10 Percent True - Tales from the Cockpit

This is the first episode of a new series we’re calling The Bullshit Detectorist. I’m joined by Starbaby Pietrucha, and the idea is simple—take some of the stuff you hear all the time about military aviation and see if it actually stands up. Stealth’s dead, drones have changed everything, low-frequency radar can see anything… we get into all of it.0:00 Aurora1:00 welcome back Starbaby - series outline/premise3:55 super low freq/passive radars are the death of stealth11:15 other dimensions of lo-observable?15:11 collapsing the kill chain?16:40 HARM were used to maybe make the Iraqis duck a bit…… (Dan Hampton quote) 🤡 21:35 “it’s not the plane, but the person in the box”26:02 “there’s no 100% defence against low cost cruise missiles (Shahed/Geran etc)” - previews further discussion on mass as a principle of war33:23 Starbaby and the Somme teaser34:06 “SR-71 shouldn’t have been retired”37:10 why did the U-2 survive?39:25 Aurora?43:36 “Crewed, oxygen breathing AEW aircraft are overrated and unnecessary…..” (incl underfunding/mismanagement of suck programs follow on)49:28 “the appearance of an aircraft is the most important (in US combat aircraft selection)”Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 53:32 “high speed low level penetration of an enemy IAD is redundant because of stealth”56:38 low level mitigation? 59:25 “Ghost Bat” or “MQ-28”1:01:18 SDB stormbreaker mean 1000 and 2000lbs bombs are unreasonable risks of collateral damage 1:07:30 intercepting bombs is much harder than cruise missiles 1:08:46 Stormbreaker 2 and associated marketing1:12:15 wrapping up

Benji 3

Get the full episode here: https://www.10percenttrue.com/pricing-plans/list10PCT EP86 P2 Benji PrefontaineIn Episode 2, Benji Prefontaine moves from early operations into real combat experience—flying the Dassault Mirage F1 in Africa before transitioning to carrier aviation in the Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard.He describes the shock of adapting from Air Force flying to life on the carrier—where precision, discipline, and consistency are everything. Landing on the boat becomes a defining challenge, exposing the difference between being a good pilot and being an operational one.The episode also explores the limitations of the Super Étendard—an aging, analog jet forced into modern combat—and how that shapes tactics, workload, and risk. Benji highlights the realities of coalition warfare, early Afghanistan deployments, and the steep learning curve of operating in a far more complex and demanding environment.This is where the story shifts from “becoming a pilot” to learning how to survive and operate effectively in combat.0:00 Teaser – Pyjamas, Wine, Corkscrews and Cigarettes 1:45 Welcome Back Benji (Steve’s Lost It!) + Episode Outline 3:20 First Operational Squadron – Tough Start to Mixed Force Ops 9:20 Post-9/11 Politics and Operational Reality 12:38 Red Flag – Flying with Mirage 2000D 15:36 Did Red Flag Validate the EW Suite? 18:41 How Red Flag Prepared Him for Combat 22:26 Inferiority Complex in Coalition Ops? 28:02 Social Life on Squadron 31:24 Old School vs New School – What Works? 35:38 Deployments to Chad 40:42 Threat Environment and Risk 44:48 Ferry Flight to Red Flag – Single-Engine Stress 47:43 Bird Strikes and Wildlife Hazards 52:09 Survival Kit – What’s On Board? 55:10 CSAR – Expectations vs Reality 57:46 What Is a Pilot Worth? 59:05 Combat Psychology 1:04:18 Managing Pilots Doing “Cool Stuff” (Photos/Video) 1:09:54 Romania Deployment – Encounters with MiGs 1:18:09 QRA – Intercepts and Real-World Stories 1:24:45 French Air Force “Urban Legends” 1:27:27 Encounters with USAF Incursions? 1:30:08 End of First Tour – Seeking Exchange Opportunities 1:32:50 Carrier Tour Expectations – Charles de Gaulle 1:35:15 No Night Landings? 1:36:30 Targeting Pod (PDLCT) 1:37:52 FCLP – Carrier Landing Practice 1:42:12 The Hardest Part of Carrier Ops 1:45:15 Nuclear Strike Mission Explained 1:51:53 Super Étendard Capabilities (Including Exocet) 2:01:17 From Detection to Attack 2:05:00 Situation Display, Autopilot, Datalink 2:07:55 Tuning Exocet Targeting and Performance 2:09:12 How Do You Attack a Carrier Group? 2:13:00 Part 3 Preview – Combat and Command

