Customer Reviews

Angles of Attack: An A-6 Intruder Pilot's War

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4 star:		(1)
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Angles of Attack: An A-6 Intruder Pilots War; Peter Hunt; Ballantine Books, New York, N.Y., 2002; softcover, 368 pages, illustrated. ....
This newest Gulf War memoir is excellent; it really does put the reader in the cockpit. Like the A-7 Corsair, its stablemate in the Navys attack community, the A-6 Intruder flew its final combat sorties in the six-week action that ousted the invading Iraqis from Kuwait. Intruder squadrons flew from all six carriers deployed during Desert Storm (as well as two Marine Corps shore-based squadrons), and one A-6 aviator tells a story that covers the buildup of Desert Shield and the nightly launches that devastated Iraqi naval and land assets.
Peter Hunts enthusiastic account is one of the best of the type this reviewer has read in recent years. The focal point of the book is, of course, his experience flying 45 combat missions with VA-145 and the close bond with his bombardier-navigator (BN). The descriptions of the prewar activities as the squadron, air wing and carrier prepare to deploy give a fine insiders view of carrier aviation. The work ups are described in detail that might at times slow the story, but Hunt carries the story well with the result that these portions are well worth the readers time. Hunt tells what it was like flying combat from one of the Navys oldest carriers, USS Ranger (CV-61).
Peripheral areas like a port call in the Philippines, the loneliness of Christmas Eve at sea  he decides to sort out his personal survival items  and thoughts of family so far away are some of the most appealing aspects of Hunts work..
The author and his BN participated in the Battle of Bubiyan, which saw the destruction of several Iraqi navy PT boats that eliminated that threat. They also flew during the last major attack on Iraqi units along the so-called highway of death as the invaders torched the Kuwaiti capital and tried to flee.
Though a rather large paperback, the writing flows well and the author has a nice, personal style. Unfortunately, the book concludes on a sour note because of his dissatisfaction with the post-war Navy, the impact of the Tailhook scandal and the resulting rot from within. Family separation also plays a hand in his decision to leave, as does the demise of the A-6 community, with no replacement after the A-12 debacle. Nonetheless, Angles of Attack is a fine effort that tells the story of one of the Navys stalwart aviation communities during its last combat deployment.
Peter Mersky

There aren't a lot of books by former naval avaitors about flying and fighting during Desert Storm. This book is also rarer since the platform he flew, the A-6 Intruder, has been retired despite several advantages over its replacement, the F/A-18. The book describes the working up period prior to deploying to the Arabian Gulf, shipboard life, as well as the buildup and actual fighting done during Desert Storm from his carrier. The wrting isn't as gripping as a professional writer would do, but nonetheless is an authentic account from a unique source. Overall, I was gald to have had the opportunity to learn more about what makes combat and naval aviation so much more different than what land-based forces go through. As a book to throw in your bag for a weekend reading source, this will be fine.

Title of this review says it all. The only reason I wanted to post another review of this book is to just add another 5 stars-it's that good.

This book should become a classic-alas, I fear it will be overlooked by most, and that will definately be their loss.

I kid you not-I've read most of the first person accounts of aerial combat, from all periods, and this one is right at the top of the list.

This is the real deal. As a former Navy pilot myself, I can tell you this book smacks you down in the pilot's seat, tosses you around, shoots at you (and lets you shoot back), and doesn't let you go until Saddam is begging for mercy. Quite simply, a great war yarn, with surprising personality and wit for a new and relatively unknown writer.

I look forward to future work from this up and coming writer.

Buy it - you won't be sorry.

I simply could not put the book down, as a veteran of the Persian Gulf war I found this book to be one of the best reads of the last 25 years. The author is truly an American hero!

Hunt's powers of description get every detail right in this highly enjoyable book. Expert writing is combined with great pace and structure to tell a story that happens to be true but reads with the best of Clancy. A must read for anyone who has served in the naval aviation community or wants insight into the mindset that makes doing a incredibly dangerous and demanding job possible.

This is an interesting look inside the mind and daily life of an aviator in the modern era. Most of the naval aviation books I've read were from the Vietnam era or earlier, so it was interesting to get a more updated view. This book is well written, entertaining, and informative. I recommend it to those who are interested in aviation, or those simply looking to understand the lifestyle and some of the motivations driving these air warriors.

Pete Hunt captured the sights and sounds of carrier aviation and combat operations on every page. This is a must read for those who want a glimpse of the 24/7 world of life on the USS Ranger during Operation Desert Storm.

Pete Hunt captured the sights and sounds of carrier aviation and combat operations on every page. This is a must read for those who want a glimpse of the 24/7 world of life on the USS Ranger during Operation Desert Storm.

Peter Hunt is uniquely positioned to write a memoir of the Gulf War. His parents lived for several years in the Middle East. His uncle served as Ambassador to the UN during the conflict. Hunt was, and is, a pilot with the highest level of professional skill. He is also an honest, intelligent, and reflective writer, a careful observer of others and of himself. Hunt gives us the story from his point of view as a navy A-6 pilot, deftly moving back and forth in time from training to combat to shipboard monotony. He recounts his fear of being killed and his fear of inflicting death upon innocent civilians. Hunt's strongest quality is his ability to depict the intensity of the trust, and comraderie of the members of his squadron, especially regarding the man he most respects, Lieutenant Commander Rivers. Hunt has important things to say about the effect of military reform on the pilots who bear responsibility for success of the missions assigned them. Given the fact that US air power may soon be asked to defeat Saddam Hussein, this book is a must read; a way to know who will be sent to war and what will be asked of them.