Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus.

In this special two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by Vertical Plus editor-at-large Brent Bundy and Delaware State Police aviation commander Jeff Whitmarsh for a conversation about leadership, trust, and developing a high-performing multi-mission aviation unit.

We break down the foundational frameworks driving excellence, including the pivotal reset that shifted Jeff’s philosophy from authority to consistency. Discover the LEAD model guiding every flight: Lead with integrity, Execute with precision, Aid with compassion, and Defend with courage. Also, learn why Delaware State Police embeds pilots directly into tactical flight officer (TFO) training to ensure seamless cross-mission execution.

Finally, Jeff highlights two transformative programs redefining community engagement and responder wellness. Learn how the Elevate Initiative provides children with disabilities eye-level access to aircraft via custom ramps, and how the Care and Connect program reunites flight crews with surviving patients and families — turning past trauma into closure, while combating first responder burnout. If you care about servant leadership and intentional culture, this two-part series is essential listening.

Thank you to our sponsors Bell, BLR Aerospace and Precision Aviation Group.