EPISODE SEVENTEEN
Welcome to “Safe on Deck”. My name is Antonio Gemma More'. In the fleet I flew the MH-53E “Sea Dragon” helicopter, and these days I instruct the next generation of Naval Flight Officers in the T-6A “Texan II”. Throughout my incredibly short time in aviation I have been fortunate to meet a wide cross-section of aviators. Along the way I have done my best to document each and every flying memory, but eventually I came to realize that even the sharpest photo or the highest-quality video can only really capture so much.. Everyone I have met has a unique story to tell, and “Safe on Deck” is my humble attempt to capture as many of those exciting and inspiring aviation stories as possible.
Episode seventeen is part two of my interview with Lieutenant General Duane “Drano” Thiessen. The general was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps in May of 1974, and following completion of advanced flight training he reported to MCAS Cherry Point as the first junior officer selected to fly the revolutionary AV-8A “Harrier” jump-jet. Following his initial assignment with VMA-542, the general reported to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) where he served as a “Harrier” tactics instructor pilot. Next, the general transitioned to the AV-8B “Harrier II” and was assigned to VMA-231, where he led a detachment of six jets deployed to the Mediterranean Sea as part of the [twenty-second] 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. In June 1991, the general assumed command of VMAT-203, the AV-8B “Harrier” Fleet Replenishment Squadron (FRS). The general went on to serve in a variety of high-profile leadership roles including as National Military Command Center deputy director of operations, Inspector General of the Marine Corps, Commanding General of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources. In March 2008, the general was named as commander, US Marine Corps Forces Pacific, as commanding general, Fleet Marine Force Pacific, and as commander, Marine Corps Bases Pacific.
Thank you for taking the time to listen. In the future, I plan to continue to share similar interviews with both current and retired military aviators. If you have a question or a suggestion for a future interview please leave it as a comment below. “Safe on Deck” episode seventeen, part two, with Lieutenant General Duane “Drano” Thiessen. Enjoy!
Podcast timestamps:
4:57 - Canopy failure at 500 knots and 200 feet over Norway
27:54 - Transitioning from the AV-8A to the AV-8B
53:48 - Drag racing with the MiG-23 "Flogger"
1:10:38 - Flying SECNAV Garrett in the TAV-8B
1:28:34 - Serving in the Pentagon on 9/11
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** The views and opinions presented on “Safe on Deck” are my own and those of my guests and do not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or its components. **
6 сен 2024
