US Navy Hornet Units of Operation Iraqi Freedom (Part One) (Combat Aircraft) (Paperback)

by Tony Holmes (Author), Chris Davey (Illustrator) "For a generation of US Navy light strike pilots, combat operations have meant participation in Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and/or the enforcement of the..." (more)
Key Phrases: outer wing pylon, waist cat, outer pylon, No-Fly Zone, Infantry Division, Republican Guard (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Tony Holmes does an excellent job covering a complex subject and making it accessible to readers. The reliance on eye-witnesses is an inspired choice which, combined with the excellent photo-coverage, makes this a very useful reference for historians and modellers alike." -Rowan Baylis, AeroScale --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description
The F/A-18 Hornet in its various guises was the 'universal soldier' of OIF, with around 250 seeing combat. Flown by various squadrons and groups, the Hornet attacked a range of targets including tanks of the various Iraqi Republican Guard units and government buildings housing elements of the Baath party regime. Apart from its ability to drop precision munitions such as laser-guided bombs, the Hornet was also capable of launching anti-radar missiles and acting as an aerial tanker and reconnaissance platform for other strike types. This book explores the Hornet's versatility which has enhanced its reputation as one of the world's leading strike-fighter aircraft.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (July 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841768014
• ISBN-13: 978-1841768014
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #953,781 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Hornets over Iraq - The Saga Continues!, October 13, 2006

By	Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Us Navy Hornet Units of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Part Two (Combat Aircraft 58) (Paperback)

Tony Holmes scores another direct hit with this account of Navy Hornet drivers in combat over northern Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Hornet's air war over northern Iraq was totally different in nature than that waged by F/A-18 units committed in the south. These Hornet units supported Special Operations Forces and Kurdish units tasked with pinning down Iraq divisions heading south to aid their comrades. Close air support was the name of the game for the Hornet units deploying from carriers Harry Truman and Theodore Roosevelt.

As with part one of this set, Holmes' text benefits from the unparalled access he had to Hornet pilots who flew over Iraq. The book is chock full of combat stories that put you right in the cockpit.

The text is complemented by dozens of photos, most in color, and five pages of F/A-18 side-views by Chris Davey.

If you enjoy fast movers in action, you'll want to get this book - and the others in the series.