Episode #105: Lessons from Marine Corps Aviation with Colonel Byron “Shrek” Sullivan

EPISODE #105 – Marine Airpower, the Battle of Ramadi, and Flying the Beast: The F-35 and MV-22

Strap in and arm hot, folks—this one’s a burner. Welcome to Episode 105 of the Lessons from the Cockpit show! I’m your host Mark Hasara, retired KC-135 pilot, author of Tanker Pilot, and a lifelong aviation nut with over 60 years of airpower obsession.

This week, I sit down with Colonel Byron “Shrek” Sullivan, a retired United States Marine Corps airpower warrior. And trust me—this is the kind of episode that makes your hair stand up. "Shrek" is a Marine’s Marine—combat leader, airpower tactician, and the former commander of VMX-1, the Corps’ top Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron at Yuma, Arizona. He’s called in air support as a Forward Air Controller on the ground in Ramadi, and he’s led Marines flying cutting-edge aircraft like the F-35B Lightning II and the MV-22 Osprey.

🪖 On the ground or in the air, Shrek brings the thunder—and in this episode, you’ll hear: - What it's like calling in airstrikes under fire - How the Marines train to dominate the battlefield with airpower - The challenges and differences flying the F-35 vs. the Osprey - Why our enemies fear the U.S. Marine Corps and its aircraft

Support the Show & Own a Piece of Aviation History

This episode is brought to you by Wall Pilot, creators of stunning custom aviation art. 🎯 Over 158 ready-to-print vinyl aircraft profiles—WWII, Cold War, and 5th-gen jets 🎯 Printed in 4, 6, and 8-foot sizes to stick on any flat surface 🎯 Want your name on your favorite jet? We’ll design it for you! 👉 Grab your aircraft art at: https://wallpilot.com

Join the All Ranks Club – Your Hangout for Aviation Nerds If you love airplanes and war stories, the All Ranks Club on Patreon is where you belong. 

👨‍✈️ Join at Coin Holder, Designated Driver, or Buy the Bar levels, and you’ll get: ✅ One-on-one Zoom calls with me to talk planes and war stories ✅ Virtual Bar Nights to hang out, swap stories, and talk airpower ✅ Exclusive Q&A sessions to pick my brain or share yours ✅ 7-inch aviation profile stickers – dishwasher safe and collectible ✅ First dibs on our upcoming All Ranks challenge coin 🚀 JOIN NOW: https://www.patreon.com/c/lessonsfromthecockpit/membership

🎁 Gift a membership to your favorite aviation junkie: https://www.patreon.com/lessonsfromthecockpit/gift

Keep This Jet Flying Producing this show takes time, fuel, and gear. If you like what you hear and want to help keep it airborne:

💵 Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/Mark-Hasara

💵 Patreon Gifts: https://www.patreon.com/lessonsfromthecockpit/gift

Every bit helps keep Lessons from the Cockpit launching new episodes every week. Next Week on the Show We’re not done with Shrek just yet. In Episode 106, Shrek is back with his good friend and fellow Marine aviator, “Liddy”, former commander of Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1). These two legends dive deep into what it means to lead, innovate, and dominate with Marine airpower.

🚨 Subscribe and join the All Ranks Club so you don’t miss it.

Thanks for listening—and as always… Nobody Kicks Ass Without Tanker Gas... NOBODY!