Steve Gillespie is a retired FDNY Special Operations Firefighter and the man behind "Surviving the Job".  

We discuss volunteer firefighting as a teen, his journey into the FDNY, training diligence in Special Operations, his harrowing 9/11 story, The "Black Sunday" fire, the Deutsch Bank fire, processesing multiple LODDs, his own mental health story and much more.

Steve Gillespie - Episode 779

Rob Ramirez is a veteran South Florida firefighter, USAR TF2 team member and National Rescue Consultants instructor.

We discuss his journey into the fire service, responding to special need patients, entering special operations, Hurricane Katrina, the Parkland attack, the Surfside collapse, Hurricane Ian, firefighter fitness, realism in training, mental health and so much more.

Rob Ramirez - Episode 783

Timmy Gleason is a veteran Miami firefighter and member of USAR TF-2.

We discuss losing his home to a hurricane as a child, his journey into the fire service, the Haitian earthquake, Hurricane Ian, the Surfside collapse, his own powerful mental health story, addiction, suicide, post traumatic growth and so much more.

Timmy Gleason - Episode 843

Olá, seja muito bem-vindo ao StandardsCast EP #285 A320/A321. Neste episódio conversamos com Peterson Ramos e Mateus Gurjão (Coordenador e Assistente de Flight Standards A320/A321, respectivamente) sobre as principais atualizações do FCOM Rev. 17. Dividimos as modificações entre Azul e Airbus, e dentre elas abordamos as questões sobre cockpit entrance, TCAS panel, OptiClimb, altitude a ser selecionada no FCU em SIDs com restrições, callout de FMA, special operations, GPS interference, CAB PR EXCESS CAB ALT, reset de falhas em um mesmo sistema, approach checklist em caso de arremetida e modificações na filosofia de briefing de rejeição.

Em caso de dúvidas, críticas ou sugestões, envie um e-mail para standardscast@voeazul.com.br.

Este Podcast foi produzido pela Diretoria de Operações da Azul Linhas Aéreas. Em caso de divergência entre qualquer assunto técnico abordado e os documentos oficiais, os documentos prevalecerão. Todos os direitos reservados.

#285 [A320/A321] Principais Atualizações do FCOM Rev. 17

“Wings of the Silent Few” is an adrenaline-charged anthem honoring the United States Air Force Special Warfare community. From the legendary pararescue who risk all to save lives, to Tactical Air Control Party operators who rain steel on the enemy, Combat Controllers who open up the fight, Special Recon teams in the shadows, and SERE instructors who break and rebuild the best — this song dives into their world with respect and raw energy. It celebrates the brutal selection process, the power of tactical comms, and the unmistakable roar of special operations helicopters and AC-130 gunships — a dedication to those who live on the edge for us all.

Buy on iTunes

Wings of the Silent Few (A Tribute to USAF Special Warfare)

“In the Shadows They Stand” is a haunting and heartfelt tribute to the men and women who have shaped history from the world’s dark corners — the covert warriors whose missions are rarely known but whose sacrifices have reshaped the world order. With references to the OSS, SAS, SBS, CIA Ground Branch, SEALs, Delta Force, JSOC, and DIA, the song weaves historical depth with modern relevance, offering a salute and a reflection on duty, sacrifice, and silence.

In the Shadows They Stand (A Tribute to the Shadow Warriors)

“Into the Storm: The Air Force Legacy” is an epic anthem that honors the U.S. Air Force’s role in shaping global history. With vivid lyrics capturing iconic moments — from the Doolittle Raid and the Berlin Airlift to Desert Storm and special operations support — the song blends power, precision, and pride. Its message celebrates not just machines and missions, but the airmen whose sacrifice and skill define freedom’s frontline.

Into the Storm (The Air Force Legacy)

“The Urban Warfare Center (Forged Under Fire)” is a powerful anthem honoring the soldiers, airmen, police officers, and federal agents who train for chaos—so others may live in peace.

Founded by David Burnell in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, the Urban Warfare Center was born out of necessity: a place where warriors could prepare for real-world combat through realistic, high-stress, scenario-based training. Burnell recognized that future conflicts would be fought in tight, chaotic urban environments—and that those who answer the call needed more than tactics. They needed principles, grit, and readiness under fire.

