When it comes to high-performance aviation, few names carry the depth of experience and grit like Lieutenant Colonel Ben "Rex" Wysack. In Episode 143 of the Talk4 Podcast, I sat down with Rex to uncover the story of a man who has not only flown over 3,000 hours in the F-16 but has also led the charge in modernizing one of the U.S. Air Force's most iconic fighter jets.
From the moment the mic turned on, it was clear this episode would hit different. Rex opened up about his journey from a sports-loving kid in Michigan with dreams of flight to becoming an elite instructor and test director overseeing crucial upgrades to the F-16. But the real jaw-dropper? The story of how he suffered a spinal injury mid-flight, landed the jet while partially paralyzed, and then had to face surgery that could have ended his career. Spoiler alert: it didn’t.
Modernizing the Mission
As the F-16 approaches nearly 50 years of service, Rex leads efforts to ensure it remains combat-capable through rigorous testing, new software integration, and hardware upgrades. He broke down the dual-command structure at Eglin AFB, the synergy between operational and developmental testing, and why the U.S. Air Force must take better care of its pilots through human performance programs like CRAFT and OHWS.
The Injury That Changed Everything
During a high-G maneuver, Rex experienced what he described as one of the scariest moments of his life: temporary paralysis on one side of his body. He managed to land the jet, later discovering the cause was a severely impinged spinal cord. His story isn’t just about resilience—it’s a call to action for better spinal care, athlete-style conditioning, and earlier intervention for pilots across the force.
Building a Better Air Force
Rex didn’t hold back in this episode. He laid out exactly what needs to change at the Pentagon-level when it comes to procurement systems, program efficiency, and the need to empower operators in shaping the future of air combat. He also made a passionate case for more transparency, better staff officers, and investing in the human beings behind the machines.
Rex Wysack isn’t just an F-16 pilot. He’s a warrior, innovator, and mentor who is helping to forge the future of airpower.
🎧 Listen to the full episode: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uvkUGAlh6w7oLk7CsBucf?si=d1299f8398d543a6
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