Customer Reviews

Apache: Inside the Cockpit of the World's Most Deadly Fighting Machine

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I could tell you what a terrific writer Ed Macy is and what a courageous soldier, marvelous pilot, and, and, and. All of that is true.
But what it basically comes down to in this book is being inside. Inside the monstrous machine none of us would ever set a foot in - even less get to fly the 46 million GBP thing.
You want to feel the thrill of first takeoff, Camp Bastion, Helmand Province? Burn your fingers on the stick and controls preheated by the Afghan sun, wipe the sweat off your face as you inhale the smell of metal and resin as the four thundering rotor blades race it across the desert, the twin Rolls Royce engines working at full speed.
All of that and more you find in here.
The book concentrates on a breathtaking rescue mission to retrieve a Marine MIA, where the Apaches must land right in the middle of a Taliban stronghold and come face to face with hordes of their unrelenting enemy.
But it has much more. The human side, the thrill, the comradeship, the pain, the fear, the technical - you name it, it's there. Because Ed Macy was one of the very few who mastered the craft of operating (not just flying) this machine.
And although after reading it you still won't be able to make your eyeballs work independently of each other like these guys can, at least you will have a sense of the courageous masterminds at work here.
Includes 5 maps, 2 detailed drawings of the Apache and numerous color photographs.
My highest respects go out to Ed Macy and his comrades.

If anyone out there is a "egg beater" fanatic - or a Tank Killer enthusiast, then this is the book for you! This book is more than just an insight into the Apache Long Bow. It is a look at a very different "animal" that the Brits put together, and have put to very good use I might add! (Infidels should be proud!) The Apache is an American creation. But Ed Macy, who is more than just a pioneer in the field of flying/"owning" this machine, puts a very detailed spin on flying the British version of the Apache in Afghanistan while on the front lines. He chronicles what the Brits did in way of changing the Apache into a hard-charging, tank-killing attack chopper of their own. Plus, his is a first hand account of what type of "punishment" it takes to actually fly their version - because of the changes and "modifications" that their tech division made to the existing platform. (The US Army really should look into these improvements for their own inventory!)

From the moment I started this book, it was impossible to put down. When it ended, I was left with that sinking feeling that hits you when something so good has to come to an end. The writing of the story, in my opinion is top notch HANDS DOWN - all of it very eloquent and yet to the point with no frills or haughty attempts at false bravado (that people assume come with pilots). Any military personnel, chopper fanatic, or even just a curious layman can pick this book up and run with the story! And hot damn, what a story it is! When people review books like this, especially if they like them, tend to give away too much to the reader - so much so that the review ends up becoming a spoiler. I don't want to do that here. All I can say is
that if you pick this book up, you won't be sorry or disappointed!

The premise of this book is an outline of what Ed Macy and his squadron did for the British Marines in and around the "Green Zone" of Afghanistan. There are illustrations, maps, and detailed pictures of everything that is discussed in the book - including a cut-away intro to the British version of the Apache.

EVERYTHING - and I mean EVERYTHING in this book is well documented. Some of the material is still considered sensitive information (so some names/places have been withheld). But other than that this book is everything that Nicolas Cage's late 80s lemon "Firebirds" should have been! Macy and his squadron may show some adolescence in their "in-house" pranks on each other - but there is no "Maverick/Goose" cheese-ball attitudes from "Top Gun" here. I cannot emphasize enough that there is absolutely nothing "Top Gun" (the movie) about the actions of the men and women in his story.

After reading this book once, because of the sheer enjoyment that I got from reading it the first time, I re-read it to see if I missed anything. And the answer to that was, I missed nothing - I soaked in every possible nugget of declassified information on this very unique aircraft and the special nature of the aviators that fly her!
In closing - All I can say is Thank God there are people like Ed Macy and the folks in his squadron (who have retired or are still fighting strong) out there on the front lines with a machine like this one! This was some of the best writing I have read in a while!!!

I was captivated by this true story of a British Apache helicopter pilot's career and experiences flying missions in Afghanistan in 2006. What impressed me with Ed Macy as a person was his focus on achieving his desire to fly in the military and especially the new Westland AH Mk1 Apache helicopter. A good summary of the challenge is given by this excerpt from the front cover overleaf -

". . . the deadliest, most technologically advanced helicopter on the planet. As strong as a tank . . . the helicopter is remarkably fast and nearly impossible to shoot down. . . . [With] weapons and cameras, the Apache pilot can spot prey from miles away . . . And it is the toughest aircraft in the world to fly - only the top 2 percent of pilots make it . . . hands, feet, and even eyes need to operate independently."

