Viper-7: Forward Air Controlling in South Vietnam in 1966 [Paperback]

Charles L. Pocock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0970306806 | ISBN-13: 978-0970306807

Genre: Military-Vietnam. Viper-7 became the Forward Air Controller call-sign of the author when he was transformed from a USAF transport pilot into a lean-mean-green fighting machine with only four weeks of training. He was then assigned to support the U.S. Army Special Forces fighting in Vietnam in 1966. His story covers the gamut of human emotions from apprehension and fear to confidence and elation. The author takes you with him into the jungle and on incredible air strike missions. This is not a chest-thumping book, but an attempt to tell the story like it really was. An adventure story with both tragedy and humor.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Exciting, honest, well written and a pleasure to read." -- Jim Donahue, author of Mobile Guerrilla Force, Blackjack 33 and Blackjack 34.

"Great book that brings back many memories. And written in a style that my wife can understand and enjoy as well." -- Pat Loughney--Former Green Beret and webmaster of the 5th Special Forces webpage

"I stayed up all night reading Viper-7. It is the best book on the subject I've read." -- Jimmy Carter, Museum Curator and keeper of the Forward Air Controller data base.

About the Author

Charlie Pocock spent two combat tours as a Forward Air Controller and 24 years as an Air Force pilot before retiring as the USAF Chief of Bomber and Transport Safety. He then worked on numerous classified projects for Lockheed, including development of the F-117 stealth fighter. He holds a MBA, is a Registered Professional Engineer and a Commercial Pilot.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Butterfly & Viper Pub (September 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970306806
• ISBN-13: 978-0970306807
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,478,168 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As real as it gets., April 2, 2001

By 

James Meade (Birrong, New South Wales, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Viper-7: Forward Air Controlling in South Vietnam in 1966 (Paperback)

An essential read. This book tells it like it was. Pocock has done an excellent job of relating the conflicting emotions that surface during a war far from home. This is one of those books that you can't put down until the very last paragraph has been read, it grabs you right at the start and keeps you spell bound right to the end. Viper 7 will always have a place in my heart whenever and wherever adversity rears its' head. I was there and can attest to the honesty and accuracy with which this book has been painstakingly crafted. Well done Viper 7. Tangerine 31.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ!!!, March 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Viper-7: Forward Air Controlling in South Vietnam in 1966 (Paperback)

This book is a great read! A wonderful way to learn some facts and truths about the war, while being completely entertained at the same time. Pocock is brilliant. It is refreshing to read a book that doesn't require exaggerations to take the reader through the entire spectrum of feelings--humor, fear, courage, doubt, and love. It was also enjoyable to witness the events from the perspective of one not operating on the macro-levels of politics and strategy. Check it out.

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth Reading, June 12, 2001

By 

Larry Reynolds (Mason City, Iowa USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Viper-7: Forward Air Controlling in South Vietnam in 1966 (Paperback)

This is a factual book of the things the author seen and did. It explains how hard it was to fight a war of this type and the many different type of people that were involved. It tells how the FACs worked hand to hand with different branches of the service. A very good book with the history of Vietnam.