Tinker Talks

The roar of jet engines, the crack of precision maneuvers, and the spirit of American airpower are all taking center stage at the 2025 Tinker Air Show—and this week’s episode of the Tinker Talks Podcast is soaring right alongside it. From the flightline, host Mark Hybers welcomes a special guest: Thunderbird #5, the iconic “upside-down” pilot from the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds team. The conversation dives into the pilot’s inspiring journey from watching jets roar over Arlington National Cemetery as a child to flying F-16s in one of the world’s most elite aerial demonstration teams. Listeners get an inside look at what it takes to fly the Thunderbirds’ new high-energy, emotionally charged performance debuting at Tinker for the first time since 2017. From the symbolism behind the new routine to the physical training it takes to withstand brutal G-forces, the pilot shares the grit and grace behind the glamour.

In the latest episode of the Tinker Talks podcast, host Mark Hybers sits down for a powerful and reflective conversation with Brig. Gen. Brian Moore, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex (OC-ALC) Commander, as he prepares to transition from his role. This isn’t just a farewell—it’s a deep dive into two years of innovation, transformation, and leadership behind the scenes at the OC-ALC. From standing up a future-focused “Digital Depot” to preparing the workforce for 2050’s sustainment demands, Moore discusses the sweeping changes and enduring challenges of leading one of the Air Force’s most complex and vital logistics complex. Moore shares valuable leadership insights and reflects on the impact of civilian artisans, first-line supervisors, and a culture of innovation.

In the latest edition of the Tinker Talks Podcast, Clayton Cummins sits down with Col. David McCollum. the Commander of the Civil Air Patrol Oklahoma Wing, McCollum, discusses how he and his team of volunteer members support the Sooner state.

The latest episode of the Tinker Talks podcast dives into the critical world of military law with Col. Janet Eberle, the Staff Judge Advocate for the 72nd Air Base Wing. With decades of service in the Air Force and a sharp legal mind, Col. Eberle offers listeners a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how justice and readiness go hand-in-hand on base and beyond. Eberle discusses her career in the Air Force and shares how the legal profession plays a vital role in maintaining good order and discipline across the force. She also breaks down what happens when an Airman is charged with an offense off base and how jurisdiction is determined. She also explains the differences between military and civilian justice systems, providing a clear picture of how court-martial proceedings differ from civilian trials. Legal Assistance Readiness Week, a dedicated effort to provide legal services that support Airmen’s personal readiness—from powers of attorney and wills to notary services and more.

Chief Christopher Gradel, Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 72nd Air Base Wing, is the latest guest on the Tinker Talks Podcast. The Texas native has the important task of leading and mentoring all of the enlisted Airmen in the Airbase Wing. Gradel’s job is a balancing act of gruff, no-nonsense chief, to a softer approach of listening and providing sage guidance. But the most important task is to lay out his priorities, instill a warrior ethos and prepare his Airmen for whatever challenges they may face. It won’t take long for you, the listener, to understand why Chief Gradel was selected as the Command Chief. He leads with a laser focus and is truly an Airman’s leader.

Chapels on Air Force bases across the globe play a pivotal role in the spiritual health and readiness of Airmen and their families. The Tinker Chapel serves as a place of worship for service members and their families, providing a space to worship and receive spiritual support from chaplains, catering to a diverse range of faiths and denominations across the military, all while upholding the constitutional right to freedom of religion; essentially acting as a spiritual center for the Air Force community. In the latest edition of the Tinker Talks Podcast, Chaplain (Maj.) Andrew Peck discusses his new role as Chaplain, services the chapel offers and how to navigate the holidays. Peck is also spreading the word about an upcoming event, ‘Military Chaplaincy Explo: A Day in the Life,’ which will take place March 7, 2025, at Tinker AFB. This event is designed to provide attendees with an immersive look at military chaplaincy and the mission of the Chaplain Corps. It will feature opportunities to: • Learn about the daily life of a military chaplain • Enjoy lunch and hopeful conversation with Airmen currently serving on Tinker AFB • Tour an E-3 Sentry (AWACS) aircraft • Connect with Air Force, Army, and Navy recruiters to discuss service opportunities in Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserves.