If it wasn't clear that this was a true story of one man's experiences, one could easily read it as a fictional novel filled with a character with beyond human capabilities. The action is palpable and the sacrifices Mr. Macy made to be a superior pilot in the face of danger are sobering and inspirational to reflect upon.

I have to admit having a passion for the virtual worlds of video games, human augmentation, and flight simulators so it is of particular interest to me how an Apache pilot becomes one with the machine. This is essential in order to manage the complexity of the controls, split-vision monocle, and the visual sensors that include low-light and infrared imagers. The daylight camera, for example, can magnify 127 times. There are over two hundred switches many multifunctional. The monocle over the right eye forced left-right eye independence as an efficient way to cram more information into the brain. "A dozen different instrument readings from around the cockpit were projected into it." This alone is a significant learning obstacle to overcome.

Note Mr. Macy's description starting with the example of driving your car -

"After you've driven it for a while, you don't have to think; you just end up at home without having thought of driving one. It was the same with the Apache, but on a grander scale. Halfway through the first tour . . . I didn't need to think how to fly and shoot because my fingers, arms and legs were working in perfect harmony with my mind. I was no longer strapped to the Apache, the Apache was strapped to me."

And ". . . the unimaginable demanding need to multi-task . . . only a very small percentage of human brains could do everything required simultaneously to operate the aircraft."

The powerful imaging capability makes enemy engagement much more personal than is typical for the military aviator. Mr. Macy often could see the enemy as if up close and personal such as a sniper could. And this capability offered a similar surgical precision in limiting collateral damage.

Partially reliving Mr. Macy's experience helps you appreciate the challenges of conflict with powerful weapons and the discipline necessary to manage multitudes of information while making instant life and death decisions. In this world with a growing cadre of unmanned, remotely-controlled, airborne vehicles (UAVs}, the video-game mind-set intrudes the perspective of the remote pilot I suspect. The personal life-death risk is much removed to be replaced by the career-risk proxy. Sure, the adrenaline may pump as in the video game, but deep down you know that you will still be breathing tomorrow. It is certainly not so for Mr. Macy with the Apache strapped to his back.

I will add this title to my collection of true military experiences that include
"Into the Mouth of the Cat - The Story of Lance Sijan Hero of Vietnam" by Malcolm McConnell and "Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10" by Marcus Luttrell.

Brits combat fly modified AH-64's in Afghanistan during 2006.

If you play helicopter sims like DCS Black Shark you can learn combat lessons from this book such as how high and fast to fly to hit targets, as well as threat ranges of SAMS, small arms, and anti-aircraft artillery. Aircraft may differ but targets and threats remain the same.

It's interesting to read how the Brits modified the Apache (added a larger engine).

Written with optimism, energy and verve.

The book is amoral in tone but perhaps it is well to remember what the last surviving British veteran of WWI said before his recent death: "War is organized killing."

I'm an airplane guy, not so much into helicopters. I want to learn more about the air fighting in Afghanistan. I finished reading 2 books about fast jet air war, one by a Rafale pilot and "Joint Force Harrier". Both were very interesting but not riveting. Riveting is the least you can say about Ed Macy's book! It put into perspective very clearly the difference between the almost impersonal fast jet war and the very (extremely?)personal, close contact with the troops war of the Apache pilots. It is also very well written, combining missions info with day to day routine (Rocco anyone?). I reread twice the last few chapters to make sure I didn't miss anything. [...]

I finished reading this incredible book yesterday and I've been mulling over how to formulate a review for a book which is sure to touch people on so many different levels. I've finally decided that this book is one of those rare instances where a book can appeal to anyone, regardless of your particular ideas or feelings about the war in Afghanistan.

I enjoyed the way the book was designed. It began with a mission from Macy's previous assignment at Camp Bastion where he was assigned the recovery of two SBS team members who were either missing or killed in an encounter with the Taliban. It then fast forwards to later in that same year when Macy has been assigned to that same Camp once again. After a brief time away from this particular hot spot designated for defense by the British, Macy was once again on that same ground as a pilot of the Apache helicopter. I've seen one of these birds sitting on a runway. They are truly impressive in their "ugliness". What a wonderful idea to use "Ugly" as the designation call sign for these warrior machines.

