John "JP" Peters - Tornado Down, Part 2 

What an amazingly authentic conversation. Rarely has my mind ever been forced stop and process so many details. Details that can only come from having walked in his boots. What a character👍

That was a hell of an interview. There’s an inner strength JP has that I’ve hardly ever seen before. His description on being held prisoner potentially for years and how he would let his family move on without him is a hell of a thing.

Great interview. I knew about the Sidewinder motor being on fire, but never knew the bombs didn’t come off, or that a MANPAD hit the engine. Many parts of John’s tale struck a familiar chord: after having years of “Safety briefs” and reading accident reports with the intention of doing things “as safely as possible,” I remember thinking, moments before crossing the Iraqi border “We’ve been ordered to do something really dangerous, and I am willingly complying…” A great recap of the mission and shootdown(did not know the Tornado had a mech or manual-reversion; only US plane to do so is the A-10). Did NOT know they were shot at for indeterminable time with rifles before capture!! A blunt, stark, and honest telling of captivity, torture, and emotions. An unexpectedly deep and frank discussion of psychology…and philosophy, contrasted with popular buzz-words in today’s “me too” social media world. Even a a discourse on economics and the social fabric affecting recruitment and retention. Well done, gentlemen. 😎

In SERE training, we see several video interviews of U.S. personnel who have been in an isolating event or captured. They are a useful part of the training (which is by far the most in depth and personal training I received in the Army) but the things John Peters reveals here about the mantra he made for himself are intensely important to someone facing isolation and torture. “I will not come out of this a damaged person,” is incredibly powerful and universal across people, regardless of family status or whether they are religious or not. At the time I went through SERE I was not married and I am an atheist so when they kept saying “find something to hold on to,” this is the thing. Thank you for a great interview, and always allowing your guests to expound on topics. I was not aircrew but I really enjoy this channel because you do a great job at prompting your guests with questions that lead to thorough discussion. Always interesting and informative.

JP reveals remarkable bravery, not bravado, but blindingly honest bravery of his own self. Also, a riveting story teller and interview

JP talks knowledgeably and in a straightforward way. He is incredibly smart and also humble. Great to see you again JP!

This is great content, Tornado Missions during 1991 are amongst the most intrepid missions in war history yet very poorly known. The 2 Johns story is historical. Thank you for creating this content.

JP and JN are legends, always fab to see them.

Brilliant from start to finish

I have had the distinct pleasure of doing podcasts with Steve Davies on Ten Percent True. I flew the Tornado F-3 with the RAF for 3 years. I gave a shoutout to the GR-1/4 crews for being able to fly at 50’. The visibility out the windscreen is absolutely awful. I flew the F-5 and F-18 at ultra-low altitudes, but I was never comfortable with the Tornado. Bravo JP! 🫡

Very informative and frank discussion. Thank you Steve and John for doing this.

My god I love this channel

One of your best Steve..

Absolutely phenomenal interview.

Interesting insight into the psychology of someone who has been close to death. People seem to forget how smart and educated these pilots are.

Intriguing and brutally honest.... Thank you JP for sharing your story with us. A lot to think about after watching this, for sure.

Excellent. Watched both parts straight through. Thanks to both of you.

Of the hundreds of videos similar to this on aviation I have watched, this was the most insightful one I have heard. Thank you both.

I can sense the frustration in trying to convey the mental struggle of captivity to people who can’t comprehend it. I’m glad we-as a society- have gotten to the point that when we see a POW making statements on TV, we don’t look down on them…instead, we think “my god…how bad must it have been” and accept that EVERYONE has a limit to what they can stand. And that preserving your life and your sanity demands -at some point- that you no longer resist everything and begin trying your best to give as little as possible to survive and keep your mind. I think every one of those pilots parades on TV and forced to read the statement opposing the war did everything they could to stay alive and keep their mind while giving as little as possible

What an incredibly wise, insightful man and what perfectly chosen questions. One of the best interviews I've ever seen. Thank you both.

Unique, intense, mind blowing and eye opening episode. I probably haven't watched anything like this ever - since it touched on a lot of things beyond military aviation. Thank you very much to both for such an experience.

One of the most interesting and thought provoking interviews I've seen on any subject in a long time. Thanks you.

Incredible interview. JP is a genuine hero.

Thought provoking and insightful, honest and brutal. The highs and lows of being a fighter pilot with the odd life lesson thrown in as well. Excellent.

Brilliant, raw interview.

@17:58 In "JP"'s defense; no one really ever does a proper Parachute Landing Fall. Airborne!

Just brilliant - both parts.

Thankyoun both

This was the most honest and open interview i have ever watched... Thank you Jon

absolutely greatest interview ever so honest and best of luck to john and family forever,from Bill in Ireland.

One of your best interviews yet. Thank you both.

I always though pilots had similar profiles/characters/mindsets. 10 Percent True proves what a rich and varied sector of society pilots are. Look at Starbaby then JP and Puck. All different and fascinating in their own way. Thanks Steve and all the interviewees for letting us in on such fantastic lives and careers. This interview is so direct and vivid. Compulsive listening/viewing.

Brilliant interview, thanks

I will need to listen to part 1 and part 2 several times. Frank and inspiring.

Thanks JP for sharing your story - utterly fascinating seeing the way you process your experiences. Watching the Gulf War on TV, I was constantly angry that the brits were losing relatively more air crew and planes than the yanks and seemingly flying the more crazy-brave missions, and assumed it was the crap role bestowed on the junior partner so it was great to hear the tactical insights.

Great interview of a remarkable man.

Awesome interview. Sounds like he's spent a lot of time rationalising what happened and has come to the right conclusions, it was definitely a situation outside his control. I met JP at Mildenhall Air Fete in 1992, I remember being surprised that he was such a smiley and happy person after the photos I'd seen of him in the press. I also remember vividly that as he was chatting with a punter a jet took off for display and he was immediately very distracted and trying to see what it was!

An utterly fascinating and brutally honest couple of interviews.

Really great pair of interviews with John.

Excellent, engaging, enlightening. That was so good Steve. Thanks again for the wonderful content.

Thanks John, very honest and brave and thoughtful interwiew!!! Thanks to your both!

Brilliant interview, brilliant person. It is a very different interview than usual, but man was it gripping. I wish I’d have the personality he has.

Refreshing insight a really great interview.

What's not to like about this man, continued happiness and success.

What an interesting interview, the subject was wonderful and insightful.

Wow, this one was deep. Great Episode.

Outstanding...that is all!

Steve, have you ever xonsidered doing something similar to Shawn Ryan? He also does very long-form interviews but he also has a ShawnRyanClips channel with 10-15 minute videos which he uses to drive traffic to the real interviews. He uses shorts to hook people on the clips and then clips onto the longform stuff. Just a thought. Love your work and want to see you recognized

Brilliant interviews, enjoyed both parts and would watch a part three, part four etc. At 50mins saw there was only half an hour left and felt genuine disappointment! It's great to see a person come out of such adversity with positivity, and so rationally thought out positivity too.

Really intresting interview would love to have a theological chat with John, dam it would be good.

Now i feel old.........I remember seeing them on TV during the Gulf War times

That was a lot

It would make for a great episode for John and David Mog Morgan to talk about their experiences Steve. I’m sure they have a lot in common.

Seems arrogant and dismissive not a warm character.