Best Rescue Helicopter Operations Podcasts (2025)

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#243 Steve Robinson - What If China’s Secret Weapon Was Sold at Your Local Gas Station? 2:38:17

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3d ago2:38:17

2:38:17

Steven Robinson, Editor-in-Chief of the Maine Wire, leads New England’s fastest-growing digital media outlet focused on exposing political corruption and organized crime across local, state, and regional levels. A native of Dexter, Maine, and Bowdoin College graduate in political philosophy, he previously worked at Regnery Publishing, produced the …

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Episode 245: Darell “Top Fin” Gelakoska, United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #281 2:02:44

4d ago2:02:44

2:02:44

In this engaging episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn is joined by Darell “Top Fin” Gelakoska, United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #281, whose remarkable career is now captured in the memoir TOP FIN: Tales of Courage and Chaos from a Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer written by fellow Rescue Swimmer #122, George Cavallo. Together, we ex…

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Episode 33 - Complex Care, Clear Skies: Behind Boston MedFlight’s Most Challenging Cases Part 1 45:20

4d ago45:20

45:20

By Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider

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Episode #147 - Building Safer Skies with TOPS: Christopher Young - The Helicopter Podcast 1:06:43

5d ago1:06:43

1:06:43

By Halsey Schider

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Episode 72: The LIFT: Lead-In Fighter Training in Italy and flying the CF-18 Hornet and the T-346 Master Part 2 - Brian "Humza" Kilroy 1:00:08

5d ago1:00:08

1:00:08

By Bryan Morrison

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#242 Pete Scobell - SEAL Team 6 Operator Breaks Down the Hostage Rescue of Captain Phillips 7:59:12

6d ago7:59:12

7:59:12

Pete Scobell is a former U.S. Navy SEAL Lieutenant with 17 years of service, including six combat deployments, best known as the real-life member of the SEAL team that rescued Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates in 2009, inspiring the film Captain Phillips. Scobell served in the United States Navy as both an enlisted and officer in the SEA…

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#241 Ruslan KD - Ex-Atheist Breaks Down Israel, End Times & Why 48% of Gen Z is Jesus Curious 2:45:49

10d ago2:45:49

2:45:49

Ruslan Karaoglanov, known professionally as Ruslan KD, is a Christian hip-hop artist, entrepreneur, podcaster, and influencer of Armenian descent. Born in Baku, Azerbaijan, to Armenian parents, he immigrated to the U.S. as a child in 1990 to escape anti-Armenian pogroms, a harrowing journey that included dramatic escapes. A refugee who embraced Chr…

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Episode 244: Javier Lozano, Pilot from Spain and recipient of Vertical Valor - Blades of Valor Award 44:08

11d ago44:08

44:08

In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn sits down with Javier Lozano, from Avincis, decorated Spanish Air Force pilot and commander of Valencia’s maritime rescue helicopter unit. Lozano and his crew earned the Vertical Valor Blades of Valor recognition for their involvement with the Valencia floods. A night rescue carried out in …

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Episode 32 - Blades of Valor: Resilience and Recovery after Tragedy 1:20:10

11d ago1:20:10

1:20:10

Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor magazine. In this episode, we sit down with flight nurse Danica Mainridge—a clinician whose story is as inspiring as it is unforgettable. From her path into critical care to the day everything changed in the aftermath of her com…

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Episode #146 - Human Factors in High Stakes: Ken Wylie - The Helicopter Podcast 1:14:40

12d ago1:14:40

1:14:40

Send us a text Welcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! In this captivating episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Ken Wylie, an International Certified Mountain Guide and author of Buried. Unlike typical guests, Ken’s expertise lies not in aviation but in mountaineering, where he has dedicat…

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Episode 71: The LIFT: Lead-In Fighter Training in Italy and flying the CF-18 Hornet and the T-346 Master Part 1 - Brian "Humza" Kilroy 1:12:49

