10 Percent True - Tales from the Cockpit

Pinbag Shaw | 10 Percent True | EP83 Part 3In the final instalment of my conversation with Thomas “Pinbag” Shaw, we close out his Phantom career.From Cold War nuclear strike planning in Europe to flying large-force exercises at Nellis and combat-ready deployments in the Pacific, Pinbag walks us through the evolution of the F-4E and the realities of fighter operations in the late Cold War.We talk about weapons school culture, the arrival of systems like Pave Tack and ARN-101, Sparrow missile performance, Soviet encounters in the Pacific, and what it was really like operating the Phantom at the edge of the Cold War.And he finishes with one of the most striking stories in this entire interview series.0:00 Intro Story – Cultural Differences3:23 Welcome Back, Pinbag4:24 Follow-on Assignment from Korea – Hahn (Germany)9:59 TISEO “Qualification”11:26 AGM-65 – In-Theatre Limitations12:46 European Theatre – Differences from PACAF & Culture16:10 B-61 & B-57, SIOP, Hard Crewing19:52 Certification – Related Stories27:15 Victor Alert Targeting & “The French View” on West Germany28:38 Local Traditions & Low Flying31:00 TISEO in Operation33:50 To Nellis (Not Moody?!)38:03 The Place to Be – Red Flag, RDJTF, F-15 Integration & “The Box”45:58 Radar – Follow-Up47:30 The Eagles49:40 Personal Development Journey54:45 Back to PACAF – Clark (F-4 Fleet, Weapons, Equipment & 3rd TFS History)1:06:00 PAVE TACK1:08:10 WESEP / Combat Sage – ORU-1 Radar Upgrade & AIM-7 Developments1:17:00 Weapons School Experience – Culture Shift, Academics vs Flying, Staying Out of “The Box”1:28:10 The Aggressor Problem1:31:00 Fisher vs Glosson – Culture of the Time1:34:10 Focus on North Korea & Shadowing the Russian Navy1:38:15 Changes After KAL 007 Shootdown1:41:58 Post-Weapons School – Taegu as Weapons Officer (PAVE TACK & Range Betting)1:51:06 ROK Maintenance & Marshall Enforcement – Intro Story1:55:55 Evolution of the Rear Cockpit2:09:00 Battle Damage & Oddities2:11:05 Thank You, Pinbag

Get the full episode:https://www.10percenttrue.com/pricing-plans/listPinbag Shaw | 10 Percent True | EP83 Part 2In Part Two of our conversation, Thomas “Pinbag” Shaw takes us operational.From Korea to Germany, this is life in a Cold War Phantom squadron — where Victor Alert was real, nuclear strike planning was routine, and NATO air defence timelines were measured in minutes.In this episode we discuss:• What sitting nuclear Victor Alert actually meant• How QRA posture worked in Europe and the Pacific• Intercept geometry against Warsaw Pact aircraft• NATO strike planning and readiness discipline• The psychology of Cold War aircrew culture• Transitioning from Phantom to the Strike Eagle eraThis is Tactical Air Command at its most serious — a force built around the assumption that the next launch might not be an exercise.If you enjoy long-form, technical conversations with the people who flew the jets, subscribe and join the conversation.0:00 Intro teaser – North Korean MiG-21 intercept3:52 Welcome back, Pinbag4:28 The Nellis influence9:28 Leaving MacDill – SERE school20:28 Korea and PACAF disposition27:15 36th Fighter Squadron33:35 Introduction to Korea38:00 Areas of responsibility, command structure, and settling in44:20 Training, digesting the vault, and other in-theatre assets and threats49:10 Equipment – F-4E variants53:25 Radar presentation, trade-offs, and features (TISEO, Combat Tree, Pave Spike)1:04:44 Turnover of airframes1:06:02 Operation Paul Bunyan – the axe-handle murders and redeployment of assets (including GBU-15 / AGM-65) for possible engagement with a tree1:11:35 One year later – the Army’s turn and the lost Chinook1:15:38 North Korean Air Force and South Korean MiGs (and Beagle)1:26:12 AN-2s and skunk boats1:27:30 How a prospective war would have unfolded1:32:05 North Koreans in Vietnam; Soviets and North Koreans flying with the Egyptians1:34:24 GCI and bullseye intercepts1:36:50 Integration, improvement, and the prospective order of battle1:40:40 Evolution in war planning and the birth of Large Force Employment1:46:30 Lakenheath leadership influence and differences from PACAF1:54:40 Battles over the Taiwan Strait and ROKAF checkouts – similarities and rumours1:57:30 Alert story – possible SA-2 site2:01:12 Peacetime Aerial Reconnaissance Program (including intro teaser story) and alert scramble

