When Penguins Flew and Water Burned

by Jim Clonts

This is the true memoir of one US Air Force navigator’s journey from the schoolhouses of Air Training Command to the nuclear alerts of the Cold War to combat in a 35-year-old anachronism called the B-52. It is a first-hand account of life during the last days of Strategic Air Command, the early days of Air Combat Command and the ensuing military drawdown of the 1990s. From peacetime training exercises across the globe to combat operations in Desert Storm, Jim Clonts takes the reader inside the cockpit where life and death are seconds apart. Often comical, sometimes heart-pounding, other times tragic, WHEN PENGUINS FLEW AND WATER BURNED takes you into the world of military aviation, a crucible where warriors learn the true nature of character, conscience and mortality.

Genres: Military Fiction

506 pages, Kindle Edition

Reviews

[Bruce Glass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent USAF

Having served in the Air Force I could readily identify with much of this book. I never an aircrew member, but knew several who were or had been. I left the service in 1990 having been in security then the command post. I was fascinated by the accounts of actual flying procedures and practices. Mr. Clonts is right on with his assessment of the situation the military faces in peacetime. God bless him and his family in their lives as they
move on into the future

[Philip Hollenback · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This was an incredible military memoir. I was just completely sucked in by Clont's honest and engaging writing style. He balanced clear writing and amusing stories with lots of actually interesting descriptions of what it was like to fly in a B-52.

This is probably one of the top three military memoirs I've ever read (one other is Chickenhawk).

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will make you look at the B52 with a sense of awe. I could do without some of the author's politics, since they seem tangential to the larger story. But a great read, full of interesting info. There is a B52 on static display at a museum less than a mile from my house, so this book was particularly neat.

[Frank Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much! A lot different than most military books (but in a good way)! This book deserves five stars because it was well written and tells a good story.

[Bert Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bravo Zulu

Thoroughly enjoyed. Refreshing change of view away from the pilot's seat. And, the getting there.
Great title too. All in all, a treat.