Go Bold with Joetey Attariwala

• Go Bold #97: US Navy Commander Mike Huntsman on Blowing Up Tanks, Flying Operational Test, the new AIM-174B long-range missile, and more!

  We are proud to welcome back United States Navy Commander Mike Huntsman, a guest whose depth of experience and operational insight have made his previous episodes among some of the most compelling conversations on Go Bold!In this episode, we continue exploring Commander Huntsman’s extraordinary flying career in the U.S. Navy — beginning with his time flying the legacy F/A-18 Hornet in combat, and moving into his work with the Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler at VX-9, the Navy’s premier operational test squadron.This discussion is packed with unique, first-hand perspectives. You’ll hear how Commander Huntsman became the first U.S. Navy pilot to destroy an ISIS-controlled T-72 tank in Iraq. He also takes us into the high desert of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, where he flew and tested frontline fighter aircraft and contributed to some of the Navy’s most advanced weapons programs.Commander Huntsman provides rare insight into the Navy’s newest long-range air-to-air missile, the AIM-174B “Gunslinger” — a weapon derived from the ship-launched SM-6 Standard Missile and now adapted for fighter aircraft. His role in this cutting-edge program offers a first-hand look at how naval aviation is evolving for future combat.We also head out to sea, figuratively, as he brings us aboard a U.S. Navy Super Carrier, describing his involvement in shaping the “Air Wing of the Future.” From the integration of the F-35C, to the CMV-22B Osprey, to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, Commander Huntsman explains how these platforms are transforming carrier air power for decades to come.This is a detailed, candid, and insightful conversation with a highly decorated, combat-experienced U.S. Navy aviator, and it is the kind of senior-leader perspective that defines what we do at Go Bold.We hope you enjoy this episode.Go Bold!

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• Go Bold #96: US Navy Commander Mike Huntsman on being the Last Naval Aviator Pipeliner on the S-3 Viking

  We are thrilled to welcome back Commander Mike Huntsman of the United States Navy, whom we first featured in Episode 95. In that conversation, we began exploring his remarkable career and insights, but there was much more to uncover.In this episode, we continue our discussion with CDR Huntsman as we dive into his experiences flying the venerable S-3 Viking.Originally designed as an anti-submarine warfare aircraft, the S-3 was far more versatile than many realized. As you’ll hear, the Viking possessed a range of capabilities, both tapped and untapped, and many argue it was retired long before its time as the airframes have years of life left in them. In addition, the S-3's departure has left a gap in US Navy Carrier Air Wings that has yet to be filled.Commander Huntsman, who was the final U.S. Navy pilot to go through the S-3 training pipeline, shares his firsthand perspective on what made the jet so special. He walks us through memorable moments from his time in the cockpit, including the VS-22 Checkmates’ deployment to Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq, and everything that came with operating the Viking in that environment.This is a rare and insightful look at an aircraft that continues to evoke admiration and it’s brought to you by a highly respected leader whose career has, in part, been shaped by the S-3 and its legacy.Go Bold!

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• Go Bold #95: US Navy Commander Mike Huntsman - Fighter Pilot Driven to Succeed

  My guest is United States Navy Commander Mike "HFM" Huntsman, who started life with very modest means. Despite challenges, he has showed focus and dedication to achieve his professional goals, so I am honored to share his story with you. From a military perspective, you will hear that Commander Huntsman started his journey as a United States Marine, and then transitioned to the Navy where he learned to fly.Ultimately, Commander Huntsman worked hard to achieve many goals as a tactical aviator. He's flown the S-3 Viking, the F-18 Hornet, the F-18 Super Hornet, the EA-18G Growler, and the F-35C Lightning II.His most recent position was Officer in Charge for the VX-9 Detachment at Edward's Air Force Base -- for those of you that don't know, VX-9 is an operational test squadron of the US Navy. It is here where many new advancements and capabilities are validated for operational use.This episode is one which inspires me, and I hope everyone who listens. I am excited to feature Commander Huntsman as my guest because he truly epitomizes our namesake - Go Bold - so I hope you enjoy this episode and the ones following where we will hear about his career and flying high-performance jets in the United States Navy.My thanks to Commander Huntsman for his time, insight and perspective.Go Bold!