The rescue of the crew of DUDE 44, an F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iran, is one of the most complex and dangerous combat search and rescue (CSAR) operations in modern warfare. Retired USAF Colonel and Special Operations pilot Buck Walker breaks down how it happened – from the shootdown to the high-risk mission that brought the crew home. This is how CSAR really works.

Get the full episode here: https://www.10percenttrue.com/pricing-plans/list10PCT EP86 P1 – Benji PrefontaineChapters0:00 Intro Teaser – M1.3 Corner Speed, Avoiding the Merge, Low Level3:00 Welcome, Benji4:15 Subscriber Question (T-Stoff) – Super Étendard Carrier Ops10:35 The Hardest Flying of His Career?13:44 Route to the Air Force16:15 Initial Flying & Training Curriculum19:04 Early Impressions & Developing Mission Focus23:48 Choosing a Platform & Mission27:10 Explaining Career Choices29:15 The Mirage 2000N Mission31:32 Revisiting the Training Accident & Its Repercussions36:14 Ready for That Conversation?38:44 The Reward for That Risk40:22 Alpha Jet46:36 Air-to-Air Phase – How Formative?49:18 Armée de l’Air Culture56:00 Parents’ Opinions57:37 Mirage F1CT – Introduction, Impressions & Capabilities1:06:05 Electronic Warfare Suite1:07:40 MATRA 530 – Fox 1 Capability1:13:53 Were Export F1 Variants Better?1:17:00 Diving Deeper into EW Capabilities1:20:42 M1.3 Corner Speed – Avoiding the Merge at Low Level1:23:34 “Cheating” in the F1?1:26:10 DACT Opportunities1:27:57 Taking on the Mirage 20001:30:48 Recce & Air-to-Ground Role1:36:45 ELINT System Autonomy & Mission Planning1:40:26 Datalink1:41:50 Flying Qualities (and Vices) of the F11:46:04 Bird Strikes1:48:20 Experience on the F1CT & Close Calls1:50:58 Air-to-Air Refuelling – Tankers, Techniques & Night Ops2:02:15 Geeking Out & Previewing the Next Episode

Cinco Hamilton | 10 Percent True | EP85Former USAF fighter pilot, F-35 test leader, and AI program director Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton joins the show to explain what artificial intelligence actually means for combat aviation. Drawing on his career flying the F-15C, standing up the MC-12 ISR platform, leading F-35 developmental test, and directing the Department of the Air Force–MIT AI Accelerator, Hamilton breaks down the difference between autonomy and AI, how machine learning is being tested in drones like the XQ-58 Valkyrie, and the ethical limits that should never be crossed. The conversation explores whether AI could ever control lethal weapons, how militaries test AI safely through millions of simulations, what AI could do inside aircraft like the F-35, and whether pilots risk becoming deskilled as automation increases. It’s a rare inside look at the future of autonomous combat systems from someone who helped build them0:00 Intro teaser – Drawing a Line 2:23 Welcome Cinco and Episode Outline 5:05 Quick Timeline Introduction 12:50 From Eagle to MC-12? 16:46 Outlining AI in Military Aviation and Defence 22:25 Thought Exercise Presentation 30:14 How Do You Ensure the AI Drone Doesn’t Hit the Bus? Should There Be Concern? 36:37 The Practicalities of Putting AI in the Driving Seat 40:22 How Nuanced Does AI Have to Be to Be “Good Enough”? 45:00 From Theory to Implementation 50:42 Can It Be That Simple? 53:22 Adversarial Developments and Excluding AI from Nuclear Decision-Making 1:01:00 AI Applications in the F-35 and Whether Loyal Wingman Is Possible Without AI 1:06:45 Deskilling of Operators 1:14:22 Audience Question (Nucks) 1:17:00 Audience Question (Matthew) 1:20:55 Audience Question (Biggles-Tintin) 1:23:20 Unlocking the Last 20% – Why Write It? 1:26:50 Balancing Risk in Test Flying and the Role of Faith 1:33:50 How to Get the Book 1:35:10 Thanks to Cinco (Plus the Callsign Story Bonus!)