This song captures the heartbeat of that mission. With hard-hitting rhythms, raw imagery, and a heroic spirit, it pays tribute to those who step into simulated battle—so they can survive the real one. It’s a tribute to a brotherhood forged in fire, and to the legacy of a center that trained thousands to run toward the fight.

The Urban Warfare Center (Forged Under Fire)

Smoke, Steel, and Silence pulls you into the world of elite special operations teams—their mindset, mission, and moments between heartbeat and breach. Fusing stealthy hip-hop flows with distorted guitars and atmospheric tension, this song mirrors the cold, clean execution of high-risk raids. It’s a tribute to those who operate in the dark, guided not by fame but by duty.
Whether you're a veteran, operator, or someone who appreciates the silence between gunfire, this track delivers the emotion and the edge.

Smoke, Steel, and Silence (No glory, no noise)

"Green Faces, Ghost Steps" is a powerful and immersive anthem dedicated to the U.S. Navy SEALs — their intense training, their invisible footprints, and the legends they leave behind. This track fuses tribal percussion with deep synths and ambient tones to capture the physical and spiritual toll of becoming a SEAL. The lyrics reflect the soul of silent warriors: forged in Hell Week, bonded in blood, and remembered in myth. This song honors not just their strength, but their code — to serve in silence, and if needed, die without fanfare. It’s a rhythm for those who vanish before they’re seen.

Green Faces and Ghost Steps (A Tribute to Navy SEALs and Their Silent Legacy)

"Angels in the Night" is a thunderous, cinematic rock anthem dedicated to the AC-130 gunship—a fearsome aerial platform serving as the guardian angel of special operations forces across generations. From its early days in Vietnam as “Spectre” to modern configurations like “Ghostrider” and “Stinger II,” the AC-130 has proven itself as a symbol of precision, overwhelming firepower, and unwavering protection.

The song dives into its storied history and mission profiles: Close Air Support (CAS), armed reconnaissance, and interdiction—carried out with weapons systems like the 25mm GAU-12, 40mm Bofors, 105mm howitzer, and precision munitions. Every mission delivers peace of mind to troops below and fear to enemies who can run but never hide.

Angels in the Night (A Tribute to the Legendary AC-130 Gunship)

"Lay It Down (For a Brother)" is a powerful tribute to Medal of Honor recipients Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart—Delta Force operators who gave their lives during the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu to defend their fellow soldiers.

This emotional, cinematic rock anthem captures the intensity of their final mission, the loyalty that bound them, and the ultimate sacrifice they made for their brothers-in-arms. With stirring lyrics, haunting guitar riffs, and a chorus that echoes across time, this song honors the warrior creed:

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Whether you stream or purchase it, this track stands as a solemn dedication to courage, brotherhood, and the men who answered the call without hesitation.

Available for download and streaming on EchoValor.com and all major platforms.

Greater Love - The Story of Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart Podcast

Description: "Lay It Down (For a Brother)" is a powerful tribute to Medal of Honor recipients Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart—Delta Force operators who gave their lives during the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu to defend their fellow soldiers.

This emotional, cinematic rock anthem captures the intensity of their final mission, the loyalty that bound them, and the ultimate sacrifice they made for their brothers-in-arms. With stirring lyrics, haunting guitar riffs, and a chorus that echoes across time, this song honors the warrior creed:

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Whether you stream or purchase it, this track stands as a solemn dedication to courage, brotherhood, and the men who answered the call without hesitation.

Lay It Down (For a Brother)

In the shattered streets of post-earthquake Haiti, chaos reigned—collapsed buildings, desperate survivors, and 10,000 felons set loose into a lawless landscape. Amid this devastation, a three-year-old American boy named Gardy was abducted from a church meeting and ransomed for $20,000.

In this gripping, first-hand account, David Burnell—fresh from high-threat protection training—was unexpectedly tasked with leading a covert, high-risk mission deep into the Haitian mountains to find the child. Partnered with a trusted brother-in-arms known as “Bravo,” they navigated armed gangs, human traffickers, and the dark underworld of post-quake Haiti in a relentless pursuit for justice.

This is a story of danger, moral resolve, and brotherhood under fire—an unflinching testament to those willing to risk everything when the call comes.