12d ago1:12:49

1:12:49

Ever wondered what it takes to become a Canadian fighter pilot? Today we chat with Major Brian “Humza” Kilroy, a CF-18 Hornet pilot and instructor on the T-346 Master at Italy’s International Flight Training School. Brian takes us through his journey from growing up in Alberta and joining the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, to earning his RCAF pilot win…

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#240 Dr. David Fajgenbaum - Can AI Find Cures to Rare Diseases Using Existing Medicine? 1:41:21

13d ago1:41:21

1:41:21

Dr. David Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MSc, is a pioneering physician-scientist, tenured professor at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and national bestselling author who transformed his personal battle with the rare, deadly Castleman disease into a global mission to accelerate cures for humanity's 12,000 known diseases. D…

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#239 Dan Driscoll - U.S. Secretary of the Army 2:29:12

17d ago2:29:12

2:29:12

Daniel P. Driscoll is the 26th Secretary of the Army, sworn in on February 25th, 2025, following his nomination by President Donald J. Trump and confirmation by the United States Senate. As Secretary of the Army, he oversees operations, modernization, and resource allocation for nearly one million Active, Guard, and Reserve Soldiers and more than 2…

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Episode 243: Kurt Revels U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #243 2:44:20

17d ago2:44:20

2:44:20

In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn records in person with Kurt Revels, United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #243. Revels takes us through his journey from the grueling days of Rescue Swimmer School to the intensity of real-world missions across multiple duty stations, including Chicago-Illinois, Mobile-Alabama, Kodiak-Al…

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Episode 31 - The Evolution of Public Safety Aviation with Leonardo Helicopters Part 2 52:49

18d ago52:49

52:49

Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine. In this episode, we are joined by Mike Bucari and Sam Schaab from Leonardo Helicopters for a forward-looking conversation about the evolution of air medical services and the aircraft that make lifesaving missions possi…

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Episode 70: The Rescue: Air Tindi crash survivors in the NWT – Conducting a CC-130H Hercules rescue, Part 2 – Jason Shaw & Vincent C-Benoit 1:12:33

19d ago1:12:33

1:12:33

When a Twin Otter crashed north of Yellowknife in December 2023, a Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130 Hercules crew from 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron leapt into action. In this gripping episode of the Pilot Project Podcast, we talk with aircraft commander Jason Shaw and Search and Rescue Technician (SAR Tech) Vincent C. Benoit about the night SAR…

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Episode #145 - Blades of Valor: Lee Benson - Vietnam to FireHawks - The Helicopter Podcast 1:03:44

19d ago1:03:44

1:03:44

Send us a text Welcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! In this gripping episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Lee Benson, a 2025 MHM Blades of Valor Award recipient, whose 15,000-plus hours as a helicopter pilot have left an indelible mark on the industry. From his early days as a Vietnam W…

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#238 Sriram Krishnan - Senior White House Policy Advisor for AI 4:52:57

20d ago4:52:57

4:52:57

Sriram Krishnan is an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and former senior product leader at tech giants like Microsoft, Facebook, Twitter (now X), and Snap. Born in Chennai, India, he began his career at Microsoft before moving to Silicon Valley, where he contributed to product development at leading companies and later transitioned to venture capi…

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Episode 242: US Coast Guard Crew in Action - Nine Lives Saved in Two Weeks 1:07:21

23d ago1:07:21

1:07:21

In this gripping episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn sits down with the crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater to recount an unforgettable two-week deployment out of Great Inagua, Bahamas—a mission set that tested their skills, resourcefulness, and endurance. Within just 17 hours, the crew rescued eight lives across two separat…

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#237 Steven Rinella - Founder of MeatEater 2:24:35

24d ago2:24:35

2:24:35

Steven Rinella is an American outdoorsman, writer, and television host, best known for promoting ethical hunting, wildlife conservation, and field-to-table cooking. He is the founder of MeatEater, Inc., a company that produces hunting, fishing, and outdoor lifestyle content across multiple platforms, including television, podcasts, and digital medi…

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Episode 30 - The Evolution of Public Safety Aviation with Leonardo Helicopters Part 1 54:28

