Ep. 345 - Amber Smith, combat helicopter pilot

On this weeks SOFREP episode we have a whole lot of drones. Ryan Gury is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Performance Drone Works (PDW), a U.S.-based innovator in unmanned aerial systems. With over a decade of experience as an inventor, entrepreneur, and drone expert, Gury has been a driving force in the small drone industry. In 2015, he co-founded the Drone Racing League (DRL), establishing it as the world's leading professional drone racing property for elite pilots. As Chief Technology Officer at DRL, he spearheaded the design, engineering, and production of custom-built racing drones and developed groundbreaking radio technology to counteract jamming and interference. The technological innovations under Gury's leadership attracted significant interest from the Department of Defense and the broader defense community, leading to the establishment of PDW in 2018 to meet the specialized needs of military and government agencies. Gury holds ten patents for pioneering drone technologies and has been recognized with two Guinness World Records: fastest battery-operated remote-controlled quadcopter and longest endurance for electric-powered quadcopter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

13 Helmi 47min

Francelle Bradford White first learned about her mother’s exploits in World War II when she was six years old and has been fascinated by her achievements ever since. She is a Director of the international art and antiques transport company Gander & White, and lives in England with her husband. As a fundraiser in her spare time, she has raised thousands of pounds for charitable causes, including Alzheimer’s, the disease from which her mother now suffers. Movingly written by her own daughter, this captivating and intimate biography chronicles the astonishing courage Andrée Griotteray, a teenage girl in Nazi-occupied Paris who would become a hero of the French Resistance through her harrowing work as an underground intelligence courier. For readers of Three Ordinary Girls, A Woman of No Importance, Lis Parisiennes, The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line, and the many other untold stories of WWII’s “hidden figures.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 Tammi 58min

Rob Shaul is the Founder and President of the Mountain Tactical Institute (MTI), where he serves as a self-educated strength and conditioning coach specializing in tactical and mountain athletes. His clientele includes professional mountain guides, alpine climbers, freeskiers, kayakers, backcountry hunters, as well as military, law enforcement, and firefighter personnel from various countries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 Tammi 1h 2min

From the SOFREP team to you, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Happy New Year! Tom Kilgannon is the President of Freedom Alliance, an organization dedicated to supporting military personnel, veterans, and their families. With a strong commitment to defending American values and advocating for the well-being of those who serve in the armed forces, Kilgannon has played a key role in shaping the organization's initiatives. Under his leadership, Freedom Alliance has focused on providing scholarships, financial aid, and other essential services to veterans and their families, while also promoting policies that protect American freedom and security.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 Joulu 202450min

James Stejskal is a former U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Beret) officer, seasoned intelligence operative, and author. With a career spanning over two decades, Stejskal has served in numerous high-risk environments around the world, specializing in covert operations, counterterrorism, and military intelligence. After his service, he turned to writing and consulting, sharing his vast expertise on special operations, military history, and the world of intelligence. Stejskal's insights offer a unique perspective on the intersection of military strategy, geopolitics, and the human element of warfare. He is the author of several books, including Special Forces Berlin: Clandestine Cold War Operations of the U.S. Army’s Elite, 1956-1990, which explores the covert operations of U.S. Special Forces in the heart of Cold War Europe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16 Joulu 202453min

Gene Yu is a former U.S. Army Green Beret, author, and entrepreneur. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Yu served with distinction in Special Forces, specializing in unconventional warfare and counterterrorism operations. After his military career, he transitioned into the private sector, becoming an author of the "Yellow Green Beret" series, which provides a humorous and candid look at life in the Special Forces. Yu gained international attention in 2013 when he played a pivotal role in orchestrating the successful rescue of a kidnapped Taiwanese national in the Philippines. Beyond his military and writing accomplishments, Yu has been active in the tech industry, co-founding businesses and contributing to innovations in cybersecurity and software development.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Joulu 20241h 24min

Mission Roll Call is the first of its kind: a non-partisan movement that gives our community an opportunity to speak on the issues that are most important to them. We partner with our network of veterans, their families, supporters, and veteran service organizations in our coalition to advocate for positive change in the lives of all veterans. Through polling, direct outreach, and media appearances, Mission Roll Call gathers and delivers the unfiltered, unbiased, and apolitical voice of veterans and their supporters across America, advocating for meaningful improvements and ensuring their concerns and ideas are heard at the highest levels of policy-making.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 Joulu 20241h 3min

SOFREP Podcast host Aaron “Rad” Radl sits down with three Skydio veterans—Mike Deeds, Josh Coryell, and Bryan King—as they share stories from their military careers and discuss the unique skills they bring to their current roles at Skydio. With years of service across the Air Force and Army, they explore the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian roles, how their experiences inform their work in cutting-edge drone technology, and the significance of continuing to serve the nation in a new capacity. This conversation honors their journeys and contributions, both past and present.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 Marras 202457min