In this episode, we sit down with retired Lieutenant Colonel John "Karl" Marks — the A-10 Warthog pilot with the most flight hours in history (7,500+ hours) — for an incredible, in-depth conversation. Karl shares his experience flying combat missions from Desert Storm to Afghanistan, earning a Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, 18 Air Medals, and 13 combat deployments along the way.

We discuss:

• Karl’s journey from a childhood fascination with aviation to becoming a legendary A-10 pilot
• The evolution of close air support (CAS) and the future role of the A-10 vs. F-35
• First-hand stories from Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and more
• How the A-10 adapted tactics for modern warfare
• Preserving institutional knowledge of CAS amid today's changing military priorities
• The importance of trust between pilots and ground forces
• Lessons on preparation, opportunity, and resilience in combat

Carl also shares behind-the-scenes moments from pilot training, getting his call sign "Karl Marx," his first combat strike, and reflections on 30 years of service.

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