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Right this moment we hear Spherical 1 of a two half Fight Story with former F-15E Strike Eagle Weapons Programs Officer (WSO) Mike “Pako” Benitez. On this episode, we comply with Mike’s most unlikely path to the cockpit that begins with a profession within the Marine Corps as a helicopter mechanic and aircrew member within the very first push into Afghanistan to preventing in Iraq throughout Fallujah II.
Mike’s path is something however direct as he discovered his solution to turning into an professional tactician and aviator within the F-15E. Since retiring, Mike has gone on to create The Merge (themerge.co) e-newsletter – which has 20K subscribers – and podcast – which has 40 episodes as of this airing. The Merge brings protection and tech information and insights in a extra lighthearted and attention-grabbing method that I’m assured most listeners of Fight Story will recognize!
We solely discovered Pako due to former visitor Ryan “Stinger” Fishel who was a beneficiary of the robust love and tutelage of Pako (Stinger mentions a crusty older Weapons Officer throughout his interview who made Stinger look data up versus handing it to him – that was Pako). Keep tuned for a follow-on episode after Rounds 1 and a pair of with Pako to listen to each Pako and Tom “Gunny” Moser be interviewed collectively about their experiences in Afghanistan and Syria main items collectively.
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🔗 Discover Mike On-line:
– The Merge https://themerge.co/
– The Merge Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@TheMergeMedia
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– Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
– Merch https://www.bonfire.com/retailer/combats…
– Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
– Fb @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
– Ship us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
– Be taught extra about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
– Intro Tune: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Be part of lots of of others with our weekly Fight Verify-In E-newsletter (www.combatstory.com/e-newsletter) to get a brief e-mail from Ryan every week in regards to the present, life, and the navy.
👇 Present Notes:
00:00 – Introduction
00:52 – Visitor Profile: Mike Benitez
02:13 – Begin of Interview
02:37 – PAKO Callsign
07:45 – Discovering Aviation
10:03 – Household Army Background
11:17 – Recruitment
13:43 – Bootcamp
21:29 – Time in Marines
23:43 – 9/11
33:23 – Hiya Contemporary Advert
34:37 – Time As A Mechanic
40:15 – First Raid Exterior the Wire
50:25 – Reenlistment to Weapons Officer
01:06:30 – Mint Cellular Advert
01:07:51 – Transition From Marines to Air Pressure
01:11:12 – Path to Strike Eagle
10:18:24 – Welcome to First Air Pressure Unit
01:20:00 – First Operational Squadrant
01:39:07 – First Hazard Shut
01:42:02 – First Fatality
01:42:03 – Listener Suggestions
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