25d ago54:28

54:28

Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine. In this episode, we are joined by Mike Bucari and Sam Schaab from Leonardo Helicopters for a forward-looking conversation about the evolution of air medical services and the aircraft that make lifesaving missions possi…

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Episode 69: The Rescue: Air Tindi crash survivors in the NWT – Conducting a CC-130H Hercules rescue, Part 1 – Jason Shaw & Vincent C-Benoit 1:16:20

26d ago1:16:20

1:16:20

In this first installment of The Rescue, Captain Jason Shaw and Sergeant Vincent C-Benoit of 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron take us inside the world of Canadian search and rescue operations. From their early days in the Canadian Army and Air Force - including deployments to Afghanistan and Bosnia - to the rigorous training pipeline for pilots an…

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Episode #144 - Operation Helo - Hope in a Crisis: Eric Robinson - The Helicopter Podcast 1:04:39

26d ago1:04:39

1:04:39

Send us a text Welcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! In this inspiring episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Eric Robinson, recipient of the Blades of Valor Award and the driving force behind Operation Helo, a nonprofit that mobilized civilian helicopters for disaster relief during Hurric…

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#236 Dr. Diane Hennacy - From 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 30: Why Autism Is Rising Faster Than Ever 3:46:51

27d ago3:46:51

3:46:51

Dr. Diane Hennacy is a Johns Hopkins-trained neuropsychiatrist, author, public speaker, and independent researcher exploring the intersection of science, consciousness, and anomalous phenomena like telepathy and psychic abilities. With over 30 years of clinical experience, she has served on the faculty at Harvard Medical School and participated in …

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#235 John "Tig" Tiegen - 13th Anniversary of the Benghazi Attacks 3:45:00

1M ago3:45:00

3:45:00

John “Tig” Tiegen is a former U.S. Marine Sergeant and security contractor renowned for his heroic actions during the 2012 Benghazi attacks. Serving with the CIA's Global Response Staff, Tiegen was part of the elite team that defended the U.S. diplomatic compound and CIA Annex against militant assaults on September 11, 2012, saving numerous lives o…

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Episode 241: Moose Mutlow - Yosemite Search and Rescue team 1:35:50

1M ago1:35:50

1:35:50

In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn sits down with Moose Mutlow, lead trainer for the Yosemite Search and Rescue team and author of two books. Mutlow takes us through his incredible journey — from the Lake District in England to rescue missions around the world — sharing decades of wisdom earned in some of the toughest enviro…

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Episode 29 Voices Behind the Mission: a Communication Specialist Perspective 1:22:54

1M ago1:22:54

1:22:54

Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine. In this episode of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosts Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider sit down with communication specialists Carissima Collins and Toya Jones to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes of the air medica…

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Episode 68: The Counter-Drug Ops: Flying SAR and counter-narcotics missions in the Caribbean and flying the De Havilland Dash 8 for PAL Part 3 - Pat Lalande, Trevor Juby 52:12

1M ago52:12

52:12

Counter-Drug and Search and Rescue Aviation in the Caribbean with PAL Aerospace What is it like to fly counter-drug interdiction and Search and Rescue missions in the Caribbean? What does it take to qualify for this demanding aviation work, and how do crews prepare to execute missions as part of Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-South)? In …

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Episode #143 - HealthNet’s Legacy of Compassion: Clinton Burley - The Helicopter Podcast 1:06:06

1M ago1:06:06

1:06:06

Send us a text Welcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Clinton Burley, President and CEO of HealthNet Aeromedical Services, a cornerstone of critical care transport in West Virginia. Starting as a flight paramedic in 1986, Clinton shares his jou…

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#234 Jared Isaacman - Will China Trigger the Next Sputnik Moment for NASA? 3:00:10

1M ago3:00:10

3:00:10

Jared Isaacman is an American billionaire entrepreneur, pilot, and commercial astronaut. He founded Shift4 Payments in 1999 at age 16, growing it into a leading integrated payment processing company that went public in 2020, handling transactions for a third of U.S. restaurants and hotels. An accomplished aviator with over 7,000 flight hours, Isaac…