On this edition of the Tinker Talks Podcast, we’re joined by the leadership team for Tinker’s own 507th Air Refueling Wing, Col. Matthew Ghormley, 507th ARW commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Darren Wiseman, 507th ARW command chief. They spoke about the 507th’s mission, vision, priorities, and what it means to be an Okie. The 507th will soon launch their own podcast, be sure to visit their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) to cast your vote for the future name. Voting closes Nov. 8, 2024. The 507th Air Refueling Wing is the largest Air Force Reserve Command flying unit in the state of Oklahoma. The 507th ARW reports to Fourth Air Force and performs daily missions both locally and around the world in support of Air Mobility Command and U.S. Strategic Command's national emergency war order requirements, operating out of Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

The deputy commander of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex (OC-ALC), Col. Jeffrey Anderson, is a guest on the latest edition of the Tinker Talks Podcast. Anderson discusses everything from using Art of the Possible to improve processes and drive production to Produce to Promise, producing what is promised to the warfighter on time and on cost.

The mission of Air Force defenders, also known as Security Forces, involves much more than just checking ID cards at base entry gates. The 72 Security Forces Squadron at Tinker Air Force Base carries a wide range of responsibilities from defending the base, conducting installation law enforcement, handling combat arms and military working dogs. These defenders deploy globally to secure Department of the Air Force, joint service, coalition forces and their bases and assets under their protection. To recognize and thank our defenders, Team Tinker will take part in National Police Week designated as May 10-17. Several events are scheduled to observe Police Week including an opening and closing ceremony, bowling and golf tournament, ruck, defenders challenge and final guard mount. In the latest edition of the Tinker Talks Podcast, Lt. Col. Matthew Stillman, 72nd Security Forces Squadron commander, discusses more about the contribution of the 72nd Security Forces Squadron to Team Tinker, police week and improvements made to gate entry across the installation.

Col. Kenneth Voigt, Commander of the 552nd Air Control Wing (ACW), joins us on the latest edition of the Tinker Talks Podcast. Voigt assumed command of the 552 ACW in June 2023 and is no stranger to the wing, as 23 years ago he came to the 552 ACW as a 2nd Lieutenant air weapons officer and more recently served as the commander of the 552nd Air Control Group. In this podcast, hosted by Mark Hybers, Voigt discusses the significance of the 552 ACW to the overall Department of Defense mission, the E-3’s replacement and why in the day in age of technology, that people are still at the heart of the mission. The mission of the 552nd Air Control Wing, also known as America’s Wing, is to train, develop, and employ combat-ready Airmen and weapons systems to deliver decisive Command of the Air supporting America's national security priorities.

Col. Abby Ruscetta, the 72nd Air Base Wing Commander, and CMSgt. Jeffery Sipos, the Command Chief of the 72nd Air Base Wing, are guests on the latest edition of the Tinker Talks Podcast. The Tinker Talks Podcast, hosted by Mark Hybers, is a podcast dedicated to the latest events and happenings on one of the largest Air Force bases, “Tinker Talks” features various perspectives from the 5,600-acre installation. Ruscetta is no stranger to Oklahoma, being assigned to Tinker Air Force Base since July 2018 at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex before becoming Commander of the 72nd Air Base Wing in July 2023. Together, Ruscetta and Sipos discuss their background, priorities and everything Tinker Air Force Base in the latest edition of the podcast.

