Welcome to the Fighter Pilots’ Guide to Living. Today’s guest is retired Captain Dan 'Darth' Cain.

In the second episode about his illustrious career, we talk about his transition to the F-14 Tomcat, adventures, and Mutha.About Darth:Captain Dan Cain USN (Ret) was born in Lake City, Florida. He served six years in the United States Marine Corps with a Vietnam tour in 1966-1967. He entered the Navy through the Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida July 1974; receiving his commission as an Ensign November 1974.Following his designation as a Naval Aviator in June 1975, Captain Cain reported to VS-33 in November 1975, He next reported to VT-86, NAS Pensacola, Florida for Radar Intercept Officer Instructor duty. In April 1980, transitioned to the F-14A transition with the "Gunfighters" of VF-124.After being part of VF-211, VF-124, VF-191, VF-1, he was next assigned to Carrier Air Wing Two, as the Airwing Operations Officer from June 1988 to August 1990, and subsequently reported to the VF-21 "Freelancers" as Executive Officer.

In October 1991, he became Skipper of the "Fighting Freelancers."

In January 1993 Captain Cain became the staff Operations Officer for the Commander of the Pacific Fleet Fighters Squadrons, for their transition to the F-14D "Super Tomcat". Upon completion of this staff tour, he reported to the USS Constellation (CV-64) for a tour as the Air Boss accumulating two additional cruises. In September 1995 Captain Cain reported to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida for a joint service tour (J-8) as the Navy Deputy Director for the "All Service Combat Identification Evaluation Team" (ASCIET) then next as the JSOC Navy Director of a special program.

Captain Cain became the Executive Officer of Naval Aviation Schools Command, Pensacola, Florida where he was selected for Captain. He was then assigned to the staff of Commander Naval Education & Training as NROTC Professional Development Head. In Jan. 2003 Captain Cain was temporary reassigned overseas to Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Task Force-20/Special Forces and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bronze Star and numerous campaign and Joint Forces unit awards.

Operationally, Captain Dan Cain has accumulated more than 6000 flight hours in various fighter aircraft, with over 4200 hours in Tomcats and over 1400 carrier landings. Captain Cain has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Distinguish Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Gold Stars, Air Medal with 3 Strike/Flight and V, Navy Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars, Navy Achievement Medal with Gold Star, Combat Action Ribbon with Gold Star, Presidential Unit Citations, Joint Meritorious Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citations, Good Conduct Medals (USMC), Expeditionary Medals, Humanitarian Service Medals, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm and various campaign medals for military services covering the span of three wars. Captain Dan “Darth” Cain retired from the United States Navy 1st February 2004 and has been married for 50 years to the former Kathy J. Williams of Pensacola, Florida.

About the hosts:

Mitch 'TACO' Parmentier has 16 years of experience with the F/A-18 Super Hornet as a Weapons System Operator (WSO). He has a longstanding love of aviation and history that he brings to the podcast.

Beth Bailey was raised by F-14 Radar Intercept Officer Glen 'Wheels' Wheless and grew up around aviators and their unique brand of storytelling for most of her childhood. Beth worked in support of Afghanistan operations as a civilian intelligence analyst for the Department of the Army between 2010 and 2013. She is a freelance contributor to Fox News Digital and the Washington Examiner, and host of The Afghanistan Project Podcast.