Combat flight surgeon on leadership, loss and community – Tango Alpha Lima EP 318

Within two weeks of deploying to Iraq in 2007, Dr. Josh McConkey’s life changed. Eight helicopters were shot down and a fellow flight surgeon was killed. This week, the combat flight surgeon, Air Force Reserve colonel and emergency physician joins Tango Alpha Lima to talk about adapting under fire, the difficult transition to the civilian ER, and why he wrote the leadership book “Be the Weight Behind the Spear.” McConkey explains why those at the tip of the spear never succeed alone, and why families, mentors, coaches and communities matter. He also shares his message on mental health: you don’t have to carry it by yourself. Also in this episode, co-hosts Stacy Pearsall, Adam Marr and Joe Worley discuss a July 2026 GAO report on quality care and the restructuring of Air Force medicine to focus on operational missions.Your stories. Your service. Your community. This is Tango Alpha Lima. 03:42 Veteran Enrollment and Healthcare Challenges 06:46 Introducing Dr. Josh McConkey 09:19 Early Life and Military Aspirations 11:29 Impact of 9/11 on Career Path 16:30 Experiences in Combat Medicine 21:29 The Bond Between Aviators and Medics 26:27 Lessons from Combat and Mentorship 29:28 Reflections on Service and Motivation 30:08 The Importance of Support Systems 31:08 Maintaining Health Under Pressure 33:57 Vulnerability as a Leadership Strength 36:30 Call to Action: Strengthening Community 38:38 Creative Process Behind the Book 41:55 Impact and Leadership Goals 46:44 Balancing Self-Care and Helping Others