Welcome to the Fighter Pilots’ Guide to Living. Today’s guest is retired Commander Jim 'Puck' Howe, whose distinguished aviation career included over 3,800 flying hours in the F-14 Tomcat and F-18 Hornet.In the third of four episodes about his time flying for the Navy, Puck talks about the immediate impact that 9/11 had on his flying career, and his participation in Task Force 20, the secretive first foray into Iraq.About Puck:Commander Howe was born in Grove City, PA. He graduatedfrom the United States Naval Academy in 1989, earning his B.S. inGeneral Engineering. After selecting Tomcats following flight school,CDR Howe flew with VF-32, VF-101, VF-2, SFWSL, and VF/A-31.He is a graduate of the Strike Fighters Tactics Instructor (TOPGUN)course taught at the Naval Strike and Aviation Warfare Center(NSAWC), as well as the Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI)course taught at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics SquadronONE (MAWTS-1).About the hosts:Mitch 'TACO' Parmentier has 16 years of experience with the F/A-18 Super Hornet as a Weapons System Operator (WSO). He has a longstanding love of aviation and history that he brings to the podcast.Beth Bailey was raised by F-14 Radar Intercept Officer Glen 'Wheels' Wheless and grew up around aviators and their unique brand of storytelling for most of her childhood. Beth worked in support of Afghanistan operations as a civilian intelligence analyst for the Department of the Army between 2010 and 2013. She is a freelance contributor to Fox News Digital and the Washington Examiner, and host of The Afghanistan Project Podcast.

Welcome to Cowboy Time at the Fighter Pilots’ Guide to Living. Today, Mitch 'TACO' Parmentier and Beth Bailey discuss the story that gives the podcast its name.

We talk about John 'Yogi' Graham and the lore of aviation culture. To conclude, Beth reads 'The Fighter Pilots' Guide to Living' in full.Calling all aviators - if you've got stories to share and can spin a good yarn about time spent in the cockpit of any platform (fighter or otherwise) we want to host you. Please reach out to bwbailey85@gmail.com

Find the original 'The Fighter Pilots' Guide to Living' here: https://bwbailey85.medium.com/the-fighter-pilots-guide-to-living-48e044fdb435

About the hosts:Mitch 'TACO' Parmentier has 16 years of experience with the F/A-18 Super Hornet as a Weapons System Operator (WSO). He has a longstanding love of aviation and history that he brings to the podcast.Beth Bailey was raised by an F-14 RIO, which shaped the course of her life in a massive way. She worked in support of Afghanistan operations as a civilian intelligence analyst for the Department of the Army between 2010 and 2013. She is a freelance contributor to Fox News Digital and the Washington Examiner, and host of The Afghanistan Project Podcast. Follow Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on X: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/

Welcome to the Fighter Pilots’ Guide to Living. Today’s guest is retired Commander Jim 'Puck' Howe, whose distinguished aviation career included over 3,800 flying hours in the F-14 Tomcat and F-18 Hornet.In the second of four episodes about his time flying for the Navy, Puck talks about his time at VF-32 and his attendance at the TOPGUN and MAWTS-1 courses. About Puck:Commander Howe was born in Grove City, PA. He graduatedfrom the United States Naval Academy in 1989, earning his B.S. inGeneral Engineering. After selecting Tomcats following flight school,CDR Howe flew with VF-32, VF-101, VF-2, SFWSL, and VF/A-31.He is a graduate of the Strike Fighters Tactics Instructor (TOPGUN)course taught at the Naval Strike and Aviation Warfare Center(NSAWC), as well as the Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI)course taught at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics SquadronONE (MAWTS-1).About the hosts:Mitch 'TACO' Parmentier has 16 years of experience with the F/A-18 Super Hornet as a Weapons System Operator (WSO). He has a longstanding love of aviation and history that he brings to the podcast.Beth Bailey was raised by F-14 Radar Intercept Officer Glen 'Wheels' Wheless and grew up around aviators and their unique brand of storytelling for most of her childhood. Beth worked in support of Afghanistan operations as a civilian intelligence analyst for the Department of the Army between 2010 and 2013. She is a freelance contributor to Fox News Digital and the Washington Examiner, and host of The Afghanistan Project Podcast.

