations. We talk about the gear, the "honey bucket" horror stories, and the hard truth of fighting a war when politics get in the way. 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐃𝐄: ➤ Shows first Female Loadmaster: Jen’s journey to the AC-130U. ➤ Shows first Flight Engineer: Juan on the mindset shift from delivering to hunting. ➤ The Culture of the "Suck": Why crews fight at shutdown but die for each other in the air. ➤ Safety vs. Mission: A candid look at friction with "bean counters." ➤ The "Muffin Prank": The hilarious traditions that keep crews sane. 🔔 Subscribe for more raw AC-130 gunship stories, crew confessions, and never-before-heard combat tales. 💬 Drop a story about your gunship family in the comments — we read every single one. -- CONNECT WITH US -- Listen/watch us on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Podbean Email: deathoncallpodcast@gmail.com #AC130 #SpookyGunship #Navigator #Firecontrol #GunshipPodcast #DeathOnCall #AFSOC #SpecialOperations #GWOT #CombatStories #AirForceVeteran #GunshipLegacy #MilitaryPodcast #AC130U #VeteranStories #DarkHumorMilitary #gunshipcrew

Travis and the Unicorn

Welcome to Episode 8 of the Death on Call Podcast! In this all-officer episode, hosts JL Pelt and Jon Shipley sit down with retired Air Force officers Chris Tharp and John "JLo" Lorenz for a conversation that is, at it's core, a love letter to the gunship family.From the moment they stepped into the 19th SOS, they felt it: that instant, unbreakable bond that turned coworkers into brothers and sisters for life. What started as shared cockpits and chaotic training lines grew into something deeper — a true family that showed up in the darkest moments, from first-deployment firefights to life-changing personal trials. Chris shares how the entire gunship community rallied around his family, facilitated prayers from six continents, the kind of love only this family can give. JLo talks about how the gun deck became home more than anywhere else, and how that camaraderie still hits him years after retirement.This episode is packed with the raw stories, dark humor, Travis the Monkey and unicorn pranks, and real stories of faith and solidarity.Topics Covered:From Civil Engineering to Aviation: Both guests share their backgrounds starting in CE as enlisted troops before commissioning and moving into special operations aviation.The Gunship Family & Brotherhood: Stories about checking into the 19th SOS, finding an immediate sense of home, and forming unbreakable bonds in and out of the aircraft.Combat Realities & Levity: How incorporating humor during training kept students sharp and fostered absolute trust among crew members.The Legend of Travis and the Unicorn: The story behind Travis the chimp and the unicorn, and how these running jokes became absolute staples in the cockpit.If you have ever worn the gunship patch, or felt that deeper-than-blood connection, this one’s going to hit you right in the chest, and gut busting laugher.🔔 Subscribe for more raw AC-130 gunship stories, crew confessions, and never-before-heard combat tales.💬 Drop a story about your gunship family in the comments — we read every single one. -- CONNECT WITH US -- Listen/watch us on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Podbean Email: deathoncallpodcast@gmail.com [deathoncallpodcast@gmail.com] 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene02:53 First Impressions and Training Experiences08:36 Deployment Stories and Morbid Humor26:36 Dark Humor in the Military35:48 The Balance of Seriousness and Humor47:46 Memorable Student Experiences and Lessons Learned57:11 Classroom Chaos and Leadership Emergence01:02:55 Reflections on Military Culture and Change01:09:28 The Impact of Personal History on Military Careers01:15:46 First Combat Experiences: The Reality of War01:21:34 The Weight of Responsibility in Combat01:32:44 Training for Real-World Scenarios01:40:35 Teamwork and Communication in Combat01:48:17 Cross-Training and Backup Roles02:01:18 The Gunship Community and Its Bonds02:08:54 The Impact of Personal Connections02:14:03 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life02:26:42 Reflections on a Career in AFSOC02:34:27 Building New Connections and Community02:46:28 Reflecting on Mentorship and Legacy

Gunner hugs, Hot Sauce Pranks & Gunner Black Jack Wars

Master Sergeant (Ret.) Eddie Robinson and Tech Sergeant Jimmy Christensen join guest host Jon Shipley for one of the wildest episodes yet. From their unlikely (and chaotic) friendship to gunner hugs, hot sauce pranks that went way too far, GBJ poker battles, and the non-stop shenanigans that kept gunship crews sane downrange — this is the real, unfiltered gun deck experience. They also open up about: - The brutal intensity of gunship training - First deployment stories that changed how they saw the mission - The mentors who shaped them and the lessons they still carry - What the gunship legacy really means to them today If you ever flew the Spooky, survived the Hurlburt dorms, or just want the raw truth about life on the gun deck… buckle up. 🔔 Subscribe for more raw AC-130 gunship stories, crew confessions, and never-before-heard combat tales. 💬 Drop your favorite sensor or gunship memory in the comments. #AC130 #Gunship #Spooky #GunnerHugs #GunDeck #DeathOnCall #GWOT #AerialGunner #AC130U #AC130J #GunshipShenanigans -- CONNECT WITH US -- Listen/watch us on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Podbean Email: deathoncallpodcast@gmail.com00:00 Introduction to the Guests 03:06 Friendship Origins: Eddie and Jimmy's Story 05:31 Danger Close Apparel 06:24 Paths to Gunships: Career Beginnings 09:34 Training Experiences: Transitioning to Gunships 12:13 Intensity of Training: Expectations vs. Reality 14:54 First Gunship Deployments: Experiences and Anecdotes 17:35 Traditions and Shenanigans: Life on Deployment 20:26 Gunner Blackjack: A Deployment Tradition 23:07 Memorable Crew Traditions: Beyond Blackjack 37:42 ROE Graphics 38:53 Traditions and Memories in Service 41:58 Wrestling and Team Dynamics 44:13 Never Show Weakness 45:06 Hard Earned Lessons 47:23 The Hot Sauce Incident 59:21 Food Challenges and Boredom 01:00:21 Transformative Flight Experiences 01:06:29 War Stories and Unconventional Experiences 01:12:45 Lessons from Gunship Operations 01:19:46 The Importance of Teamwork and Regulations 01:27:00 Legacy of Gunships and Personal Reflections 01:34:47 Reflections on Legacy and Growth 01:37:31 Misunderstandings and Personal Growth 01:38:24 The Ruthlessness of Gunner Black Jack 01:38:55 Gratitude and Acknowledgments 01:44:18 I'm A Gun Ship Guy (You Know What You Are).mp3

Attitude over ability

From Season 1 Episode 7. What it takes to be a good crew member. Episode release 3/29/26 @ 10am EST