Operation Midnight Hammer through the eyes of the F-16 Wild Weasel pilots who flew it. This is the firsthand account of the 55th Fighter Squadron and the 20th Fighter Wing. These are the pilots who fly Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses, known as SEAD, the crews who went in first to suppress Iranian air defenses, and the ground support teams who made the mission possible. Part two covers the mission planning and the thoughts of the pilots and other squadron members when they thought of the upcoming mission to strike Iran's nuclear facilities. Recorded between December 2025 and January 2026, this series preserves the experiences of the people who were there, in their own words.

It is painful to watch million-dollar missiles used to take down cheap drones. Relying on scarce, expensive munitions against mass-produced threats is not a sustainable strategy in modern conflict. #Defense #MilitaryTech

Defense is evolving. Lockheed is upgrading the PAC-3 with the PAC-3 Edge and Anduril is rolling out Steelfin interceptors. #DefenseTech #MilitaryStrategy

Firing million-dollar missiles at cheap, mass-produced drones is a losing game. Anduril is betting on a modular, open-architecture approach to defense, allowing for rapid configuration swaps to match evolving threats without redeveloping entire systems. #DefenseTech #Innovation

Boeing is now building both of America's 6th-generation fighters, the Air Force's F-47 and the Navy's F/A-XX. This consolidation raises questions, especially given Boeing's recent production challenges. Full video: youtu.be/XNjurMWMPlg

Boeing won the Navy’s F/A-XX sixth-generation carrier fighter on September 29, which means one company now builds both American sixth-gen fighters, the Navy’s F/A-XX and the Air Force’s F-47. Full video: youtu.be/XNjurMWMPlg

Precision in combat is a symphony of teamwork. From FACs coordinating air support to A-10 pilots delivering a swift gun solution, every action aims to protect friendly forces. #Military #Aviation #Combat

Landed safely after a harrowing experience, only to learn a fellow pilot, 'Chocks,' had been shot down minutes before. Relief washed over me as I learned he was rescued. A day of immense gratitude. #MilitaryAviation #PilotLife #CloseCall

Full episode: 🔗 Watch the full video: youtu.be/xwRfjsusbL4 A mangled engine, burning oil, and a fan not spinning freely turned a flight into a near disaster. #MilitaryLife #HumblingExperience

Full episode: 🔗 Watch the full video: youtu.be/xwRfjsusbL4 The A-10's engine design is legendary. Even with a mangled cowling and fire, pilots can let it burn and fight their way out, unlike more fragile aircraft.

Operation Midnight Hammer. 🔗 Watch the full video: youtu.be/B6IJVLJ18bU #AerialRefueling #PilotLife #MilitaryAviation #MissionSupport

Caught off guard: the sudden impact of being hit. It's a jarring, violent moment that leaves you asking, 'What just happened?' Even when you know the answer. #Combat #SurvivorStory #RealLife

Operation Midnight Hammer. 🔗 Watch the full video: youtu.be/B6IJVLJ18bU #AerialRefueling #PilotLife #MilitaryAviation #MissionSupport

Full episode: 🔗 Watch the full video: youtu.be/xwRfjsusbL4 A MANPAD, an SA-16 with an impact fuse, hit the right engine during a left-hand turn. No warning, no flares deployed—it's almost impossible to see coming

Gary "Wolfman" Wolf breaks down his HUD (heads up display) footage from 8 April 2003. 🔗 Watch the full video: youtu.be/6adeZDvXx2w

On 8 April 2003, Gary "Wolfman" Wolf was struck by an SA-16 over Baghdad. 8 April In-depth breakdown: youtu.be/3dOu6KT9a9Y Wolfman's Full interview @afterburnpodcast : youtube.com/watch?v=xwRfjsus…

Operation Midnight Hammer. 🔗 Watch the full video: youtu.be/B6IJVLJ18bU #AerialRefueling #PilotLife #MilitaryAviation #MissionSupport

On 8 April 2003, Gary "Wolfman" Wolf was struck by an SA-16 over Baghdad. 8 April In-depth breakdown: youtu.be/3dOu6KT9a9Y Wolfman's Full interview @afterburnpodcast : youtube.com/watch?v=xwRfjsus…