Welcome to the Fighter Pilots’ Guide to Living. Today’s guest is retired Commander Jim 'Puck' Howe, whose distinguished aviation career included over 3,800 flying hours in the F-14 Tomcat and F-18 Hornet.In one of four episodes about his time flying for the Navy, Puck talks about his lengthy training process to become a fighter pilot, his time at the RAG, and his assignment to VF-32. About Puck:Commander Howe was born in Grove City, PA. He graduatedfrom the United States Naval Academy in 1989, earning his B.S. in General Engineering. After selecting Tomcats following flight school, CDR Howe flew with VF-32, VF-101, VF-2, SFWSL, and VF/A-31. He is a graduate of the Strike Fighters Tactics Instructor (TOPGUN) course taught at the Naval Strike and Aviation Warfare Center (NSAWC), as well as the Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course taught at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron ONE (MAWTS-1).About the hosts:Mitch 'TACO' Parmentier has 16 years of experience with the F/A-18 Super Hornet as a Weapons System Operator (WSO). He has a longstanding love of aviation and history that he brings to the podcast.Beth Bailey was raised by F-14 Radar Intercept Officer Glen 'Wheels' Wheless and grew up around aviators and their unique brand of storytelling for most of her childhood. Beth worked in support of Afghanistan operations as a civilian intelligence analyst for the Department of the Army between 2010 and 2013. She is a freelance contributor to Fox News Digital and the Washington Examiner, and host of The Afghanistan Project Podcast.

Welcome to the Fighter Pilots’ Guide to Living. Today’s guest is retired U.S. Navy Captain Roe 'Skid' Massey, who flew a combined 4,500 hours in the F-14 Tomcat and F-18 Hornet.In the final of three episodes about his career in naval aviation, Roe talks about attending the U.S. Naval War College, then returning to command of the RAG.

Roe then discusses two tours as Skipper, first of VF-241, then of VF-103 as it transitioned from the Sluggers to the Jolly Rogers. Following two CAG tours, Roe talks about his transition out of the U.S. Navy, and the lessons he took away from his time flying fighter aircraft.About Skid:After graduating high school at Gallatin High School in 1975, Captain Roe Massey graduated MTSU, with a degree in Aerospace Administration, completed Naval Flight Training and was selected for F-14 Tomcats in Virginia Beach, VA. As a junior officer, Roe was an F-14 Instructor, Carrier Qualification Phase Leader, and a graduate of the Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). He served as CVW-17 Landing Signals Officer (LSO) followed by COMNAVAIRLANT LSO. He received his Masters Degree in International Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. Following his tour as Commanding Officer of 2 F-14 Squadrons, he was assigned as the Head Aviation Officer Detailer in Memphis, TN, responsible for the duty assignments of approximately 13,000 Naval Aviation Officers. After promotion to Captain, he was selected for Carrier Air Wing Commander 17, located in Virginia Beach, flying the F-14 Tomcat and F-18 Hornet, and was responsible for 10 squadrons, approximately 80 aircraft and 1800 personnel. Following his tour as Carrier Air Wing Commander in Virginia Beach, VA., he was subsequently assigned a second duty assignment as Carrier Wing Commander 9, in Lemoore, CA. He has flown over 4500 hours in fighter aircraft, has been on 8 extended deployments, and achieved over 1300 carrier arrested landings. He is married to Ruth Martindale Massey of Murfreesboro, and they have 2 wonderful children, Will and Ryan, and 4 beautiful grandchildren.About the hosts:Mitch 'TACO' Parmentier has 16 years of experience with the F/A-18 Super Hornet as a Weapons System Operator (WSO). He has a longstanding love of aviation and history that he brings to the podcast.Beth Bailey was raised by F-14 Radar Intercept Officer Glen 'Wheels' Wheless and grew up around aviators and their unique brand of storytelling for most of her childhood. Beth worked in support of Afghanistan operations as a civilian intelligence analyst for the Department of the Army between 2010 and 2013. She is a freelance contributor to Fox News Digital and the Washington Examiner, and host of The Afghanistan Project Podcast.

