Major Nick Kanakis: Army Blackhawk Helicopter Pilot to Airforce Tanker Pilot

01/03/22 • 92 min

Nick sits down with Major Nick Kanakis who is a US Military Academy at West Point Graduate, Former US Army Blackhawk Helicopter Pilot, United States Army Veteran, a current United States Air Force Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker Pilot, Vintage Warbird Enthusiast, and a Husband.
Nick shares his awesome stories growing up in San Francisco, his time at West Point, training to become a Blackhawk Helicopter Pilot, deployments over seas, downed aircraft recovery, and his transition from the US Army to the US Air Force. Nick details his training in the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, which is used globally to refuel a majority of planes in the Air Force's arensel from Cargo Planes, Fighter Jets to Bombers.
Follow Nick on Instagram @Nickdempko
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Follow me on Instagram @NickDempkowski
Follow my new Media business Instagram @Nick_NDMedia

Follow me on Instagram @NickDempkowski
Follow my new Media business Instagram @Nick_NDMedia

Previous Episode

undefined - Shane “Captain TK” Tillekeratne: United States Army Veteran, Major US Legacy Airlines Captain, Certified Flight Instructor, Husband, Car and Motorcycle enthusiast, and my friend

Shane “Captain TK” Tillekeratne: United States Army Veteran, Major US Legacy Airlines Captain, Certified Flight Instructor, Husband, Car and Motorcycle enthusiast, and my friend

Nick sits down with Shane “Captain TK” Tillekeratne, who is a United States Army Veteran, Major US Legacy Airlines Captain, Certified Flight Instructor, Husband, and Car and Motorcycle enthusiast.
Shane shares his amazing life stories of immigrating from Sri Lanka into the United States as a child, growing up and making the decision to join the United States Army out of high school. Before he knew it, 19 year old Shane was sent to the Middle East right after the horrific 9/11/2001 event took place in the United States. Shane takes us through his Army career and explains in depth about his time as an Aircrew member flying in a Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter.
Shane explains his flight training experience and the process from teaching students how to fly to becoming a Captain of a Boeing 737 for a Major US Legacy Airlines. Shane also offers motivating information on why student pilots should finish their training for a long and succesful career in the Aviation Industry!
Shane and Nick also talk talk about Civil Air Patrol and what it means for them to volunteer and give back.
Follow Shane on Instagram @captainchemtrails for more adventures!
Follow Nick on Instagram @Nickdempko
Follow the podcast @theuntoldbasics_podcast

Follow me on Instagram @NickDempkowski
Follow my new Media business Instagram @Nick_NDMedia

Next Episode

Branden Vriens: From Hippy, to explosives expert for Seal Team 7, onto wrangling cattle in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming

Branden Vriens: From Hippy, to explosives expert for Seal Team 7, onto wrangling cattle in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming!
Nick sit's down with Branden at the Saddles in Service ranch and Branden tells his amazing story as he transitioned from being a hippy, working as a crossing guard to becoming an Explosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Tech in the United States Navy and how he was assigned as an explosives expert integrated in with Seal Team 7 in Iraq.
Branden also shares the struggles he experienced in life with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how Saddles in Service changed his life. Branden explains what Saddles in Service did for him, starting him from zero horse knowledge or experience, to driving cattle through the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming at no cost!
Saddles in Service's mission is to provide mental health wellness and healing for Active Duty Military, Veterans, Law Enforcement, Firefighters, First Responders, and their families that have been diagnosed with or are experiencing symptoms related to post-traumatic stress (PTSD), anxiety, depression, job-related stress, and/or traumatic brain injuries by partnering them with a rescued horse at no cost to them.
Follow Nick on Instagram @nickdempkoFollow this podcast on Instagram @theuntoldbasics_podcastFollow Branden on Instagram @driftwood87Follow Saddles in Service on Instagram @saddlesinserviceCheck out Saddles in Services online and consider a donation to help this great organization!