The Real Story Behind the Creation of Delta Force — Mike Vining Tells All
Join Mike Ritland on this episode of the Mike Drop podcast as he chats with retired Sergeant Major Mike Vining, a Vietnam veteran, explosive ordnance disposal expert, and founding member of Delta Force. With a career spanning 26 years and involvement in pivotal operations like the Cambodian incursion and Khobar Towers investigation, Vining shares riveting tales from the front lines, his reflections on war, and insights from his upcoming book Blasting Through, set for release in August 2026.
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CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:03:18 - Retirement Photo Meme
00:05:51 - Last Book Read
00:07:12 - WWII Bomb Disposal
00:07:56 - Time Travel Choice
00:09:01 - Favorite Quote
00:10:22 - Daily Carry EDC
00:11:50 - Growing Up Michigan
00:15:19 - Joining Military Reason
00:18:40 - Vietnam War Views
00:24:56 - Arriving in Vietnam
00:33:40 - Close Call Incident
00:43:07 - Disarming Big Bombs
00:49:31 - Rock Island East Cache
00:58:17 - Warehouse Hill Tunnels
01:04:30 - Wildlife Encounters
01:07:31 - Sleeping on Ground
01:13:09 - Explosive Accidents
01:20:33 - Lessons for Interventions
01:28:36 - Iraq Afghanistan Parallels
01:38:37 - 9/11 Saudi Theory
01:39:48 - Khobar Towers Bombing
01:44:20 - Glass Shards Fatalities
01:50:47 - Awareness of Special Forces
01:56:52 - Rejoining Army 1973
01:58:57 - Secret Service Support
02:00:05 - 1976 Election Bomb Searches
02:04:53 - Ken Foster Death
02:07:53 - Call to Join Delta
02:10:45 - Early Delta Training Path
02:13:36 - Delta Selection Details
02:19:04 - OTC vs Selection Differences
02:26:33 - Early Delta Vision
02:33:07 - First Impression Beckwith
02:39:39 - Early Delta Operations
02:45:36 - Helicopter Issues
02:56:05 - Helicopter Crash Fireball
03:01:12 - Medical Packages Recommendation
03:04:50 - Motivator & JSOC Formation
03:06:35 - Sudan Security Mission
03:13:50 - SEAL Missions & Delays
03:16:56 - Intense Fire & Pull-Off
03:20:52 - Crash Site Security
03:23:46 - Early SEAL Team Six Ties
03:27:46 - Family Impact & Divorce
03:32:57 - Back to Delta R&D
03:39:12 - Brief to General Steiner
03:46:40 - JSOC Special Plans Role
03:50:48 - No-Tobacco & FOD Issues
03:55:01 - Atlanta Prison Riot
04:00:24 - Support to FBI HRT
04:05:21 - Retirement Catalyst
04:10:25 - Gaddafi Ceased Operations
04:13:03 - Meeting Future Wife
04:19:39 - Book Motivation & Focus
04:28:38 - Maduro Raid Thoughts
04:35:06 - Final Thanks & Wrap-Up
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