Tinker Talks

Tinker Talks Podcast LogoA podcast dedicated to the latest events and happenings on one of the largest Air Force bases, “Tinker Talks” features various perspectives from the 5,600-acre installation. Captured by the 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office, this podcast shares stories, updates and insights on Tinker Air Force Base. Please make sure to subscribe, download and "LIKE" us on iTunes, and feel free to leave a comment and let us know what you'd like to hear.

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Tinker Talks Podcast: Thunderbirds' Pilot #5
72nd Air Base Wing
Video by Clayton Cummins
June 28, 2025 | 14:09
The roar of jet engines, the crack of precision maneuvers, and the spirit of American airpower are all taking center stage at the 2025 Tinker Air Show—and this week’s episode of the Tinker Talks Podcast is soaring right alongside it.

From the flightline, host Mark Hybers welcomes a special guest: Thunderbird #5, the iconic “upside-down” pilot from the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds team. The conversation dives into the pilot’s inspiring journey from watching jets roar over Arlington National Cemetery as a child to flying F-16s in one of the world’s most elite aerial demonstration teams.

Listeners get an inside look at what it takes to fly the Thunderbirds’ new high-energy, emotionally charged performance debuting at Tinker for the first time since 2017. From the symbolism behind the new routine to the physical training it takes to withstand brutal G-forces, the pilot shares the grit and grace behind the glamour.
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