The Afterburn Podcast
| The Afterburn Podcast | |
|---|---|
| Presentation | |
| Hosted by | John "Rain" Waters Mike "Flash" McVay |
| Genre | Military, Aviation, Defense, Interviews |
| Format | Audio and Video |
| Created by | John Waters |
| Language | English |
| Updates | Weekly |
| Length | 60-90 minutes |
| Publication | |
| Original release | 2020 – present |
| Provider | Independent |
| Related shows | Fighter Pilot Podcast
Mentors for Military Shawn Ryan Show |
| Website | theafterburnpodcast.com |
Search The Afterburn Podcast on Amazon.
The Afterburn Podcast is an American podcast in both audio and video format hosted by former United States Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team Commander[1] John "Rain" Waters. The podcast features long-form interviews with military pilots, veterans, special operations forces, defense experts, and thought leaders in national security and military aviation.
Background
The podcast was launched in 2020 by Waters, a decorated Air Force fighter pilot and combat veteran with over 180 combat missions[2] in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Enduring Freedom. Its mission is to preserve aviation history and share lessons in leadership, tactics, and human performance. Waters currently flies the Boeing 777 as a commercial pilot and is also the author of a weekly aviation and defense newsletter, The Lowdown.
Format
Episodes typically run 60–90 minutes and are published on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms. Topics range from mission planning and air combat to post-military transition and veteran mental health. A recurring segment titled "There I Was..." features firsthand retellings of high-risk or life-altering moments in flight.
Host
John "Rain" Waters is a former commander and demonstration pilot for the USAF Air Combat Command's F-16 Viper Demo Team. He has amassed thousands of flight hours and led public outreach efforts through airshows and international flyovers.[3] He now serves as a Boeing 777 commercial pilot and full-time content creator in the aviation space.
Notable Guests
- Gen. Dan "Razin" Caine – Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Brad Thomas – Former Delta Force operator and guitarist in Silence and Light
- Gen. Mike Minihan – Former Commander of Air Mobility Command
- Gen. Mike "Mobile" Holmes – Former Commander, Air Combat Command
- Rob "Z-Man" Zettel – F-4 pilot from the U.S. Air Force's secret Soviet aggressor squadron
- Gen. Mark "Grace" Kelly – Former Commander, Air Combat Command
- Col. Scott "Soup" Campbell – A-10 pilot awarded 3x Distinguished Flying Crosses
- Capt. Chad "Vinny" Vincellette – F-14 pilot and Topgun graduate
- Jeff Wise – Aviation journalist and MH370 author
Reach
As of 2024, The Afterburn Podcast surpassed 1 million audio downloads and 2 million podcast video views on YouTube. Its core audience includes U.S. service members, veterans, aviation professionals, and national security followers.
See also
- F-16 Fighting Falcon
- Wild Weasel
- Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses
- F-16 Viper Demo Team
- Air Combat Command
- John "Rain" Waters
External links
- Official Website
- YouTube Channel
- John "Rain" Waters Instagram
- Afterburn Podcast Instagram
- The Lowdown Newsletter
- Host Bio – John "Rain" Waters
References
References
- ↑ "Meet the Pilot: John "Rain" Waters of the F-16 Viper Demo Team". Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
- ↑ "About – The Afterburn Podcast". The Afterburn Podcast. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
- ↑ "F-16 demonstration pilot used a cockpit camera during recent show — and the result is stunning". Air Force Times. 2018-07-30. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
Categories
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