The Hangar Z Podcast

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus.
Today we're bringing you a very special episode, as we welcome two guests who have been behind the scenes throughout our law enforcement careers — and throughout the journey of this podcast — our wives, Shawna Gray, also known as Mrs. Z, and Tracy Schonely.

For years, they've experienced policing from a perspective few people outside of law enforcement truly understand. In this candid conversation, we discuss what it's really like to be the spouse of a police officer, the sacrifices that come with the profession, and what it takes to build a marriage and raise a family while navigating the demands, stress, and uncertainty of a law enforcement career.

Shawna and Tracy share their perspectives on balancing family life, handling long hours and missed holidays, and supporting their husbands through both the everyday challenges and some of the most critical incidents Jon and Jack experienced during their careers. Their insight offers a powerful reminder that behind every badge is a family serving alongside the officer.

We also take some time to reflect on the past year of the Hangar Z Podcast, sharing some of our favorite guests, memorable moments, and the stories that have inspired us along the way.

Whether you're in public safety, married to someone who is, or simply want to better understand the family side of the profession, this is an honest and heartfelt conversation you won't want to miss. 
Thank you to our sponsors CENTUM, Metro Aviation and Spectrolab.

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus.

This episode was recorded on location at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s (SBCSD’s) hangar, immediately following their 2026 training fly-in. Host Jon Gray sits down with returning guests Doug Brimmer (SBCSD) and RJ Garwood (retired Huntington Beach Police Department pilot) to discuss interagency coordination, crash survivability, and the long road of recovery.

Most air support teams train for the mission, not the aftermath. RJ shares candid reflections on surviving the Feb. 19, 2022 helicopter crash that claimed the life of tactical flight officer Nick Vella. 

Together, they break down essential survival lessons (from dunker training and helicopter emergency egress device (HEEDS) bottles to egress planning when injured or disoriented) while exploring what it truly takes to build interagency trust and support crew members through the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges of trauma.

Content note: This episode includes candid discussions of a fatal aviation accident, serious injury, grief, trauma, and recovery. Listener discretion is advised.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, CNC Technologies and Trakka Systems.

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus.

We're coming to you from the show floor at ECHO 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where we're joined by Kenny Hall and Cody Klaehn from Dallas Avionics. Although they took very different paths to get there, both have become familiar faces throughout the law enforcement aviation community — whether at trade shows, training events, fly ins, or supporting agencies as trusted partners.

Dallas Avionics has long been a strong supporter of public safety aviation, including sponsoring the Airborne Tactical Solutions course. In this episode, we talk about their unique career journeys, common communications system troubleshooting, the latest technology available to law enforcement aviation crews, and the importance of building lasting partnerships with the agencies they serve. We hope you enjoy the conversation.

Thank you to our sponsors Robinson Helicopter,  Summit Aviation and Trakka Systems.

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus.

We're coming to you from the show floor at ECHO 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where we're joined by Kenny Hall and Cody Klaehn from Dallas Avionics. Although they took very different paths to get there, both have become familiar faces throughout the law enforcement aviation community — whether at trade shows, training events, fly ins, or supporting agencies as trusted partners.

Dallas Avionics has long been a strong supporter of public safety aviation, including sponsoring the Airborne Tactical Solutions course. In this episode, we talk about their unique career journeys, common communications system troubleshooting, the latest technology available to law enforcement aviation crews, and the importance of building lasting partnerships with the agencies they serve. We hope you enjoy the conversation.

Thank you to our sponsors Onboard Systems Hoist & Winch, Robinson Helicopter and Summit Aviation.

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus.

In this special two-part series of the Hangar Z Podcast, hosts Jon Gray and Jeff Ratkovich explore how modern public safety agencies can overcome critical work force development hurdles.

Joined by Roe Conn, chief of strategic initiatives for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and Ryan Harbison, president and CEO of Helicopters Inc., the discussion dives into Cook County’s historic launch of a premier aviation unit after a 50-year absence.

Through an innovative public-private partnership, the agency was able to deploy a Bell 429 that flew 1,100 hours in its inaugural year with a near-perfect readiness rate.

Part one examines the industry-wide workforce crisis from shrinking recruitment pools to impending retirements and how turnkey operational models offer a viable solution.

By leveraging Helicopters Inc.’s commercial infrastructure, dedicated on-site maintenance, and experienced contractor pilots, Cook County bypassed years of training delays and unpredictable maintenance costs.

Part two shifts the focus to tactical execution, community impact, and the politics of standing up an public safety aviation unit. Conn shares hard data illustrating the program’s return on investment, including massive reductions in regional carjackings, the recovery of dozens of missing persons, and safer pursuit resolutions.

The conversation ends with key lessons on inter-agency collaboration, crew integration, and winning public trust through transparent messaging, this series serves as an essential blueprint for any agency looking to build, modernize, or sustain an effective aviation unit.

Thank you to our sponsors Dallas Avionics, Precision Aviation Group and SHOTOVER