The Pilot Project Podcast

Episode 14: The Support: Combat Support, the CH-146 Griffon and Thomas “Toast” McQueen – Vic

May 23, 2023

Former combat support personnel, Thomas “Toast” McQueen, shares his firsthand experience of losing a close friend in a crash during a training flight. The podcast covers topics such as combat support, recovery from adversity, the preference for glass cockpits in aviation, the importance of calling for help and using personal locator beacons, the challenges of cold weather survival gear, preserving cause factors in accidents, repatriating remains, the origin of the call sign DD Mal, and the significance of sleep and self-monitoring in the aviation industry.

01:08:25

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Episode guests

Thomas “Toast” McQueen

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Quick takeaways

The episode highlights the emotional journey and challenges faced during the recovery and repatriation process.

The podcast delves into the role of a combat support squadron and the necessary skills and knowledge required for successful performance.

The episode emphasizes the importance of seeking support from mental health professionals and the strength of the squadron community in dealing with challenging situations and promoting mental well-being.

Deep dives

The Tragic Accident and Recovery Operation

The podcast episode discusses a tragic accident involving a pilot, Tom McQueen, and the subsequent recovery operation. The episode highlights the impact of the accident on the pilot's friends and colleagues, including the narrator, Vic Weston. Vic describes the emotional journey and the challenges faced during the recovery and repatriation process. The episode emphasizes the importance of honoring the memory of the fallen pilot and finding support within the squadron community.

Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR): Elite Search and Rescue in Hostile Environments

01:21

A Successful and Cost-Free Military Rescue

00:59

Introduction

3min

Aviation: Steam Gauges vs Glass Cockpit

8min

Operational Training Unit (OTU) Course

18min

The Importance of Calling for Help and the Use of Personal Locator Beacons

2min

Tragic Incident and Recovery

8min

Preserving Cause Factors and Emotional Impact

20min

The Origin of the Call Sign DD Mal

3min

The Importance of Sleep and Self-Monitoring

6min

Imagine you are on a training flight and you get a call that there has been a crash. As Combat Support, you respond to the scene to find the worst - the pilot has not survived. After a long day of recovering remains and securing the crash, you find out the person who died was one of your best friends. What would you do? How do you recover? Vic will tell us about this experience firsthand.

Vic was featured in our episode about Phase III Helicopter Training, and while that episode is not 'required listening' before checking this out, we highly recommend it.

Vic is a highly experienced helicopter pilot who has flown Combat Support, done lots of SAR work and currently instructs students on the Phase III Helicopter course. Vic will tell us about Combat Support, about his hardest day, and what it took to recover and thrive through this incredible adversity.

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The Pilot Project Podcast

Episode 14: The Support: Combat Support, the CH-146 Griffon and Thomas “Toast” McQueen – Vic

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Tragic Accident and Recovery Operation

The Role of Combat Support Squadron

The Impact and Resilience of SAR Operations

Importance of Sleep and Self-Monitoring

The Impact of Tragedy and the Importance of Grace

Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR): Elite Search and Rescue in Hostile Environments

A Successful and Cost-Free Military Rescue

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts