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

by William L. Smallwood (Author) "They had been flying for ten straight days, averaging more than two sorties per day..." (more)
Key Phrases: targeting pod, tank plinking, dumb bombs, Strike Eagles, Saudi Arabia, Saddam Hussein (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
This latest addition to the Persian Gulf War literature focuses on the 48 F-15E Strike Eagles that fought over Iraq and the men who flew them. The Strike Eagle, a two-seat attack version of the F-15 interceptor, was barely combat qualified when the war began, and those manning them had to cope with inexperience, spotty leadership, bureaucratic rigidity in higher command, the fatigue of two or three missions per day, and formidable Iraqi ground defenses. Both planes and crews acquitted themselves well, though; among other achievements, they became the backbone of the "Scud-busting" so crucial to keeping Israel out of the war. This thorough, readable account of state-of-the-art warfare is based on extensive interviews as well as documents and will be exceptionally worthwhile reading for those interested in aviation and the Persian Gulf War. Roland Green --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
- "Strike Eagle is an aviation book for non-aviators and aviators alike. It is a good war story-a good flying story-a great book! . . . I've read many books about the Gulf War-this is the best yet." -The Pentagon's Friday Review of Defense Literature --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Potomac Books Inc. (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574881221
• ISBN-13: 978-1574881226
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,012,052 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #56 in	Books > History > Middle East > Kuwait
  #100 in	Books > History > Military > United States > Operation Desert Storm

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, April 17, 1999

By A Customer

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

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brutally realistic account of life in the Strike Eagle!, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic insight to the pilots and their missions, June 7, 2001

By	Fourth Horseman - See all my reviews

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.