Welcome to the Fighter Pilots’ Guide to Living. Today’s guest is retired U.S. Navy Captain Roe 'Skid' Massey, who flew a combined 4,500 hours in the F-14 Tomcat and F-18 Hornet.In the second of three episodes about his career in naval aviation, Roe talks about the relationship he had with Joe 'Hoser' Satrapa while assigned to the RAG, and being given the choice following his assignment at the RAG to be the Tomcat demo pilot or to attend TOPGUN.

Choosing the latter, Roe talks about the TOPGUN curriculum, and about a subsequent tour as CAG LSO. During a deployment to the Red Sea, Roe talks about how Operation Desert Storm kicked off, extending his deployment.

To conclude the episode, Roe talks about the decision to begin dropping bombs with the Tomcat, Dale 'Snort' Snodgrass' role in upgrades to the big fighter, and his preferences for flying the Hornet vs. the Tomcat.About Skid:After graduating high school at Gallatin High School in 1975, Captain Roe Massey graduated MTSU, with a degree in Aerospace Administration, completed Naval Flight Training and was selected for F-14 Tomcats in Virginia Beach, VA. As a junior officer, Roe was an F-14 Instructor, Carrier Qualification Phase Leader, and a graduate of the Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). He served as CVW-17 Landing Signals Officer (LSO) followed by COMNAVAIRLANT LSO. He received his Masters Degree in International Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. Following his tour as Commanding Officer of 2 F-14 Squadrons, he was assigned as the Head Aviation Officer Detailer in Memphis, TN, responsible for the duty assignments of approximately 13,000 Naval Aviation Officers. After promotion to Captain, he was selected for Carrier Air Wing Commander 17, located in Virginia Beach, flying the F-14 Tomcat and F-18 Hornet, and was responsible for 10 squadrons, approximately 80 aircraft and 1800 personnel. Following his tour as Carrier Air Wing Commander in Virginia Beach, VA., he was subsequently assigned a second duty assignment as Carrier Wing Commander 9, in Lemoore, CA. He has flown over 4500 hours in fighter aircraft, has been on 8 extended deployments, and achieved over 1300 carrier arrested landings. He is married to Ruth Martindale Massey of Murfreesboro, and they have 2 wonderful children, Will and Ryan, and 4 beautiful grandchildren.About the hosts:Mitch 'TACO' Parmentier has 16 years of experience with the F/A-18 Super Hornet as a Weapons System Operator (WSO). He has a longstanding love of aviation and history that he brings to the podcast.Beth Bailey was raised by F-14 Radar Intercept Officer Glen 'Wheels' Wheless and grew up around aviators and their unique brand of storytelling for most of her childhood. Beth worked in support of Afghanistan operations as a civilian intelligence analyst for the Department of the Army between 2010 and 2013. She is a freelance contributor to Fox News Digital and the Washington Examiner, and host of The Afghanistan Project Podcast.

Welcome to the Fighter Pilots’ Guide to Living. Today’s guest is retired Captain Roe 'Skid' Massey, who flew a combined 4,500 hours in the F-14 Tomcat and F-18 Hornet.

In one of three episodes about his career in naval aviation, Roe talks about his early flying career, and two deployments with VF-103.

In the latter deployment, Roe was one of two Tomcats that intercepted the Egypt Air flight hijacked by four Palestinian Liberation Front terrorists who had overtaken the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro and killed Jewish-American passenger Leon Klinghoffer.

Roe discusses being sent on the mission to intercept the 737 with no prior information about what his mission would entail. After intercepting the aircraft, the 737 was physically diverted to Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy.

Roe discusses the remainder of his second deployment with the Sluggers, and a subsequent assigned to VF-101, the RAG in Oceana.

