Azad "Mike" - Special Operations Interpreter to United States Marine
Combat Story
In this episode of Combat Story, we sit down with Azad, known overseas as “Mike,” whose life represents one of the most extraordinary and unlikely journeys to come out of the post-9/11 wars. Born Kurdish in Baghdad, Azad was still a child when the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq began. His first exposure to Americans didn’t come from movies, television, or Western culture — it came from U.S. soldiers operating in his hometown, at a time when alliances were fragile and the cost of being seen as a collaborator could be fatal. Driven by curiosity, survival, and a desire to understand the...
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Dauntless Courage: Inside Fallujah II and the Hardest Fought Battle of the War
Combat Story
The Second Battle of Fallujah — also known as Operation Phantom Fury — was one of the most intense urban combat engagements fought by U.S. forces since Vietnam. In this gripping documentary, real Marines, soldiers, and corpsmen recount the chaos, courage, and sacrifice that defined Fallujah, Iraq, in November 2004. This is not a scripted Hollywood war story. These are the firsthand voices of men who fought house to house, clearing buildings block by block in what became a defining moment of the Iraq War. Through raw interviews and authentic battlefield audio, this film captures the human...
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Invite to the Battle of Fallujah II Dauntless Courage Premiere on Combat Story with Ryan and AJ
Combat Story
This is an invite to watch the Premiere of a Combat Story special episode titled Dauntless Courage focused entirely on combat stories taking place during the Battle of Fallujah II. To join the premiere later today, go to YouTube at and click notify me. The Premiere starts on Nov 8 at 8pm EST / 5pm PST. Ryan and AJ will be in the chat watching the video live with everyone, including other Marines who fought in Fallujah!
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Australian SAS Officer Mark Wales: Combat Stories, PTSD, and the Warrior Spirit | Combat Story
Combat Story
In this incredible episode, Mark Wales, a former Australian SAS officer, opens up about his military journey. From his initial days in the Australian infantry to transitioning into the elite Special Forces, Mark reflects on his most pivotal experiences, including dangerous combat missions and the mental and physical toll of war. He shares intimate details about his service, his motivation to join Special Forces, and the challenges of losing friends in combat. Mark's story isn't just about the highs of military life; it's also about the realities, the struggles with PTSD, and the transition...
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He Couldn't Get Hired, So He Bought a Plane Ticket to Darfur | Finding Purpose Before the Military
Combat Story
Sponsored by Veterans Help Group — supporting veterans navigating VA benefits. In this incredible, unconventional story, Nate reveals how he discovered his life's purpose by taking a radical leap of faith. In 2004, feeling adrift and disturbed by the ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudan, Nate knew he had to do something. Rejected by countless NGOs due to his lack of a college degree and "special skills," he refused to accept "no" for an answer. With nothing but determination and a bold elevator pitch, he bought a plane ticket to Chad and found a way onto a UN flight to the refugee camps....
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Combat Story - Podumentary - Erick Miyares
Combat Story
🎖️ From Marine Sniper to Army Special Operations Veteran | Erick Miyares’ Unbelievable Combat Story 🇺🇸. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Erick Miyares — a retired Special Operations soldier who began his journey in the U.S. Marine Corps and went on to serve in the Army’s 7th Special Forces Group and an Army Special Missions Unit under U.S. SOCOM. Eric takes us deep into the realities of war, from the jungles of Central and South America to the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq. He opens up about taking a life, losing brothers, living with...
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The RPG That Changed Everything – Ivan Ingraham’s Wildest Day in Combat | Marine Raider
Combat Story
Marine Raider LtCol Ivan Ingraham (USMC, Ret.) takes us deep inside one of the most intense firefights of the Afghanistan War — when his convoy rolled into the Green Zone and an RPG bounced off the hood of his Humvee before exploding behind him. In this unforgettable episode of Combat Story, Ivan shares what it really feels like when all hell breaks loose. From the chaos of a full-blown ambush to the calm, deliberate decisions that saved his Marines’ lives, this story captures the courage, clarity, and leadership forged only through combat. Ivan spent 24 years in the Marine Corps, serving...
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Ryan Fugit - The Story Behind Combat Story
Combat Story
In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Fugit — former Army attack helicopter pilot, CIA Directorate of Operations officer, and host of Combat Story and Restricted Handling for an inside look at a life spent on the front lines of America’s wars and intelligence operations. Ryan shares raw and insightful stories from his time flying AH-64 Apache helicopters in Afghanistan and from his years conducting global operations with the CIA’s Directorate of Operations. From the intensity of combat to the complexity of modern intelligence work, Ryan reflects on the lessons, challenges, and defining...
