Jocko Podcast 502: Crazy Horse - Apache Pilot Dan McClinton on Combat, Loss, and Lessons Learned

Journey to Flight School

• ✈️ Dan McClinton, author of "Crazy Horse," shares his path from growing up in Waco, Texas, to pursuing a lifelong dream of becoming a military pilot.
• 💡 Initially aiming for the Air Force to fly F-16s, a candid conversation with an ROTC instructor led him to explore Army warrant officer flight training.
• 🛠️ After a stint in drafting and design, a realization that he didn't want to draw for a living prompted him to join the Army at age 25, facing basic training challenges.

Apache Pilot Training and Early Deployments

• 🚁 McClinton details his rigorous training through warrant officer candidate school and flight school, emphasizing the demanding nature of helicopter flight.
• ✈️ His early career included flying Hueys in El Salvador and later transitioning to the AH-64 Apache, serving in units like the Second Armored Division and First Cavalry Division.
• 🗓️ He recounts his first combat deployment to Iraq in 2004, describing the intense environment and the shift in operations due to rising insurgent activity.

Combat Experiences in Iraq

• 💥 The "Crazy Horse" book details harrowing missions, including intense fire during operations in Sadr City and supporting ground units during the Battle of Fallujah.
• 🚁 A significant event was the loss of fellow crew members, highlighting the emotional toll of combat and the importance of continuing the mission.
• 🎯 McClinton describes the "Crazy Horse" unit's operations, including "troops in contact" missions, counter-mortar patrols, and convoy security, often prioritizing medevac and troops in contact calls.

The "Crazy Horse" Mission and Its Aftermath

• 💥 The podcast delves into the "Crazy Horse" mission on January 23rd, 2007, where an Apache was shot down, leading to the loss of two crew members.
• ⚠️ This incident, along with others, fueled concerns that anti-Iraqi forces were specifically targeting helicopters.
• 🕊️ The narrative also covers the "Collateral Murder" incident, where civilian casualties, including children, occurred during an engagement, leading to investigations and discussions on rules of engagement and the chaos of combat.

Reflections on Service and Life After Combat

• 🎖️ McClinton discusses the "Cav Hats" tradition and the unauthorized Stetsons worn by cavalry units, symbolizing a unique esprit de corps.
• ✈️ He shares experiences of "spur ride" extractions, where downed pilots were carried on the outside of aircraft, highlighting the ingenuity and risks involved.
• 📚 The conversation touches on his books, "Crazy Horse" and "37 Months," and the documentary "The Longest Month," aiming to preserve the stories of those who served.
• 🇺🇸 McClinton reflects on the challenges of reintegration into civilian life, the contrast between combat and everyday life, and the importance of selfless service.