Get the full episode: https://www.10percenttrue.com/pricing-plans/listPinbag Shaw | 10 Percent True | EP83 Part 1Thomas “Pinbag” Shaw flew the F-4E Phantom II at a pivotal moment in USAF history.Commissioned during the draft era, he entered Tactical Air Command just as the Air Force was absorbing the hard lessons of Vietnam and rebuilding its fighter culture from the ground up.In this first part of our conversation, Pinbag explains:• Why the J79 smoked — and how crews worked around it• What Red Baron reports actually taught young Phantom crews• How Fighter Lead-In training at Holloman reshaped post-Vietnam tactics• The reality of Sparrow employment before modern radar displays• AIMVAL/ACEVAL and what it revealed about missile combat• Combat Tree, radar geometry, and “hot” vs “cold” scope discipline• Nuclear delivery training in the F-4E• And how a loose ejection seat pin bag became a permanent callsignWe also explore the cultural side of 1970s Tactical Air Command — from Aggressor briefings to the infamous “vulnerability period” at the O-Club — and how the Air Force transitioned from the Vietnam experience into the F-15/F-16 era.This episode is a deep dive into Phantom air-to-air tactics, radar intercept mechanics, and fighter culture in the years between Vietnam and the Eagle.Part Two will take us operational — Korea, Germany, Victor Alert, and real-world air defence.If you enjoy long-form, technical conversations with the people who flew the jets, subscribe and join the conversation.0:00 Intro teaser – O-Club tale2:32 Welcome Pinbag and episode outline4:25 Matthew’s subscriber question – smoky J79s8:03 Visual acquisition ranges8:45 Pinbag’s background and route to the Phantom (nav school and dreamsheets)23:30 Dual controls question26:28 Back to Holloman and dreamsheets35:00 Off to Holloman AFB38:32 Uniform standards – TAC style40:45 Mandatory formation – O-Club43:10 The “Green Door”45:15 Leaving Holloman46:17 Osan → Hahn → Nellis → Clark → Taegu → Lakenheath (after staff job)49:25 Learning from Red Baron reports (classified material?)51:25 TAC rules, callsigns, naming ceremonies, and the Doofer Book53:20 “Opinions are like assholes…”55:00 Fridays at the O-Club – bell rules and intro story1:01:00 McDill for the F-4 RTU – O-Club and games1:07:43 F-4 “of the day” – equipment fit, avionics, etc.1:15:01 Combat Tree1:21:20 Back to the RTU and a callsign story1:26:02 Through the training phases1:29:49 Back to day one1:36:32 Why the air-to-air preference?1:44:50 Navy terminology – tough for WSOs1:48:28 Nuclear strike?1:50:15 What was going on in TAC1:58:04 Pave Spike2:00:20 USAFE realignment, Ready Eagle, and DOC taskings2:06:30 Sparrow developments

EE Lightning P1B | 10 Percent True | EP84 – Part 1In a secret barn in East Anglia, former RAF Lightning pilot Ian “Blackie” Black reveals the extraordinary story of the very first English Electric Lightning P1B — the first British aircraft to reach Mach 2.Built by English Electric and flown by Battle of Britain ace Roland Beamont, this hand-built prototype marked Britain’s leap into the supersonic age. Decades later, after museum life, near-scrapping, and years hidden away, the aircraft is being painstakingly restored — with plans to unveil it publicly for the first time in 30 years.Blackie shares Lightning combat stories, Cold War memories, flying with his father, and what it really felt like to strap into Britain’s only true Mach 2 fighter.This is about preserving heritage and history — one step at a time.

Jif Paines | 10 Percent True | EP82ChaptersGet the full episode:https://www.10percenttrue.com/pricing-plans/listIn this episode, former RAF Harrier pilot and X-35B test pilot “Jif” Paines explains how the F-35B’s revolutionary STOVL flight control system was born.From early Harrier night attack operations to experimental fly-by-wire research on the VAAC Harrier, Jif traces the technical and philosophical battle that led to Unified Flight Control — the system that made the F-35B dramatically easier to fly.Along the way he discusses:• Auto-eject systems and pilot safety philosophy• The lift-fan mechanics behind the F-35B’s STOVL capability• The X-35 concept demonstrations and engineering decisions behind them• Why automation can “de-skill” pilots — and why that may be necessary• How test pilots and engineers negotiate control authority• And why automation forces a fundamental rethink of the human role in combat aviationThis conversation provides rare insight into test pilot culture, engineering decision-making, and the future of autonomous airpower.0:00 “A stupid question?”1:15 Welcome Jif1:38 Auto-eject subscriber question (Sedlo)4:24 Thanks to Super for the introduction4:48 Jif’s introduction11:40 Transferring TPS knowledge and skills to testing in the X-3514:00 What decisions had been made before joining the program?17:12 VAAC Harrier control laws and pilot resistance to the concepts being developed20:15 Unified Flight Control explained25:15 Engineering the “feel” for the pilot — reversion and safety features, de-skilling31:10 “A stupid question?”32:16 Integration of the control laws into the X-3534:19 Lift-fan dynamics and operating process37:00 Differences between flying the VAAC Harrier and the F-3538:10 STOVL initially implemented in Harrier style — why?40:22 Flying characteristics and aircraft feel43:16 Exciting?44:40 Transferring expertise to the X and F variants and defending Unified Flight Control49:40 The Farley climb53:50 The future of the pilot in military aviation57:30 Thanks Jif (please return!)