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• Go Bold #94: Colonel (Ret) Jim Cardoso on the Rescue of Vega 31 Behind Enemy Lines

  Today's episode is all about the U.S. Air Force Special Operations mission to rescue Vega 31, a downed pilot of a F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter that was shot down behind enemy lines.My guest is retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Jim Cardoso, who flew in the rescue package. At the time, Cardoso,was a young Air Force Captain flying the impressive MH-53 Pave Low helicopter with the 20th Special Operations Squadron.Cardoso led the rescue helicopter package on a daring night mission behind Serbian enemy lines to bring Vega 31 back — and they did it navigating through dangerous airspace, pushing the limits of both man and machine — and for his extraordinary actions, he was awarded the Silver Star.In this episode, you'll hear an inside perspective of Air Force Special Operations, Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), and the raw courage it takes to fly into the unknown to bring a fellow warrior home.You'll hear how the mighty MH-53 Pave Low — a beast of a helicopter — was a key to that mission's success. But more importantly, you will hear all about the rescue from the man who was there, guiding his crew into harms way, and out again.This is the kind of story that defines Go Bold! We don't just talk history — we talk to the people who made it!As a special note, we are publishing this episode on March 27, exactly 26 years after the event you will hear.My thanks to Colonel Cardoso for his time and kindness in sharing this story of duty, professionalism and bravery. Strap in everyone, this is one episode of Go Bold you cannot miss!Go Bold!

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• Go Bold #93: Commodore Matthew Coates on Canada's Command of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2)

  We are honoured to welcome our guest, Commodore Matthew Coates of the Royal Canadian Navy.On 1 July 2024, during a formal Change of Command ceremony in Toulon, France, Commodore Coates assumed command of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two — known as SNMG2 — from Rear Admiral Yannick Bossu of the French Navy. SNMG2 is one of four Standing Naval Forces that operate under NATO Allied Maritime Command, headquartered in Northwood, United Kingdom. SNMG2 is a multinational integrated task group that projects a constant and visible reminder of the Alliance's solidarity and cohesion afloat. This continuous maritime capability performs a wide range of tasks, including exercises and real-world operations in periods of crisis and conflict.Under Commodore Coates' leadership, HMCS Charlottetown, which deployed as part of Operation REASSURANCE, served as the flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two.This was the second time Canada commanded SNMG2, although Canadian ships have often served in NATO Standing Naval Forces, demonstrating Canada’s commitment to the Defense of Alliance vital interests.During Commodore Coates’ tenure as Commander of SNMG2, Canada led two NATO multinational groups — SNMG2 and the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia. This is all part of the largest reinforcement of NATO’s collective defence in decades.In this conversation, Commodore Coates reflects on training and leadership, and his tenure commanding SNMG2. Under the Canadian deployment, Commodore Coates commanded ships from five different Allied navies, ranging from two to a peak of five ships under his command at any one time. The group took part in the multi-domain vigilance activity Exercise Neptune Strike 24-2 and in Exercise Dynamic Guard - a NATO MARCOM-led electronic warfare and anti-ship missile defence exercise. SNMG2 also collaborated on numerous occasions with American, British, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Moroccan, Romanian, Turkish, and Spanish units under national operational control. This included HMCS Charlottetown escorting the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), made up of United States Ship (USS) Wasp (LHD 1), USS New York (LPD 21), and USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, as it sailed through the Mediterranean Sea.Commodore Coates handed over command of SNMG2 to Rear Admiral (LH) H. İlker Avcı of the Turkish Navy on 3 December 2024, during a ceremony at Aksaz Naval Base.We hope you enjoy this candid and compelling discussion with a senior naval leader.Our thanks to Commodore Coates for his time and insight.Go Bold!

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