The Hangar Z Podcast

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

This episode is being released during Police Week 2026, a time set aside to honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others. It’s a week of reflection, remembrance, and gratitude for our fallen brothers and sisters.

Today’s guest is someone who has dedicated much of his life to ensuring those sacrifices are never forgotten—Craig Floyd. This is Craig’s second time joining us on the podcast. The last time we spoke in May of 2024, we were standing together in the rain at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.—a fitting backdrop for a man who has been such a powerful voice for the fallen.

Craig is the founder and president of Citizens Behind the Badge and the original chief executive officer of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. His work has had a lasting impact on how our nation honors its law enforcement heroes.
In this episode, we take a deeper dive into the incredible story behind the creation of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Judiciary Square. We explore the original vision of NYPD legend Mario Biaggi, who later served as a U.S. Representative, and how Craig’s time working for him as a legislative assistant helped set this monumental project in motion.

What followed was decades of dedication, perseverance, and relentless effort to bring that vision to life—an extraordinary achievement completed without government funding.

This is a fascinating, behind-the-scenes conversation about what it truly takes to build something that stands as a lasting tribute to sacrifice, service, and honor. 
Thank you to our sponsors Becker Avionics, BLR Aerospace and Robinson Helicopter.

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

This episode is being released during Police Week 2026, a time set aside to honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others. It’s a week of reflection, remembrance, and gratitude for our fallen brothers and sisters.

Today’s guest is someone who has dedicated much of his life to ensuring those sacrifices are never forgotten—Craig Floyd. This is Craig’s second time joining us on the podcast. The last time we spoke in May of 2024, we were standing together in the rain at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.—a fitting backdrop for a man who has been such a powerful voice for the fallen.

Craig is the founder and president of Citizens Behind the Badge and the original chief executive officer of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. His work has had a lasting impact on how our nation honors its law enforcement heroes.
In this episode, we take a deeper dive into the incredible story behind the creation of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Judiciary Square. We explore the original vision of NYPD legend Mario Biaggi, who later served as a U.S. Representative, and how Craig’s time working for him as a legislative assistant helped set this monumental project in motion.

What followed was decades of dedication, perseverance, and relentless effort to bring that vision to life—an extraordinary achievement completed without government funding.

This is a fascinating, behind-the-scenes conversation about what it truly takes to build something that stands as a lasting tribute to sacrifice, service, and honor. 

Thank you to our sponsors Becker Avionics, Onboard Systems Hoist and Winch and Robinson Helicopter.

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

Today, we are truly honored to be joined by Michael J. Durant—retired Chief Warrant Officer 4, Night Stalker, and MH-60 Black Hawk pilot—whose story is one of extraordinary courage, resilience, and unwavering determination.

In this episode, Mike takes us all the way back to his very first flight in a helicopter—the moment that sparked a passion and set the course for a remarkable career. Although he initially entered the U.S. Army as an intelligence officer, he never lost sight of his goal of becoming a pilot. He walks us through his journey into Army Aviation, including his time flying medical evacuation missions in South 
Korea and later serving with the 101st Aviation Battalion in Kentucky.

From there, we dive into his selection into the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, where he deployed on high-risk missions as part of one of the most capable aviation units in the world.

Mike then shares the harrowing details of Oct. 3, 1993, when his Black Hawk was shot down over Mogadishu, Somalia. He recounts the heroic actions of Delta snipers Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart, whose sacrifice helped keep him alive, as well as his own fight for survival through severe injuries and 11 days of captivity.

We also explore the mindset that carried him through—how his training, mental toughness, faith, and personal philosophy, shaped his ability to endure and overcome one of the most intense combat survival stories in modern history.

Mike’s story is one of skill, courage, resolve, gratitude, and perseverance—these are episodes you will not want to miss.
Thank you to all our followers and our incredible sponsors for making conversations like this possible.

Thank you to our sponsors Metro Aviation, Onboard Systems Hoist & Winch and Precision Aviation Group.

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

Today, we are truly honored to be joined by Michael J. Durant—retired Chief Warrant Officer 4, Night Stalker, and MH-60 Black Hawk pilot—whose story is one of extraordinary courage, resilience, and unwavering determination.

In this episode, Mike takes us all the way back to his very first flight in a helicopter—the moment that sparked a passion and set the course for a remarkable career. Although he initially entered the U.S. Army as an intelligence officer, he never lost sight of his goal of becoming a pilot. He walks us through his journey into Army Aviation, including his time flying medical evacuation missions in South 
Korea and later serving with the 101st Aviation Battalion in Kentucky.

From there, we dive into his selection into the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, where he deployed on high-risk missions as part of one of the most capable aviation units in the world.

Mike then shares the harrowing details of Oct. 3, 1993, when his Black Hawk was shot down over Mogadishu, Somalia. He recounts the heroic actions of Delta snipers Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart, whose sacrifice helped keep him alive, as well as his own fight for survival through severe injuries and 11 days of captivity.

We also explore the mindset that carried him through—how his training, mental toughness, faith, and personal philosophy, shaped his ability to endure and overcome one of the most intense combat survival stories in modern history.

Mike’s story is one of skill, courage, resolve, gratitude, and perseverance—these are episodes you will not want to miss.
Thank you to all our followers and our incredible sponsors for making conversations like this possible.

Thank you to our sponsors Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing, CNC Technologies and Rotorcraft Support Inc.

This episode of The Hangar Z Podcast is brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus.

The Hangar Z Podcast welcomes Airborne Public Safety Association CEO/Executive Director Dan Schwarzbach, APSA President Dave Ellis and Broward Sheriff's Office Sergeant Paul Sada.

In this episode of The Hangar Z Podcast, we have the opportunity to talk about APSCON 2026 ahead of the July 13–17 conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 

During the conversation, we talk about what to expect at APSCON 2026, including the new Broward County Convention Center/Omni host hotel, the water-taxi-accessible campus, and the training and networking opportunities that will be a part of this year's must attend conference.

This year will sell out quickly, so do not wait to book your room and register for the conference at publicsafetyaviation.org
Thank you to our sponsors Precision Aviation Group, Summit Aviation and Spectrolab.