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Surviving a Surface to Air Missile (SAM) Strike | DFC | A-10 Aviator | Kim "Killer Chick" Campbell
Combat Story
✈️ A-10 Fighter Pilot Combat Story – Kim “Killer Chick” Campbell In this episode, we sit down with Col. Kim “KC” Campbell (USAF, Ret.), a decorated A-10 Warthog pilot and true combat veteran. Known by her legendary call sign “Killer Chick,” Kim shares her incredible story of surviving a surface-to-air missile strike over Baghdad and pulling off a harrowing emergency landing that few pilots could ever attempt. This is a raw, inspiring deep dive into leadership, resilience, and what it takes to fly and fight in one of the most iconic aircraft in U.S. Air Force history. 🎥...
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Darin Kinder: Secret Service Agent & 9/11 Survivor Shares His Story of Courage and Resilience
Combat Story
In remembrance of the attacks on September 11th, 2001, we have a special guest on the show, and for the first time in our Combat Story community, we’d like to introduce Darin Kinder — Former Secret Service Agent • 9/11 Survivor. Darin Kinder brings a rare blend of courage, clarity, and conviction from years spent navigating the world’s most high-pressure moments. As a former Secret Service Agent and survivor of the 9/11 attacks, he uses his story to help individuals and leaders live with bold purpose and unwavering resilience. Author of Bury Me in a Dirty Suit: Discovering Man’s...
info_outlineIn this episode, we sit down with Ryan Fugit — former Army attack helicopter pilot, CIA Directorate of Operations officer, and host of Combat Story and Restricted Handling for an inside look at a life spent on the front lines of America’s wars and intelligence operations.
Ryan shares raw and insightful stories from his time flying AH-64 Apache helicopters in Afghanistan and from his years conducting global operations with the CIA’s Directorate of Operations. From the intensity of combat to the complexity of modern intelligence work, Ryan reflects on the lessons, challenges, and defining moments that shaped his approach to leadership, resilience, and purpose.
We also discuss his transition from public service to leading trust and safety investigations in Silicon Valley, and how his experiences inform his mission to protect people from harm in the digital age. Ryan has now created the Restricted Handling podcast featuring daily, curated insights and news on Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East and more with weekly deep dives with Ryan and former CIA legends about what's going on in the world of geopolitics, international security, and military and intelligence operations. Subscribe for FREE daily insights at www.restrictedhandling.com.
🎙️ About Ryan Fugit:
Ryan is the creator and host of Combat Story, a podcast that captures the firsthand accounts of combat veterans, and Restricted Handling, which explores authoritarian activity and international security through conversations with world-class experts. Check out the Retricted Handling podcast at www.restrictedhandling.com
🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with military veterans, intelligence professionals, and leaders shaping the future of national security.
Find AJ Online:
📸Instagram: / ajpasciuti
📘 LinkedIn: / angelo-pasciuti
🔗Personal Website & Book Pre-Order (“Darkhorse”): https://www.ajpasciuti.com/
👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 1 – USMC Sniper & Force Recon in Fallujah):
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4aqn
👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 2 – Sniper vs Sniper Battle):
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast
👉Urban Valor Facebook Feature:
/ 602000529075284
👉DVIDS Video on Infantry Marine Course:
https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leaders
Find Ryan Online:
🎙️ Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
🔗Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats
🛒 Email ryan@combatstory.com
📸 Instagram @combatstory / combatstory
📘 Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
Check out the Retricted Handling podcast at www.restrictedhandling.com
📖 Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
✔ Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
01:53 Introduction
08:12 The Impact of 9/11
17:04 Choosing the Aviation Path
26:37 The Competitive World of Aviation
30:02 Imposter Syndrome and Military Service
37:05 Pop Culture Influences
44:22 First Unit Assignment
44:56 Early Days in the Cavalry Unit
46:09 The Battle of March 23, 2003
48:00 Life in Germany and the Desire to Deploy
50:01 First Deployment to Afghanistan
54:25 Challenges of Command and Crew Rest
59:00 Navigating Leadership and Combat Decisions
01:23:26 Reflecting on a Tragic Incident
01:24:40 Sponsor Message: Protect Your Privacy with Delete Me
01:26:07 Making Tough Decisions in the Military
01:28:44 Transitioning to Civilian Life and the CIA
01:34:38 Starting a Podcast: Inspiration and Challenges
01:52:13 Highs, Lows, and Laughs of Podcasting
02:03:01 Future Plans and New Ventures