“Safe on Deck” - Episode 43: Andy Phelps (F-18, F-35) 

EPISODE FORTY-THREE
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.
For episode forty-three I sat down with LCDR Andy “Bernie” Phelps at his home in Fairhope, Alabama. After earning his commission via the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC), LCDR Phelps completed Primary and Advanced flight training before being selected to fly the F/A-18F “Super Hornet” at Strike Fighter Squadron 211 (VFA-211) the “Fighting Checkmates” aboard NAS Oceana. Next, LCDR Phelps was hand-picked to transition to the F-35C “Lightning II” where he served as an operational test pilot at Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE (VX-9) Det Edwards, working to expand the jets weapons capabilities and integration into the Naval Aviation Enterprise. In 2023, LCDR Phelps joined into the Navy Reserves where he flies the T-45C “Goshawk” instructing the next-generation of Navy and Marine Corps tailhook aviators.
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 forty-three, LCDR Andy “Bernie” Phelps. Enjoy!
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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. **