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Episode 79: The Gunner: Life of a USAF Aerial Gunner and flying on the AC130H Spectre Gunship and the HH-60G PAVEHAWK Part 2 - Anthony Dyer

Episode 79: The Gunner: Life of a USAF Aerial Gunner and flying on the AC130H Spectre Gunship and the HH-60G PAVEHAWK Part 2 - Anthony Dyer

The Pilot Project Podcast

November 25, 20251h 9m

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Show Notes

In Part 2 of our conversation with USAF Tech Sgt. Anthony Dyer (Ret), we revisit the 2018 combat rescue mission in East Africa that began in chaos - runaway weapons, jettisoned flares, and broken comms - and ended with a high-risk landing under fire to evacuate wounded teammates.

Anthony reflects on the loss of an American operator that day, what the motto “These things we do, that others may live” means in the moments that matter, and how those events shaped him long after the mission was over. He also opens up about the difficult transition out of the military, identity loss, drinking, confronting trauma, and how therapy, medication, and writing his memoir Moonchild helped him rebuild purpose as a husband, father, and storyteller. A raw and deeply human look at service, sacrifice, and healing.

American Veteran's Crisis Line (24/7 confidential crisis support):
Dial 988 then press 1 OR
Text 838255

To contact Anthony for speaking engagements etc, you can reach him at [email protected]

To buy his book you can visit Barnes and Noble or Amazon at the following links (or simply Google "Moon Child Anthony Dyer for many options):
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/moon-child-anthony-dyer/1147103074
https://www.amazon.ca/Moon-Child-Special-Missions-Aviator/dp/B0DZMXBHJ4

Topics

USAFCombat RescuePave HawkAC-130Jolly Green MissionSpecial OperationsClose Air SupportMental HealthPTSDVeteran TransitionAlcohol RecoveryMoonchildAviation PodcastMilitary AviationHot LZGunshipEast AfricaRescue MissionAerial GunnerIdentity LossSobrietyTrauma Recovery