20+ Years as a Navy Rescue Swimmer | Flying Missions in Iraq with Jack Carr & SEAL Team Ops

20+ Years as a Navy Rescue Swimmer | Flying Missions in Iraq with Jack Carr & SEAL Team Ops

Author: Brian Dickinson February 11, 2026 Duration: 1:15:06

I deployed twice to the Persian Gulf with Jeff Strickland, a brother who went on to serve more than two decades as a U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer and aircrewman. His career spanned multiple combat deployments, high-risk rescues, and unforgettable missions — including flying Iraq mission sets with SEAL sniper Jack Carr, and an intense injured SEAL medevac following a ship takedown.

In this episode of Calm in the Chaos, Jeff reflects on the highs and lows of a long Navy career — the camaraderie, the chaos, and the call to serve that never really fades. His perspective captures what it means to live the Rescue Swimmer creed long after the uniform comes off.


In this episode:

  • Deploying to the Persian Gulf and Iraq
  • Flying with Jack Carr during real-world SEAL missions
  • The injured SEAL medevac that tested training and heart
  • Lessons from 20+ years of service and leadership in the Navy
  • Brotherhood, resilience, and life after active duty


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CALM IN THE CHAOS PODCAST Episode 51


So Others May Live! 🫡🇺🇸


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There’s a moment in every rescue when training meets turbulence, and a person must decide to step into the storm. Calm in the Chaos-U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer Podcast is built around those moments, sharing firsthand accounts from the men and women who have lived them. Host Brian Dickinson, drawing from his own experience as a former Navy Rescue Swimmer and an author who has faced extreme environments, guides these conversations with a rare understanding. Each episode unfolds a real mission, but the focus often settles on what happens between the orders-the split-second decisions, the managed fear, and the profound humanity required to save a life in perilous conditions. This isn't just about historical operations; it's an intimate exploration of the grit, mindset, and quiet faith that define these individuals. The podcast has found a dedicated audience, ranking in the top tier of podcasts globally, precisely because it goes beyond the heroics to examine the tangible calm forged in chaos. While not affiliated with the U.S. Navy or Department of Defense, the stories offer an authentic window into a world where running toward danger is the job description. Listeners will hear voices often reserved for debrief rooms, sharing narratives of loss, survival, and the weight of the helmet, all framed by Dickinson’s grounded perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 55

Calm in the Chaos - U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer Podcast
Podcast Episodes
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This episode dives into the wild and unexpected—from a man overboard emergency to delivering pizza and Copenhagen in the middle of SAR ops. It’s all part of the unpredictable life of a Navy Rescue Swimmer.Calm in the Cha…