Dec 17, 2022
Today we hear the Combat Story of a long time aviator and CH-47 and MH-47 pilot who spent years with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), Alan Mack. Alan served over 35 years in the Army and retired with 6700 flight hours, including 3200 hours in NVGs. Alan survived an aircraft shootdown and multiple near death experiences in his time in uniform.
He was a part of iconic operations including Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operations Anaconda and Redwings, and many others he can’t discuss because they remain classified. He has two Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Bronze Stars, a Legion of Merit, and 10 Air Medals, including one with Valor.
His nickname was The ‘Stache which is almost a requirement for an aviator but sadly that mustache is now gone but I have confirmed with my old flight school roommate who served with Alan that the nickname was indeed, The Stache!
Alan’s book “Razor 03: A Night Stalker’s Wars” chronicles so much more of his experiences in the elite special operations community for those who are left wanting more, to include some of the more personal and challenging family dynamics he experienced with years in combat.
I hope you enjoy this perspective from the inside the cockpit where we dive deep into some of the aviation psychology, personalities, and Chinook configurations, as much as I did.
Find Alan Online:
- - Twitter @AlanCMack2015 https://twitter.com/alancmack2015
- - Website https://alancmack.com/
- - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AlanCMackAuthor
Find Ryan Online:
- - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Show Notes:
- 0:00 - Intro
- 0:55 - Guest Introduction (Alan Mack)
- 2:22 - Interview Begins
- 3:02 - Razor 03 A Night Stalkers War
- 4:10 - Bumper Hitching
- 7:26 - Enlistment
- 11:35 - Path to Chinooks
- 14:37 - WOJG
- 16:58 - Chinook Pilot Personality
- 20:51 - Loading the Chinook
- 24:54 - The Composition of the Chinook
- 33:40 - Right Ramp Left Ramp
- 38:51 - The Crew Chiefs
- 43:48- Sending Apache Guys
- 45:26 - First time flying in combat
- 55:00 - We own the night
- 01:02:59 - Eras of war
- 01:09:40 - Alan's Teaching Days
- 01:23:01 - The Anaconda
- 01:59:48 - The Aftermath
- 02:04:35 - What did you carry into combat?
- 02:07:01 - Would you do it all again?
- 02:11:29 - Razor 03 A Night Stalkers War
- 02:13:36 - Listeners comments and shout outs