Arctic Alert in the F-15C to F-22 Demo Pilot | #91

"Cabo" ‪@CaboGunderson22‬ is the former Commander and Pilot for the F-22 Demonstration team. Prior to his time on the F-22 Demo team, "Cabo" was a line fighter pilot in the F-22 and F-15C.
Find "Cabo" on IG or YT.
YT: ‪@CaboGunderson22‬
IG @cabogunderson
🚨Afterburn Podcast Links🚨
Join our free weekly newsletter for insights into aviation, defense, and geo-politics - bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter
Rain on IG - rainwaters2...
Podcast on IG - / afterburnpodcast
Tik Tok - www.tiktok.com/@rainwaters27?...
Facebook - / afterburnpodcast
Website - www.theafterburnpodcast.com/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Buying an RV
03:00 Early Passion for Flying Jets
09:00 Family's Immigration Story
13:00 Appreciation for Freedom in America
19:00 Desire to Attend the Air Force Academy
24:00 Getting Assigned to Fly Eagles
32:00 Different Paths to Fighter Jets
35:00 Life as an Eagle Pilot
37:11 Transitioning to Kadena and the Eagle Community
38:09 The Benefits of Being Stationed at Kadena
39:33 Focusing on Learning and Flying the Eagle
40:32 The Arrival of the Raptor Community at Kadena
42:16 The Beauty and Outdoor Activities in Alaska
44:33 The Challenges and Rewards of Alert in Alaska
46:10 Appreciating the Wonders of Flying
48:09 Intercepts and Scrambles during Alert
51:30 Funny Intercept Stories
53:46 The Transition to the Raptor
56:27 Comparing the Eagle and Raptor
01:01:36 The Transition Process and Adjustments
01:04:37 The Differences in Threats and Training
01:08:05 The Performance and Capabilities of the Raptor
01:10:19 The Transition from the Eagle to the Raptor
01:12:21 The Challenges of Flying Advanced Fighter Jets
01:14:05 The Journey to Becoming a Raptor Demo Pilot
01:17:21 The Importance of Maintainers in the Demo Team
01:20:25 The Rewards and Challenges of Being on the Demo Team
01:23:21 The Role of Maintainers in the Air Force
01:27:21 Building Relationships and Morale in the Air Force
01:31:06 Advice for Aspiring Fighter Pilots
01:34:36 Reflecting on Life Lessons
The Eagle community at Kadena provided great opportunities for learning and flying the jet.
Being stationed in Alaska offered unique experiences and outdoor activities.
Alert missions in Alaska presented challenges and rewards, including intercepts and scrambles.
The transition from the Eagle to the Raptor involved adjusting to new capabilities and tactics.
The Raptor provided enhanced performance and a different approach to combat scenarios. Flying advanced fighter jets requires experience and the ability to process a large amount of information.
Being on the demo team is rewarding but also comes with challenges, including the need to borrow jets and deal with logistical issues.
Maintainers play a crucial role in the success of the demo team and should be appreciated and respected.
Building relationships and morale in the Air Force is important for overall cohesiveness and success.
Aspiring fighter pilots should focus on excelling academically, pursuing activities they enjoy, and developing strong communication skills.