Dive into the unfiltered world of the AC-130 gunship, the "Angel of Death." Hosted by former crew members, this podcast delivers raw, firsthand stories from the cockpit and gun deck. Experience the adrenaline of pylon turns, the chaos of close air support, and the unbreakable bonds forged in combat. From heart-pounding missions to candid veteran confessions, we bring you the human side of the military's most feared aircraft. No dry historyβjust authentic tales of brotherhood and survival. Strap in for a front-row seat to the reality of life in the skies. π high-altitude intensity.
Death on Call: AC-130 Gunship Crew, Comradery, Chaos and Confessions
Claim This Podcastby JL Pelt
5.0(8 reviews)
11 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation πΊπΈ
Podcast Overview
Dive into the unfiltered world of the AC-130 gunship, the "Angel of Death." Hosted by former crew members, this podcast delivers raw, firsthand stories from the cockpit and gun deck. Experience the adrenaline of pylon turns, the chaos of close air support, and the unbreakable bonds forged in combat. From heart-pounding missions to candid veteran confessions, we bring you the human side of the military's most feared aircraft. No dry historyβjust authentic tales of brotherhood and survival. Strap in for a front-row seat to the reality of life in the skies. π high-altitude intensity.
Language
πΊπ²
Publishing Since
1/16/2026
1 verified contact email on file for Death on Call: AC-130 Gunship Crew, Comradery, Chaos and Confessions
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
April 25, 2026
Eng, Load, P1
<p>Ever wondered what itβs actually like inside an AC-130 gunship when the headsets are on and the cameras are off? In episode nine of the Death on Call Podcast, host JL Pelt sits down with our guests to pull back the curtain on the "Symphony of Chaos."</p><p>Joining us from the newly renovated "Gun Deck" studios are Tech Sergeant (Ret.) Juan Newman, a veteran flight engineer, and Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Jen Brock (Walker).From the high-stakes pressure of the schoolhouse to the gritty reality of deployments, this episode is a raw look at the brotherhood (and sisterhood) of Special Operations. We talk about the gear, the "honey bucket" horror stories, and the hard truth of fighting a war when politics get in the way.</p><p><br></p><p>ππ ππππ πππππππ:</p><p>β€ Shows first Female Loadmaster: Jenβs journey to the AC-130U.</p><p>β€ Shows first Flight Engineer: Juan on the mindset shift from delivering to hunting.</p><p>β€ The Culture of the "Suck": Why crews fight at shutdown but die for each other in the air.</p><p>β€ Safety vs. Mission: A candid look at friction with "bean counters."</p><p>β€ The "Muffin Prank": The hilarious traditions that keep crews sane.</p><p>π Subscribe for more raw AC-130 gunship stories, crew confessions, and never-before-heard combat tales.</p><p>π¬ Drop a story about your gunship family in the comments β we read every single one.</p><p>-- CONNECT WITH US --</p><p>Listen/watch us on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Podbean</p><p>Email: deathoncallpodcast@gmail.com</p><p>#AC130 #SpookyGunship #Navigator #Firecontrol #GunshipPodcast #DeathOnCall #AFSOC #SpecialOperations #GWOT #CombatStories #AirForceVeteran #GunshipLegacy #MilitaryPodcast #AC130U #VeteranStories #DarkHumorMilitary #gunshipcrew </p>
April 4, 2026
Travis and the Unicorn
<p>Welcome to Episode 8 of the Death on Call Podcast! In this all-officer episode, hosts JL Pelt and Jon Shipley sit down with retired Air Force officers Chris Tharp and John "JLo" Lorenz for a conversation that is, at it's core, a love letter to the gunship family.From the moment they stepped into the 19th SOS, they felt it: that instant, unbreakable bond that turned coworkers into brothers and sisters for life. What started as shared cockpits and chaotic training lines grew into something deeper β a true family that showed up in the darkest moments, from first-deployment firefights to life-changing personal trials. Chris shares how the entire gunship community rallied around his family, facilitated prayers from six continents, the kind of love only this family can give. JLo talks about how the gun deck became home more than anywhere else, and how that camaraderie still hits him years after retirement.This episode is packed with the raw stories, dark humor, Travis the Monkey and unicorn pranks, and real stories of faith and solidarity.Topics Covered:From Civil Engineering to Aviation: Both guests share their backgrounds starting in CE as enlisted troops before commissioning and moving into special operations aviation.The Gunship Family & Brotherhood: Stories about checking into the 19th SOS, finding an immediate sense of home, and forming unbreakable bonds in and out of the aircraft.Combat Realities & Levity: How incorporating humor during training kept students sharp and fostered absolute trust among crew members.The Legend of Travis and the Unicorn: The story behind Travis the chimp and the unicorn, and how these running jokes became absolute staples in the cockpit.If you have ever worn the gunship patch, or felt that deeper-than-blood connection, this oneβs going to hit you right in the chest, and gut busting laugher.