Episode 337 - Yvette Tuning: One Officer’s Journey from Cancer to Advocacy and Resilience Part 2

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus.

Today’s episode is a powerful and deeply personal conversation about courage, resilience, and determination. Our guest is retired Sgt Yvette Tuning of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Air Support Division.

Yvette opens up about a life-changing cancer diagnosis that turned her world upside down—losing her Federal Aviation Administration medical, navigating multiple incorrect diagnoses, and learning firsthand how critical second opinions can be. She shares the physical and emotional toll of cancer treatment, the fight to beat cancer, and the uphill battle to return to work and regain her medical certification.

This is an inspiring story of perseverance in the face of uncertainty, but it doesn’t stop there. Yvette also discusses an officer-involved shooting she was part of, the lasting impact of critical incidents, and what strong, authentic leadership looks like inside an aviation unit—especially when things don’t go according to plan.

This episode is honest, emotional, and motivating, and it highlights what’s possible when you refuse to quit, even when the odds are stacked against you. Our conversation contains adult topics and language. Settle in—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Thank you to our sponsors Bell, CNC Technologies and Onboard Systems Hoist & Winch.