Child Abduction Mission: Haiti Podcast

In That Others May Live, David Burnell takes you deep into the perilous world of combat search and rescue, cave diving, and humanitarian recovery missions. From the motto of the U.S. Air Force Pararescue to the harrowing 2018 Thai cave rescue, these stories reveal the grit, sacrifice, and unwavering resolve of those who put themselves in harm’s way so that others might survive. Drawing on firsthand experience from missions across the globe—Japan, Haiti, Burma, and beyond—Burnell offers raw insight into the courage it takes to step into darkness when the stakes are life or death.

That Others May Live - Courage, Sacrifice, and the Spirit of Rescue Podcast

When war whispers through the jungle, some answer with fire. Others, with healing hands.

David Burnell didn’t go to Burma to wage war. He went unarmed, on a promise—to protect a friend and help train twelve medics deep within territory controlled by the Karen resistance, amid a brutal conflict few in the world even knew was still raging.

Beyond the Border is a gripping true story of jungle survival, spiritual conviction, and the unseen cost of service. Through sweltering heat, silent threats, and the constant presence of death, David’s journey became far more than a mission—it became a calling.

From the moment he stepped off the plane in Thailand to the day he embraced a barefoot child beside a bamboo hut, this book captures the reality of humanitarian warfare—where life-saving decisions are made under the shadow of violence, and where the measure of a man isn’t in the weight of his weapon, but in the strength of his resolve.

Raw. Redemptive. Unforgettable.

Beyond the Border is not just a memoir—it’s a witness to the miracles that still happen when courage walks in with no banner, and love refuses to retreat.

Beyond the Border: A Mission of Mercy in Burma (Audiobook)

For ten years, David Burnell lived in the invisible war—serving as a U.S. Air Force Communications Operations Specialist during the most volatile decade of the late Cold War.
His battlefield wasn’t marked by trenches or gunfire, but by encrypted transmissions, coded messages, and the heavy silence of classified operations.

From the blackout classrooms of Sheppard Air Force Base to the fog-covered runways of RAF Sculthorpe, and from the jungles of Central America to the frozen plains of South Dakota, Burnell’s decade in uniform unfolded behind security fences, within cleared rooms, and beneath the constant hum of secrecy.

In The Quiet War, Burnell opens a window into the unseen world of intelligence operations—where loyalty is tested by polygraphs, trust is earned in whispers, and the smallest mistake can echo across nations.

He recounts the call that changed everything: volunteering for Task Force Bravo in Cabañas ’87, where a last-minute reassignment spared his life when a friendly-fire incident took down the helicopter he was meant to board.
He describes the OSI polygraph interrogations after the capture of Navy spy John Walker, and the eerie feeling of serving “in the glass bowl” where every heartbeat was measured for loyalty.
He walks through the fall of the Berlin Wall, the rising threat of global terrorism, and the quiet moments on the flight line when coffins draped in flags arrived home without ceremony.

Amid the secrecy and tension, Burnell’s story is deeply human. It is about faith, family, endurance, and the cost of commitment.
It’s about the dream that first drew him in—the desire to become a Pararescue operator (“That Others May Live”)—and how that same drive would later carry him into real-world search and rescue, humanitarian missions, and crisis response long after the uniform came off.

The Quiet War is more than a military memoir—it is a testament to those who serve in silence, whose battles are unseen but whose sacrifices are just as real.

For readers of The Right Stuff, American Sniper, and The Operator, this is the untold story of a warrior who lived at the intersection of technology, intelligence, and faith during one of the most complex eras in modern history.

The Quiet War: Ten Years Inside the Shadows of the Cold War (Audiobook)

Bringing the greatest minds in mental and physical wellness to the men and women who serve our communities.

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

Seja bem-vindo ao canal do StandardsCast, iniciativa da Diretoria de Operações da Azul Linhas Aéreas, que utilizará Podcasts semanais para exercer a comunicação direta.

Os assuntos serão sempre aqueles relacionados à operação de nossas aeronaves e os episódios serão divididos por frota e ALL FLEET. A linguagem utilizada será informal, e nosso maior objetivo é desmistificar e tornar ainda mais claros os procedimentos do nosso dia-a-dia.

Em caso de dúvidas, críticas ou sugestões, envie um e-mail para standardscast@voeazul.com.br.

Este conteúdo foi produzido pela Diretoria de Operações da Azul Linhas Aéreas. Em caso de divergência entre qualquer assunto técnico abordado e os documentos oficiais, os documentos prevalecerão. 2025. Todos os direitos reservados.

New tracks tagged #SpecialOperations