Mattes Kries 10 Percent True EP81 Part 2Former Luftwaffe Tornado IDS pilot and weapons school instructor Mattes Kries returns to break down how a Cold War–era strike aircraft was pushed far beyond its original design. From low-level nuclear strike doctrine to medium-altitude workarounds, “dumb” HARM employment, Red Flag and Nellis weapons school, and the arrival of TAURUS, this episode explores how crews compensated for limited kit with tactics, maths, and judgement. It’s a rare, insider look at German Tornado operations, weapons school culture, and the real cost of keeping legacy jets relevant.0:00 intro teaser 1:35 welcome back Mattes2:55 recognition of the “different breed”6:30 The state of tactics in the prevailing atmosphere and “fooling” the weapons computer (the value of a good weatherman)18:25 shortcomings distilled19:31 targeting and low to medium altitude…..24:15 and then with GPS27:27 reversion mode targeting feasibility 29:28 a sense among crews that Luftwaffe is lagging behind peers?34:16 why?37:50 squadron re-roll43:30 flying rates? 47:15 competency levels as a result? 53:30 losses57:42 weapons school1:08:45 how to counter a 4-ship of Eagles1:10:40 electronic attack systems 1:13:10 BFM phase1:19:00 bomb in face and other survival tactics1:21:12 HARM 1:26:08 upgrades incl datalink and Marineflieger cross pollination 1:31:50 intelligence, access to information on other platforms?1:39:18 instructing at the weapons school and lessons in leadership1:47:20 TAURUS1:53:00 opinions on Ukraine - SCALP assessment?1:58:33 low level2:07:05 Thank you Mattes!

Mattes Kries | 10 Percent True | EP81 – Part 1In this episode, Mattes Kries—a former Luftwaffe Tornado IDS pilot and weapons instructor—traces his career from a hard-won start in NATO jet training through frontline Tornado operations, weapons school, and senior tactics leadership. He explains how Germany’s Tornado force evolved from Cold War low-level nuclear strike toward conventional, medium-altitude employment; how lessons from U.S. and NATO exercises reshaped German tactics; and why culture, risk tolerance, and bureaucracy matter as much as hardware.Along the way, Mattes offers rare, candid insight into weapons school innovation, COMAO command without Link 16, live weapons integration, and the realities of training for combat in a force defined by safety-first constraints—grounded in vivid anecdotes and hard-earned lessons.Timestamps00:00 – The Greek instructor teaser01:58 – Welcome Mattes & Phil’s subscriber questions: inspiration and most exhilarating mission12:05 – Matthew’s subscriber question: history and pride in the modern Luftwaffe23:40 – Attachment to the past among today’s Luftwaffe personnel29:10 – Starting out in the Luftwaffe34:02 – F-4 ambitions—and why fate had other (good) ideas41:28 – T-37 challenges (and the Greek instructor)49:00 – Turning early struggles into long-term success51:15 – Arrival on the Tornado at Büchel56:40 – Tornado IDS: roles, weapons, and mission sets1:05:35 – SIOP and nuclear strike planning1:10:40 – The MW-1 weapon system1:20:19 – Why the MW-1 was never fitted for training—and the power of German accountants1:29:30 – Staying on the boom: tanker planning as a weapons school student1:35:08 – Avoiding the KC-135 by design?1:36:35 – Responding to Starbaby’s criticism of ECR capabilities vs decision-maker mindset1:54:25 – Part 2 incoming

