The Pilot Project Podcast

In the final part of the MSC Baltic III series, Major Pete Wright and Warrant Officer Greg Hudson describe the dramatic rescue itself.After launching from Gander and racing toward the vessel in distress, the CH-149 Cormorant crew arrives on scene and begins the complex task of hoisting sailors from the stricken cargo ship in harsh winter conditions off Newfoundland.Pete explains the challenges of positioning the helicopter over a moving ship in turbulent conditions, while Greg takes listeners inside the rescue itself, describing the demanding work of hoisting survivors from the vessel and coordinating closely with the flight crew above.

In Part 2 of this three-part series on the MSC Baltic III rescue, we continue the conversation with Major Pete Wright and Warrant Officer Greg Hudson as they describe the moment the call came in and the race to launch from 103 Search and Rescue Squadron in Gander.They walk through the early stages of the mission - preparing the CH-149 Cormorant, coordinating the crew, and launching into challenging weather conditions off the coast of Newfoundland.This episode takes listeners inside the cockpit and cabin as the rescue mission begins to unfold.

Before the dramatic MSC Baltic III rescue, years of training and experience prepared the crew. In Part 1, Major Pete Wright and Warrant Officer Greg Hudson share their paths into the RCAF SAR community and the lessons that shaped them. Pete discusses his path to becoming a CH-149 Cormorant pilot, flying with 103 Search and Rescue Squadron in Gander, and lessons learned from an exchange tour with the U.S. Coast Guard. Greg shares how his deployment to Afghanistan and years of specialized training led him to the elite SAR Tech trade. 

In Part 2 of this series, Major Sam Behm shares what it was like to command the first Canadian CC-130J Hercules mission tasked with evacuating personnel during the 2021 Kabul Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation.She reflects on preparing her crew, making decisions under pressure, and leading in an environment defined by uncertainty and risk. Sam also speaks candidly about serving as the only female Hercules pilot in the RCAF for several years, the importance of mentorship through Elevate Aviation, and why International Women’s Day and Women of Aviation Worldwide Week matter in today’s military.A conversation about command, courage, and representation in operational airlift.

Major Sam Behm's path to the CC-130J Hercules wasn’t straightforward. As we mark International Women's Day and Women in Aviation Worldwide Week, Sam shares how she joined the Canadian Armed Forces under ROTP as a MARS Officer (now Naval Warfare Officer), and determinedly pursued a transfer to the Royal Canadian Air Force when the opportunity to become a pilot reopened. We walk through her flight training on the Grob in Portage la Prairie, the Harvard in Moose Jaw, and the King Air, as well as her time with the Multi-Engine Utility Flight before beginning her career on the Hercules with 436 Transport Squadron.With 2,400 hours across 52 countries and five continents, Sam reflects on building operational experience, earning aircraft command, and what it means to grow into leadership in military aviation.A story of persistence, adaptability, and carving your own path in uniform.

 Part two of our chat with Captain Rock Veilleux follows his evolution from recovery to instructor pilot, overseas flying, and ultimately search and rescue operations. It's a powerful story about adaptation, leadership, and staying passionate about aviation. 

Captain Rock Veilleux shares how a passion for flying led to fast jets - and how a dramatic ejection forced him to rebuild both his career and confidence. A gripping Canadian military aviation story about resilience, identity, and staying in the fight. 

In part 3 of 3, Major Ian Wookey concludes his Afghanistan story. He describes the execution of evacuation operations in Kabul, the pressure faced by aircrews and planners, and the emotional toll of operating in a collapsing environment. As the final flights departed, Ian reflects on the limits of military power, the people left behind, and how those final days continue to resonate long after leaving Afghanistan.

In part 2 of 3, Major Ian Wookey returns to continue his account of Afghanistan’s final days. He describes the shift from a controlled drawdown to the sudden collapse of Afghan security forces, the rapidly deteriorating situation in Kabul, and the mounting pressure on the small coalition force that remained behind. 

In part 1 of a 3-part conversation on the fall of Afghanistan, Major Ian Wookey shares his first-hand account of the Afghanistan drawdown, from closing Kandahar Airfield to becoming the last Canadian on the ground.