Ep204: What It Takes to Succeed in Combat Search and Rescue
Ready 4 Pushback
Nik Fialka
4.8 • 716 Ratings
🗓️ 23 December 2024
⏱️ 55 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Ever wonder what it takes to fly into danger to save lives? In this episode, Nik Fialka sits down with Reese, an Air Force Combat Search and Rescue pilot, to reveal the high-stakes world of aerial rescues—where precision, preparation, and bravery turn chaos into calm. Hear heart-stopping stories of daring missions, high-altitude hoists, and the relentless training behind them. Get an inside look at the sacrifices and teamwork that define one of aviation’s most heroic roles. Ready to explore the bravery behind the green feet? Tune in and be inspired by these extraordinary tales!
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE
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Why mastering high-altitude, high-risk maneuvers is crucial for every rescue pilot
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How combat search and rescue missions redefine the meaning of "no-fail" operations
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What it takes to coordinate aerial refueling and rescue missions in the world’s harshest environments
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The untold stories of teamwork and ingenuity behind civilian and combat rescue missions
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How situational awareness and clear communication transform chaos into successful rescues
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The meaning behind the green feet: A symbol of unity and commitment in rescue missions
RESOURCES/LINKS MENTIONED
ABOUT REESE FUTRELL
Reese Futrell is a U.S. Air Force HH-60 Combat Search and Rescue pilot with over 1,900 flight hours, including 130+ in combat. As an Aircraft Commander and instructor, he excels in high-stakes missions like aerial refueling, low-level flight, mountainous rescues, and Alternate Insertion/Extraction techniques. A graduate of Central Washington University, Reese is also a Civil Air Patrol pilot and STEM speaker dedicated to inspiring the next generation of aviators. As a husband and father of two, he’s passionate about advancing his aviation career while sharing his love of flight with others.
CONNECT WITH REESE
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LinkedIn: Reese Futrell
CONNECT WITH US
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | If you brief it right, you set the tone for everyone in the mission, and then you can certainly get the job done. |
| 0:11.0 | Most pilots don't understand what career opportunities are available in the world of aviation. |
| 0:17.0 | They're making career decisions based on advice from friends or posts on internet forums, |
| 0:22.9 | meaning they are taking huge risk with their livelihood without having all the details. |
| 0:28.1 | This podcast was created to help you understand the aviation industry so you can find your dream job. |
| 0:35.0 | Let's get ready for pushback. |
| 0:37.2 | Here's your host and my dad, Nick Fialca. |
| 0:40.9 | Hey, Pilot, welcome to Ready for Pushback. I'm Nick Fialca. You found me. It's the show. We're here. |
| 0:48.9 | We're going to have a great interview today with my buddy Reese. And if you have ever wondered about what it takes to be a |
| 0:57.8 | combat search and rescue helicopter pilot and fly all the special missions and save people and |
| 1:04.2 | rescue them from terrible spots this is the conversation for you my buddy Reese He's a career combat search and rescue helicopter pilot. |
| 1:13.7 | A lot of you guys may not know, but that was part of my life as well. |
| 1:18.7 | So it's great to have somebody the same talk as me that I just can really identify with. |
| 1:25.3 | I love combat search or rescue. I love regular search and rescue. I love |
| 1:30.2 | all of the things that it is to just go out there and try to help somebody. And that is so cool. |
| 1:37.5 | And that's where Reese's heart is. You're going to enjoy this conversation. I'm glad you're here |
| 1:42.0 | with me today. If you want to be on the show, |
| 1:44.4 | I'm happy to have you on the show. Hit me up. Let me know what you think we should talk about. |
| 1:48.0 | You can send me an email podcast at spitfireelite.com. That's me. And we'll figure it out. |
| 1:55.5 | Be awesome. So, but have a good story. Have something cool. Something everybody wants to hear, |
| 1:59.2 | all right? Okay. Well, sit back. Relax. Let's get ready for pushback. |
| 2:05.0 | Hey, pilot. Did you just get a new conditional job offer? Are you getting out of the military and going to move your family across the country? Are you going to move in base somewhere? Or are you going to go out to find that second home that you've been looking for? |
... |
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