Super Harris 10 Percent True EP80 P1In Part Two of this conversation, retired USAF Major General “Super” Harris moves from diagnosis to consequence, explaining how the erosion of developmental testing has already led to real-world accidents, wasted lives, and broken programmes. Drawing on his role as Air Force Test Center Commander, Harris dissects the Light Attack experiment, the fatal risks of mixing developmental and operational test, and why “test is test” is a dangerous fallacy. He contrasts government cost-plus failures with SpaceX’s self-funded test-to-failure model, explains how data—not rhetoric—keeps aircrew alive, and offers blunt assessments of programmes like KC-46, T-7, F-35, and the emerging F-47. The episode ends with a sober warning: great powers don’t usually fall from enemy action alone—they hollow themselves out by accepting broken systems as normal.0:00 intro teaser SpaceX failure a success2:55 welcome back Super and episode roadmap5:24 Revisiting the Light Attack “experiment” (See Starbaby Light Attack episode) the dangers of combined OT/DT 33:00 “Costs Plus” contracts (Starliner debacle vs SpaceX “successful failure”)41:40 IRAD (internal research and development) Holloman range story59:20 Minimum Viable Product - how “finished” does it have to be to commence DT1:02:11 the issue with in house testing 1:05:10 go have a banana? 😅1:05:35 bearing in mind the tribulations with T-7 & KC-46 - are all current programs similarly afflicted?1:15:04 tension between DT and OT?consequences thereof? 1:28:33 resigning from TPS1:42:10 light at the end of the tunnel?1:43:15 smaller company innovation - resistance to buyout? 1:46:50 government approach?1:49:35 the one guy in the marching band who is in step!1:51:50 briefly on F-351:54:50 Airbus Tankers/Foreign competition?1:59:40 F-47?2:08:25 Thanks Super, (please come back)

Super Harris 10 Percent True EP80 P1In this wide-ranging and unvarnished conversation, retired USAF two-star General “Super” Harris explains how U.S. military acquisition and flight-test culture has changed since the end of the Cold War—and why he believes those changes are dangerous. Drawing on decades as an electronic warfare officer, developmental tester, squadron commander, and instructor at Test Pilot School, Harris lays out a four-stage framework charting the consolidation of defence contractors, the erosion of developmental and operational testing, the rise of concurrency, and today’s push toward “DevOps at the front line.” Using real examples—from the F-22’s infamous International Date Line failure to bomber weapons integration and modern naval systems—he argues that skipping test and accepting immature systems risks lives, credibility, and deterrence itself. It’s a candid, insider warning about how great powers lose their edge, and why testing still matters0:00 Support the channel0:37 Intro teaser4:09 Welcome back Super – framing the episode – Developmental/Operational testing today11:36 The Military Industrial Complex and Eisenhower’s mic drop15:42 the F-111 gone so EF-111 suffers by association – TPS graduate with nowhere to go! So B-1……23:57 black hats and white hats25:55 B-1 qualled but only there to “put the new thing on”28:12 SQN CDR highlights29:17 80 bomb load DT Graduation story (smiley face)34:21 flying a B-52 mission while watching Dr Strangelove39:22 win big – bad things happen….40:43 a litany of stupid (not all innovation is good)44:52 “the last supper” and its fallout (consolidation of corporations/contractors)50:07 the 4 stages (preview of coming attractions – intro teaser)58:22 who is “Col Nicholson”? – when ethics slide1:03:27 the right reasons….1:08:27 “acquisition reform” is not the problem1:14:52 FORD class failures – tail wags the dog – “the testers are the problem”1:20:04 Raptors, Deficiency Reports and across the date line to Kadena1:35:07 4Stars “wanting it so bad” (why hasn’t Steve seen A Christmas Story!)1:41:07 the “last” last question – the solution?1:46:57 previewing next episode

Get Mike's book: https://amzn.eu/d/b2lcwQtGet ad-free, early access to new 10 Percent True videos: https://www.10percenttrue.com/pricing-plans/listPig Penn, 10 Percent True Episode 79.In this extraordinary episode of 10 Percent True, Mike “Pig” Penn—US Navy A-7 Corsair II pilot, Iron Hand aviator, and Vietnam POW—walks through a life defined by combat, captivity, survival, and purpose. Pig recounts flying alpha strikes and Iron Hand missions over North Vietnam, dodging SAMs at night, being shot down near Hanoi in 1972, and surviving an ejection, capture, and eight months inside the Hanoi Hilton. He describes the brutal realities of captivity, the tap code, the psychological battle to retain hope, and the moment B-52 strikes signalled that the war—and his imprisonment—was nearing its end. The conversation then shifts to Pig’s post-war life: returning to flight, confronting PTSD and alcoholism, and ultimately finding a new mission—helping others survive their darkest moments. It’s a raw, unfiltered account of air combat, resilience, and why hope is not abstract, but essential to survival.0:33 intro teaser1:20 welcome “Pig” 2:55 ama question from Sedlo regarding Alpha Strikes6:18 Route to Naval Aviation and background 9:07 Training pipeline and experiences11:23 Buckeye at the boat14:50 Hope and Courage15:55 the reality of landing in the boat, scary, exhilarating?18:40 going into combat knowing a night trap awaits afterwards 20:33 The SLUF24:37 SAMS and dodging them30:37 Iron Hand32:53 finding SAMs and target prosecution by Shrike39:13 validating success? BDA? 40:33 any tactic change through experience - when iron hand turns into RESCAP43:08 psychological load? 45:08 shootdown49:21 on the ground and to the Hanoi Hilton53:23 cheating death54:03 coming to terms with initial stages of the ordeal56:33 any preconceptions/intel on the “Hilton” before arriving 58:23 initial phase at the Hilton1:02:33 Heartbreak hotel, making (unexpected) acquaintances, eventually starting to eat1:07:43 low down via tap code before leaving solitary and meeting fellow POWs1:10:19 why group you together?1:11:45 information flow, long sideburns and air raid drills preface December 18th (Linebacker II)1:19:53 mindgames and release order hang ups 1:21:58 release day story1:26:50 3 days in Clark and learning to sleep in a bed again1:28:06 to Travis AFB and reuniting with family and friends1:29:11 resentment? Return?1:32:17 flight gear on display in Hanoi1:32:43 what comes next? Returning to normality? Coming full circle on an incredible story. 1:35:58 F-4 orders turn sour so back to Lemoore and the A-7 RAG1:38:38 getting out and into Continental 1:38:45 meeting Kissinger 1:40:06 psychological and emotional journey and the genesis of the book - Hope and Courage1:47:48 meeting Marcus Luttrel and guesting on his podcast1:51:44 how to find Pig on tour/find out more1:53:03 philosophising on the experiences1:55:17 Share this please

