The Afterburn Podcast

By: John "Rain" Waters
  • Summary

  • Strap in the cockpit as we dive into the stories of the men and women who defend the freedoms we love. From the cockpit of military jets to boots on the ground. The Afterburn Podcast dives into their stories, the planes, and the missions. For Advertising Opportunities or more information visit: https://theafterburnpodcast.com/
    John "Rain" Waters
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Episodes
  • F-16 Bombing Accident, KC-46 Grounded, Su-57 Stop in Iran & More
    Mar 8 2025

    🔺 Grab our free newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺

    In this week’s Lowdown on The Afterburn Podcast, we cover the Korean F-16 bombing mishap, the Air Force grounding KC-46 tankers, Ukraine’s new GBU-39 bomb strikes, and Russia’s Su-57 stopping in Iran. From defense industry failures to high-stakes air combat updates, this is your go-to briefing for global military and aviation news.

    🚀 Topics Covered:

    • South Korean F-16s accidentally drop bombs on a populated area
    • Ukraine’s GBU-39 smart bombs now being used on Su-27s and F-16s
    • Boeing’s KC-46 tanker plagued with structural cracks, delaying deliveries
    • Air Force cheating scandal—100 cadets under investigation at the Academy
    • US B-52s flying near Russia, escorted by NATO F-18s and F-35s
    • High-powered microwave weapons deployed to counter drone swarms
    • F-16s now equipped with AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles

    🔹 Subscribe for more aviation & defense insights!

    🔹 Join the newsletter for free giveaways! https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter

    🔹 Support the show on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/theafterburnpodcast/membership

    🎙️ Sponsor Links🎙️

    🎯 Become a Fighter Pilot: https://bogidope.com/?bd=rain

    🇺🇸 Support Veterans: http://gunsgarin.com/rain 🇺🇸

    💻 🕵🏼‍♂️Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | https://aura.com/afterburn 14-day free trial ☕️ Coffee Made by Fighter Pilots: https://bit.ly/Attack_Coffee

    🛫 E3 Aviation - Exclusive Deals, Content, & Aviation Education: https://bit.ly/E3Aviation

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    13 mins
  • Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) Introduction
    Mar 7 2025

    The Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) mission, better known as the Wild Weasel mission, has been a critical component of air warfare since Vietnam. In this special five-part series, host Mike "Flash" McVay explores the evolution of SEAD from its early days in Rolling Thunder to Desert Storm, Kosovo, and today’s modern air battles.

    🛫 Become a Fighter/Bomber/Cargo/Tanker/RPA Pilot 🎯 : http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast 🛫

    🔺 Grab our free newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺

    ☕️Attack Coffee : https://www.attackcoffee.com/

    🥷 Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | https://aura.com/afterburn 14-day free trial

    In this episode of the Afterburn Podcast, we lay the groundwork—how the Soviet Union’s SAM (Surface-to-Air Missile) technology changed air combat forever and how the U.S. Air Force adapted tactics, aircraft, and weapon systems to counter these threats. From the first Wild Weasel F-100s to the F-4G Phantom, F-16CJ, and the modern F-35, we trace the development of anti-radiation missiles, electronic warfare, and SEAD strategy that have enabled air superiority for decades.

    As we move into great power competition, air dominance is no longer guaranteed. This series will bring in veteran SEAD pilots who have executed the Wild Weasel mission in combat, sharing firsthand experiences from Vietnam to present-day threats.

    The Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) mission, better known as the Wild Weasel mission, has been a critical component of air warfare since Vietnam. In this special five-part series, host Mike "Flash" McVay explores the evolution of SEAD from its early days in Rolling Thunder to Desert Storm, Kosovo, and today’s modern air battles.

    In this episode, we lay the groundwork—how the Soviet Union’s SAM (Surface-to-Air Missile) technology changed air combat forever and how the U.S. Air Force adapted tactics, aircraft, and weapon systems to counter these threats. From the first Wild Weasel F-100s to the F-4G Phantom, F-16CJ/CM, and the modern F-35, we trace the development of anti-radiation missiles, electronic warfare, and SEAD strategy that have enabled air superiority for decades.

    As we move into great power competition, air dominance is no longer guaranteed. This series will bring in veteran SEAD pilots who have executed the Wild Weasel mission in combat, sharing firsthand experiences from Vietnam to present-day threats.

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    16 mins
  • #127 Brad Thomas | Surviving Black Hawk Down Inside Look | Ranger Regiment - Delta Force
    Feb 21 2025

    In this episode of The Afterburn Podcast, he reflects on his time in 3rd Ranger Battalion, the intense urban warfare of Black Hawk Down. Recently, Brad was featured in Netflix’s Surviving Black Hawk Down. #blackhawkdown Brad takes us inside the realities of special operations, how gear and tactics evolved, and the raw, unfiltered truth about Mogadishu that Hollywood didn’t tell.

    Brad Thomas has lived multiple lives—Army Ranger assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment and combat veteran of the Battle of Mogadishu. Brad later went on to serve as a Delta Force Operator. Following a career in the Army Brad tapped into his passion for music and went on to found the band Silence and Light with fellow veterans.

    Beyond the battlefield, we explore his passion for music, leadership, and veterans' mental health, as well as the upcoming projects with his band. If you're interested in military history, elite training, and how combat experiences shape veterans' lives, this episode is a must-listen.

    Brad's IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradthomas_official/?hl=en

    🎵 Brad's band Silence and Light: https://silenceandlightmusic.com/

    Netflix's Surviving Black Hawk Down: https://www.netflix.com/title/81737703

    🛫 Become a Fighter/Bomber/Cargo/Tanker/RPA Pilot 🎯 : http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast 🛫

    🔺 Grab our free newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺

    ☕️Attack Coffee : https://www.attackcoffee.com/

    🥷 Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | https://aura.com/afterburn 14-day free trial

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    1 hr and 20 mins

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