Brigadier General Micah “Zeus” Fessler shares stories about flying the F-15 and F-22, traces Colorado fighter aviation from early biplanes to the F-16, and today's homeland defense mission.

In this episode, Host Rick Crandall talks with “Zeus” about the aircraft, missions, training, and people that shaped his military career, including combat operations, Weapons School, and the Colorado Air National Guard. From the 120th Observation Squadron’s early Jennys to Buckley’s ongoing alert mission, Micah offers a wide-ranging look at fighter aviation and the community behind it. This one is going to be cool!

What you'll hear:

• Why Buckley has remained on alert since 9/11 and how Colorado supports the defense of NORAD/NORTHCOM.
• How Colorado Air National Guard aviation grew from early biplanes at high elevation to Block 30 F-16s.
• Why the Viper remains a flexible, high-demand aircraft for air-to-air, close air support, and emerging drone defense missions.
• "Zeus" explains the discipline, radar work, stick-and-rudder flying, and debrief culture that shaped him as a fighter pilot.
• How one loud, eventful training flight in Alaska turned into a fighter pilot call sign.
• What changed with stealth, sensor fusion, battle management, and fifth-generation tactics.
• A memorable F-22 sortie involving ISIS targets, F-16s, tankers, command-and-control aircraft, and Russian air activity.
• How citizen airmen preserve deep experience while serving both overseas missions and local Colorado communities.
• Colorado aviation heritage, the 120th Fighter Squadron, Minute Men demonstration team, and the legacy of service connected to Wings’ newest aircraft—a Thunderbird F-16D.
• "Zeus" encourages young people to believe in themselves, control what they can control, and accept help along the way.

Learn More:

• Read the full show notes on the Wings Over the Rockies website
• Donate to Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
• Subscribe and leave a review to support the show

This episode is supported in part by United Airlines.

Air Force veteran Art Elser reveals what it took to fly low, slow, and exposed as a forward air controller during the Vietnam War.

In this episode, Host Rick Crandall talks with former forward air controller Art Elser about flying more than 400 combat missions in the Cessna O-2A Skymaster and O-1E Bird Dog. From directing air support over the Ho Chi Minh Trail to helping Special Forces teams under fire, Elser offers a personal account of aviation, fear, courage, responsibility, and the long journey home. This one is going to be cool!

What you’ll hear:

• Inside the O-2 Skymaster: How a civilian aircraft became a flying observation post, radio relay, and target marker
• The forward air controller mission: Why FAC pilots remained low over the battlefield after faster aircraft departed
• O-1 Bird Dog vs. O-2 Skymaster: How the aircraft differed in handling, performance, and suitability for remote airstrips
• Marking targets under fire: How Elser used white-phosphorus “Willie Pete” rockets to guide attacking aircraft
• Over the Ho Chi Minh Trail: Searching for trucks, supply areas, choke points, and hidden movement beneath the jungle
• Night operations: Using starlight scopes, Blind Bat flare ships, B-57 Canberras, and F-4 Phantoms to find targets in darkness
• Becoming “Jake 44”: How Elser built personal relationships with the Special Forces teams who depended on him
• Courage and coming home: What Elser learned about fear, character, loss, and carrying the war’s memories into civilian life

Learn More:

• Read the full show notes on the Wings Over the Rockies website
• Donate to Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
• Subscribe and leave a review to support the show

This episode is supported in part by United Airlines.

NASA’s RAVEN aircraft is helping researchers explore one of aviation’s biggest next steps: electric vertical takeoff and landing.

NASA’s RAVEN aircraft is helping researchers explore one of aviation’s biggest next steps: electric vertical takeoff and landing.

In this episode, Host Rick Crandall talks with NASA researchers Siena Whiteside and Jason Welstead about RAVEN, the Research Aircraft for eVTOL Enabling Technologies. From air taxis and regional mobility to noise, safety, hover-to-forward-flight transitions, and the challenge of scaling new aircraft designs, Sienna and Jason explain how NASA is building a flying laboratory for the future of advanced air mobility. This one is going to be cool!

🎧 What you’ll hear:

• How eVTOL aircraft work: What electric vertical takeoff and landing means, and how these aircraft differ from helicopters and airplanes
• What advanced air mobility means: How drones, air taxis, and regional aircraft fit into the future of transportation
• Meet NASA’s RAVEN: Why NASA is building a remotely operated research aircraft to study eVTOL technology
• Air taxi vs. flying car: Why eVTOLs are more likely to connect transportation hubs than replace your car
• The safety challenge: Why public trust and certification are essential before eVTOLs become common
• Noise and community impact: How researchers are studying aircraft sound, not just loudness
• Hover to forward flight: Why the transition from vertical lift to wing-borne flight is one of the hardest problems to solve
• Why size matters: How RAVEN bridges the gap between small models and full-scale passenger aircraft
• Open eVTOL research: How NASA hopes to share data with universities, startups, and industry partners
• Advice for future aerospace engineers: Why broad experience and curiosity matter in a fast-changing field

Learn More:

• Read the full show notes on the Wings Over the Rockies website
• Donate to Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
• Subscribe and leave a review to support the show

This episode is supported in part by United Airlines.