Global Recon

You can access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

My guest for this week's podcast is retired Marine Corps Major General Arnold Punaro. Punaro went on to serve for 34 years, finishing his career as the Commanding Officer of the 4th Marine Division and reaching the rank of Two Star General. He was shot during a firefight as a young Officer leading Marines against an enemy position in Vietnam.

After the war, he went to work for Senator Sam Nunn in National Security matters serving as his director of National Security Affairs and then as Staff Director of the Senate Armed Services Committee. His latest book, "The Ever Shrinking Fighting Force." Highlights the issue of how more money being spent is not equating to a more effective fighting force. We discussed General Punaro's time in Vietnam, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China, and his book. Tune in.

Main Takeaways

Being shot by a sniper

CPL Roy Hammonds saves Punaro and gets killed shortly after

Working National Security for Senator Sam Nunn

Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan

Russia's invasion of Ukraine

The Ever Shrinking Fighting Force

Connect with Arnold Punaro

Website

Book

Connect With John Hendricks

www.globalrecon.net

Instagram

Music provided by Caspian:

You can access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

GRP 163-With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility: A Conversation with Senator Marco Rubio 

For this week's podcast, joining me is the Senior United States Senator from Florida, Marco Rubio. Senator Rubio came on to discuss veterans who have been exposed to toxic burn pits while serving overseas. Many of these veterans are diagnosed with cancer and other rare illnesses at an alarming rate. An issue Senator Rubio is passionate about tackling is human trafficking. We discussed how to protect schools in the wake of a deadly shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Tune in.

          Main Takeaways

Veterans exposed to toxic burn pits

Hunter Seven Foundation

Fixing the VA

Human Trafficking

Utilizing the national threat assessment center to protect schools

Calling out the hypocrisy of the NBA when it comes to China

If you are interested in supporting my friends at the Hunter Seven Foundation, click here: https://hunterseven.org

Connect With John Hendricks

www.globalrecon.net

Instagram

Music provided by Caspian:

You can access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

We are currently working on setting up a secure payment system through an American Special Forces veteran ran organization to get donations directly to Mikko’s unit. They will be buying medical supplies, fuel, and other necessities. 

GRP 162-The Last Train to Kyiv: Insight From a Ukrainian Special Forces Soldier 

                       Joining me for this week's podcast is Mikko. Mikko is an active-duty Ukrainian Special Forces Soldier who has been fighting the Russians since the 2022 invasion began. Mikko saw combat in 2016 as a breacher in Eastern Ukraine, working for a Law Enforcement unit in the Special Operations Group. He transferred into a specialized role sending him overseas, where he was in charge of a K-9 section. 

When the Russians invaded Ukraine, he was in Istanbul on his way home. It was a surreal experience as everyone was heading west out of Kyiv, and he was racing east before the Russians could encircle Kyiv. Mikko was in Bucha, a city in Ukraine when the Russians were executing civilians and witnessed the horrific aftermath. We discussed the cultural nuances between Ukrainians and Russians, President Zelenskiy, the Azov Battalion, etc. Tune in!

             Main Takeaways

Apprehending criminals in the lawless eastern regions of Ukraine

President Zelensky

Serving in A Special Recconassiance Unit

Witnessing Russians Execute Civilians

The Azov Battalion

Russia Underestimating Ukraine

Mariupol

Connect With John Hendricks

www.globalrecon.net

Instagram

Music provided by Caspian:

You can access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

GRP 161-Don't Rush To Your Death: A Conversation with An American Tier 1 Operator

Joining me for this week's podcast is retired Special Missions Operator Fred Fusco. I did a podcast with Fred five years ago. Fred spent most of his career in Special Operations, serving as a Green Beret Medic before joining the Army Special Missions Unit, where he served as an Assaulter and a Sniper. We talked about some of Fred's experiences in combat, including dealing with suicide bombers on target, conducting hostage rescue operations, and working with allied Special Operators, including the British SAS, Australian SASR, and Polish GROM. Tune in!

