So There I Was

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 deep dive into presidential history. With unmatched humor, insight, and warmth, Howie shares behind-the-scenes stories about Presidents Clinton, Reagan, Carter, Bush, and Ford. From rock-and-roll boombox diplomacy to emotional moments following family loss, Howie paints a vivid portrait of the human side of leadership.

He details what it was like to see President Clinton evolve in office, the unmatched organization of the Reagan administration, and hilarious anecdotes about presidential quirks—including broccoli mishaps and golf trip pranks. Howie’s tales span the globe, from Air Force One logistics in Moscow to midnight flights across the Mediterranean, all grounded in respect and service.

With humility and passion, Howie reminds us that behind every commander-in-chief is a hardworking team, and that leadership—at its best—is about compassion, service, and humor. If you’ve ever wanted a fly-on-the-wall perspective of history in motion, this episode delivers.

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 lived at the center of American history. It kicks off with a story with former Marine Commandant General Krulak and quickly dives into Howie’s early days — from rubbing elbows with celebs on Fire Island to working in elite kitchens as a teenager. Drafted into the Air Force, he found his way from a toxic chow hall in South Dakota to flying global missions with generals and diplomats. Howie shares how a single flight changed his life, landing him in a world of professionalism and purpose. We hear how he earned the trust of Henry Kissinger, cooked on diplomatic missions across the globe, and eventually became the go-to steward for Presidents Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton. With vivid recollections of world leaders, near-farcical bathroom lines in midair, and White House-level logistics, this episode is a front-row seat to history—with plenty of laughs and a few “Did he just say that?” moments.

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 intense moments of his flying career.

He takes us over the Nevada desert at Mach 1.3 and just 100 feet above ground level. He recalls near-misses, like narrowly avoiding an A-10 while threading a ridge line. The thrill of tactical aviation comes through in every story.

The episode also covers his nuclear weapons delivery training in Europe, pulling Gs at 600 knots, and precision strikes during Red and Green Flag exercises.

Listeners get an inside look at the F-111’s unique systems: its terrain-following radar, manually controlled swing wings, and infamous escape capsule.

Hair-raising tales continue with compressor stalls at Mach 1.69, sandstorm landings during Southern Watch, and using sheer speed to evade enemies in mock combat.

Throughout the episode, the guest delivers a masterclass in military aviation history, tactics, and aircraft systems—especially the Aardvark’s legendary low-level, high-speed mission profile.

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 being redirected to the Phantom airspace, he learned an aircraft might have gone down—a chilling way for any aviation story to turn serious. 

That moment of uncertainty launched a gripping tale that unfolds with career-spanning insights into military aviation. From childhood memories of climbing into old B-17s to intense training with the Navy SEALs, to navigating ROTC, OCS, and finally flying F-18s off carriers, the story offers an unfiltered look at life as a Marine aviator. 

There are moments of raw humor, anxiety, and pride as he details everything from flight school stress to pulling Gs in low-level bombing runs. Whether you’re an aviation aficionado or a fan of military stories, this account delivers authenticity, adrenaline, and plenty of dark-humored truth from life in the cockpit.

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, and near-disasters. It all started with a recruiter’s dare and his mother’s skepticism—fueling his path from Navy ROTC to the cockpit of one of the most unique aircraft in military aviation.

But the road to the sky wasn’t easy. Warren overcame a broken leg in flight school, a last-minute major change, and grueling combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. He pulls back the curtain on white-knuckle night sorties, navigating strict rules of engagement, and managing fuel over hostile terrain—where a single mistake could mean disaster.

Then there’s the moment that gives this episode its title: a functional check flight gone horribly wrong. At 18,000 feet, Warren found himself in an uncontrolled spin… with no engine. How did he survive? You’ll have to listen to find out.

This episode is loaded with hidden gems—including a jaw-dropping story of rebuilding Harrier engines in record time after catastrophic water contamination in Afghanistan.

