Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS. In this long-anticipated two-part series, we sit down with U.S. Army pilot CW5 Allen C. Mack, who authored the riveting book Razor 03. In Razor 03, Mack shares his behind the scenes perspective of The Horse Soldiers in the war in Afghanistan. Mack discusses the hunt for Osama bin Laden, and his shoot-down during Operation Anaconda. Years later, he chased Bowe Bergdahl, rescued hostages in Iraq and a survivor from the Kunar Valley. He lived by his unit’s motto: “Night Stalkers don’t quit.”  Ten years of deployments b ..read more

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts! In this two-part series, we sit down to talk with Capt Lee Majors from the Leon County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) in Florida. The LCSO has operated helicopters in support of law enforcement and public safety efforts in Tallahassee, Leon County, and the surrounding area since 1974.   For the first 25 or so years, LCSO operated the only law enforcement helicopter in the Florida panhandle. Today, the LCSO Aviation Bureau is often modeled by other agencies, and is the primary Florida Regional Domestic Security Task Force av ..read more

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts! In this two-part series, we sit down to talk with Capt Lee Majors from the Leon County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) in Florida. The LCSO has operated helicopters in support of law enforcement and public safety efforts in Tallahassee, Leon County, and the surrounding area since 1974.   For the first 25 or so years, LCSO operated the only law enforcement helicopter in the Florida panhandle. Today, the LCSO Aviation Bureau is often modeled by other agencies, and is the primary Florida Regional Domestic Security Task Force av ..read more

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!   This will be another one of our Vertical Helicasts Mash-Up episodes with Halsey Schider from The Helicopter Podcast and Jason Quinn from the Real ResQ Podcast.   In this episode we introduce our newest Vertical host, Val Medved, who will be hosting the new Vertical MRO Podcast—the first episode drops today.   The Vertical MRO Podcast explores the world of helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul. The episodes feature helicopter technicians, mechanics engineers, and MRO experts who will share valuable in ..read more

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!   In this three-part series, Jeff Ratkovich and Jon Gray sit down with the industry's best airborne tactical instructors to discuss the importance of training and collaboration in the industry.   This series has an all-star lineup up including Jack Schonely, Clay Lacey and Nick Minx.    Schonely spent over 30 years with the Los Angeles Police Department. He is a nationally recognized expert in suspect tactics and perimeter containment and is a sought-after tactical trainer.   As you will quickly lea ..read more

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!   In this three-part series, Jeff Ratkovich and Jon Gray sit down with the industry's best airborne tactical instructors to discuss the importance of training and collaboration in the industry.   This series has an all-star lineup up including Jack Schonely, Clay Lacey and Nick Minx.    Schonely spent over 30 years with the Los Angeles Police Department. He is a nationally recognized expert in suspect tactics and perimeter containment and is a sought-after tactical trainer.   As you will quickly lea ..read more

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!   In this Three part series, we sit down to talk with Deb Dickerson. A decorated former LAPD officer, Tactical Flight Officer and pilot. Deb Dickerson thrives on a life filled with challenge and passion. Born and raised in the tight-knit community of Guttenberg, Iowa (population 1,500), Deb developed a competitive spirit through sports like softball, basketball, and track.   A pivotal moment came in 1984 during a vacation to Los Angeles for the Olympic Trials. Setting eyes on the city and experiencing her first a ..read more

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!   In this three-part series, we sit down to talk with Deb Dickerson. A decorated former LAPD officer, Tactical Flight Officer and pilot. Deb Dickerson thrives on a life filled with challenge and passion. Born and raised in the tight-knit community of Guttenberg, Iowa (population 1,500), Deb developed a competitive spirit through sports like softball, basketball, and track.   A pivotal moment came in 1984 during a vacation to Los Angeles for the Olympic Trials. Setting eyes on the city and experiencing her first a ..read more

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!   In this three-part series, we sit down to talk with Deb Dickerson. Dickerson is a decorated former Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer, tactical flight officer (TFO) and pilot who thrives in a life filled with challenge and passion. Born and raised in the tight-knit community of Guttenberg, Iowa (population 1,500), Deb developed a competitive spirit through sports like softball, basketball and track.   A pivotal moment came in 1984 during a vacation to Los Angeles for the Olympic Trials. Setting eyes o ..read more

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!   In this two-part series, host Jon Gray sits down to talk with Harald Brink. Brink is based with the Dutch National Police, National Expertise and Operations, Air Support Unit, based at Amsterdam Airport since 2009. Brink has been a police officer since the early 1990s.   Since its inception in 1953, the Dutch Police Aviation Service has relentlessly served as the nation’s eyes in the sky. The unit operates two satellite offices, one at Rotterdam-The Hague Airport and one at Volkel AFB.    Operating aro ..read more