E355: From 9/11 to Special Ops: Flying Secret Missions
Pilot to Pilot · Justin Siems
Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (dts.podtrac.com) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.
Show Notes
Most pilots dream of smooth 10,000-foot runways.
Tyler Flagg trained to land a 30,000-pound aircraft on a 25-foot dirt strip… in total darkness.
After 9/11 changed his life trajectory, Tyler went from zero aviation background to flying Special Operations missions around the globe. With minimal information and maximum responsibility, he deployed into multiple combat theaters — moving elite teams into places most people will never see on a map.
In this episode:
- The unconventional path into Air Force Special Ops
- What it feels like to deploy with barely 250 flight hours
- Flying through Saharan fuel-risk zones and Pacific icing
- The culture differences inside military aviation
- Why humility matters more than ego in elite units
- Building a company after walking away from a “dream job”
This one is raw, honest, and packed with perspective.
Sign up today The Flying Company