E53 – The Fighter Pilot Spirit

Dec 10, 2025
58 mins

Episode Description

Chris "Snooze" Kurek, Rob “Trip” Raymond, and Erik“EZ” Brine chat with Mike “Pako” Benitez on all things fighter pilot culture—toast, roast, and lore.

Better known as Dos Gringos, Snooze, and Trip put out 4albums of fighter pilot songs that are famous (and infamous) in squadrons around the world. EZ joined the duo to form Operation Encore in 2012, a non-profit that helps veterans get their music into the world.

We dig into a century of fighter pilot history and traditions, from the origins of Dos Gringos, the squadron culture, roll call,Jermiah Weed, the ribbing and roasting, and all the camaraderie associated with military aviation.

They recently brought all of that into their latest venture, Winglore Spirits, and are doing it in a unique way that brings you into the fold.

 

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00:00

01:47 Dos Gringos

17:22 Operation Encore

24:03 AI music

27:27 The culture and bar origins

34:27 Jermiah Weed

38:13 Winglore Spirits

42:03 Bogey Dope

43:16 Nickel on the Grass

45:29 Winglore squadron

50:42 the Nellis Club

52:02 Dos Gringos concert?

54:45 outro

55:04 Carlos jumps in

56:23 I wish I had a gun like the A-10

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