Welcome to the Ready Room: Inside the Naval Aviation Ready Room Podcast

 
Last year, the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation launched a new way to share the stories, voices, and legacy of naval aviation—beyond the hangar deck and far past museum walls. The result was the Naval Aviation Ready Room Podcast, a conversational series inspired by one of naval aviation’s most enduring traditions: the ready room.
 
In squadrons across the fleet, the ready room has always been where stories are told, lessons are passed down, and history is preserved through experience. This podcast brings that same spirit to listeners everywhere.
 

A Host with Firsthand Experience

The Naval Aviation Ready Room Podcast is hosted by Ryan Keys, Director of Operations and Strategy for the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation and a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot and squadron commander. With decades of operational leadership and flight experience, Keys brings authenticity and insight to each conversation, guiding discussions with the perspective of someone who has lived the life—and understands why these stories matter.
 
His role as host helps bridge the gap between the museum’s aircraft and artifacts and the people who flew, maintained, and supported them.
 

Conversations That Bring History to Life

Since its launch, the podcast has welcomed an impressive and diverse lineup of guests, including naval aviators, combat veterans, museum leaders, historians, and medical professionals. Each episode offers a unique window into naval aviation history and culture, told directly by those who experienced it.
 
Notable guests have included:
 

Sterling Gilliam, Director of the National Naval Aviation Museum, who reflects on a 30-year career in naval aviation and the responsibility of preserving its legacy for future generations.

Commander Hunter Scott, USN, whose determination as a young student helped uncover the truth behind the USS Indianapolis tragedy—an extraordinary story of persistence, leadership, and historical justice.

Captain Steve Scheibner, a former Navy P-3 Orion pilot who shares a powerful personal story shaped by a last-minute schedule change on September 11, 2001.

Captain Charlie Plumb, a decorated fighter pilot, Vietnam War POW, and author, whose episode explores resilience, survival, and leadership under unimaginable circumstances.

Captain Clyde “Cash” Barber, a World War II and Korean War veteran who flew PBY Catalinas during daring “Black Cat” night operations in the Pacific.

Commander Michael Ross, USCG, whose aviation career spans Army combat operations and Coast Guard search-and-rescue missions, highlighting leadership across service lines.

Dr. John Albano, retired Army Colonel and flight surgeon, who discusses POW studies and the evolving science of resilience in military aviation.

The podcast has even turned the microphone around on its host, with a special guest interviewer leading a conversation with Ryan Keys about his own naval aviation journey.
 

Why the Podcast Matters

The Naval Aviation Ready Room Podcast was created to complement the museum’s mission: preserving history, honoring service, and educating the public. While aircraft and exhibits tell part of the story, hearing directly from the people behind them adds depth, emotion, and context that can’t be captured any other way.
Each episode reinforces the idea that naval aviation history is not just about machines—it’s about people, decisions, teamwork, and sacrifice.
 

Take a Seat in the Ready Room

Whether you’re a longtime supporter of the National Naval Aviation Museum, a veteran, an aviation enthusiast, or someone discovering naval aviation for the first time, the Naval Aviation Ready Room Podcast offers a meaningful way to connect with this history.
We invite you to listen, subscribe, and join us in the ready room—where the stories of naval aviation continue to be shared.
 
Listen In
The Naval Aviation Ready Room Podcast is available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Wherever you listen, we invite you to subscribe and take a seat in the ready room.