John “Rain” Waters

John "Rain" Waters
Pilot John Waters
Major John WatersJohn “Rain” Waters, is the founder and host of The Afterburn Podcast. John was born and raised in Peachtree City, Georgia. A 2007 graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, John earned a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs and his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Program. Following graduation, he attended pilot training at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, where he earned his wings flying the T-6 Texan II and T-38C Talon.

Throughout his Air Force career, John accumulated over 2,800 flight hours across various platforms, including the F-16, MC-12W, and T-6AII. He served as the Commander and Pilot of the USAF F-16 Viper Demonstration Team, leading a 15-member team and showcasing American airpower at airshows around the globe. John is a combat veteran, flying 180+ combat missions and logging over 960 combat hours in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and INHERENT RESOLVE.

John holds a Master of Science in Emergency Management from Jacksonville State University and currently flies internationally as a commercial 777 pilot. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife and their three children.

John “Rain” Waters

John "Rain" Waters

John “Rain” Waters, is the founder and host of The Afterburn Podcast. John was born and raised in Peachtree City, Georgia. A 2007 graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, John earned a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs and his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Program. Following graduation, he attended pilot training at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, where he earned his wings flying the T-6 Texan II and T-38C Talon.

Throughout his Air Force career, John accumulated over 2,800 flight hours across various platforms, including the F-16, MC-12W, and T-6AII. He served as the Commander and Pilot of the USAF F-16 Viper Demonstration Team, leading a 15-member team and showcasing American airpower at airshows around the globe. John is a combat veteran, flying 180+ combat missions and logging over 960 combat hours in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and INHERENT RESOLVE.

John holds a Master of Science in Emergency Management from Jacksonville State University and currently flies internationally as a commercial 777 pilot. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife and their three children.

Pilot John Waters
Rain in flight - f16 Fighter Jet
Rain signing autographs

MICHAEL “FLASH” McVAY

Michael "Flash" McVay
Flash in Cockpit of F-35
Michael Michael “FLASH” McVay, Co-Host, The Afterburn Podcast, was born and raised in Papillion, NE. A 2009 US Air Force Academy Graduate, Flash was selected to attend and subsequently completed Pilot Training, where he earned the opportunity to fly the A-10C. Through his career, Flash accumulated 2300+ hours in Hawgs, the F-16C/D and the F-35A and was a graduate and Instructor at the US Air Force Fighter Weapons School, the service’s premier tactical leadership institution, serving as a Suppression of Enemy Air Defense Subject Matter Expert for the F-35 community. Flash additionally holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Nebraska, works as an independent consultant specializing in the field of fighter simulation, training and readiness, and currently resides in Utah with his wife Bethany, an entrepreneur and his two children.

Michael “Flash” McVay

Michael "Flash" McVay

Michael “FLASH” McVay, Co-Host, The Afterburn Podcast, was born and raised in Papillion, NE. A 2009 US Air Force Academy Graduate, Flash was selected to attend and subsequently completed Pilot Training, where he earned the opportunity to fly the A-10C. Through his career, Flash accumulated 2300+ hours in Hawgs, the F-16C/D and the F-35A and was a graduate and Instructor at the US Air Force Fighter Weapons School, the service’s premier tactical leadership institution, serving as a Suppression of Enemy Air Defense Subject Matter Expert for the F-35 community. Flash additionally holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Nebraska, works as an independent consultant specializing in the field of fighter simulation, training and readiness, and currently resides in Utah with his wife Bethany, an entrepreneur and his two children.

Flash in F-35 Cockpit
Michael "Flash" McVay with US flag.
Michael "Flash" McVay and friends

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