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Artwork for The Afterburn Podcast

The Afterburn Podcast

John "Rain" Waters
F-16
Military Aviation
F-35
China
Iran
Ukraine
Air Force
Russia
Aviation
Operation Midnight Hammer
Combat Search and Rescue
a-10
North Korea
Afghanistan
a-10 Warthog
Pilot Training
United States Air Force
Vietnam War
Close Air Support
U.S. Air Force

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: theafterburnpodcast.com/

PublishesDailyEpisodes365Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
AviationLeisureSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Afterburn Podcast

Latest Episodes

Col Kevin "Flint" Hicok commanded the 20th Fighter Wing during Operation Midnight Hammer, leading the largest Air Force wing in CENTCOM since Desert Storm.

The three-part documentary series is on Afterburn Defense:

Part I: youtu.be/MgQ_X3T... more

Operation Midnight Hammer through the eyes of the F-16 Wild Weasel fighter pilots who flew into Iran. Ghost" Trembly and "Cash" Croghan were the wing and squadron weapons officers for the 55th Fighter Squadron, the F-16 Wild Weasels who flew Suppress... more

Operation Midnight Hammer through the eyes of the people who flew it. "Smalls" commanded the 55th Fighter Squadron, and "Scar" was one of the F-16 pilots who helped plan and execute the mission. They are the Wild Weasels who flew Suppression of Enemy... more

Operation Midnight Hammer through the eyes of the people who flew it. "Glitch" was one of the youngest F-16 pilots in the formation, flying his first combat deployment with the Wild Weasels who flew Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses ahead of the B-2 ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Kevin Hicok
Colonel, Fighter Wing Commander, 20th Fighter Wing
US Air Force
Episode: Commanding the Wing That Flew Into Iran | Operation Midnight Hammer | Col Kevin "Flint" Hicok
SrA Michalenko
Avionics journeyman, 55th Fighter Generations Squadron
United States Air Force
Episode: First Time Launching an F-16 Was the Iran Strike | Op Midnight Hammer | Avionics Tech SrA Michalenko
SSgt Dray
Weapons Load Crew Team Chief
Massachusetts (implied unit)
Episode: If That's What Saves Your Life, It Has to Work | Operation Midnight Hammer | Weapons Tech SSgt Dray
John Mangan
Former USAF helicopter rescue pilot, author of The Three Rings Mindset
United States Air Force
Episode: #150 Combat Search & Rescue: HH-60 Pave Hawk Into a Firefight to Save 2 Wounded Marines
Mike Bosack
Former Air Force officer; founder of Parley Policy Institute
Parley Institute
Episode: Why Iran Holds the Better Hand Against the US Right Now | Dr. Mike Bosack
Colonel Hickok
Colonel, commander of the 20th Fighter Wing
United States Air Force
Episode: [Official Trailer] Inside Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER | The F-16 Wild Weasels Who Flew Into Iran
Roy Deacon Qualls
Former fighter pilot and aviation leader with extensive military and civilian jet experience
The Afterburn Podcast guest
Episode: #148 Col Roy "Deacon" Qualls | "Shoot Them Down If They Don't Respond" — The 9/11 ROE Nobody Talks About
General Sebren
U.S. Air Force general discussed in interview about ABDR and its capabilities
United States Air Force
Episode: Aircraft BATTLE DAMAGE Repair: The Air Force Capability You Never Hear About
Senior Master Sergeant Cross
Senior Master Sergeant overseeing the ABDR team
United States Air Force
Episode: Aircraft BATTLE DAMAGE Repair: The Air Force Capability You Never Hear About

Host

Mike Rowe
Host of The Afterburn Podcast

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.8k ratings
  • Well done.

    Thanks for doing what you do.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sienna owner
    United States4 months ago
  • Aviation News Feed

    I am enjoying the addition of the YouTube news features on the podcast. I don’t see a need to put this on a separate podcast channel as it could get lost in the flood of info choices and I would prefer it just be added to the existing podcast channel

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mrgmisafatasticalhuman!!
    United States5 months ago
  • It used to be great - lots of cool interviews including combat veterans telling their stories. These days it's current affairs. If I wanted current affairs I'd listen to the news, which I don't. I want anything BUT current affairs!