10 Percent True Channel Update March 2026

Pinbag Shaw | 10 Percent True | EP83 Part 3In the final instalment of my conversation with Thomas “Pinbag” Shaw, we close out his Phantom career.From Cold War nuclear strike planning in Europe to flying large-force exercises at Nellis and combat-ready deployments in the Pacific, Pinbag walks us through the evolution of the F-4E and the realities of fighter operations in the late Cold War.We talk about weapons school culture, the arrival of systems like Pave Tack and ARN-101, Sparrow missile performance, Soviet encounters in the Pacific, and what it was really like operating the Phantom at the edge of the Cold War.And he finishes with one of the most striking stories in this entire interview series.0:00 Intro Story – Cultural Differences3:23 Welcome Back, Pinbag4:24 Follow-on Assignment from Korea – Hahn (Germany)9:59 TISEO “Qualification”11:26 AGM-65 – In-Theatre Limitations12:46 European Theatre – Differences from PACAF & Culture16:10 B-61 & B-57, SIOP, Hard Crewing19:52 Certification – Related Stories27:15 Victor Alert Targeting & “The French View” on West Germany28:38 Local Traditions & Low Flying31:00 TISEO in Operation33:50 To Nellis (Not Moody?!)38:03 The Place to Be – Red Flag, RDJTF, F-15 Integration & “The Box”45:58 Radar – Follow-Up47:30 The Eagles49:40 Personal Development Journey54:45 Back to PACAF – Clark (F-4 Fleet, Weapons, Equipment & 3rd TFS History)1:06:00 PAVE TACK1:08:10 WESEP / Combat Sage – ORU-1 Radar Upgrade & AIM-7 Developments1:17:00 Weapons School Experience – Culture Shift, Academics vs Flying, Staying Out of “The Box”1:28:10 The Aggressor Problem1:31:00 Fisher vs Glosson – Culture of the Time1:34:10 Focus on North Korea & Shadowing the Russian Navy1:38:15 Changes After KAL 007 Shootdown1:41:58 Post-Weapons School – Taegu as Weapons Officer (PAVE TACK & Range Betting)1:51:06 ROK Maintenance & Marshall Enforcement – Intro Story1:55:55 Evolution of the Rear Cockpit2:09:00 Battle Damage & Oddities2:11:05 Thank You, Pinbag

