cct Archives - Page 2 of 5 -

Ep 111 | Don Stevens – Security Forces, Combat Control, Burn the Ships, PTSD

November 6, 2023 By Thad Forester

Don Stevens is one of those rare operators who retrained into the Air Force combat control (CCT) pipeline at the age of 32, after being in security forces. This required uncommon humility since leadership said, “What are we gonna do with a MSgt. who doesn’t know squat (many different strong words could be inserted here)?”

Even though I’ve had several CCT’s on this show, we haven’t talked much about their humanitarian roles. Don tells us how he got a team ready to deploy to Haiti in less than 4 hours, when the earthquake in 2010 happened.

Stevens provides advice to new guys entering the CCT pipeline, why PTSD doesn’t have to be a big deal, and shared the scariest thing he’s ever done. Hint, it wasn’t in Afghanistan or Africa.

You can also learn more about Don as the co-founder of FoxTrot 3.

Mentioned in this episode:

Thai Soccer Team Rescue

If you’re listening on Apple Music or Spotify, please rate the podcast with 5-stars and subscribe or follow. I’m tired of average podcasts with lame topics getting more listens than this one. Please help spread the word!

Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple Podc a sts
Listen on Amazon Music
Listen on Google Podcasts
Watch on YouTube

I’m a proud affiliate of GORUCK. Please use this link if you want to check out their workout, rucking, running, apparel and other equipment. It doesn’t cost you any add’l money, but allows me to get a small commission to help this podcast reach larger audiences:

https://www.thadforester.com/gr-affiliate

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Ep 110 | Special: Kenny Alicea & Mark Forester – Beautiful Symphony of Death and Destruction

September 29, 2023 By Thad Forester

On this 13th anniversary of the death of my brother, SrA Mark Forester, I have the opportunity to talk with Kenny Alicea who was the Senior Weapons Sergeant for his Army Special Forces team (ODA 7212) where Mark was attached.

Kenny contacted me a few weeks ago and told me he was on that final mission when Mark and Calvin were killed. He was a few hundred meters away with the mounted element, but he heard the radio calls and helped clear the area after their deaths. He helps piece together a few more details about Mark’s final moments.

In addition, Alicea told me about some initial disagreements and arguments he and Mark had and how they resolved those and worked together to bring destruction to terrorists and protect their teams. Hint: both of them said they own the airspace. Once they started working together, he said Mark was phenomenal at his job.

You can connect with Kenny on his YouTube Channel that helps vets in the private security contracting field: https://www.youtube.com/@VetsToPSC

For those watching the YouTube version, I hope you enjoy the slideshow at the very end of the interview.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ep 60: Captain Wes Wilson – Ken’s team captain gives lots of detail on that battle too

Ep 38: Bobby Bonello – Mark’s good friend escorting him home to Dover AFB – Angel Flight

Copyright 2023 Thad Forester
https://www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com
Watch this interview on YouTube

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Ep 104 | Dan Skidmore, aka Cadre DS – Getting Ready for the JAG 28 Birthday Walk

May 8, 2023 By Thad Forester

Dan Skidmore (@danskidmore11) is the Director of Specialized Training at GORUCK. He’s back on PTC as to talk initially about the upcoming Mark Forester JAG 28 Memorial Birthday Walk/Ruck. This is our annual event honoring my brother Mark Forester who was KIA 2010, where we walk 28 continuous miles. Dan will be joining us for the first time (in person) on May 20, 2023 in Haleyville, AL.

I pick his brain about how to toughen up your feet, break in shoes and prevent injury (especially lower body).

We also discuss the benefits of compression therapy and his own business, Bulletproof Bands. He provided a huge discount on his site by using JAG28 promo code at checkout.

You’ll want to hear why he suggests peeing on your feet too – I’m not sure I can even physically do that. And what is the max weight you should carry for this event.

I look forward to Dan joining our walk this year and leading us in Memorial Pushups. Come join us. We want you to be part of our tribe on May 20, 2023 in Haleyville, AL. Read more and sign up here:

Mentioned in this episode:
Ballistic Trainers shoes
MACV-1 Rucking Boots that Dan will be wearing for this event
Bullet Rucker
Sandbags
Sand Kettlebells
Dan’s hotel in ancient Medina, Marrakesh, Morocco

Sorry for the audio issues on this one. My wifi has been oddly off recently, so you will notice some cut-outs.

You can also find Dan on YouTube and Facebook
And you can listen to our first interview on episode 75.

*Remember, for a big discount on Bulletproof Bands, use promo code JAG28 at checkout. Dan’s business is showing support for The Mark Forester Foundation.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Ep 100 | Michael Blout – Combat Controller, Silver Star Recipient

February 6, 2023 By Thad Forester

Michael Blout joins me to talk about the battle from 2012 where he was awarded the Silver Star. As a former Flight Superintendent, Combat Dive Course Superintendent, and Superintendent over the Department of Training, Special Warfare Preparatory Course and more, we talk much about preparation, mindset, leading, integrating into a team and never quitting. During the CCT pipeline, Blout was smoked many times by one of his instructors, Mark Lauren (aka Klinganator or Cyborg). Mark is also a former guest on this show.

He also shared how to keep the sharks away while scuba training and threw in some surprises about dolphins.

Mike is another Air Force Combat Controller who is a silent professional. He’s sacrificed his body and family to fight evil and to serve in other various ways throughout the world. “Take care of your people and they will take care of you.”

One of Blout’s SF teammates, “Big Mike” Duskin, was killed in this battle on Oct 23, 2012. Please take time to read about him at this link: https://www.duskinandstephens.org/duskin

I hope you enjoy the intro music and full song at the end of this interview. It was written by former Air Force CCT, and 2-time PTC guest, Dan Schilling. You can learn the history of this song here. Dan’s goal is for it to be something that urges people to turn up the volume when they play the track!

“My hope was that this song rocks enough that guys I wrote it for will enjoy it and powerful enough to leave an indelible emotional impact crater,” Schilling said, “one you want to revisit over and over again.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Ep 099 | Yvette Sierra – Gold Star Mother to SrA Danny Sanchez

January 9, 2023 By Thad Forester

On Sept 16, 2010, Yvette’s son, Daniel Ray Sanchez (Danny) was killed in Afghanistan by an insurgent who infiltrated the Afghanistan partner force.

Today, Danny’s mom tells us why this “ball of energy” was made for Combat Control and what happened on his first deployment – how was an insurgent able to get on the helicopter with Danny and his team and then kill Danny when they landed. Fortunately, that guy was killed immediately, but only after injuring others, and of course killing one of America’s bravest.

Yvette started the SrA Danny Ray Sanchez Foundation and holds an annual race on Labor Day weekend to raise money to provide scholarships to Montwood High School graduates, and hopefully to other schools in the district soon.

Yvette and I have become friends since 2010. We’ve mourned together and attended several events together. I loved finally getting to have her on Patriot to the Core. Listen to this mother’s love of her son as she shares how she was notified and how she’s handled his loss since. We also discuss how Danny’s death affected her youngest son, Dakota, since he’s no longer being duct-taped to the door or being hung on the door knob by his underwear, compliments of his big brother.

You can also watch this interview on YouTube here.

Mentioned in this episode:

Memorial 3 Gun
Combat Control Foundation

Podcast: Play in new window | Download