E53 – The Fighter Pilot Spirit

<p>Chris &quot;Snooze&quot; Kurek, Rob “Trip” Raymond, and Erik“EZ” Brine chat with Mike “Pako” Benitez on all things fighter pilot culture—toast, roast, and lore.</p><p><br></p><p>Better known as Dos Gringos, Snooze and Trip put out 4 albums of fighter pilot songs that are famous (and infamous) in squadrons around the world. EZ joined the duo to form Operation Encore in 2012, a non-profit that helps veterans get their music into the world.</p><p><br></p><p>We dig into a century of fighter pilot history and traditions, from the origins of Dos Gringos, the squadron culture, roll call, Jermiah Weed, the ribbing and roasting, and all the camaraderie associated with military aviation.</p><p><br></p><p>They recently brought all of that into their latest venture, Winglore Spirits, and are doing it in a unique way that brings you into the fold.</p><p> </p><p>Links</p><p>• Sign up for the <a href="https://www.themerge.co/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">newsletter⁠</a>! </p><p>• Support us on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/the_merge" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠Patreon⁠</a>!</p><p>• <a href="https://winglorespirits.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Winglore Spirits</a> </p><p>• <a href="https://netcapital.com/companies/winglorespirits" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Winglore Spirits</a> investing</p><p>• <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPDVu_95_RLSUQCOKi1OEIw" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Dos Gringos</a> YouTube channel </p><p> </p><p>----</p><p> </p><p>Follow us on...</p><p>• <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/themerge" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn</a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/merge_newsletter/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">• Instagram⁠</a></p><p>• <a href="https://x.com/MergeNewsletter" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠X⁠</a></p><p>• <a href="https://www.facebook.com/themergenews" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠Facebook⁠</a></p><p>• <a href="https://www.themerge.co/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠Website⁠</a> </p><p>----</p><p> </p><p>00:00</p><p>01:47 Dos Gringos</p><p>17:22 Operation Encore</p><p>24:03 AI music</p><p>27:27 The culture and bar origins</p><p>34:27 Jermiah Weed</p><p>38:13 Winglore Spirits</p><p>42:03 Bogey Dope</p><p>43:16 Nickel on the Grass</p><p>45:29 Winglore squadron</p><p>50:42 the Nellis Club</p><p>52:02 Dos Gringos concert?</p><p>54:45 outro</p><p>55:04 Carlos jumps in</p><p>56:23 I wish I had a gun like the A-10</p><p><br></p>