What does it take to fly into the most dangerous situations on earth… to save someone else?
On this episode of The MisFitNation Show, host Rich LaMonica sits down with Lt. Col. (Ret.) John Mangan, a decorated U.S. Air Force Combat Search and Rescue pilot who spent 25 years flying missions around the world.
John flew the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, conducting some of the most dangerous missions in military aviation—rescuing downed pilots and wounded soldiers in hostile environments.
Over the course of his career, he:
• Flew over 200 combat missions
• Deployed eight times to Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria
• Commanded the 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron in Kandahar
• Flew alongside Pararescuemen, SEALs, Delta Force, Rangers, SAS and Australian Commandos
His courage and leadership earned him some of the military’s most prestigious awards, including:
🏅 Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor (twice)
🏅 Air Medal (12 times)
🏅 Aerial Achievement Medal (twice)
🏅 The prestigious Cheney Award
John’s missions and actions have been documented in books like Not a Good Day to Die, None Braver, Zero Six Bravo, and Dead Men Risen.
Today, he continues serving others by sharing lessons from combat through writing and speaking.
His latest book, The Three Rings Mindset, teaches readers how to train their minds, master emotions, sharpen focus, and perform at their highest potential—whether in combat, business, athletics, or everyday life.
This conversation dives deep into leadership under pressure, resilience, focus, and the mindset required to perform when everything is on the line.
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What it’s really like to fly combat rescue missions
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The pressure of rescuing teammates in hostile environments
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Leadership lessons learned in combat
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How elite performers control emotions under pressure
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The Three Rings Mindset and how anyone can apply it
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Building resilience in high-stakes situations
🌐 Website
http://www.johnmanganbooks.com
📚 Books
• Into a Dark Frontier
• The Three Rings Mindset
🎥 YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@The_MisFitNation
Join The Forge Leadership Community
https://tinyurl.com/4p7kx64z
If this conversation helped you rethink leadership, resilience, or performance under pressure, drop a comment below:
👉 What lesson from John’s story stood out to you?
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