   Main Episode Takeaways

18 Delta Special Forces Medic

Poor leadership in combat

Joining the Army's Special Missions Unit

Dealing with suicide bombers while assaulting targets

Hostage Rescue

Dealing with Traumatic Brain Injury

Connect With Fred Fusco

Instagram

Connect With John Hendricks

www.globalrecon.net

Instagram

Music provided by Caspian:

www.caspian.band

Connect With Eco Defense Group

Kay Foye hand-forged and handcrafted an incredible knife to support the work of special operators as they train wildlife rangers on the frontlines of the rhino war. She gathered materials unique to Africa, including spent brass from the range, and combined those with a wooly mammoth tooth. Working in partnership with Eco Defense Group, Kay is bridging the gap of their secret work to ensure these vets can do what they do best in a unique place. I've never seen anything quite like it, so if there are knife collectors who want to support US Special Missions Unit vets and protect the rhino in Africa, get one now. Click the link below.

African Wildlife Knife

If you are interested in learning more about EDGE, see the link below:

https://www.ecodefensegroup.org/donate

You can access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

Joining me for this week's podcast is the Gold Star Wife of Staff Sergeant Bryan Black Michelle Black. SSG Black was killed alongside SFC Jeremiah Johnson, SSG Dustin Wright, and SGT LaDavid Johnson after their Special Forces team was ambushed on October 4th, 2017, in Niger, Africa.

After investigating the incident, the military sat down with the Black family to discuss their findings. Michelle felt the Army wasn't telling the entire truth about what happened. They blamed the soldiers on the ground while not holding senior officers accountable that sent the team after a terrorist leader without the proper support and mission planning. Michelle details what happened in her book "Sacrifice: A Gold Star Widow's Fight For The Truth" Tune in.

Main Episode Takeaways

Life as a military family

The military not holding senior officers accountable.

Overcoming adversity

Special Forces

Connect With Michelle Black

www.michelleblacksacrifice.com

Instagram

Book

Connect With John Hendricks

www.globalrecon.net

Instagram

Music provided by Caspian:

You can access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

My guest for this week's podcast is a former CIA Officer, U.S. Army veteran, and author of "Watches Without Time: An American Soldier in Afghanistan." Matt Zeller. Matt is the Co-Founder of No One Left Behind, which works to get American allies out of harm's way in combat zones. 

Matt has spent months sounding the alarm and warning high-level government officials that there will be severe consequences if they choose not to act. Tune in! We discussed his time in Afghanistan, his experience in getting Afghan allies out, digital Dunkirk, and much more.

Main Episode Takeaways

Working as a combat advisor in Afghanistan

Joining the CIA

The problem with the Afghanistan pullout

An Afghan interpreter saved his life during combat.

The mission of No One Left Behind

Connect with Matt Zeller

Twitter

No One Left Behind

Website

Book

Connect With John Hendricks

www.globalrecon.net

www.instagram.com/igrecon

Music provided by Caspian:

Click the buttons below to access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

Episode Summary 

My guest for this week's podcast is retired Navy SEAL Chief Eddie Gallagher. Chief Gallagher completed 20 years in the U.S. Navy, with most of that time spent in the SEAL Teams. He served as a Corpsman and a Sniper. During his final deployment in 2017 to Mosul, Iraq, Gallagher was the Platoon Chief. The objective during this deployment was to work side by side with the Iraqi military to retake the city of Mosul from ISIS. 

It was after this deployment where a few members of his platoon accused him of committing war crimes. We walked through this deployment and what led to some of the SEALs claiming he was a war criminal. After spending time in a military prison and being mistreated by the Navy, he was acquitted of murder charges. This entire ordeal became a political point of contention which led to President Donald Trump intervening on Gallagher's behalf. 