Get ad-free, early access to new 10 Percent True videos: https://www.10percenttrue.com/pricing-plans/list0:00 intro and welcome back Buck1:38 weapon school genesis and selection6:21 3 times through and a baby on board!7:57 standing up the school12:42 light grey snub comes full circle!16:17 fighting institutional resistance in AFSOC18:16 the value and the sanctity of the debrief19:16 bilat story - AFSOC resistance continued23:10 prefacing weapon effects videos and opening eyes on BDA29:23 continuing the development story (FARP mission), regaining lost skills32:08 a negative experience 33:28 a positive experience (Hind story)37:45 decompression after the WIC, follow on assignments before returning as commander including some good bad and ugly 47:45 the slow clap 3 star - how does someone fail their way to the top?51:14 AFSOC culture, question marks, continued tribalism? 55:51 working with spec-ops operators58:40 “taking Tonopah”1:01:50 protection from and integration of fast movers1:06:03 dates 1:06:50 weapons officers deployed and first combat?1:08:10 setting the stage1:10:25 early days of combat 1:12:55 mission story - briefing on a post it note1:22:05 taking stock and stopping counting1:23:55 accepting the risk of descending below cloud and being shot at? 1:24:58 debriefing and decompression 1:31:15 feedback from “customers” (operators)1:32:50 another mission story featuring close calls, pointed feedback and subsequent fallout1:50:10 summarising the aftermath of the mission - and the greatest feedback1:54:10 the investigative perspective?1:57:50 need to be pragmatic in the face of AF “integrity”?1:59:52 pre-visualisation vs “just send it” 2:02:30 trying to mitigate operator dismay at refusal to engage2:05:47 other coalition partners - working with Brits?2:07:54 liaison/exchange?2:09:20 2nd DFC?2:09:50 Air Commando Hall of Fame2:13:18 reviewing more video clips2:25:20 the boat one!2:30:20 Phantom lovers avert your eyes2:32:02 funny mission story (the Padré)2:37:20 changes and the future of gunship2:44:14 letting go difficult?2:48:05 potentially another episode and wrapping up

Get ad-free, early access to new 10 Percent True videos: https://www.10percenttrue.com/pricing-plans/list0:00 Support the channel0:33 welcome back Buck and episode outline2:59 an appeal and a thank you 5:28 AMA (Jim’s) question - division of labour among crew 10:43 Maintaining SA once engaged 13:20 journey to the Air Force and route to the Gunship17:10 route to AFSOC20:08 any lack of fulfilment having missed out on fighters?24:00 getting into AC-130 and history of the aircraft 26:31 getting mission qualified 30:43 explaining the orbit (and the finer details thereof) and managing the gun platform 35:51 details up front, HUD (geeks rejoice!)43:20 H model51:23 funny story time!53:23 returning to description including sensors, countermeasures, removal of M61s, getting “shovel qualified” and the smell of ‘Murica!1:01:36 Black Crow sensor1:03:28 40mm1:04:18 APQ-45 1:05:33 U model differences1:08:08 refuelling port and some refuelling tales and tanker bros1:11:53 shooting the guns - in detail1:19:44 aircraft movement from recoil?1:21:03 stories for perspective 1:26:08 Responsibility of satisfying ROE1:27:13 weapon effects, weapon selection etc1:29:43 shooting a Phantom story1:32:38 returning to the “crowd pleaser” (105) and teasing the “smiley face”1:35:43 permissive vs non permissive environments 1:41:45 theatre tasking/focus/knowledge?1:44:38 massive teaser and reminder for air to air story!1:45:45 handling qualities and eng fire tale1:52:45 no notice checkrides1:53:58 2 engines out on one side?2:00:21 the mission and the dangers2:01:48 returning to double engine failures2:04:03 130H instruments and elective engine shutdowns2:06:08 gear feather flap debriefing and debriefing in general2:10:05 wrap up

