Behind the Wings

Go inside Constant Peg, the once-secret Cold War program that gave American fighter pilots the rare opportunity to train against real Soviet MiG aircraft.
In this special bonus episode, get a full-length lecture from former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot John Mann. A veteran of the F-4 Phantom II, F-15 Eagle and Operation Desert Storm, Mann flew MiG-21s and MiG-23s with the Red Eagles during Constant Peg. He shares an extraordinary firsthand account of the aircraft, people and training program that transformed American air combat preparation.
What you'll hear:
Lessons from Vietnam: Why the U.S. Air Force reexamined its aircraft, weapons and fighter training
The origins of Constant Peg: How real Soviet aircraft became part of a highly classified adversary program
Meeting the MiGs: Mann’s first encounter with MiG-17 and MiG-21 aircraft during training
Flying the MiG-21: Its impressive turning ability, unforgiving handling and unconventional cockpit systems
Inside the MiG-23: Tremendous speed, variable-sweep wings and dangerous flight characteristics
Training against the real threat: How Constant Peg taught American pilots to recognize and counter Soviet aircraft
The maintenance heroes: How crews kept unfamiliar MiGs flying without factory support, technical manuals or standard replacement parts
Risk and secrecy: The strict security rules, hazardous test flights and sacrifices behind the Red Eagles program
Preparing for Desert Storm: How realistic adversary training helped give American aircrews a decisive advantage
See the aircraft: Learn more about the MiG-23 on display at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Learn More:
Visit Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum to see the MiG-23
Donate to Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Subscribe and leave a review to support the show
This episode is supported in part by United Airlines.

What can a few grains of asteroid dust tell us about the origins of life on Earth?

In this episode, Host Rick Crandall talks with NASA astrochemist José C. Aponte about the organic chemistry preserved inside asteroid Bennu. From NASA’s OSIRIS-REx sample-return mission to amino acids, nucleobases, and the mystery of life’s left-handed molecules, Aponte explains how scientists search for clues to our chemical origins. This one is going to be cool!
What you’ll hear:
Why NASA traveled to Bennu: Pristine asteroid material offers evidence that meteorites altered by Earth’s environment cannot.
How scientists prevent contamination: A fingerprint can contain more organic material than the tiny Bennu samples researchers analyze.
What researchers discovered: Bennu contains 14 of the 20 amino acids used to build proteins and all five nucleobases found in DNA and RNA.
Why molecular diversity matters: Thousands of nitrogen-bearing compounds reveal the complex chemical environment of the early solar system.
How a mass spectrometer works: Aponte explains how scientists use molecular fragments to identify compounds inside asteroid material.
The mystery of left-handed amino acids: Life uses almost exclusively one mirror-image form, but scientists still do not know why.
The search for tryptophan: Researchers found tentative evidence that could represent the first extraterrestrial detection of this complex amino acid.
What Bennu’s salts reveal: Minerals formed through evaporating water suggest Bennu’s material originated in a different part of the solar system.
Learn More:
Read the full show notes on the Wings Over the Rockies website
Donate to Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Subscribe and leave a review to support the show
This episode is supported in part by United Airlines.

NASA’s Meredith McKay discusses how diplomacy, trust, and international cooperation are helping turn ambitious space missions into reality.
In this episode, Host Rick Crandall talks with Meredith McKay, Deputy Associate Administrator in NASA’s Office of International and Interagency Relations, about the partnerships behind humanity’s next steps into space. From the hard-earned lessons of the International Space Station to Artemis and the growing community of nations signing the Artemis Accords, McKay explains how cooperation on Earth becomes exploration in space. This one is going to be cool!
What you'll hear:
NASA diplomacy behind the scenes: How a team of fewer than 50 people helps scientists, engineers, governments, and space agencies build successful partnerships
Reworking the International Space Station: McKay recalls helping negotiate a new assembly plan after the loss of Columbia reduced the remaining shuttle flights from 28 to 18
What makes international cooperation last: Why shared goals, clearly defined responsibilities, and benefits for every participating nation give partnerships staying power
Lessons from 25 years aboard the ISS: How trust and open communication have sustained one of the most complex international projects ever attempted
The transition beyond the space station: How NASA is helping prepare commercial destinations and a new economy in low Earth orbit
What makes Artemis different from Apollo: The international crews, spacecraft, rovers, payloads, and surface systems supporting a long-term return to the Moon
What the Artemis Accords actually do: How their principles put the Outer Space Treaty into practice through peaceful exploration, scientific cooperation, astronaut assistance, and coordination on the lunar surface
Building the future together: Why listening, remaining open to unexpected opportunities, and “rowing in the same direction” may be as important as any spacecraft or technology
Learn More:
Read the full show notes on the Wings Over the Rockies website
Donate to Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Subscribe and leave a review to support the show
This episode is supported in part by United Airlines.