About Skid:

After graduating high school at Gallatin High School in 1975, Captain Roe Massey graduated MTSU, with a degree in Aerospace Administration, completed Naval Flight Training and was selected for F-14 Tomcats in Virginia Beach, VA. As a junior officer, Roe was an F-14 Instructor, Carrier Qualification Phase Leader, and a graduate of the Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). He served as CVW-17 Landing Signals Officer (LSO) followed by COMNAVAIRLANT LSO. He received his Masters Degree in International Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. Following his tour as Commanding Officer of 2 F-14 Squadrons, he was assigned as the Head Aviation Officer Detailer in Memphis, TN, responsible for the duty assignments of approximately 13,000 Naval Aviation Officers. After promotion to Captain, he was selected for Carrier Air Wing Commander 17, located in Virginia Beach, flying the F-14 Tomcat and F-18 Hornet, and was responsible for 10 squadrons, approximately 80 aircraft and 1800 personnel. Following his tour as Carrier Air Wing Commander in Virginia Beach, VA., he was subsequently assigned a second duty assignment as Carrier Wing Commander 9, in Lemoore, CA. He has flown over 4500 hours in fighter aircraft, has been on 8 extended deployments, and achieved over 1300 carrier arrested landings. He is married to Ruth Martindale Massey of Murfreesboro, and they have 2 wonderful children, Will and Ryan, and 4 beautiful grandchildren.About the hosts:Mitch 'TACO' Parmentier has 16 years of experience with the F/A-18 Super Hornet as a Weapons System Operator (WSO). He has a longstanding love of aviation and history that he brings to the podcast.Beth Bailey was raised by F-14 Radar Intercept Officer Glen 'Wheels' Wheless and grew up around aviators and their unique brand of storytelling for most of her childhood. Beth worked in support of Afghanistan operations as a civilian intelligence analyst for the Department of the Army between 2010 and 2013. She is a freelance contributor to Fox News Digital and the Washington Examiner, and host of The Afghanistan Project Podcast.

Welcome to the Fighter Pilots’ Guide to Living. Today’s guest is retired Commander Alex 'Rattler' Rucker, who flew the F-8 Crusader in Vietnam and brought his skills as a gunner and tactician to Topgun as an instructor before transitioning to the F-14 Tomcat.In the second of two episodes about his career in naval aviation, Rattler talks about the lessons he learned flying the F-14 Tomcat, the incredible aviators who inspired him, and the tail art he designed for VF-142.Rattler also talks about how he got his callsign and how he maintained his 61-year marriage during his career. We close with a discussion about his contribution to an enduring commemoration of both the Tomcat and the aviators who flew it through the Tomcat MonumentAbout Rattler: Alex ‘Rattler’ Rucker entered the U.S. Navy in 1965 through the U.S. Naval School of Preflight, and was selected to fly the F-8 Crusader in 1967. Following three deployments to Vietnam, Rattler was assigned to Topgun as a gunnery and tactics instructor in 1974. He transitioned to flying the F-14 Tomcat in 1977.Rattler’s Tomcat career included tours with VF-142 and VF-14. He was named Fighter Pilot of the Year for Fighter Wing One in 1979, and served as the F-14 demo pilot for Fighter Wing One in 1980. Rattler retired in 1985 as a Commander and flew commercially, retiring from American Airlines as a Captain in 2003. About the hosts:Mitch 'TACO' Parmentier has 16 years of experience with the F/A-18 Super Hornet as a Weapons System Operator (WSO). He has a longstanding love of aviation and history that he brings to the podcast.Beth Bailey was raised by F-14 Radar Intercept Officer Glen 'Wheels' Wheless and grew up around aviators and their unique brand of storytelling for most of her childhood. Beth worked in support of Afghanistan operations as a civilian intelligence analyst for the Department of the Army between 2010 and 2013. She is a freelance contributor to Fox News Digital and the Washington Examiner, and host of The Afghanistan Project Podcast. Follow Beth: on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwbailey85/ on X: https://x.com/BWBailey85 on Substack: https://substack.com/@bwbailey85 on the web: https://bethwbailey.com/