Lt. Col. John “Brick” Caldwell is the Commander and Leader of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. I had never met Brick before this interview, but several pilots I’ve flown with have a tremendous amount of respect for him. After our conversation, I do as well. He is an accomplished warrior with deployments to Iraq and […]
pilot
Professionals Playbook: Listen to F-35 pilot Justin Lee’s Memorial Day speech
This is not a typical episode, but I felt it was worth sharing. It’s a speech I gave for Memorial Day. The audio quality isn’t great, but it’s meaningful to me. If I can use this podcast and platform to help keep the memory of the fallen alive, then it will have all been worth […]
Introducing ‘The Professionals Playbook’ – F-35 pilot Justin Lee interviews CIA Officer, author Michele Rigby Assad
*Editor’s note: Here at the Loadout Room, we pride ourselves on being well prepared and well rounded individuals capable of performing under whatever circumstances life throws at us. That’s just what Justin “Hasard” Lee’s podcast, “The Professionals Playbook” is all about. Lee, an active duty F-35 pilot with multiple combat deployments under his belt at […]
Welcome to the dark side: The new Bremont U-2/51-JET
A quality watch has many characteristics that make it unique. With the U-2/51-JET, Bremonthasdone something particularly unique in my eyes by seamlessly melding several styles into one timepiece. The Bremont U-2/51-JET is a pilot watch that can trace its lineage to the original U-2 model that was developed for the 9th Reconnaissance Wing (USAF) and tested at altitudes up to 100,000 feet and […]
Blue Force Gear RackMINUS | Not Just For Shooters
Blue Force Gear has been garnering a lot of attention in the last couple of years (rightfully), mainly for their significant advancements in the design of load bearing equipment. Their use of proprietary materials in their ULTRAcomp fabric, as well as their Helium Whisper attachment system and MOLLEminus designs, have generated a new standard for […]
The story of my Suunto Observer: To hell and back
Immediately after the shock and horror of 9/11, we in the 2nd Ranger battalion got to packing, knowing it wouldn’t be long before we were headed to the sandbox for a counter-punch. One of the new pieces of gear I picked up before we headed over in early 2002 was a Suunto Observer watch from […]
Dan Henry’s 1963 offers accessible vintage pilot watch
What do you do when you have collected watches for over three decades and have curated a massive online timepiece catalog that spans more than a century? If you are Dan Henry, you take a risk and manufacture your own collection of vintage style watches that are affordable and accessible to everyone. His Timeline.Watch site began by featuring his […]
The Future of Communication Technology
Recently I came across two pieces of technology I believe can change how we interact in the world. Both are geared towards communication, however they address different problems. First is SignAloud, created by some MIT students to allow people use use sign language to communicate audibly. Second is Pilot (smart earpiece), which could allow people […]
Ontario Air Force Survival Knife Review
When Creek offered me the opportunity to do a knife review on the Ontario Air Force Survival Knife I jumped at the chance. It had been about 12 years since I had last used one as a USAF Survival Evasion Reaistance and Escape (S.E.R.E) Instructor at the USAF Survival School at Fairchild AFB. But I […]
Flame Resistant Base Layers – Save your Skin with MASSIF
If you are looking for a flame resistant base layer to keep you safe and comfortable, the Massif Base Layer Collection has all those and more. Save your skin and possibly your life.