HawgCast

In this months' #HawgCast, and in light of recent tragedies that have occurred in and around the wing, Col. Mike "Rio" Leonas conclude his interview with Chief Nate Parks (see Episode 14). This episode deals with heavy subjects, including loss of a loved one. It may be difficult to listen to, but Chief Parks' story is an inspiring one of resilience. On a lighter note, the #BabbleTime pot is up to $250. Get those guesses in!

In this month's episode of HawgCast, Bob and Rio talk by phone to Col. Brett "Zero" Waring, the commander of the 476th Fighter Group, about the night of and the first day after Hurricane Helene smashed into Valdosta, Ga., and Moody Air Force Base. This is part one the two-part interview, in which we start to hear about the extra miles the 476th Vanguards went to help their community recover from this devastating storm.

In this month’s episode of HawgCast, Col. Mike “Rio” Leonas talks with Chief Master Sgt. Nate Parks, the wing’s new command chief about his young life leading up to his service as a Kansas City Police Officer and what brought him back to the KC Hawgs the first time. This episode features the first half of the interview. The second half will be released at a later date. By the way, the Babble Time pot is now up to $200! Get those guesses in!

On this episode of HawgCast, we briefly get re-acquainted with Chief Master Sgt Nate Parks, our new command chief during Babble Time, where Col. Mike “Rio” Leonas accidentally almost adds a couple of extra zeroes to the Babble Time guessing pool. This month’s guests are Lt. Col. Joshua “Nomar” Geidel and Capt. Lauren Haythorne, who helped to lead the recent TDY to Hawaii for the international exercise RIMPAC.

In this episode of HawgCast, Col. Mike "Rio" Leonas drops the first "Babble Time" hint! Then he speaks with two pilots, "Bango" and "Stain," who volunteered to deploy to the Middle East at the end of last year.

In this episode of HawgCast, Col. Mike "Rio" Leonas interviews Mr. Nathan "Hootie" Hooton (with an O). Hooton breaks down his 35 years of service, both in the military and post-retirement as the Chief of Inspections for the 442d Fighter Wing. He talks about some of the things he's seen and how he developed into the leader he's become.

Edited by Bob Jennings, 442d Fighter Wing Public Affairs

In this episode, Col. Mike "Rio" Leonas talks to MSgt. Adam Lambert about his recent deployment to Niger, where Lambert exemplified the multi-capable Airman concept by performing the functions of nearly the entire Mission Support Group when the base he was at cut manning after the host nation of Niger experienced a coup.

Edited by Bob Jennings, 442 FW Public Affairs

In this month's HawgCast, Col. Mike Leonas talks to Lt. Col. John "Sapper" Tice, Maj. Nathan "Ponch" Bevis, and Senior Master Sgt. Jeremey Hankins, the director of operations, project officer, and daytime production superintendent for Exercise CAS 3.0. The three-week, live-fire close air support exercise in mid-to-south Florida had our KCHawgs supporting troops on the ground with 14 other units.

In Col. Mike "Rio" Leonas's first official podcast as 442d Fighter Wing commander, he and Maj. Shelley Ecklebe talk to Col. Brian "B-Lite" Leiter and Lt. Col. Pat "Chevy" Chevalier, both of whom started as enlisted members, earned a commission through their hard work and dedication, and went on to be two of the most respected leaders in the wing. We also introduce "Babble Time," in which Col. Leonas talks about the wing's news similar to Brig. Gen. Nester's "Nasty Time." In Babble Time, though, there's a twist – and a bit of a challenge! (Edited by Mr. Bob Jennings)

In Brig. Gen. Steve "Nasty" Nester's final HawgCast, he speaks with Chief Master Sgt. Nate Parks, a long-time friend and the inspiration for HawgCast. The two reminisce and look to the future and discuss what it means to be a good leader and to leave a lasting legacy at a wing.

In Brig. Gen. Steve "Nasty" Nester's penultimate HawgCast, he speaks with Brig. Gen. Regina "Torch" Sabric, the 10th Air Force Commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Bluto, the 10 AF command chief, about their careers. Then, our two guests answer a few questions submitted by wing members.

