Raven Conversations

Latest Episodes:

Raven Conversations: Episode 89 Air Guard Innovation Team with Lt Col Rex Ayers Aug 15, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of Raven Conversations, Lt Col Rex Ayers, Washington Air National Guard talks about Washington Air National Guard's Innovation Team. Want to be a part of or learn more about Washington Air National Guard Innovation Team? Contact Lt Col Rex Ayers at rex.ayers.1@us.af.mil or MSgt Christopher Pavel at christopher.pavel.2@us.af.mil Original music by Meta Esssence

Raven Conversations: Episode 88 Youth Challenge Academy with Chris Acuna Aug 02, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of Raven Conversations, Chris Acuña, Commandant of the Washington Youth Challenge Academy talks about what the Washington Youth Challenge Academy is and how this program is setting up our youth for success. For more information on the Washington Youth Challenge Academy or to apply now for the program, visit https://mil.wa.gov/youth-academy

Raven Conversations: Episode 86 Becoming a Pilot with WO1 Catherine Trujillo Jul 20, 2023

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In this episode of Raven Conversations, WO1 Catherine Trujillo, a member of the 1st Battalion, 140th Aviation Regiment, C Co talks about her experience in becoming a pilot in the Washington National Guard. Regardless of the hurdles that were set in her path, she was able to overcome those obstacles in order to achieve her lifelong dream to fly. "Don't ever tell yourself that you can't, other people will tell you that enough." -WO1 Catherine Trujillo

Raven Conversations: Episode 86 Mt. St. Helens rescue with Mike Cairns May 18, 2023

Show notes

Today is May 18th and on this day in 1980 Mt. St. Helens erupted with a force so powerful that it leveled tens of thousands of acres of forest and destroyed hundreds of homes, roadways and railways. 57 people lost their lives in the blast. On duty that day was a young helicopter pilot named Mike Cairns. He and many of his Washington National Guard pilots immediately flew towards the devastation and began the incredibly difficult task of finding survivors. Please listen in as he recounts those terrible days of flying in the most perilous of conditions.

Raven Conversations: Episode 85 Preparedness in the Pacific Northwest with Hollie Stark Mar 23, 2023

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In this episode of Raven Conversations, Hollie Stark, the Outreach Program Manager for the Emergency Management Division talks about being disaster ready in Washington.

Raven Conversations: Episode 84 Broken Wing Mar 10, 2023

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CW3 Ryan Schwend and CW2 Eugene Park stop by to tell us the story of how they were able to safely land after they experienced a catastrophic emergency during a routine trip while they were on deployment in Afghanistan. It is truly an amazing story! They walk us through their decision making process, how they communicated with the crew chiefs in the back, and how a ground crew were able to dislodge their broken, mangled cargo.

Raven Conversations: Episode 83 Guard Entrepreneurs Dec 16, 2022

Show notes

On the show today we sit down with two members of the Washington National Guard - one Army one Air - who own their own businesses in their local community. Master Sgt. Samantha Stewart who is at the 194th Wing, runs a CrossFit gym with her husband, Joe, who is also an Air National Guardsman. Samantha and I talk about her service in the Guard supports her ability to focus on her small business, how they got started and how they are moving into the adaptive athlete space for people with physical and mental disabilities. We also chat about her yoga classes, they are back and at the 194th Wing auditorium once a week. Once the weekly date is set, we will let you know. We also chat with Sgt. 1st Class Tim Thompson who works at 2nd Battalion, 205th Training Regiment. He is the proud owner of Brother's Pizza and Brew Deployed, a mobile pizza food truck. During the weekends when he is not drilling, he takes his pizza trailer to various events around the state and he usually sells out. We talk about how he got started and how his service in the guard helps him with running a small business.

Raven Conversations: Episode 82 Rainier Dustoff to the Rescue Part 2 Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

This episode is a continuation of our conversation with the crew from Rainier Dustoff who recently helped rescue an injured hiker. On the previous episode we talked about the rescue mission itself but on this episode we go into the aviation career field in general - how they got started, what they love about it and where they see their careers going. Send story ideas to: jason.r.kriess.civ@army.mil

Raven Conversations: Episode 82 Rainier Dustoff to the Rescue Part 1 Dec 02, 2022

Show notes

On today's show I sit down and chat with a few members of the Dustoff team over at the Army aviation facility. In October, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ryan Kennedy and his crew piloted their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter out near Leavenworth, Washington to help rescue an injured hiker and transport them to safety. This is something that they train for a lot but don't necessarily get to do it as a real-world mission. They talk us through the rescue step-by-step, each of them sharing what their roles were during the mission. When recording this episode we got a little carried away and we ended up talking for an hour and a half. So this will be broken up into two episodes. This one will be about the rescue mission and the next one will be about the aviation career field in general and their love for their service in the guard.

Raven Conversations: Episode 81 Haunted Armories Oct 27, 2022

Show notes

Washington National Guard armories are old. Built around the turn of the century and on through the 1930’s and 40’s, these large, cavernous buildings have been the assembly location for soldiers and airmen for decades. Countless people have moved through these locations on their way to World Wars I and II and on through the conflicts in the Middle East. Over the years, we have talked to many people who have seen and heard strange goings on in these armories. Slamming doors, footsteps, voices. In the spirit of Halloween, we invited a few people into the studio to tell us their creepy encounters with the unknown. Sit back and enjoy this special Halloween edition of Raven Conversations. Send your story ideas to jason.r.kriess.civ@army.mil

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