Main Episode Takeaways

Becoming a Corpsman

Joining the Navy SEALs

Defeating ISIS

War Crimes

Problems with the military justice system

This Episode is Brought to you by:

Wondery-Against The Odds: In this immersive series from Wondery, host-adventurers Mike Corey and Cassie De Pecol will share thrilling stories of survival.

Against The Odds

Connect with Eddie Gallagher:

Eddie Gallagher 

Connect With John Hendricks

www.globalrecon.net

www.instagram.com/igrecon

Music provided by Caspian:

Click the buttons below to access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

Episode Summary

My guest for this week's podcast is retired U.S. Army Special Missions Sergeant Major Dan Ibach. SGM Ibach served for 21 years, seven of those at the 75th Ranger Regiment and fourteen at the Tier 1 Unit. During a deployment to Iraq, Dan was severely wounded when his vehicle drove over an Improvised Explosive Device, killing half of his team.

A month later, he would wake up from a coma, rejoin the Unit, and continue to deploy into combat.

Ibach was assigned to the United Kingdom's 22nd Special Air Service Regiment as a liaison from the Unit. We discussed hostage rescue, tracking Qasem Soleimani, and much more. Enjoy

Main Episode Takeaways

Surviving a catastrophic brain injury

Hostage Rescue

Assignment to A Squadron 22 SAS

Hunting Qasem Soleimani

Special Operations K9's

Archon Ready Group

GRIZ Global Solutions

Connect With Our Guest for This Episode

Dan is an owner and instructor at Archon Ready Group.

Dan is the CEO of Griz Global Solutions

Connect With John Hendricks

www.globalrecon.net

www.instagram.com/igrecon

Music provided by Caspian:

Click the buttons below to access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 



Episode Summary

Joining me for this week's podcast is an author and former CIA Targeting Analyst, Sarah Carlson. Sarah's book "In The Dark of War" is her account of the U.S. mission's evacuation in Tripoli, Libya, in 2014, where she served as a CIA officer. The evacuation took 26 hours, with 150 Americans driving out of Libya during a civil war. Accompanied by U.S Marines, they successfully made it into Tunisia with American F-16 fighter jets shadowing them in the skies.

Main Episode Takeaways

Counter-Terrorism at the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Targeting Terrorist at the CIA

Evacuating the American Mission in Tripoli, Libya

Russian Mercenaries in Africa

Civil War in Libya

Connect With Our Guest for This Episode

https://www.sarahmcarlson.com

Connect With Global Recon

www.globalrecon.net

Click the buttons below to access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

GRP 152- Joining me for this week's podcast is Marine Corps veteran Yousef Badou. Yousef runs Emergence Disrupt, a training company specializing in Situational Awareness & Behavior Analysis Training. Badou deployed multiple times to Iraq as a U.S. Marine. His father is

from Kuwait, where he spent his early years living in Kuwait during the invasion by Saddam Hussein helped shape his path moving forward.

He would be recalled into the Marine Corps to teach for the Combat Hunter program. The FBI routinely utilizes emergence Disrupt, as do the Joint Regional Intelligence Centers, Overseas Advisory Council, and Military and Law Enforcement. This was a fun podcast. Enjoy.

He would be recalled into the Marine Corps to teach for the Combat Hunter program. The FBI routinely utilizes emergence Disrupt, as do the Joint Regional Intelligence Centers, Overseas Advisory Council, and Military and Law Enforcement. This was a fun podcast. Enjoy.

Check out Emergence Disrupt here: https://www.emergencedisrupt.com

www.instagram.com/yousefbadou_emergence

John Hendricks: www.globalrecon.net

www.instagram.com/Igrecon

Click the buttons below to access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

Joining me for this podcast is retired Army Sergeant Major Bill Delaporte. Delaporte is part owner of Archon Ready Group, which teaches marksmanship. Delaporte served in the Army's Special Missions Unit for 17 years, where he became an assault team leader deploying as an operator 13 times. We talked about Bill's army career, the second amendment, and more. Enjoy.  

