Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Grease Panarisi, 10 Percent True Episode 73 Part 5

In this wide-ranging final installment, Mike “Grease” Panarisi revisits the arc of his career after squadron command, describing his return to Edwards AFB as group commander and the immense responsibility of overseeing 12 diverse test squadrons—from F-22s and F-35 engine testing to bombers, C-17s, U-2s, UAVs, and major weapons programs. He explains how flight test actually works, why program offices often under-resource testing, and how leadership at that level becomes as much about risk management, judgement, and mentorship as it is about flying.

Grease recounts several major incidents, including a Global Hawk emergency that required an unprecedented engine-off landing, an F-22 loss during loads testing, and a T-38 fatal accident at Test Pilot School. He also discusses his role in critical upgrades like the APG-82 AESA radar and AIM-9X integration, sharing unique discoveries from developmental test. In the final section, he digs into modern weapons development, China’s strategic signalling, the reality of collaborative combat aircraft, and why “strategic messaging” often drives what nations choose to reveal. The episode ends with a philosophical look at risk, leadership, and the fine line between confidence and self-deception in warfare.

0:00: Support the channel
3:10 Welcome back Grease - and ama question from Blair regarding maritime strike role for the Strike Eagle
7:18 discord follow up on “stand-in” weapon system
13:50 AIM-174 known to USAF?
14:10 Strike Eagle in maritime strike
20:03 fast forward to Quick Strike (mine)
31:13 Grease channels Barnes Wallis
35:53 proving the concept
38:33 carrying the mission forward “quick sink”
41:33 cat and mouse game of weapon evolution and counter weapon evolution
44:08 searching for Starbaby “dirt”
45:53 returning to the career timeline - back to Edwards as a Group Commander
52:19 surveying the command
58:47 the job and the frustration of risk avoidance/mitigation/transfer
1:03:23 any specific examples - APG-63…
1:08:08 PACS upgrade for Strike Eagle and “Raptor Alert”
1:10:18 most important task as group commander
1:13:34 the Global Hawk tale
1:39:01 memorial services and the darker days of group command
1:42:25 lighter times - A-10 emergency divert
1:48:33 how to recover from a week with no runway?!
1:49:41 F-16 spin training event
1:56:25 ejection considered?
1:59:44 Risk
2:06:46 returning to career and involvement in AESA for the Strike Eagle…….
2:15:38 and AIM-9X (“a missile that can turn up its own ass”)
2:18:08 no JHMCS for WSO discuss
2:20:08 IRST
2:23:53 the future, CCA/loyal wingman?
2:34:34 defining “game changing” and the “red air” project
2:42:13 modular airframe project
2:44:28 philosophically analysing China’s latest developments/revelations (intro teaser story)
2:49:13 “changing the mind of your adversary”, Gaza, Ukraine…..
2:50:43 thoughts on UAPs?
2:55:28 keeping enough SA to know when you’ve lost it….
2:58:05 assessing the assessments from the Gulf War through to thoughts on China
3:02:23 debating Ukraine conflict
3:04:13 wrapping up, thanks Grease and teasing more!