Dodging the USS Stark, a Minefield in the Persian Gulf & Sharks Under a Flipped Zodiac | Aviation Rescue Swimmer Bryan Huggett | Ep. 61

Dodging the USS Stark, a Minefield in the Persian Gulf & Sharks Under a Flipped Zodiac | Aviation Rescue Swimmer Bryan Huggett | Ep. 61

Author: Brian Dickinson July 18, 2026 Duration: 1:01:34

A last-minute decision to re-enlist and go home to get married kept Bryan Huggett off the USS Stark—just months before it was struck by two Iraqi Exocet missiles.


In this episode of Calm in the Chaos, Bryan shares 20 years of service split between the U.S. Navy and the Michigan Army National Guard: flying tanker escorts through Persian Gulf minefields during the Iran-Iraq War, rescuing a flipped Zodiac while sharks circled below, and later trading Navy wings for a decade as a Huey crew chief fighting wildfires and training Navy SEALs for Afghanistan.


In this episode:

  • The twist of fate that kept him off the USS Stark before it was hit by two Exocet missiles
  • Flying tanker escort missions through Persian Gulf minefields during the Iran-Iraq War
  • The night the USS Samuel B. Roberts hit a mine—and locking and loading on one of his own
  • Rescuing a flipped Zodiac in the Atlantic, circled by sharks
  • Trading Navy wings for a decade as a Huey crew chief in the Michigan Army National Guard
  • Training Navy SEAL Team 1 ahead of their deployment into Afghanistan


Two branches, two decades, and one calm head no matter what got thrown at him.


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CALM IN THE CHAOS PODCAST — Episode 61


So Others May Live. 🫡🇺🇸


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Calm in the Chaos: The Rescue Swimmer Podcast Untold Stories from U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmers


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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: 50

Calm in the Chaos - U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer Podcast
Podcast Episodes
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Before GPS, night vision, and high-tech helicopters, these men risked it all. This episode dives into the raw, unfiltered heroism of Navy Rescue Swimmers and aircrews during the Vietnam War. From jungle extractions under…
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Step into the world of Navy Search and Rescue as we share real stories of life-or-death missions. In this episode of The Rescue Swimmer Podcast, former SAR swimmers recount some of the closest calls of their careers — fr…