Seawolf 28 Summary: An exciting action filled historical memoir of one of the most decorated naval aviators of the Vietnam era bringing the reader a dramatic depiction of the twenty-two year career of Al Billings, a Naval helicopter pilot. By the end of the Vietnam War, he was a four tour veteran with well over 600 missions and the recipient of more than thirty-nine citations, including the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross. Throughout his career he qualified in over 20 different types of aircraft and rose from the enlisted ranks to squadron Commanding Officer. This is not just another Vietnam combat action story. Seawolf 28 is a timeless, powerful, and uncompromising firsthand account of a man that knew no limits when it came to standing up for his men as well as what he believed in. What makes this memoir stand out is the unparalleled successes his units enjoyed while detractors stood by and watched to see if Billings and his unit would fail. They took on every challenge including the military bureaucracy and could not be defeated. Driven as a young man to discover the person he truly was, even after the war he risked everything to complete that journey. Though it took years, he learned to honor himself for what he accomplished in an environment where he was overmatched and out of his league when it came to politics and manipulation. Through it all he was able to maintain his integrity and loyalty to his men. These actual accounts are a testament of Billing's determination as one individual meeting life head-on, challenging the intrusions and aggressions of others. He was labeled a "maverick" by some senior officers for his steadfastness because he refused to compromise the beliefs he held dear to himself as well as towards the men he served with. Even with his directness and at times boldness, his critics were unable to stop him as long as he had the support of his men. The story spans the gamut from when Billings was a young cadet full of exuberance and high ideals, nine engine failures and dozens of life threatening incidents and hair raising combat stories, to his biggest battles challenging senior officers to do the right thing at the risk of his own career. As his distinguished service to the Navy came to an end, he found himself battling the crippling repercussions of medical mismanagement from the doctors at Balboa Naval Hospital. Even then, he refused to accept the inevitable. The story concluded with the Naval Hospital doing everything it could to cover up their abusive incompetence and total disregard for the men the institution was designed to serve. Through his internal strength and undefeatable character, Billings never lost his faith in the Navy and the men who served in it so gallantly. Out of sheer determination and completely on his own volition, the author was able to overcome debilitating post surgical consequences he suffered, despite the indifferent and apathetic care NAVY and VA doctors displayed towards him. "Seawolf 28" is a compelling historical depiction guaranteed to cause young people to think about what may lie ahead as well as enabling them see the sacrifices you may need to make in serving your country. Finally, this biography is guaranteed to bring back memories, both good and bad for those who were there!
Alan J. Billings
U.S. Naval Aviator - Systems engineer - Inventor- Author
A former U.S. Naval Aviator, CDR Billings rose from the enlisted ranks to become the Commanding Officer of the oldest combat search and rescue squadron in the Navy. He was a member of the Navy's only helicopter attack squadron (which was the Navy's most decorated squadron of the Vietnam era.). A highly decorated combat veteran serving four tours in Vietnam, the author was awarded more the 40 medals and citations for his service to the country, including the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross. He completed a successful 22-year naval career in aviation and has qualified in more than 20 different aircraft. His final two tours were as Air Boss on the USS Belleau woods, LHA-3 and Program Manager for the Navy's NTDS software.
The author holds a master's degree in computer systems from the Naval Postgraduate School and an undergraduate degree in engineering. He has designed, and built ground support hardware and software for combat aircraft (F/A-18, AV-8B) that were used in Desert Storm. He invented the Ground Maintenance station adopted by the Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS). He holds a Commercial pilot's license including fixed wing, rotary wing, multi-engine, and instrument ratings.
As the information technology director for the Department of Public Safety, he initiated, designed and led the largest successful systems integration project (Project Phoenix) for the state of South Carolina. Project Phoenix gave South Carolina one of the most modern DMV's in the Nation.
His first book, "Seawolf 28" received a five star review from the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA).
