Feb 5, 2022
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Today we hear the Combat Story of Aiden Aslin, a UK citizen who
deployed multiple times into conflict zones to fight ISIS in Syria
and Russia in Ukraine.
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Aiden was not part of the British military. He simply decided the
people in Syria being terrorised by ISIS needed more support and
found a way to get down range to help.
During his multiple deployments into Syria fighting with other
westerners against ISIS and nearly dying, Aiden had been following
events in Ukraine. He again decided, instead of sitting safely in
the UK, to step up and fight for people who needed help.
Today, Aiden is officially part of the Ukrainian military. We had
to record this particular interview quickly before Aiden deployed
to the frontlines again, where he is now.
His Instagram account (cossackgundi) is worth a look too where’s
amassed 20K followers and describes himself as a “British guy
Rocking it out in the Ukrainian marines” with what he calls
“Warzone Photography” and “Conflict news”.
I hope you enjoy this humble and understated Combat Story of
someone who left everything behind to help others in two vastly
different conflicts as much as I did.
Find Aiden online:
Instagram @cossackgundi https://www.instagram.com/cossackgundi/
Twitter @cossackgundi https://mobile.twitter.com/cossackgundi
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Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Show Notes
0:00 - Intro
0:50 - Guest introduction (Aiden Aslin)
1:56 - Interview begins
2:16 - Current location and mindset getting ready for another
deployment
5:04 - Childhood and working with adults with special
needs
11:55 - Leaving safety and social work to go to Syria
19:46 - Deciding to go to war and getting into Syria
34:19 - Training and first time on the frontline making contact
with enemy
41:03 - Combat Story #1 First real contact and feeling
positive after the outcome
45:52 - Combat Story #2 A friendly fire incident that left
him with panic attacks
1:05:31 - Returning to Syria despite traumatic experiences
1:11:35 - Combat Story #2 Ukraine conflict and joining Ukrainian
Marines
1:25:32 - What did you carry into combat?
1:26:13 - Would you do it all again?
1:28:47 - Advice for someone considering this type of path
1:32:57 - Listener comments and shout outs