Ep 258: Behind Enemy Lines: A Desert Storm Combat Story You Won't Believe!
Ready 4 Pushback
Nik Fialka
4.8 • 716 Ratings
🗓️ 30 June 2025
⏱️ 84 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
You won't want to miss this tale of heroism and calm under pressure! In this episode, Nik sits back and lets Colonel (Retired) Scott “Vapor” Walsh share his experience as a young Marine Harrier pilot who was shot down behind enemy lines, his recovery process, and his return to flying. He also discusses his transition from military aviation to a career as a commercial airline captain and instructor. This episode provides insight into the challenges faced during combat, injury, and recovery, as well as the decisions involved in moving from military to civilian flying. Vapor reflects on leadership, resilience, and the importance of finding balance between career demands and personal life.
What You'll Learn:
The political environment that led to the U.S. involvement in Desert Storm
What it's like to eject from a badly damaged aircraft and survive behind enemy lines
How mindset and determination play a role in determining the outcome of a difficult situation
Practical considerations when transitioning from military to commercial aviation
The importance of choosing a career path that fits personal priorities Insights into life after military service and continuing to contribute to the aviation community
CONNECT WITH US
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SPONSOR
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hey, pilot. |
| 0:02.3 | Welcome to Ready for Pushback. |
| 0:03.9 | I'm Nick Fialke. |
| 0:04.7 | You found another interview show. |
| 0:06.9 | Today's guest is a gentleman named Vapor Walsh. |
| 0:10.2 | Vapor is a Marine Harrier pilot and has a really, really harrowing story. |
| 0:18.6 | And this is really just me sitting back and letting him tell this story because I think this is one of the most amazing stories from the first Gulf War. |
| 0:31.4 | And also, I've known him forever. |
| 0:34.4 | And he's awesome. |
| 0:35.2 | And this is such a cool story. |
| 0:38.1 | Wait to you. Wait till you hear the story, y'all and he's awesome. And this is such a cool story. Wait to you. |
| 0:39.0 | Wait till you hear the story, y'all. |
| 0:41.0 | It's insane. |
| 0:42.3 | All right. |
| 0:42.7 | So sit back, relax. |
| 0:45.1 | Let's get ready for pushback. |
| 0:47.5 | It all started as a spark. |
| 0:51.1 | Maybe it was the sound of jets racing across the sky. Or the feeling of your heart |
| 0:57.0 | racing as you watch Crop Duster flying low and slow. Even then, you knew you were meant to fly. |
| 1:05.6 | For pilots, it's more than just a job. It's a calling. The early mornings, the long hours, the relentless training, you didn't do it for the money. |
| 1:15.6 | You did it for that moment. That moment when the wheels lift off and the earth falls away beneath you. |
| 1:22.6 | But flying is just the beginning. The journey to your dream job takes more than just skill in the sky. |
... |
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