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Welcome to the Memories of a Moonbird podcast, exploring life, one story at a time.

Hello friends, I'm Daniel Shurrell. Today on the show, this is so cool because when it comes to

the need for speed, he's the real deal. As a fighter jet pilot for the United States Navy for

nearly 25 years, he flew the F-A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet and the F-16. He accrued almost 4,000

flight hours over 700 carrier landings and served as both a top-gun instructor and air-wing

operations officer. Today, this family man flies for one of the major airlines and hosts his own

awesome podcast called, appropriately, the Fighter Pilot podcast. There, he explores the fascinating

world of air combat, the aircraft, the weapons systems, and most importantly, the people.

And you should absolutely subscribe. I'm so excited to chat with this amazing man and fellow

podcast host about all things jets, life in the skies, what it feels like to be in control of

something, moving 1200 miles an hour. And what his experiences around the globe have taught him

about life back here on Earth. Please welcome Vincent Ayelo. Vincent, welcome to the show.

Well, thank you, Daniel. I think I should pay you after that. Wow.

So first question, let's jump back to Earth for a minute. Where were you born and raised?

I was born in the Los Angeles area and spent my first nine years there and then raised up

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