Check out Archon Ready Group here:

https://www.archonreadygroup.com

www.instagram.com/archonreadygroup

John Hendricks:

www.globalrecon.net

www.instagram.com/Igrecon

Click the buttons below to access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you.

My guest for this podcast is Nathan Edmondson, the co-founder and President of EDGE. Eco Defense Group (EDGE) plays a pivotal role in the counter-poaching Rhino war in Africa. Utilizing the skill sets of American Tier 1 Operators, they train and develop counter-poacher and Ranger units combatting poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking in coordination with the office of defense cooperation through the consulate general and other official channels in Africa.

The market for rhino horns in Southeast Asia drives criminal syndicates to increase their efforts in illegally killing rhinos. EDGE brings resources and opportunities to communities that are working to counter poaching. They are a 501c3 non-profit organization. We discussed the crime of poaching, what EDGE brings to the fight, and more. Enjoy.

If you are interested in learning more about EDGE, see the link below:

https://www.ecodefensegroup.org/donate

www.instagram.com/ecodefensegroup

John Hendricks:

www.globalrecon.net

www.instagram.com/Igrecon

www.instagram.com/globalreconpodcast

The episode introduction was a trailer for the film

"Stroop. Journey Into the Rhino Horn War"

Click the buttons below to access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you.

GRP 149-My guest for this podcast is Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant Ronald Shurer. Ron passed away due to complications from Lung Cancer on May 14th, 2020. He was 41 years old. I want to extend my condolences to his wife, Miranda, his two boys, my buddy Ryan, his teammates, and co-workers from the Secret Service.

Ron deployed twice to Afghanistan as a Medic in the 3rd Special Forces Group with ODA 3336. During his second deployment, while conducting an operation in the Shok Valley, Ron and his teammate Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Matthew O. Williams were both awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their actions during combat.

We discussed the Battle of Shok Valley in detail. Ron, would eventually separate from the Army and join the Secret Service, where he served for a decade. Ron was a special person. I enjoyed recording this show with him. We intended to sit down and record a second show at the studios here in Manhattan once COVID was contained. Rest in peace, brother.

John Hendricks:

www.globalrecon.net

www.instagram.com/Igrecon

www.instagram.com/globalreconpodcast

Music provided by Caspian:

Click the buttons below to access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you.

Joining me for this week’s podcast is a retired Marine Special Operations Task Force Commander Fred Galvin, and Army veteran, gold star wife, and current spouse to a MARSOC Raider Destiny Draher. On January 1st, 2019 Gunnery Sgt. Joshua Negron, Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Draher and Chief Petty Officer Eric Gilmet were assaulted by a drunk former Green Beret working as a civilian contractor in Erbil, Iraq during a night out.

One of the Marines threw a punch back knocking the contractor out. The entire incident is caught on camera. The Marines took the contractor with them back to base while Eric Gilmet who is a Special Operations Independent Duty Corpsman treated him.

He ended up choking on his vomit and unfortunately died four days later. The commanding General of MARSOC has completely alienated these Marines and they are not getting a fair shot at justice.

We discuss in full detail how the command isn’t concerned with finding out the truth and has already made up their minds about the case. Our three MARSOC Warriors need your support! Please contact your representatives and make them aware of this case.

Unsure of what to say? Here is a template that you can use to email or when you call your representatives.

Dear Representative,

As your constituent, I am requesting that you reach out to Congressmen Louie Gohmert’s office and the Justice For Warriors Caucus and support MARSOC warriors Danny Draher, Josh Negron, and Eric Gilmet.

These three MARSOC warriors have been wrongfully accused of “Manslaughter” and the Congressional Justice for Warriors Caucus is stepping in to stop this injustice. Please have your military staffer reach out to Congressmen Gohmert’s military staffer and act now to save these military hero’s.

