In this gripping episode of Echo Valor, David Burnell sits down with longtime friend Dan Laguna — Green Beret, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night Stalkers) pilot, and former head of Blackwater Aviation.

Dan’s journey spans decades of elite military service, from training and advising in Central and South America to flying Little Birds in Mogadishu during Black Hawk Down and leading high-risk missions in Iraq. He shares the formative influence of his Korean War veteran father, the creation of his life motto “You have to live hard to be hard”, and the fateful day in 2007 when his brother was killed in action beside him.

This is not just a combat memoir. It’s a testament to resilience, leadership, and living purposefully every day — no matter the cost.


Dan Laguna Interview: You Have to Live Hard to be Hard Podcast

Cinematic spoken-word reflections on war, service, and the human cost of duty—told with raw honesty and reverence.

New tracks tagged #SpecialForcesGreenBeret