In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Robert “OV” Oyarvide, a retired U.S. Air Force jet mechanic whose career spanned the Cold War, Desert Storm, and multiple deployments across Europe and the Middle East.

From maintaining F-111s, F-5 aggressors, U-2s, A-10s, and F-16s to training pilots during the Soviet threat, OV shares an inside look at the aircraft, missions, and dangers faced by the crews who kept America’s fighters in the air.

🌟 Topics Covered:
✈️ Volunteering for Desert Storm and serving at King Khalid Military City
🔥 Experiencing Scud, rocket, and mortar attacks on the ground
🛠️ Working as a jet mechanic on some of the Air Force’s most iconic aircraft
🎯 Training NATO and U.S. pilots to fight Soviet-style tactics during the Cold War
🇮🇶 Multiple tours supporting operations in Iraq near Baghdad
🤝 The unique bond between crew chiefs and their pilots
💡 Career lessons, discipline, and advice for the next generation

This is more than the story of a mechanic — it’s the story of a man who kept fighters battle-ready, trained future leaders, and served through decades of global conflict.

If you enjoy real stories of sacrifice, aviation, and service, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

🔔 Don’t forget to turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Colonel Tom Oatmeyer, a U.S. Air Force veteran whose 30-year career took him from the skies over Vietnam to the rebuilding of Homestead Air Force Base after Hurricane Andrew.

From flying F-4 Phantoms over Southeast Asia to piloting F-16 Fighting Falcons during the 1980s and ’90s, Oatmeyer’s story is one of dedication, resilience, and a lifetime in the cockpit. He reflects on his combat missions, his survival of personal loss, his leadership during historic moments, and the legacy of service passed down through generations of his family.

🌟 Topics Covered:

✈️ Flying the F-4 Phantom during the Vietnam War

🛩️ Transitioning to the F-16 and 25 years in the cockpit

🔥 Losing everything in a fire and finding meaning beyond material things

🏠 Rebuilding Homestead Air Force Base after Hurricane Andrew

🦅 Bringing Strategic Air Command into Air Combat Command

👨‍👩‍👧 Family, faith, and the next generation of pilots

💡 Life lessons on leadership, service, and embracing challenges

This isn’t just the story of a pilot — it’s the story of a man who made history across three decades of service, both in the air and on the ground.

If you enjoy stories of courage, aviation, and legacy, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

🔔 Don’t forget to turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Jim Loretta, a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Vietnam War.

Born in Mexico to American parents, Jim shares his journey from college to the draft, his time with the 20th Engineer Group in the Mekong Delta, and the challenges of serving during one of the most divisive times in American history. From surviving a helicopter crash to witnessing the Vietnamization process and the difficult return home, his story captures both courage and heartbreak.

🌟 Topics Covered:
🇺🇸 Joining the U.S. Army during the Vietnam draft era
🪖 Serving with the 20th Engineer Group in the Mekong Delta
🚁 Surviving a helicopter crash near Saigon
🎖️ Artifacts from his service — medals, patches, and uniforms
💬 Reflections on the political tensions and public protests of the era
💡 His advice to future generations about service, freedom, and unity

This is more than a war story—it’s a testament to sacrifice, resilience, and the lasting cost of freedom.

If you enjoy stories of history, service, and patriotism, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

🔔 Don’t forget to turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!