Tinker Talks celebrates veterans this year with a podcast honoring the service of Pete Piazza. Piazza served three tours in Vietnam. During his second tour, then-Staff Sgt. Piazza was NCO in Charge of the 3rd Security Police Squadron’s “C” Flight Security Resupply Team at Bien Hoa Air Base, near Saigon. North Vietnamese forces launched a rocket and ground attack Jan. 31, 1968, as part of the Tet Offensive. Piazza drove through machine gun and sniper fire to resupply the defenders who were quickly running out of ammunition. After the officer-in-charge was killed, Piazza assumed command and rallied with his troops in a show of stamina and force while they counter-attacked during an eight-hour assault. The position was held and in the end numbers of lives and hundreds of millions of dollars in aircraft and supplies were spared. He received the Silver Star, the third highest combat medal given to an Armed Forces member for his heroinism. Piazza is no stranger to Tinker Air Force Base. He served here in the late 80s prior to retiring. In 2014 a gate was named in his honor. Piazza still gives to our Airmen, showing up to speak for the Airmen Leadership School classes as well as coming out to spend time with our active duty members. This is a longer podcast and we could have gone for hours. Have a listen and give us your feedback in honor of this great hero.

This is a special episode as we turn the microphone over to Tinker Air Force Base Installation Commander, Col. Paul Filcek to have a conversation with a COVID-19 survivor. Mr. Anthony Baumann, Director of the Air Force Sustainment Center Contract Directorate shares the details of his battle with the disease, to include a 10-day stint in the hospital. He talks about the warning signs he missed. Please watch and share Mr. Baumann's powerful story. This episode is also offered in audio format. Please check the Tinker Air Force Base Facebook page - @TinkerAirForceBase to find information about listening to the podcast. Check us out on Instagram @TinkerAirForceBase and on Twitter @Team_Tinker. Please leave feedback. Don't forget to subscribe for future episodes of the Tinker Talks Podcast.

In this episode of Tinker Talks, we sat down with the Tinker Installation Commander, Col. G. Hall Sebren, Jr. He spoke about the importance of mentoring, the difference between coaching and mentoring, what makes a good mentor, and recognizing when a mentee should seek out others to mentor. Be sure to listen and to check out the commander's upcoming second commentary focusing on Air Force Chief of Staff CQ Brown, Jr.'s Action Orders.

On this edition of Tinker Talks, we sit down with Meagan Sebren, honorary president and top advisor of the Tinker Spouses Club, along with Tiffany Kalen, vice president of the Tinker Spouses Club. They spoke about support systems for spouses, such as the Spouses Club and Key Spouses, as well as the Airman's Attic and Thrift Shop on base. *The mention of private organizations does not express endorsement of the United States Air Force, Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.

Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex Commander Maj. Gen. Jeff King recently sat down with Tinker Talks to discuss the OC-ALC mission, its innovative workforce and what the complex is doing to remain cutting edge to support the warfighters’ requirements while outpacing adversaries in sustainment. This is the second part of conversation with the general.

Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex Commander Maj. Gen. Jeff King recently sat down with Tinker Talks to discuss his career, the OC-ALC mission and the innovative workforce. This is part two of a two-part conversation with the general.

On April 19, 1995, Ondré King was at work in the YMCA building in downtown Oklahoma City. Her one-year-old daughter, Rukiya, was in the nearby daycare. At 9:02 a.m., their lives changed as a bomb exploded, killing 168 people and wounding hundreds more. In this episode of Tinker Talks, Senior Airman Rukiya Turner, now a paralegal in the office of the 72nd Air Base Wing Staff Judge Advocate, and her mom sit down with us to talk about that day and how it affected their lives.

In this episode of Tinker Talks we sit down with Col. Louis Ruscetta, senior materiel leader with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Bomber Directorate, and we talk about the modernization efforts of the B-52 Stratofortress.

In this episode of Tinker Talks, 2nd Lt. Leyinzca Bihlajama sits down with Maj. Jason Bond of the 964th Airborne Air Control Squadron and Flight Lt. Simon Bracewell, an exchange officer from the Royal Air Force serving in the 552nd Operations Support Squadron, during Red Flag 22-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.