Get the full episode:https://www.10percenttrue.com/pricing-plans/listPinbag Shaw | 10 Percent True | EP83 Part 2In Part Two of our conversation, Thomas “Pinbag” Shaw takes us operational.From Korea to Germany, this is life in a Cold War Phantom squadron — where Victor Alert was real, nuclear strike planning was routine, and NATO air defence timelines were measured in minutes.In this episode we discuss:• What sitting nuclear Victor Alert actually meant• How QRA posture worked in Europe and the Pacific• Intercept geometry against Warsaw Pact aircraft• NATO strike planning and readiness discipline• The psychology of Cold War aircrew culture• Transitioning from Phantom to the Strike Eagle eraThis is Tactical Air Command at its most serious — a force built around the assumption that the next launch might not be an exercise.If you enjoy long-form, technical conversations with the people who flew the jets, subscribe and join the conversation.0:00 Intro teaser – North Korean MiG-21 intercept3:52 Welcome back, Pinbag4:28 The Nellis influence9:28 Leaving MacDill – SERE school20:28 Korea and PACAF disposition27:15 36th Fighter Squadron33:35 Introduction to Korea38:00 Areas of responsibility, command structure, and settling in44:20 Training, digesting the vault, and other in-theatre assets and threats49:10 Equipment – F-4E variants53:25 Radar presentation, trade-offs, and features (TISEO, Combat Tree, Pave Spike)1:04:44 Turnover of airframes1:06:02 Operation Paul Bunyan – the axe-handle murders and redeployment of assets (including GBU-15 / AGM-65) for possible engagement with a tree1:11:35 One year later – the Army’s turn and the lost Chinook1:15:38 North Korean Air Force and South Korean MiGs (and Beagle)1:26:12 AN-2s and skunk boats1:27:30 How a prospective war would have unfolded1:32:05 North Koreans in Vietnam; Soviets and North Koreans flying with the Egyptians1:34:24 GCI and bullseye intercepts1:36:50 Integration, improvement, and the prospective order of battle1:40:40 Evolution in war planning and the birth of Large Force Employment1:46:30 Lakenheath leadership influence and differences from PACAF1:54:40 Battles over the Taiwan Strait and ROKAF checkouts – similarities and rumours1:57:30 Alert story – possible SA-2 site2:01:12 Peacetime Aerial Reconnaissance Program (including intro teaser story) and alert scramble

Get the full episode: https://www.10percenttrue.com/pricing-plans/listPinbag Shaw | 10 Percent True | EP83 Part 1Thomas “Pinbag” Shaw flew the F-4E Phantom II at a pivotal moment in USAF history.Commissioned during the draft era, he entered Tactical Air Command just as the Air Force was absorbing the hard lessons of Vietnam and rebuilding its fighter culture from the ground up.In this first part of our conversation, Pinbag explains:• Why the J79 smoked — and how crews worked around it• What Red Baron reports actually taught young Phantom crews• How Fighter Lead-In training at Holloman reshaped post-Vietnam tactics• The reality of Sparrow employment before modern radar displays• AIMVAL/ACEVAL and what it revealed about missile combat• Combat Tree, radar geometry, and “hot” vs “cold” scope discipline• Nuclear delivery training in the F-4E• And how a loose ejection seat pin bag became a permanent callsignWe also explore the cultural side of 1970s Tactical Air Command — from Aggressor briefings to the infamous “vulnerability period” at the O-Club — and how the Air Force transitioned from the Vietnam experience into the F-15/F-16 era.This episode is a deep dive into Phantom air-to-air tactics, radar intercept mechanics, and fighter culture in the years between Vietnam and the Eagle.Part Two will take us operational — Korea, Germany, Victor Alert, and real-world air defence.If you enjoy long-form, technical conversations with the people who flew the jets, subscribe and join the conversation.0:00 Intro teaser – O-Club tale2:32 Welcome Pinbag and episode outline4:25 Matthew’s subscriber question – smoky J79s8:03 Visual acquisition ranges8:45 Pinbag’s background and route to the Phantom (nav school and dreamsheets)23:30 Dual controls question26:28 Back to Holloman and dreamsheets35:00 Off to Holloman AFB38:32 Uniform standards – TAC style40:45 Mandatory formation – O-Club43:10 The “Green Door”45:15 Leaving Holloman46:17 Osan → Hahn → Nellis → Clark → Taegu → Lakenheath (after staff job)49:25 Learning from Red Baron reports (classified material?)51:25 TAC rules, callsigns, naming ceremonies, and the Doofer Book53:20 “Opinions are like assholes…”55:00 Fridays at the O-Club – bell rules and intro story1:01:00 McDill for the F-4 RTU – O-Club and games1:07:43 F-4 “of the day” – equipment fit, avionics, etc.1:15:01 Combat Tree1:21:20 Back to the RTU and a callsign story1:26:02 Through the training phases1:29:49 Back to day one1:36:32 Why the air-to-air preference?1:44:50 Navy terminology – tough for WSOs1:48:28 Nuclear strike?1:50:15 What was going on in TAC1:58:04 Pave Spike2:00:20 USAFE realignment, Ready Eagle, and DOC taskings2:06:30 Sparrow developments