Subscribe to 10 Percent True for ad-free, early access to new episodes: https://www.10percenttrue.com/pricing-plans10PCT EP77 Part 20:00 intro teaser (ejection story)0:49 welcome back Shamu1:55 bookending the instructor period, a shoutout, and the benefits of weapon school grads in the instructor cadre 8:17 to Alaska9:45 the mission(s)12:02 aircraft fit - cfts, 3 bags? 14:51 the bomber intercept mission17:52 JTIDS/FDL/AESA20:29 from APG-63 to AESA24:05 the user viewpoint/ergonomics25:40 minor frustration 26:58 basic skill atrophy?31:10 tactics development (still the same timeline requirements etc?)35:26 mixed formations?36:13 considering the technological overmatch on a peer conflict (China)?37:58 deployments?38:58 red/alaskan flags and AESA domination and 5th gen integration?41:18 IRST42:56 Alaskan survival aspects 45:15 Steve geeks out on NVGs for 5+ mins51:40 leaving Alaska - ACCIG for 9/11 and reinforcing the NORAD capability in its wake1:01:34 psychological considerations of potentially shooting an airliner 1:03:51 dealing with “doctors without a clue”1:05:20 Noble Eagle communication considerations 1:09:00 a Chinese balloons aide 1:11:58 a Canadian aside1:12:38 the atrophy of the NORAD capabilities 1:15:12 returning to Noble Eagle, major shift or just a step adjustment?1:18:08 Southern Watch/Noble Eagle a detriment to the Eagle community?1:23:52 weapon shelf life1:25:55 returning to career discussion 1:28:30 how does it feel to fly without being attached to a squadron?1:30:47 importance of rank?1:34:15 debriefing points?1:35:48 ORI expectations1:39:29 accident investigation1:49:20 Career Highlights incl Long Arrow and William Tell 1:56:45 WSEP?2:00:50 Constant Peg?2:02:35 Eagle fini flight2:06:11 is the “fighter pilot” still part of the identity/DNA and the right stuff2:08:50 a Viper flight with the 20th FW at Shaw….2:25:08 canopy/tank issues2:26:56 cross examination (psychological, physical, muscle memory aspects)2:33:44 last last question - life after Eagles2:37:47 Thanks Shamu and wrapping up

Subscribe to 10 Percent True for ad-free, early access to new episodes: https://www.10percenttrue.com/pricing-plans10PCT EP77 Part 10:00 Welcome Shamu0:50 outline of Shamus’s AF career5:20 Air Defence roll in the 48th TFW 11:05 long range interception or BFM or both14:22 old tech “smoke a lucky”16:55 DACT vs Oceana Tomcats21:15 live intercepts? 23:30 radar capabilities 25:50 VI (visual intercept) button 27:15 culture - wing performance in gulf war33:02 weapons (AIM-7M & AIM-9L) vs the expected targets (Bears, cruise missiles etc)38:58 training for cruise missile interception?41:05 ranking the gun as a solution to the intercept problem?42:52 autonomy? 49:32 expected Bear tactics?51:52 high speed intercepts 53:32 FOXBAT/FOXHOUND threat?55:00 B course instructor - passing it on (including Sparrow to AMRAAM, simulation etc)1:01:44 thesis becomes real and advancements in simulation 1:08:00 teaching in the F-151:12:20 AMRAAM 1011:14:40 standardisation 1:16:38 learning Eagle culture?1:21:44 regional variations?1:23:25 the high performer formula and the other end of the scale?1:32:16 standout moments from Tindal tour?1:35:06 sequel teaser!