This is a book written very much in "military speak" but every effort has been made to help those of us unfamiliar with some of the terminology and the military's love of abbreviations to be able to follow the action without too much trouble. A glossary is provided along with an index and the glossary especially comes in extremely handy for non-military personnel such as myself. After reading for a short while I realized that I was learning what most of the alphabet soup meant just by the context of the story. This entire book is showing the abilities and the capabilities of the helicopter, the pilots, and the entire force of troops required to keep the helicopters flying. But the book isn't completely given over to one mission after another. There is a lot of background information given concerning Macy himself and his relationships with those he is serving with. All of which go a long, long way to personalize the people and the situations and to explain why they found themselves in the situation of a collective imperative resolve to rescue Lance Corporal Mathew Ford. What a wonderfully humanizing touch it was to have that young man referred to as Mathew while the rescue was taking place and after his recovery. It brought the entire situation down to a very personal level.

I appreciate all of the different elements which were included in the book; the maps of Helmand, the diagrams of the Koshtay attack, the drawings of Jugroom Fort and especially the one showing the Apaches on the ground at Jugroom Fort. They helped me visualize the rescue so much better. I also enjoyed the many color pictures included in the book. And I must not leave out Rocco, but everybody needs to find out about him themselves.

This is a very good book and I highly recommend it for reading by both men and women alike. It doesn't matter how you feel about war in general, we all need to be aware of deeds of heroism which take place on a daily basis on our behalf. If we can't all go there, at least we can show our support and respect for those who do.


Added June 9, 2009---I've just learned that Macy's next book is due out in early September of 2009. I'm looking forward to reading that one.

There have been a few books published by members of the British military services reflecting their hard work in Afghanistan and Iraq, Sniper One and Eight Lives Down to quote two excellent examples. Now Ed Macy gives us the view from an Apache pilot supporting ground troops in Afghanistan and it is enthralling stuff. Told in an easy style it captures the conflict, the characters he flew with and the awesome Apache very well indeed. I read this in a day and enjoyed it a great deal. The book also covers a particular incident where a rescue attempt is made on a soldier left behind in a firefight - an incident equal to any action film you have ever seen.

That would be enough to give this four stars, but there is additional content available on the internet and there are also maps and Apache details for those who like that level of detail.
A book that accurately reflects extreme bravery and one hell of an helicopter.

This is a must-have book for anyone interested in military rotary wing aviation. Mr. Macy does an excellent job explaining how the Apache functions and also how it was heroically used by British forces in Helmand Province. This is a wonderful and exhilarating chronicle of Mr. Macy's story.

As a young engineer in 1977 and 78 I worked on the TADS/PNVS for the Apache. I have often wondered just how well the system worked. This book answered that question in spades. I just wish I could got for a ride in one someday. Hats off to the guys who fly and maintain them. One awesome book about the dedicated men and women of today's military. I could not put it down. I just wish I could shake Ed Macy's hand in person but then I'm sure that isn't his real name so I will never have the chance.

After you read Ed Macy's description of the Apache pilot's requirements for multi-tasking, eye - hand physical coordination, timing, G-force endurance, heat tolerance, and the myriad of instruments to monitor early in the book, you almost feel unqualified to read any further! These pilots are Super Human! How could you possibly read a book requiring such expertise in aviator skills, and still acquire targets, monitor weapons and ammunition totals, and fight in an all out war! But you take on the challenge and read on. Macy straps you into an Apache AH MK1 and takes you on the ride of your life!
I REALLY got into this book! You feel the heat, the grit of prop-washed sand, smell the oil and metal. You get some insight as to how it feels to be living in a war zone.
You experience some of the military politics, the camaraderie and team work with fellow pilots, and the adrenaline rush as you take off to engage the enemy.
Just wait until the bullets start flying!!
This book has maps to help you find your way on various missions and follow the action, a fantastic port and starboard view of the Apache aircraft with descriptions, that allows you to become familiar with it's parts, electronic equipment, and weapons . Things every armchair or experienced aviator needs to know.
The book builds up to a very tense nail bitter mission - only you have no time to bite your nails - you're too busy flying. I found Ed Macy's experiences in Afghanistan to be thrilling and captivating, and I could experience it all without the fear of actual bullets piercing my dear old body. (Although I did find myself getting out of my recliner a few times and doing a damage assessment of my body during the course of reading this book)
As a former military aviator ( Reconn aircrew) I ate this story up with a spoon and hated to see it end. If you like books of this genre, you will love "Apache".