“I ended up flying 657 combat missions in two years in that airplane… and I’m just so lucky to be here.” — Win DePoorter
In this episode, U.S. Air Force veteran Win DePoorter takes us inside the cockpit for an extraordinary look at his 28-year military career. From surviving a pioneering supersonic ejection in an F-106 to flying grueling close-air support missions in the A-1 Skyraider over Vietnam, Win shares incredible stories of survival, low-altitude close calls, mid-air mechanical nightmares, and the unbreakable bonds formed in combat.
Join us for an unforgettable episode as U.S. Air Force veteran Win DePoorter sits down to share extraordinary firsthand accounts from his 28-year military career. From surviving an early supersonic ejection in an F-106 Interceptor to flying over 650 combat missions in the A-1 Skyraider, Win gives an authentic, detailed, and often humorous look into the life of a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War.
In this episode, Win discusses:
Flying the A-1 Skyraider: What made this heavy-ordnance piston aircraft ideal for close-air support and Search and Rescue (SAR) missions in Southeast Asia.
Close Calls & Combat Stories: Terrifying low-altitude napalm drops, clipping tree canopy in mid-flight, and landing with a shot-out fuel line in the Delta.
Teaching the Next Generation: Instructing both American and Vietnamese aviators at Hurlburt Field.
The 657th Mission: A hair-raising mechanical emergency on his final combat flight that forced him to unscrew cockpit panels upside-down mid-air just to get his landing gear down.
Camaraderie & Reflection: Deep respect for ground troops, memories with fellow pilots, and his perspective on serving the country.
Don’t miss this rare, deep dive into military aviation history, survival, and the enduring bonds formed in the cockpit.
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