And when you’re done here – go to our GiveAway page to enter to win one of 5 custom engraved flasks with your name or callsign etched on it!

🎙️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 Cobleigh—fighter pilot, weapons instructor, and best-selling aviation author. If you’ve ever dreamed of pulling 5 Gs, dodging bureaucracy, and outmaneuvering enemy fire, this episode puts you right in the cockpit.

Fast Eddie shares pulse-pounding tales, from weaving through the fog over Loch Ness (yes, with an entire flight of jets) to nearly giving the Shah of Iran a Maverick missile in the keester! He dishes on precision bombing with the Air Force, teaching Navy pilots a thing or two, and somehow calling a Luftwaffe-designed French brothel home. (Because, naturally.)

This episode delivers adrenaline, laughs, and jaw-dropping near-misses—the kind that make your palms sweat and your respect for tactical aircraft skyrocket.

🔥 Listen NOW, share with your squadron (real or imaginary), and remember:

Give us five stars or risk being labeled a moron on comms! 🎧

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, their paths have been shaped by battlefield decisions and life’s toughest challenges—the kind that test both the body and the soul.

Jeff has faced the crucible of war. Jay has forged his own path, carrying on the family legacy as an attack pilot. Through it all, faith, family bonds, and even a connection to a former President have shaped their journey.

Their book, My Leading Edge (co-authored by Jeff & Camille Moss), is a powerful testament to resilience through faith. Facing incredible fear, helplessness and uncertainty when their beautiful daughter, Mallory, experienced life-threatening seizures and were told neither a cure nor a treatment were likely they turned to faith and friends. When Jeff’s faith was shaken, Camille’s remained steadfast. When she struggled, he found the strength to lift them both. Together, they weathered life’s storms—offering a road map for perseverance, trust, and the unshakable power of belief.

🔥 Listen now! | 📖 Read My Leading Edge

And here’s a link to the video where, for the first time, two generations of one family got to fly together as Pilots-in-Command of two generations of Army Attack helicopters.

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 combat stories straight from the cockpit. Hear about strafing tanks in Iraq, the legendary Kandahar Unicorn, and why British Special Forces will obliterate anyone who messes with their dog.

Expect fighter pilot pranks, piddle pack nightmares, and some highly questionable call signs. Oh, and did we mention an explosion of 200 barrels of oil? If you love aviation, military humor, and tales of airborne mayhem, this episode is guns hot!

🎧 Listen now for the best A-10 Warthog pilot stories you’ll ever hear!

Below are a couple HUD and ground videos we talked about during the episode!

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 shot—only to have fate (and a sharp-eyed Naval Officer) step in? Wolfy joins us to share his incredible journey: from nearly missing his chance to serve, to nailing the perfect interview, to never, ever quitting.

Along the way, he’ll crack you up with stories of how ‘Worm’ became ‘Wolfy’, and drop some unexpectedly deep wisdom—like what it’s like to attend your own funeral. Oh, and did we mention he’s worked alongside the elite Navy SEALs and somehow made it into the Blue Angels? Yeah, buckle up for this one.

Laugh, learn, and get inspired—you won’t want to miss this episode of So There I Was!

👉 Listen now!

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 Black Rifle Coffee Company. Not only is he a certified badass, but he also runs a fund to support veterans and first responders—because great coffee and great causes go hand in hand.

Surviving JTAC Training & Dodging Bullets

JT shares insane combat stories, from his grueling selection process (spoiler: it involved deception, suffering, and maybe some regret) to climbing a ladder in the middle of a warzone while F-16s screamed overhead. What could possibly go wrong?

Explosions, Cows & Annoying Canadians

Ever wonder how to seriously piss off a Canadian soldier? Or what happens when military guys accidentally take out a cow with a .50 cal? Yeah, we go there.

Don’t Miss This One!

If you like wild combat stories, dark military humor, and people making questionable decisions under fire, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now—just don’t get shot!