Subscribe to 10 Percent True for ad-free, early access to new episodes: https://www.10percenttrue.com/pricing-plansFred Knowles EP76 P2In Part 2 of our conversation with retired USAF pilot Fred Knowles, we dive into his 15 years flying the A-10 Thunderbolt II in Alaska and a tour in South Korea. Fred explains the Hog’s unique firepower, tactics, and survivability, shares vivid stories about Arctic survival training, flying in brutal -60°F conditions, night missions with flares and NVGs, and preparing to face Soviet armor or a North Korean invasion. With 3,300 hours in the cockpit, Fred gives an insider’s perspective on what it was like to fly and fight in one of the Air Force’s most iconic close air support aircraft.0:00 intro teaser 2:00 welcome back Fred3:50 AMA question 1 - mission sets in Alaska - supporting troops or interdiction?6:30 personal survival gear?10:15 striking an equipment balance & SERE refresher?14:30 human comfort as you step to the jet?16:50 how much thought given to a bailout scenario?19:20 AMA 2 - 106 to Hog, any stigma?22:34 transitioning from high altitude to low - a major adjustment?28:23 setting the scene for the transition and the maturity of the A-10 platform36:36 gau-8 dispersion 39:30 put the thing on the thing?40:30 targets - study, identifying and killing them45:55 considering the human aspect again, how personal?47:55 Korea51:58 attrition expectations and survivability 55:08 ECM pod, chaff, flares and RWR57:10 low level59:45 handling characteristics and performance 1:02:15 jinking/evading 1:04:00 handling on the edge of stall?1:05:40 air to air, helicopters?1:08:10 back to Alaska and darkness!1:11:00 employing at night 1:13:00 transitioning to NVG flying and how it would pan out if balloon went up1:16:38 MANPADs1:18:17 Fulda Gap1:19:40 semi-prepared strips?1:22:09 changes or milestones during the 15 years in Alaska?1:28:05 FAC & OA-101:30:45 targeting pods and new weapons arriving?1:33:23 A-10 - thoughts on its evolution/lifespan/survival/career?1:35:49 standout/scary moments?1:40:14 hours?1:40:35 Hosting Russians at Eielson 1:43:40 other memorable events, incl Gunsmoke ‘83 & ’851:45:45 fini flight 1:46:45 muscle memory and complacency?1:49:50 leaving Eielson1:50:22 in review

Want ad-free, early access? https://www.10percenttrue.com/pricing-plans/listMaestro Renken EP74 Part 2In this powerful interview, Maestro offers a raw, insightful deep dive into the unforgiving crucible of the Weapons Instructor Course. He shares hard lessons on failure, leadership, tactical innovation, integrating multi-domain capabilities, and preparing aircrew to fight peer adversaries like China. A masterclass in humility, instruction, and modern air warfare.

Maestro Renken 10 PCT 74 Part 1“Maestro” Renken planned the U.S. air war against ISIS from inside the CAOC, then led his F-15E squadron into combat in Syria. In this gripping interview, he reveals how fast-moving threats, fragile coalitions, brutal targeting dilemmas, and hostile Russian fighters shaped the air campaign—and how the lessons from that war are shaping today’s fight.0:00 intro teaser - “money shot”1:48 Welcome Maestro3:17 Safe on Deck endorsement!3:55 Maestro’s intro/career summary 10:30 CAOC experience - ROE complications - aiding decision making 21:55 campaign planning as a weapons school grad in an asymmetric war29:28 channel ad 29:56 disseminating the FRAG, defining tasking and CSAR considerations 36:20 crazy vehicles, low quality fuel - Hyundais and the evolution of targeting 39:25 micro/macro problem solving/targeting 41:54 “money shot” story 45:47 depth of services integration and cooperation at CAOC level (intel/SPECOPS)49:52 “smoking” cash and old tactics made new again 56:14 “slippery fish” and “theatre”1:02:10 Targeting cycle and improvising extra intel 1:08:55 technological and weapon challenges 1:16:04 does this go back to the weapons school?1:17:05 ensuring correct targets are hit vs the legal element 1:29:05 taking command and leading in theatre. Challenges and anecdotes1:46:05 view on the Russian aspect and thoughts on the threat1:55:05 kill is kill? and further ramifications 1:58:15 “keeping stuff secret”?2:00:45 psychological aftershocks from commanders perspective 2:18:50 defining less than optimal deconfliction, the sanctity of the debrief and reviewing “errors”2:24:10 Strike Eagle community today (Iranian drone swarm)2:29:19 Are manned fighters still relevant and the democratisation of air power

