
The Afterburn Podcast
Strap in the cockpit as we dive into the stories of the men and women who defend the freedoms we love. From the cockpit of military jets to boots on the ground. The Afterburn Podcast dives into their stories, the planes, and the missions.
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Latest episodes

Jan 27, 2025 • 1h 37min
#124 Lt General (ret) Dan "Razin" Caine | F-16 Air National Guard | 9/11 Scramble | JSOC | CIA
Join host John 'Rain' Waters as he sits down with recently retired Lt. Gen. Dan ‘Razin’ Caine, former Associate Director for Military Affairs at the CIA and F-16 Fighter pilot. In this episode, Lt. Gen. Caine reflects on his incredible journey from flying F-16s in the Air National Guard to leading special operations missions and working at the highest levels of intelligence. Discover untold stories from Desert Storm and SCUD hunts, lessons from the test center in Tucson, and insights on information sharing in the modern joint force
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Jan 10, 2025 • 1h 27min
Bro Chat 17.0
In this episode, Jeff "Vader" Brandon, Jeff "Bender" Page, and John "Rain" Waters rejoin for a fighter pilot "bro chat" to cover various military topics, including the humorous aspects of military life, the complexities of awards and recognition, the hiring and training processes for fighter pilots, the escalation of global conflicts, and the importance of having clear strategic objectives in military operations.
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🛫 Become a Fighter/Bomber/Cargo/Tanker/RPA Pilot 🎯 : http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast 🛫🔺 Aviation & Defense Newsletter - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺✈ Your Pilot Destination E3 Aviation Association: https://bit.ly/E3AviationBecome a Patron, Support the Show, & Gain Exclusive Benefits: https://www.patreon.com/c/theafterburnpodcastSponsors:💉Take Control of Your Health with Whole Body Lab Testing: https://bit.ly/FunctionHealthAfterburn 🩺🥷 Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | https://aura.com/afterburn 14-day free trial

Jan 9, 2025 • 11min
Lowdown 9 Jan | Serbia Gets Chinese Missiles | D.C. Vipers to MD | Saudi Arabia Eyes New 5th-Generation Fighter
🔺 Grab our free newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺
In this week’s episode of The Lowdown, John 'Rain' Waters explores the integration of China’s HQ-22 surface-to-air missile system into Serbia’s air defense. Known as the 'Red Banner,' this advanced missile system is capable of targeting aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles with Mach 6 speed and a range of 62 nautical miles. Discover how the HQ-22 compares to the U.S. Patriot and Russia’s S-300 systems and the implications for NATO as Europe navigates these strategic changes. Plus, updates on global defense news, including Japan’s AMRAAM missile acquisition, the A-10 retirement in Maryland, and advancements in Turkish and Chinese fifth-generation fighters.
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Dec 20, 2024 • 59min
#122 The Taliban Unveiled: Insights from 'Hollywood Gate' | Ibrahim Nash'at
Watch Hollywood Gate at jolt.film/3N97E99
IG: @IbrahimNSHT
IG: @joltfilm | https://www.facebook.com/joltspacefilm
Documentary filmmaker Ibrahim Nash’at joins The Afterburn Podcast to share the extraordinary story behind Hollywood Gate, his harrowing year embedded with the Taliban during their rise to power in Afghanistan. Gain unparalleled insights into the human side of the Taliban, the challenges of capturing history in the making, and the global implications of their return to rule. Don’t miss this candid and gripping conversation about filmmaking, geopolitics, and survival.
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Dec 16, 2024 • 29min
Peaceful Transfer of President Power 🇺🇸 Why Syria Matters 🇸🇾 Why Biden Visited Angola 🇦🇴
“Toad’s” Layman Geopolitics https://laymangeopolitics.substack.com/p/navigating-the-syrian-labyrinth
🔺 Grab our free newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter
In this episode of the Afterburn podcast, the "Flash" McVay hosts "Toad" Williamson and "Zero" Fox. Both "Toad" and "Zero" are intelligence officers and provide their insight into the historical context of presidential transitions, focusing on the implications of power shifts in U.S. history. They explore the current dynamics of the Syrian conflict, highlighting the roles of various factions and international interests. The conversation concludes with an analysis of President Biden's recent trip to Angola, examining its significance in the context of great power competition and resource extraction strategies.
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Dec 13, 2024 • 1h 27min
#121 Chad "Vinny" Vincelette | TOP GUN Fighter Pilot | F-14 & F/A-1
🔺 Lowdown Newsletter your insight into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺
Join John 'Rain' Waters, former Air Force fighter pilot, on The Afterburn Podcast as he sits down with Captain (Ret) Chad "Vinny" Vincelette, a retired Navy F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 fighter pilot, to share his experiences during his time in the U.S. Navy. https://www.victory-strategies.com/vincelette
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-vincelette-7068bb36/
In this gripping episode, Vinny recounts his unforgettable ejection at 20,000 feet during Operation Iraqi Freedom, the challenges of ejecting at night over enemy territory, and how he survived against all odds.
Vinny also dives into:
• The intricacies of naval aviation training and combat missions.
• Life as an F-14 pilot during Operation Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom.
• Transitioning from Tomcats to Super Hornets and the evolution of naval aviation technology.
• Unforgettable moments, including 40-foot sea states and carrier landings at night.
This episode is packed with adrenaline-pumping stories and insights into the life of a naval aviator. Don’t miss this deep dive into the realities of flying, ejecting, and surviving in some of the toughest conditions imaginable.
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Dec 9, 2024 • 18min
A-10 to Leave Overseas | 🇷🇺 Russia Trades S-400🇰🇵 | OA-1K SkyWarden
🔺 Grab our free newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter .
In this week’s episode, we dive into the latest global defense and aviation updates: Turkey’s renewed push for F-35s and its shifting modernization plans, Russia’s experimental Oreshnik missile test, and a closer look at Iran’s Shahed drones fueling modern warfare. We’ll also explore the U.S.-China prisoner swap, the historic first combat sortie of the F-22 Raptor, and more. Tune in for expert analysis and compelling stories from the frontlines of global security.
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Dec 6, 2024 • 1h 24min
#120 Kyle Rempfer | From Combat Controller to Washington Post Journalist
In this episode 120 of the @AfterburnPodcast host John 'Rain' Waters as he sits down with Kyle Rempfer, a former Combat Controller in the U.S. Air Force and current Washington Post journalist. In this episode, Kyle shares his journey from special operations to the newsroom, recounting stories from the battlefield and insights from his journalism career.
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Kyle's Links: https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/kyle-rempfer/
X: https://x.com/kyle_rempfer?lang=en
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Recorded on Riverside.fm https://www.riverside.fm/?via=afterburn
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🛫 Become a Fighter/Bomber/Cargo/Tanker/RPA Pilot 🎯 : http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast 🛫🔺 Aviation & Defense Newsletter - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺✈ Your Pilot Destination E3 Aviation Association: https://bit.ly/E3AviationBecome a Patron, Support the Show, & Gain Exclusive Benefits: https://www.patreon.com/c/theafterburnpodcastSponsors:💉Take Control of Your Health with Whole Body Lab Testing: https://bit.ly/FunctionHealthAfterburn 🩺🥷 Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | https://aura.com/afterburn 14-day free trial