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#233 Nathan Apffel - Inside the Dark World of Megachurches and Corrupt Pastors 2:50:07

1M ago2:50:07

2:50:07

Nathan Apffel is a Christian, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and director of The Religion Business, a multi-part docuseries that exposes the financial practices and lack of accountability in Western religion, particularly Christianity. Drawing from personal experiences with church scandals and abuse, Apffel investigates how religious institutions accumul…

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Spotlight - Switlik Survival Products 1:06:15

1M ago1:06:15

1:06:15

In this Spotlight episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn visits Switlik Survival Products’ headquarters in Trenton, NJ for an on-site interview with Sarah Switlik, fourth-generation president, and Paul Arnold, Director of Commercial Sales. Together, they explore Switlik’s remarkable 105-year legacy, rooted in the vision of Stanley Switl…

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Episode 28 - Halsey & Valor Flight Crew: Inside the World of Air Medical Rescue 1:05:19

1M ago1:05:19

1:05:19

Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine. In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with Blake Shrider and Mike Fadale from the Valor Flight Crew Podcast for an inside look at the demanding world of air medical services. Together…

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#232 John Rich - Big & Rich Country Star Performs Unreleased Song LIVE 4:29:36

1M ago4:29:36

4:29:36

John Rich is an American country music singer-songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur. He first gained prominence as a bassist and vocalist in the band Lonestar from 1992 to 1998, contributing to hits like "Amazed." In 1998, he co-founded the duo Big & Rich with Big Kenny Alphin, achieving multi-platinum success with albums like Horse of a Di…

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Episode #142 - Hydrogen Powered Helicopters: Dr. Anita Sengupta - The Helicopter Podcast 1:05:07

1M ago1:05:07

1:05:07

Send us a text Welcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Dr. Anita Sengupta, an aerospace engineer and founder of Hydroplane, who is revolutionizing aviation with hydrogen fuel cell propulsion. With a PhD in electric propulsion and 16 years at NAS…

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Episode 67: The Counter-Drug Ops: Flying SAR and counter-narcotics missions in the Caribbean and flying the De Havilland Dash 8 for PAL Part 2 - Pat Lalande, Trevor Juby 53:58

1M ago53:58

53:58

RCAF to Counter-Drug and Search & Rescue Missions in the Caribbean What is it like to fly long-range patrol missions in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), face close calls in high-stakes operations, and then transition to counter-drug and Search and Rescue (SAR) missions in the Caribbean? How do Canadian military pilots prepare for this demanding…

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#231 Gerard Barron - CIA Project Azorian & Deep Sea Mining That Could Change the World 1:47:20

1M ago1:47:20

1:47:20

Gerard Barron, born in Queensland, Australia, is the Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of The Metals Company, a position he has held since 2017. A seasoned entrepreneur with a track record in battery technology, media, and future-oriented resource development, Barron leads the company's efforts to harvest polymetallic nodules from the deep ocean floor,…

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Episode 240: Into the Canyon: A Harrowing Rescue with Pinal County Sheriff’s Office 46:47

1M ago46:47

46:47

In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn is joined by members of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team as they recount a harrowing mission to save a missing girl who had fallen into a canyon. The team walks us through the preparation, execution, and challenges of the rescue, offering a firsthand look at the comp…

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Episode 27 - Both Sides of the Skids: A HEMS Evolution from Provider to Patient Part 2 58:17

2M ago58:17

58:17

Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine. In this episode, hosts Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider sit down with someone who brings a rare and powerful perspective to the table—Jason Bazelow, a seasoned helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) provider whose j…

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Episode 66: The Counter-Drug Ops: Flying SAR and counter-narcotics missions in the Caribbean and flying the De Havilland Dash 8 for PAL Part 1 - Pat Lalande, Trevor Juby 1:09:29

2M ago1:09:29

1:09:29

From RCAF Patrol Missions to Counter-Drug and SAR Operations in the Caribbean What kinds of missions do a long-range patrol sensor operator and crew commander face in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)? What challenges and close calls have they experienced, and how did those skills carry over into high-stakes counter-narcotics and Search and Rescu…

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Episode #141 Valor Flight Crew: Blake & Mike on Medevac Heroes - The Helicopter Podcast 1:04:51

2M ago1:04:51

1:04:51

Send us a text Welcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! Fadale, hosts of the Vertical Valor Flight Crew Podcast on the Helicast platform. Both seasoned professionals with over a decade each of air medical experience, they share exciting stories from critical medevac missions throughout their careers. They explore the…

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#230 Keith Stansell - Operation Jacque & Surviving FARC Captivity 4:56:19

2M ago4:56:19

4:56:19

Keith Stansell is a former U.S. Marine and Northrop Grumman employee who was captured by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on February 13, 2003, after his surveillance plane crashed in the Colombian jungle during an anti-narcotics mission. Held hostage for 1,967 days alongside contractors Marc Gonsalves and Thomas Howes, Stansell en…

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Episode 239: From Old-School Tracking to High-Tech Helicopter Missions; Jeff Love — Pinal County Sheriff Office SAR Pilot, Hoist Operator & Rescue Specialist 1:26:42

2M ago1:26:42

1:26:42

In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn speaks with Jeff Love from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office search-and-rescue team. Love shares his extensive experience in Arizona search-and-rescue, from his first missions to today’s more complex operations. He emphasizes the critical role of teamwork, medical training, and tracking ski…

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#229 AJ Gentile - Creator & Host of The Why Files 3:46:41

2M ago3:46:41

3:46:41

AJ Gentile is an American producer, writer, actor, and YouTube personality best known as the creator, host, and writer of "The Why Files," a channel that delves into conspiracy theories, mysteries, and unexplained phenomena with engaging storytelling and a skeptical lens. Before gaining fame on YouTube, Gentile worked in Hollywood as a producer and…

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Episode 26 - Both Sides of the Skids: A HEMS Evolution from Provider to Patient Part 1 1:02:29

2M ago1:02:29

1:02:29

Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine. In this episode, hosts Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider sit down with someone who brings a rare and powerful perspective to the table—Jason Bazelow, a seasoned helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) provider whose j…

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Episode #140 - Helicopter Rescue Missions: Jason Quinn - The Helicopter Podcast 1:08:41

2M ago1:08:41

1:08:41

Send us a text Welcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Jason Quinn, former U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer and host of The Real ResQ Podcast. Jason shares his journey from a high school graduate inspired by his uncle’s Coast Guard service to bec…

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#228 David Rutherford - Navy SEAL & CIA Contractor 7:20:23

2M ago7:20:23

7:20:23

David Rutherford is an internationally known motivational speaker, best-selling author, world-championship performance coach, and award-winning podcast host. He is also a former Navy SEAL Medic and Instructor who served for eight years in the NSW community. After his honorable discharge from the Teams, he went to work for Blackwater as an internati…

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#227 Henry Dick Thompson - MACV-SOG Operator, Codename "Dynamite" 4:23:46

2M ago4:23:46

4:23:46

Henry L. (Dick) Thompson, Ph.D., is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and legendary MACV-SOG operator known by the codename "Dynamite." Serving as a recon team leader from 1968 to 1970, he led over 20 high-risk black operations deep into enemy territory in Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam during the Vietnam War's secret campaigns, earning a r…

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Episode 238: High Stakes and Cold Cases—William Boudreau & Kevin Bronson on New Hampshire Fish and Game’s Rescue Frontlines 1:47:11

2M ago1:47:11

1:47:11

In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by William Boudreau and Kevin Bronson from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Recorded live at their Keene, NH office, the episode dives into how both Boudreau and Bronson earned their place among the state’s elite Search and Rescue professionals. We get a first-hand look at the …

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Episode 25 - Lifelong Learning in the Skies: Education for Flight Clinicians Part II 1:14:57

2M ago1:14:57

1:14:57

Welcome to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine. In this episode of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosts Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider sit down with helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) education leaders Alan Wolfe and Christian Greengrass to examine the ever-chan…