Get ad-free, early access to new 10 Percent True videos: https://www.10percenttrue.com/pricing-plans/listGrease Panarisi, 10 Percent True Episode 73 Part 50:00: Support the channel3:10 Welcome back Grease - and ama question from Blair regarding maritime strike role for the Strike Eagle 7:18 discord follow up on “stand-in” weapon system 13:50 AIM-174 known to USAF? 14:10 Strike Eagle in maritime strike 20:03 fast forward to Quick Strike (mine) 31:13 Grease channels Barnes Wallis 35:53 proving the concept 38:33 carrying the mission forward “quick sink” 41:33 cat and mouse game of weapon evolution and counter weapon evolution 44:08 searching for Starbaby “dirt” 45:53 returning to the career timeline - back to Edwards as a Group Commander 52:19 surveying the command 58:47 the job and the frustration of risk avoidance/mitigation/transfer 1:03:23 any specific examples - APG-63… 1:08:08 PACS upgrade for Strike Eagle and “Raptor Alert” 1:10:18 most important task as group commander 1:13:34 the Global Hawk tale 1:39:01 memorial services and the darker days of group command 1:42:25 lighter times - A-10 emergency divert 1:48:33 how to recover from a week with no runway?! 1:49:41 F-16 spin training event 1:56:25 ejection considered? 1:59:44 Risk 2:06:46 returning to career and involvement in AESA for the Strike Eagle……. 2:15:38 and AIM-9X (“a missile that can turn up its own ass”) 2:18:08 no JHMCS for WSO discuss 2:20:08 IRST 2:23:53 the future, CCA/loyal wingman? 2:34:34 defining “game changing” and the “red air” project 2:42:13 modular airframe project 2:44:28 philosophically analysing China’s latest developments/revelations (intro teaser story) 2:49:13 “changing the mind of your adversary”, Gaza, Ukraine….. 2:50:43 thoughts on UAPs? 2:55:28 keeping enough SA to know when you’ve lost it…. 2:58:05 assessing the assessments from the Gulf War through to thoughts on China 3:02:23 debating Ukraine conflict 3:04:13 wrapping up, thanks Grease and teasing more!

descriptionGrease Panarisi, 10 Percent True Episode 73 Part 3⸻0:00 intro teaser (pulling offensive - the man with 4 brains)4:30 welcome back Grease 6:55 impressions of a wing EWO in early days of Strike Eagle 12:57 ALQ-135/ALR-56 issues (from Desert Storm) addressed? 15:50 F-111 any better? 16:52 ALQ-131 endorsed!17:22 tasking and deployment reflections following Desert Storm -AEF concept23:26 deployments/learning?27:10 Viper stats and blowing motors30:00 Thoughts on CSAR in the wake of Desert Storm perceived shortcomings 31:50 employment/ROE/improv?33:50 on the job threat assessment?35:03 theatre ramifications of Blackhawk shoot down and a Strike Eagle guy’s view on it 43:08 Support the Channel!!43:38 Turkish hosts47:03 Balkan deployment 54:45 employing gbu-24 59:25 gbu-15 and agm-130?1:01:25 facing 2 weeks of war in Balkans with Desert Storm experience in the bag1:04:55 thoughts on the “stick monkeys”1:08:25 expanding upon “the man with 4 brains”1:14:50 how do you do that?!1:16:22 maxing out potential? 1:18:05 correlation between leadership and tactical prowess?1:24:58 Test Pilot School1:32:35 evaluating the Mig-15 as a personal (private) aircraft1:36:00 any knowledge at this point about existing Mig experts in the AF?1:40:40 most “useful” part of course?1:45:35 WSO skills in the mix, other students and A-101:50:15 Test pilot hates mathematics 1:55:20 “W+12” graduation guest speaker2:00:24 guest test at China Lake?2:02:30 rounding out and part 4 preview

Grease Panarisi, 10 Percent True Episode 73 Part 2Mike “Grease” Panarisi tells of his journey flying the F-111F in combat to transitioning into the F-15E Strike Eagle. He recounts one of the most bizarre and incredible ejections in modern fighter aviation history — a high-speed bird strike at 200 feet that sent him parachuting into a Welsh field… and walking into a pub covered in glass and feathers.#F111F #F15E #USAF #EjectionStory #MilitaryAviation #10PercentTrue⸻0:00 intro teaser1:45 welcome back Grease2:55 Weapons - and Maverick specifically 7:10 GBU-1511:58 GBU-15 weaponeering/tactics13:50 secondary targets or second runs?15:10 other weapons? 17:20 organising missions with 24 CBU and the effect of weather 23:07 why not go low again?25:25 high order secondaries and BDA 30:35 GBU-10 to GBU-24 and dealing with a known bug43:30 CBU-AIM 743:43 BAOTD PT1 Ad44:15 Initial low profile with -24 and TF gave way to medium level 46:52 Pavetac anecdote 51:58 TACC - the plan and classification/dissemination 56:28 GBU-281:06:26 Desert Calm1:10:50 camouflage effectiveness review?1:13:05 returning to Lakenheath and onwards towards Strike Eagle and marriage!1:31:00 thoughts on where F-111F was with dawn of Strike Eagle1:40:12 wire chaffing and chasing bugs in software1:41:50 cooking P&W F100s and tanking teaser1:45:00 engine failure experiences1:46:10 approaching the APG-70 and new capabilities (air to air)1:53:15 F-4 vs F-111 dynamic in early days of Strike Eagle?1:59:10 adopting the air to air mission 2:00:15 How comfortable was the the Strike Eagle to “get used to” ergonomically 2:04:33 Ejection event2:31:30 1st mission back and aftermath2:41:15 psychological aftermath 2:53:00 roll on episode 3 or 1C?!