As wildfires grow larger and more complex, pilots, firefighters, scientists, and aviation experts are developing new ways to protect communities from the air.
In Episode 78, Host Rick Crandall revisits interviews about wildfire aviation originally recorded in 2021. From Colorado’s East Troublesome Fire and infrared-equipped Pilatus PC-12s to single-engine air tankers, Firehawk helicopters, and night-vision operations, these experts reveal how people, aircraft, and real-time information come together to support firefighters on the ground. This one is going to be cool!

What you'll hear:
The East Troublesome Fire reaches Grand Lake: Resident Ernie Bjorkman and Assistant Fire Chief Schelly Olsen recall the evacuation and the challenges facing local firefighters.
Why wildfires are becoming more difficult to contain: Colorado State Climatologist Dr. Russ Schumacher explains how heat, drought, wind, forest health, and climate shape fire behavior.
Seeing through smoke with infrared sensors: Mission Sensor Operators explain how Colorado’s Multi-Mission Aircraft locate hotspots and map active fires.
A symphony in the sky: PC-12 pilot Dave Bickerstaff describes how tankers, helicopters, lead planes, intelligence aircraft, and ground crews coordinate over a wildfire.
Single-engine air tankers: SEATS are agile aircraft that can operate from smaller airports and deliver precise retardant drops to help ground crews contain fires before they grow.
The Firehawk: CAL FIRE leaders explain how the Black Hawk-based helicopter transports crews, performs rescues, and carries a 1,000-gallon water tank.
Marc “Thor” Olson’s night-flying legacy: The veteran pilot explains how night-vision goggles could extend fixed-wing firefighting operations beyond sunset.
This episode honors Marc “Thor” Olson, who died in the line of duty on November 16, 2021, while flying a nighttime water-drop mission on the Kruger Rock Fire near Estes Park, Colorado. It also recognizes every firefighter and aviator who has made the ultimate sacrifice protecting people, communities, and public lands.

Learn More:
Read the full show notes on the Wings Over the Rockies website
Donate to Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Subscribe and leave a review to support the show
This episode is supported in part by United Airlines.

Brigadier General Micah “Zeus” Fessler shares stories about flying the F-15 and F-22, traces Colorado fighter aviation from early biplanes to the F-16, and today's homeland defense mission.
In this episode, Host Rick Crandall talks with “Zeus” about the aircraft, missions, training, and people that shaped his military career, including combat operations, Weapons School, and the Colorado Air National Guard. From the 120th Observation Squadron’s early Jennys to Buckley’s ongoing alert mission, Micah offers a wide-ranging look at fighter aviation and the community behind it. This one is going to be cool!
What you'll hear:
Why Buckley has remained on alert since 9/11 and how Colorado supports the defense of NORAD/NORTHCOM.
How Colorado Air National Guard aviation grew from early biplanes at high elevation to Block 30 F-16s.
Why the Viper remains a flexible, high-demand aircraft for air-to-air, close air support, and emerging drone defense missions.
"Zeus" explains the discipline, radar work, stick-and-rudder flying, and debrief culture that shaped him as a fighter pilot.
How one loud, eventful training flight in Alaska turned into a fighter pilot call sign.
What changed with stealth, sensor fusion, battle management, and fifth-generation tactics.
A memorable F-22 sortie involving ISIS targets, F-16s, tankers, command-and-control aircraft, and Russian air activity.
How citizen airmen preserve deep experience while serving both overseas missions and local Colorado communities.
Colorado aviation heritage, the 120th Fighter Squadron, Minute Men demonstration team, and the legacy of service connected to Wings’ newest aircraft—a Thunderbird F-16D.
"Zeus" encourages young people to believe in themselves, control what they can control, and accept help along the way.
Learn More:
Read the full show notes on the Wings Over the Rockies website
Donate to Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Subscribe and leave a review to support the show
This episode is supported in part by United Airlines.