In this unforgettable episode of So There I Was, Howie Franklin—the only steward to serve five U.S. Presidents aboard Air Force One—joins us for an incredible deep dive into presidential history. With unmatched humor, insight, and warmth, Howie shares behind-the-scenes stories about Presidents Clinton, Reagan, Carter, Bush, and Ford. From rock-and-roll boombox diplomacy to emotional moments following family loss, Howie paints a vivid portrait of the human side of leadership.
He details what it was like to see President Clinton evolve in office, the unmatched organization of the Reagan administration, and hilarious anecdotes about presidential quirks—including broccoli mishaps and golf trip pranks. Howie’s tales span the globe, from Air Force One logistics in Moscow to midnight flights across the Mediterranean, all grounded in respect and service.
With humility and passion, Howie reminds us that behind every commander-in-chief is a hardworking team, and that leadership—at its best—is about compassion, service, and humor. If you’ve ever wanted a fly-on-the-wall perspective of history in motion, this episode delivers.
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1:19:08
You've Got Me in Steerage Episode 154
In this episode, Howie Franklin, the only flight steward to serve five U.S. Presidents aboard Air Force One, joins us with jaw-dropping stories from a life lived at the center of American history. It kicks off with a story with former Marine Commandant General Krulak and quickly dives into Howie’s early days — from rubbing elbows with celebs on Fire Island to working in elite kitchens as a teenager. Drafted into the Air Force, he found his way from a toxic chow hall in South Dakota to flying global missions with generals and diplomats. Howie shares how a single flight changed his life, landing him in a world of professionalism and purpose. We hear how he earned the trust of Henry Kissinger, cooked on diplomatic missions across the globe, and eventually became the go-to steward for Presidents Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton. With vivid recollections of world leaders, near-farcical bathroom lines in midair, and White House-level logistics, this episode is a front-row seat to history—with plenty of laughs and a few “Did he just say that?” moments.
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1:15:09
We're Gonna Get Skinny Episode 153
In this high-speed, low-altitude ride of So There I Was, the guest—a decorated WSO in both the F-111 Aardvark and F-15E Strike Eagle—shares some of the most intense moments of his flying career.
He takes us over the Nevada desert at Mach 1.3 and just 100 feet above ground level. He recalls near-misses, like narrowly avoiding an A-10 while threading a ridge line. The thrill of tactical aviation comes through in every story.
The episode also covers his nuclear weapons delivery training in Europe, pulling Gs at 600 knots, and precision strikes during Red and Green Flag exercises.
Listeners get an inside look at the F-111’s unique systems: its terrain-following radar, manually controlled swing wings, and infamous escape capsule.
Hair-raising tales continue with compressor stalls at Mach 1.69, sandstorm landings during Southern Watch, and using sheer speed to evade enemies in mock combat.
Throughout the episode, the guest delivers a masterclass in military aviation history, tactics, and aircraft systems—especially the Aardvark’s legendary low-level, high-speed mission profile.
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1:26:18
500 Looks at the Ball Episode 152
In August 2017, about 100 miles west of Key West, a Yort found himself in a tense moment during what was supposed to be a routine intercept mission. After being redirected to the Phantom airspace, he learned an aircraft might have gone down—a chilling way for any aviation story to turn serious.
That moment of uncertainty launched a gripping tale that unfolds with career-spanning insights into military aviation. From childhood memories of climbing into old B-17s to intense training with the Navy SEALs, to navigating ROTC, OCS, and finally flying F-18s off carriers, the story offers an unfiltered look at life as a Marine aviator.
There are moments of raw humor, anxiety, and pride as he details everything from flight school stress to pulling Gs in low-level bombing runs. Whether you’re an aviation aficionado or a fan of military stories, this account delivers authenticity, adrenaline, and plenty of dark-humored truth from life in the cockpit.
Refueling in the Basket
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2:00:31
Ass Over Teakettle in a Spin Episode 151
From a kid watching F-16s in Albuquerque to flying the legendary AV-8B Harrier, Warren’s journey into Marine Corps aviation is packed with twists, challenges, and near-disasters. It all started with a recruiter’s dare and his mother’s skepticism—fueling his path from Navy ROTC to the cockpit of one of the most unique aircraft in military aviation.
But the road to the sky wasn’t easy. Warren overcame a broken leg in flight school, a last-minute major change, and grueling combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. He pulls back the curtain on white-knuckle night sorties, navigating strict rules of engagement, and managing fuel over hostile terrain—where a single mistake could mean disaster.
Then there’s the moment that gives this episode its title: a functional check flight gone horribly wrong. At 18,000 feet, Warren found himself in an uncontrolled spin… with no engine. How did he survive? You’ll have to listen to find out.
This episode is loaded with hidden gems—including a jaw-dropping story of rebuilding Harrier engines in record time after catastrophic water contamination in Afghanistan.
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Join hosts, Fig and Repete, as they bring in some great aviation raconteurs to relate the glamorous, hilarious, poignant, tragic, and incredible tales of aviation. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll laugh ’til you cry, but you’ll never be bored!
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