In this episode of HawgCast, the official podcast of the 442d Fighter Wing, Brig. Gen. Steve "Nasty" Nester talks with Col. Mike "Rio" Leonas, Lt. Col. Keith Yersak, Chief Master Sgt. Sal Urbano, and Master Sgt. Bob Jennings about their July 2023 trip to Peru for Exercise Patriot Fury, which represented not only the first A-10 operations south of the equator, but also the first Air Force Reserve Command sourced and led air expeditionary wing, which Leonas commanded.

We give this episode five stars! And not only because Brig. Gen. Steve "Nasty" Nester is joined by two retired major generals. In this episode, Brig. Gen. Nester talks about some of the great things we did in Peru last month, and interviews three legendary former leaders from the 442d Fighter Wing.

In this episode of HawgCast, Brig. Gen. Steve "Nasty" Nester and Maj. Shelley Ecklebe talk with the Bryants, who are slowly taking over the whole wing either through marriage or recruiting their children. We hear their stories about how they met and why they joined the wing.

In this bonus episode of HawgCast, Brig. Gen. Steve "Nasty" Nester, Maj. Shelley Ecklebe, and Master Sgt. Bob Jennings talk to Tech. Sgt. Ricardo Miranda-Navarro, a utilities technician with the 442d Civil Engineer Squadron about how he got chosen to announce an NFL draft pick live on stage at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo., April 29, 2023

In this episode, Brig. Gen. Steve "Nasty" Nester and Maj. Shelley Ecklebe are joined by Col. Mike "Rio" Leonas, who talks about some of the things that happened over the UTA, including a couple of retirements and some advanced pilot training. This episode's guest is Senior Airman Etchi Manga Bessong, a dental assistant with the 442d Medical Squadron, who was born and raised in Cameroon. Airman Manga Bessong talks about the path he took to get to the U.S., and what led him to join the Air Force Reserve.

In this episode, Brig. Gen. Steve "Nasty" Nester talks about Tricare, and retirement. Then, he and Maj. Shelley Ecklebe interview two 442d Airmen -- "Harry" and "Lloyd" -- who just returned from short-notice deployments to help in the dissemination of lethal aid to Ukraine.

Disclaimer: This episode contains descriptions of combat and casualties, mild language, references to suicide and PTSD that some listeners may find disturbing. The views and opinions expressed in HawgCast should not be construed to represent the views of the Air Force Reserve or the Department of Defense.

In the inaugural episode of the 442d Fighter Wing's podcast, HawgCast, Brig. Gen. Steve Nester, the wing commander, gives an update on the future of the wing and projected divestment of... read more

Disclaimer: This episode contains descriptions of combat and casualties, mild language, references to suicide and PTSD that some listeners may find disturbing. The views and opinions expressed in HawgCast should not be construed to represent the views of the Air Force Reserve or the Department of Defense. In the inaugural episode of the 442d Fighter Wing's podcast, HawgCast, Brig. Gen. Steve Nester, the wing commander, gives an update on the future of the wing and projected divestment of the A-10. He also speaks with Lt. Cols. John "Karl" Marks and Tony "Crack" Roe, the two highest-time A-10 pilots currently serving. Marks and Roe tell the stories of the four Distinguished Flying Crosses they have between the two of them. Additional host: Maj. Shelley Ecklebe Sound editing: Master Sgt. Bob Jennings   show less

Disclaimer: This episode contains descriptions of combat and casualties, mild language, references to suicide and PTSD that some listeners may find disturbing. The views and opinions expressed in HawgCast should not be construed to represent the views of the Air Force Reserve or the Department of Defense.

In the inaugural episode of the 442d Fighter Wing's podcast, HawgCast, Brig. Gen. Steve Nester, the wing commander, gives an update on the future of the wing and projected divestment of... read more

Disclaimer: This episode contains descriptions of combat and casualties, mild language, references to suicide and PTSD that some listeners may find disturbing. The views and opinions expressed in HawgCast should not be construed to represent the views of the Air Force Reserve or the Department of Defense. In the inaugural episode of the 442d Fighter Wing's podcast, HawgCast, Brig. Gen. Steve Nester, the wing commander, gives an update on the future of the wing and projected divestment of the A-10. He also speaks with Lt. Cols. John "Karl" Marks and Tony "Crack" Roe, the two highest-time A-10 pilots currently serving. Marks and Roe tell the stories of the four Distinguished Flying Crosses they have between the two of them. Additional host: Maj. Shelley Ecklebe Sound editing: Master Sgt. Bob Jennings   show less