Nov 27, 2024 • 12min
CIA Analyst Captured | DF-26 "Guam Express" | U.S. Authorizes Strike Weapon | Lowdown 27 Nov 24
🔺 Grab our free newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geopolitics - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter .
This conversation covers a range of significant military and geopolitical topics, including the enduring legacy of the B-52 bomber, the emergence of China's DF-26 missile as a strategic threat, the implications of recent espionage cases, the government's handling of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and various global incidents that highlight rising tensions. The discussion emphasizes the interconnectedness of military technology, international relations, and the ongoing challenges faced by defense agencies.
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🛫 Become a Fighter/Bomber/Cargo/Tanker/RPA Pilot 🎯 : http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast 🛫🔺 Aviation & Defense Newsletter - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺✈ Your Pilot Destination E3 Aviation Association: https://bit.ly/E3AviationBecome a Patron, Support the Show, & Gain Exclusive Benefits: https://www.patreon.com/c/theafterburnpodcastSponsors:💉Take Control of Your Health with Whole Body Lab Testing: https://bit.ly/FunctionHealthAfterburn 🩺🥷 Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | https://aura.com/afterburn 14-day free trial

Nov 15, 2024 • 12min
Su-57 gets Roasted | J-35 Appearance | 737 Cargo Fire Lowdown 15 Nov 2024
Su-57 Mocked By Chinese Airshow Attendees: https://youtu.be/J_w2JttD944
Free Lowdown newsletter for insights into aviation and defense: https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter
In this episode of The Lowdown, we dive into the latest military aviation and geopolitical developments. We discuss the Su-57 or rather the T-50 that made an appearance in China, the new Chinese J-35, a cargo fire on a 737 and more.
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🛫 Become a Fighter/Bomber/Cargo/Tanker/RPA Pilot 🎯 : http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast 🛫🔺 Aviation & Defense Newsletter - https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter 🔺✈ Your Pilot Destination E3 Aviation Association: https://bit.ly/E3AviationBecome a Patron, Support the Show, & Gain Exclusive Benefits: https://www.patreon.com/c/theafterburnpodcastSponsors:💉Take Control of Your Health with Whole Body Lab Testing: https://bit.ly/FunctionHealthAfterburn 🩺🥷 Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | https://aura.com/afterburn 14-day free trial
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