His Army Air Corps grandfather received his pilot license from Orville Wright and knew aviation legends like Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart. His father served in the Air Force and in Korea. And third generation pilot Al Palmer flew fighter jets in the Air Force--including the famed F-4 "Wild Weasel" missions during the Vietnam War--then later changed to becoming a naval aviator in the Navy flying the new F-14 Tomcats off of aircraft carriers.

We're turning the tables on this episode of STARRS and Stripes and interviewing the host himself, CDR Al Palmer, US Navy ret to learn about his incredible family military aviation legacy, his own combat service as a fighter pilot, and later creating and running aviation museums. There he helped preserve important aviation history that he and his family lived through, serving from World War I to the Cold War.

Al recounts his the hair-raising F-4 Phantom Wild Weasel missions flown during the Vietnam War including Operation Linebacker where their mission was to draw out the enemy's missiles so they couldn't be used against the bombers. He discusses firsthand accounts of tactical maneuvers, the dangers of air combat, and the brotherhood among pilots. From the psychological challenges to the tactical brilliance required to outsmart enemy defenses, his stories give a vivid picture of bravery and camaraderie in the face of overwhelming odds.

When the war ended, Al did something most people didn't do at the time: a lateral move from the Air Force to the Navy. There he flew the iconic F-14 Tomcat--brand new at the time--off of carriers. After his service, he recounts his contributions to preserving military aviation history running the San Diego Aviation Museum, creating from scratch the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, securing rare artifacts, his interactions with historic aviation and space figures, and his job running the National Atomic Testing Museum. Al has an amazing military aviation heritage and story.

_______________________________________

For more information about STARRS, go to our website: https://starrs.us which monitors and exposes the CRT/DEI/Woke agenda in the Dept. of Defense and advocates a return to Merit, Equality and Integrity in the military.

Join our Mailing List for our weekly newsletter on this issue.

Get more involved in the fight: Become a Volunteer

Follow STARRS:
X (Twitter) | Facebook | LinkedIn | Rumble | Truth | Gettr | Gab

Support the Mission: Make a tax-deductible donation

What makes a military leader truly exceptional? Brigadier General Robert F. Titus, known as "Earthquake," exemplifies the qualities of a remarkable military warfighting career, and in this episode of STARRS & Stripes, we pay tribute to his remarkable legacy. Host CDR Al Palmer, USN ret, who served under Gen. Titus, talks with Bill Scott, retired editor at Aviation Week and Space Technology and author of the book "Earthquake" about Gen. Titus, as well as Lieutenant General Tom McInerney, USAF ret, a distinguished combat pilot and senior Air Force leader who served with Gen. Titus.

We cover General Titus's journey from an 18-year-old Army paratrooper to becoming a celebrated Air Force fighter pilot. We'll explore his 101 missions in the Korean War and his critical role in testing and developing iconic fighter jets like the F-104, F-5, and F-4.

Throughout the episode, Bill, Tom and Al share first-hand accounts and rich narratives about pivotal moments in General Titus's career, including his involvement in the selection of the F-15 and his heroic actions during the Vietnam War. These stories highlight the themes of leadership, accountability, and the values that have shaped the armed forces. Throughout there is a deeper appreciation of the rigorous standards and meritocratic principles that define military success.

Delving into contemporary challenges facing the military, our discussion addresses the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and the ideological shifts within the armed forces. Hear our guests' reflections on how these changes affect military readiness and cohesion, and why strong leadership and adherence to core values are crucial in navigating these transitions. This episode is a compelling listen for anyone passionate about military history, aviation, and the evolving landscape of military practices and policies.

Find Bill Scott's book, "Earthquake: Brigadier General Robert F. Titus" on Amazon https://a.co/d/11deD2y and other sellers. Description:
American fighter pilot and test pilot Brigadier General Robert F. "Earthquake" Titus logged more than 550 combat missions in the Korean and Vietnam wars; flight tested all Century Series fighters; flew the first nonstop trans-Polar flight in an F-100 Super Sabre; shot down three enemy MiG-21s and brought the F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter to life. Read his incredible stories in his own words, as told to author Bill Scott, who sat down with the legend for multiple interviews to learn how it really was.

_______________________________________

For more information about STARRS, go to our website: https://starrs.us which monitors and exposes the CRT/DEI/Woke agenda in the Dept. of Defense and advocates a return to Merit, Equality and Integrity in the military.

Join our Mailing List for our weekly newsletter on this issue.

Get more involved in the fight: Become a Volunteer

Follow STARRS:
X (Twitter) | Facebook | LinkedIn | Rumble | Truth | Gettr | Gab

Support the Mission: Make a tax-deductible donation

Join STARRS & Stripes podcast with host CDR Al Palmer, US Navy ret, for an inspiring conversation with leaders of the Calvert Task Group: Naval Academy graduates Captain Tom Burbage, US Navy ret, and Lieutenant Commander Bruce Davey, US Navy ret, as they all share their remarkable journeys shaped by deep-rooted family legacies in military service.

From Burbage’s childhood dreams sparked by naval officers to his impactful career at Lockheed Martin, and Davey's exhilarating experience flying with the Blue Angels and his transition to a successful aviation consultancy, as well as Palmer's career as a F-4 "Wild Weasel" in the Air Force to becoming a Naval aviator, you'll find their stories and insights interesting. This episode explores the lasting influence of the "Greatest Generation" on military and societal values, and the ever-present need for readiness in the face of evolving domestic and global threats.

Covered in this episode are the pressing issues of today’s military recruitment and retention challenges amidst shifting cultural landscapes. Burbage and Davey discuss the erosion of the elite, motivating culture that once drew recruits into the armed forces, and how financial incentives alone are not enough to maintain a capable and motivated force. Drawing parallels to team sports, they emphasize the importance of fostering a sense of belonging, purpose, and responsibility to a higher cause beyond self. Also highlighted is the critical need for strong leadership and support from organizations such as STARRS and the Calvert Task Group to uphold the standards and effectiveness of our military.

Finally, they reflect on the evolving perspectives of veterans and the move from casual socializing to active engagement working on restoring the military by removing the divisive politicization and ant-American ideology in the armed forces. This is the focus of Calvert Task Group's new book, "Don't Give Up the Ship: Woke Politics are Endangering Our Military and Our Nation," which consists of powerful essays on the topic written by its members.

This episode talks about the collaborative efforts of STARRS, Calvert Task Group and the MacArthur Society, and their impactful actions and influence. With insights into maintaining military strength and unity, this episode reinforces the necessity of strong leadership and the elimination of corrosive elements to ensure operational effectiveness. Tune in to hear the compelling stories and valuable lessons from three naval aviators dedicated to preserving the legacy and integrity of military service.

_______________________________________

For more information about STARRS, go to our website: https://starrs.us which monitors and exposes the CRT/DEI/Woke agenda in the Dept. of Defense and advocates a return to Merit, Equality and Integrity in the military.

Join our Mailing List for our weekly newsletter on this issue.

Get more involved in the fight: Become a Volunteer

Follow STARRS:
X (Twitter) | Facebook | LinkedIn | Rumble | Truth | Gettr | Gab

Support the Mission: Make a tax-deductible donation