    Podcast Addict
    2
    Len
    5 months ago
  • Afterburn News

    Love this new addition to the podcast, “Afterburn News”. Would love to see more of this content as it’s hard to get good up to date military news from a legit and knowledgeable podcaster. John is a great podcaster and him delivering the latest news on military subjects is welcome news.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CaptBags777
    United States6 months ago
  • Love everything

    Hey Rain love the content and yes I would to have the audio versions of the YouTube videos explaining current affairs!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    xavclarke
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback often notes high-quality guests and strong camaraderie among hosts.
Listeners praise authentic, in-depth aviation stories and expert guests.
People value practical takeaways on leadership and logistics from real-world missions.
Show is celebrated for accessibility and engaging, narrative interviews with military professionals.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

8 Seconds to Save my Wingman | Operation Midnight Hammer | F-16 Wild Weasel "Glitch"
Q: What stands out from Midnight Hammer and Rough Rider in terms of the experience and the risks involved?
The scale and stakes were immense; you cross into a new AOR with limited intel, rely on teamwork, and endure intense training and uncertainty, ultimately seeing a successful mission and the crew coming home safely.
8 Seconds to Save my Wingman | Operation Midnight Hammer | F-16 Wild Weasel "Glitch"
Q: What was going through your mind during the mission planning and just before deployment?
I was nervous yet excited, aware that this was a different kind of warfighting with live weapons, and I focused on staying calm, gathering the right intel, and ensuring we could execute as a tight, cohesive team.
8 Seconds to Save my Wingman | Operation Midnight Hammer | F-16 Wild Weasel "Glitch"
Q: Can you give me background of your journey to the Viper? Where did you grow up and how did you get into the Air Force?
I grew up in Altoona, Pennsylvania, went through the Air Force Academy prep path, earned a pilot slot at Laughlin, and eventually joined Shaw to fly the F-16, driven by a family connection and a desire to serve close to home.
I Thought Our Pilots Were Not Coming Home | Operation Midnight Hammer | Intel Officer "Glib" Richard
Q: How did you handle the emotional and risk aspects of briefing crews who might not return?
Briefings acknowledged the real risk and the potential for loss, while emphasizing the need for precise, life-saving data and tactical support to maximize the chances of a safe return.
I Thought Our Pilots Were Not Coming Home | Operation Midnight Hammer | Intel Officer "Glib" Richard
Q: What changed on the Intel side to prepare the squad and pilots for this new environment?
We focused on knowing what we were walking into, long hours, deep document review, and sharing threat data up the chain so everyone from wingmen to the commander had the best information.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Afterburn Podcast

What is The Afterburn Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations center on real-world military aviation, leadership under pressure, and complex logistics across high-stakes campaigns. Episodes frequently feature senior officers, pilots, maintenance crews, and defense policy thinkers who recount mission planning, risk management, and the human dimension of deploying air power. The show often blends tactical insight with personal storytelling, highlighting teamwork, Agile concepts, and the emotional weight of sending crews into dangerous operations. Listeners can expect deep dives into aircraft and systems, ground operations, and the realities of sustaining high-tempo deployments, with a recurring emphasis on mentorship, resilience, and camaraderie among service members. A notable strength is... more

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How many listeners does The Afterburn Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Afterburn Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Afterburn Podcast:

1. Fighter Pilot Podcast
2. 10 Percent True - Tales from the Cockpit
3. Aircrew Interview
4. Combat Story
5. Airplane Geeks Podcast

How many episodes of The Afterburn Podcast are there?

The Afterburn Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 365 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Afterburn Podcast?

Recent guests on The Afterburn Podcast include:

1. Kevin Hicok
2. SrA Michalenko
3. SSgt Dray
4. John Mangan
5. Mike Bosack
6. Colonel Hickok
7. Roy Deacon Qualls
8. General Sebren

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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