Customer Reviews

Sierra Hotel

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Anderegg hits the bull's eye with his latest must-read book for anyone who shares his interest in aviation, the Air Force, fighter pilots, precision guided munitions, aerial combat, the Vietnam War, or the Gulf War. Far from being dry history, this chronicle was written by an insider who participated in the transformation of America's fighter force. He makes the fighter culture come alive with vivid descriptions of both the plays and the players.

Both a graduate of and a returning instructor to the Weapons School, Anderegg has transitioned from accomplished fighter pilot to laudable historian. As a narrative researcher and writer, he is second to none. This book rivals his first, Ash Warriors, for first place among the best of military history. He even includes the true story of Jeremiah Weed!

The best of its kind I've ever read! I swear on the pinky switch.

Dick is the USAF Historian and could have been more honest if he didn't have the generals looking over his shoulder. The parts about flying and tactics were mostly correct. And, publishing the "Dear Boss" letter was good. However, he neglected to cover the fact that nothing changed. In some cases, the situation got worse as "leaders" worried more and more about things other than combat - to the point that, in the mid-90s, when I used the word "soldier" I was corrected and told "these days we're more business men than soldiers."

The decade after the Linebacker II campaign in Vietnam was absolutely one of the most interesting in the history of the US Air Force. Anderegg does a great job detailing the profound developments in American tactical air power in the years just after the Vietnam War. Ironically, the Air Force accomplished some of its greatest advancements following a despised war during a period of under-funding during an incompetent administration. Foreshadowing, perhaps?