π Subscribe for more raw AC-130 gunship stories, crew confessions, and never-before-heard combat tales.π¬ Drop a story about your gunship family in the comments β we read every single one.</p><p><br /></p><p>-- CONNECT WITH US --</p><p>Listen/watch us on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Podbean</p><p>Email: <a href="mailto:deathoncallpodcast@gmail.com" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">deathoncallpodcast@gmail.com</a></p><p>00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene02:53 First Impressions and Training Experiences08:36 Deployment Stories and Morbid Humor26:36 Dark Humor in the Military35:48 The Balance of Seriousness and Humor47:46 Memorable Student Experiences and Lessons Learned57:11 Classroom Chaos and Leadership Emergence01:02:55 Reflections on Military Culture and Change01:09:28 The Impact of Personal History on Military Careers01:15:46 First Combat Experiences: The Reality of War01:21:34 The Weight of Responsibility in Combat01:32:44 Training for Real-World Scenarios01:40:35 Teamwork and Communication in Combat01:48:17 Cross-Training and Backup Roles02:01:18 The Gunship Community and Its Bonds02:08:54 The Impact of Personal Connections02:14:03 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life02:26:42 Reflections on a Career in AFSOC02:34:27 Building New Connections and Community02:46:28 Reflecting on Mentorship and Legacy</p>
March 29, 2026
Gunner hugs, Hot Sauce Pranks & Gunner Black Jack Wars
<p>Master Sergeant (Ret.) Eddie Robinson and Tech Sergeant Jimmy Christensen join guest host Jon Shipley for one of the wildest episodes yet.</p><p>From their unlikely (and chaotic) friendship to gunner hugs, hot sauce pranks that went way too far, GBJ poker battles, and the non-stop shenanigans that kept gunship crews sane downrange β this is the real, unfiltered gun deck experience.</p><p>They also open up about:</p><p>- The brutal intensity of gunship training</p><p>- First deployment stories that changed how they saw the mission</p><p>- The mentors who shaped them and the lessons they still carry</p><p>- What the gunship legacy really means to them today</p><p>If you ever flew the Spooky, survived the Hurlburt dorms, or just want the raw truth about life on the gun deckβ¦ buckle up.</p><p>π Subscribe for more raw AC-130 gunship stories, crew confessions, and never-before-heard combat tales.</p><p>π¬ Drop your favorite sensor or gunship memory in the comments.</p><p>#AC130 #Gunship #Spooky #GunnerHugs #GunDeck #DeathOnCall #GWOT #AerialGunner #AC130U #AC130J #GunshipShenanigans</p><p>-- CONNECT WITH US -- </p><p>Listen/watch us on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Podbean</p><p>Email: deathoncallpodcast@gmail.com00:00 Introduction to the Guests</p><p>03:06 Friendship Origins: Eddie and Jimmy's Story</p><p>05:31 Danger Close Apparel</p><p>06:24 Paths to Gunships: Career Beginnings</p><p>09:34 Training Experiences: Transitioning to Gunships</p><p>12:13 Intensity of Training: Expectations vs. Reality</p><p>14:54 First Gunship Deployments: Experiences and Anecdotes</p><p>17:35 Traditions and Shenanigans: Life on Deployment</p><p>20:26 Gunner Blackjack: A Deployment Tradition</p><p>23:07 Memorable Crew Traditions: Beyond Blackjack</p><p>37:42 ROE Graphics</p><p>38:53 Traditions and Memories in Service</p><p>41:58 Wrestling and Team Dynamics</p><p>44:13 Never Show Weakness</p><p>45:06 Hard Earned Lessons</p><p>47:23 The Hot Sauce Incident</p><p>59:21 Food Challenges and Boredom</p><p>01:00:21 Transformative Flight Experiences</p><p>01:06:29 War Stories and Unconventional Experiences</p><p>01:12:45 Lessons from Gunship Operations</p><p>01:19:46 The Importance of Teamwork and Regulations</p><p>01:27:00 Legacy of Gunships and Personal Reflections</p><p>01:34:47 Reflections on Legacy and Growth</p><p>01:37:31 Misunderstandings and Personal Growth</p><p>01:38:24 The Ruthlessness of Gunner Black Jack</p><p>01:38:55 Gratitude and Acknowledgments</p><p>01:44:18 I'm A Gun Ship Guy (You Know What You Are).mp3</p><p><br></p>
11 total episodes available
Deep-dive analytics for Death on Call: AC-130 Gunship Crew, Comradery, Chaos and Confessions
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Death on Call: AC-130 Gunship Crew, Comradery, Chaos and Confessions?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Information about guest appearances is not available.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.