Customer Reviews

Strike Eagle: Flying the F-15E in the Gulf War

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a former F-15E WSO in the 336TFS depicted in this book, I can say with absolute confidence that this is a totally accurate account of the Strike Eagle in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Mr. Smallwood took great pains to interview as many of us that flew the aircraft as was humanly possible and he has MORE facts than the Air Force in terms of the leadership problems and difficulties in fielding a new aircraft with new crewmember in a combat situation. This book brought back laughs, sobs and the very smell of being in the jet! He described instances that I was involved in as if he were standing there when it happened. If you ever looked at the F-15E and wondered what it would be like; read this book! It is very accurate and reflects the emotions of going off to "war" and being in combat. All of us that flew the aircraft salute Bill Smallwood for his insight and commitment to accuracy.

This is an unbelievably enjoying book. It really shows that the fighter pilot role is not easy. An excellent supplement to this book is the combat sim Janes F-15. As you can gain the terminology that will translate both ways. Also you will understand the F-15E's complicated radar, and the load put on the pilots

This book has brought me hours of enjoyment as I have read it three times. It is hard to get enough of the real-world action that this book delivers. I would recommend it as an addition to anyone's library.

Very good description of aircraft's weapons systems. It really changed my opinion of the War in the Gulf. I thought these pilots had it easy but it was a tough hard job flying these machines over extremely hazardous conditions.

A good companion for this book is the Jane's F-15E computer flight simulation. You'll have an excellent hands on experience of what it's like to fly one of the finest Air Force Jets in the inventory.

A great book about F-15E pilots experience in that war. It does not however specifically tell you anything much about how the aircraft performs or how it functioned in the gulf war out side of the pilots personal accounts. If you are interested in pilots war time experience - great. If , like me, you are more interested about the aircraft itself you might want to consider some thing else.

This is one of the best military books i have read. It's details are great.

There isn't much more to say other than:

The book is written in a very simple yet informative language even for an average person. However if you are a military aviation enthusiast, and want to read about what those guys went through and did back then as well as the environment they were in, then you will be pleasantly surprised by this book. I personally enjoyed it very much.

A history of the Stike Eagle in the Gulf War. Plenty of exciting anecdotes by pilots, describing ground strikes, air to air engagements, etc. A perfect companion for the computer game 'Janes F15 Strike Eagle'.

When I bought this book I expected a fairly dry and technical recounting of the planes' operation in the '91 Arabian Gulf war. While there is much attention to technical details this book spends a lot of time focusing on the people that flew and supported these remarkable aircraft.

If you're a fan of the "Mud Hen" or just interested in what it was really like to fly in Gulf War give this book a look. Well written and entertaining from cover to cover.

this review comes from a civilian point-of-view, so don't expect me to comment on the accuracy of the information given in this book. I guess I would have to say that any critique I give this book, it comes from what I felt was missing and what I felt worked well in the book.

That said, this book was incredibly attractive to any Gulf War buff or a person intrigued with modern aviation history. And with the part the F-15E played in the Gulf War, I felt this book was a needed addition to my library. And it really didn't fail me. Some of the stories told were eye-opening. they helped open my eyes not just to the life of the F-15E pilots and wso's, but also to the political nature of the war. I feel the political nature of this conflict is something important to understand for those who are trying to understand what participated in the conflict and why.

however, i feel the author did not focus on the history of the F-15E enough. granted, the title of this book is "Flying the F-15E in the Gulf War." so i understand why he wrote what he wrote. however, i felt he had an incredible opportunity to help the layperson understand where and why the F-15E came to being. that addition probably would have added a chapter to the book, but throughout the book, i just kept thinking it would have been a very welcomed addition.

however, this book was a very important part of my gulf war library and one that i do not, for one second, regret taking the time to read. This book covers a part of the war that, in the pilot's view, that was badly underrepresented. And now, after reading, i would most definitely have to agree.