Sincerely, [name]

Find your representatives here:

https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

https://www.senate.gov/senators/How_to_correspond_senators.htm

Support United Patriots here:

https://www.uap.org/danny-draher-about-the-case

John Hendricks:

www.globalrecon.net

www.instagram.com/Igrecon

www.instagram.com/globalreconpodcast

Music provided by Caspian:

Click the buttons below to access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you.

GRP 147- No Ordinary Dog: A Special Missions Dog Handler at War

 Joining me for this week’s podcast is Author and Navy SEAL Will Chesney. Chesney served for 3 years at SEAL Team 4 before screening and being selected to serve as a Tier 1 Operator. He has deployed multiple times as a Dog Handler and Operator until he was medically retired after getting blown up in Afghanistan. The book is the story of Will and his SEAL dog Cairo. 

 Cairo served with Will for multiple rotations including after getting shot by an enemy fighter wielding an AK-47. Cairo was with Will on Operation Neptune Spear. This was the Operation that killed Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan. We discussed Will’s recovery, Navy SEAL Dogs, and his new book. Enjoy. 

 Get your copy of No Ordinary Dog here:

https://www.amazon.com/No-Ordinary-Dog-Partner-Teams/dp/1250176956/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1588207447&sr=8-1

  John Hendricks:

www.globalrecon.net

www.instagram.com/Igrecon

www.instagram.com/globalreconpodcast

Music provided by Caspian:

Click the buttons below to access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you.

GRP 144-Wherever you go, go with all your heart: A MACV-SOG Team Leader at war

Co-hosting for this podcast is retired Chief Warrant Officer and 20 year Navy SEAL veteran Ron Mahrs. Our guest is Dr. Henry Thompson. Thompson served for 21 years in the United States Army in various leadership roles. He began his career as a Green Beret joining MACV-SOG running recon operations during the Vietnam war.

Dr. Thompson became the 1-0 or team leader of Recon Team Michigan taking over the team from a good friend of mine named Mike Stahl who was wounded on an operation. The casualty rate for SOG was over 100 percent. They are the precursor to today’s Tier 1 units. This episode is a rare treat as you get a long time Tier 1 SEAL to sit down with an experienced SOG Team leader and myself. Enjoy.

Henry Thompson:

https://www.hpsys.com/HPS_Index.htm

www.instagram.com/hps_ceo

Ron Mahrs:

www.theoperatorfoundation.com

www.gethingroup.org

www.instagram.com/theoperatorfoundation

John Hendricks:

www.globalrecon.net

www.instagram.com/Igrecon

www.instagram.com/globalreconpodcast

Music provided by Caspian:

Click the buttons below to access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you.

GRP 143-Mosul: A film by a CIA counter-terrorism officer

Joining me for this week’s podcast is former CIA counterterrorism officer Dan Gabriel. He served at the Agency for a decade until the killing of Osama Bin Laden when he decided it was time to pursue another passion of his: Film making. The film “Mosul” is entirely in Arabic. Written and directed by Gabriel, it shows the journey of a journalist from Bagdad as he documents the retaking of Mosul from ISIS.

Ali Mula embeds with the Iraqi Special Forces as they fight ISIS house to house, and street by street. The film highlights charismatic leaders of different militia that have come together to fight ISIS. It’s fascinating. We discussed the film, Dan’s career, terrorism, and counter-terrorism as it relates to the middle east and Islam. Enjoy.

You can follow the film’s official page here:

www.instagram.com/mosul_film

You can follow Dan on Twitter here:

www.twitter.com/danpgabriel

Follow John Hendricks

https://anchor.fm/globalrecon

www.Globalrecon.net

https://www.instagram.com/igrecon

https://www.instagram.com/globalreconpodcast

www.twitter.com/igrecon

https://www.facebook.com/GlobalReconPodcast/

Music provided by Caspian