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Fly Navy: Discovering the Extraordinary People and Enduring Spirit of Naval Aviation
Top Gun was only part of the story. Fly Navy delves beyond the Hollywood image to reveal the true mettle and genuine story of the elite men and women of naval aviation.
For one hundred years, the U.S. Navy's aviators and crews have made the difference on military and peacetime missions around the world. Their unparalleled skill, preparation, and everyday dedication have paid off when it matters most: when lives are on the line. Together, these men and women officers and enlisted personnel, past and present have protected freedom, served their country, and forged a legacy of valor like no other.
In this landmark book, Alvin Townley takes readers on an adventure around the world and across generations as he goes behind the scenes of naval aviation. From the skies over the Arabian Sea to the jungles of Southeast Asia to carriers patrolling the vast Pacific, he uncovers incredible stories of service members who survived weeks adrift at sea, made midnight rescues in deadly storms, crash-landed behind enemy lines, and found themselves in situations where their exceptional training and focus were the only things standing between life and death.
Filled with inspiring personal accounts of courage, camaraderie, and sheer perseverance, Fly Navy pays tribute to the extraordinary individuals who have built naval aviation into the revered force it is today and will remain tomorrow.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published April 26, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 19, 2021
I enjoyed this book. I knew little to nothing about Naval aviation. I didn't even know Top Gun was about the Navy-I figured it was about the Air Force.
The book describes the bravery of the men and women of the force, the camaraderie, and love of country these folks have. It was quite inspiring.
Only criticism is the organization of the book isn't always the best. Talks about present day folks, sort of interspersed with folks from WW2, Vietnam War, etc.
The book describes the bravery of the men and women of the force, the camaraderie, and love of country these folks have. It was quite inspiring.
Only criticism is the organization of the book isn't always the best. Talks about present day folks, sort of interspersed with folks from WW2, Vietnam War, etc.
January 16, 2021
"The sword of destiny is kept sharp by those who live on its edge."
November 1, 2021
Monica has a photo in this book and is given photo credit.
September 1, 2024
Really interesting. Those fighters landing and taking off on ocean carriers in the dark, for instance. Crazy stuff. Quite a bit of language though….
December 16, 2025
First book on aviation. It won’t be my last. Informative without being boring. It’s full of fantastic stories about men and women that make it an easy and quick read.
July 29, 2011
“Fly Navy: Discovering the Extraordinary People and Enduring Spirit of Naval Aviation” by Alvin Townley is a non-fiction book about the real world adventures of people in the US Navy. The book focuses on real people and real stories.
The book is divided into five parts; Home Port, The Atlantic, The Arabian Sea, The Eastern Seas, and The Pacific. Each of these parts is devided into more descriptive sections.
For example, Home Port actually talks about the beginning of the Navy's aviation program while The Pacific talks about POWs, survivors, etc.
“Fly Navy: Discovering the Extraordinary People and Enduring Spirit of Naval Aviation” by Alvin Townley is a spirited book, almost an advertisement for the Navy much like the often referenced movie “Top Gun”.
I could certainly sense Mr. Townley’s enthusiasm towards the men and women in uniform who perform a touch, often thankless, vigilant and very responsible duty on a daily base to their best of their ability. That, in my opinion, is the strength of the book. These people should be celebrated and, to the author’s credit, he lets them do much of the talking.
Mr. Townley writing is inspirational, tales about the Navy culture, camaraderie and career are all very rousing and moving. Any kid who thinks about joining the Navy should read this book. However, not all of the book is glowing anecdotes of patriotic sons and daughters, some of the stories are about crashes, lost shipmates and POWs.
Part of the book also recounts the history of naval aviation, how the first sea plane came about and the history changing effort to launch off ships. The stories of a World War II fighter pilot through those of pilots supporting ground troops in the Afghan theatre.
The stories about the training were especially fascinating to me. Not just what a pilot goes through today, but, for example, what it took Navy aviator Alan Shepard to become an astronaut. In an especially poignant section, Mr. Townley writes about the sacrifices of the families who are left behind as well.
The subtitle of the book however is a bit misleading; this book is about the Navy aircraft carrier personnel. While the author certainly acknowledge other naval aviators (Marines, Coast Guard, helicopters, etc.) it starts and ends with that acknowledgement.
Overall, this is a very interesting book, well made with wonderful photography. The personal stories of those in the proverbial trenches are fascinating and draw a vivid image of the life on an aircraft carrier.
For more reviews and bookish posts please visit: http://www.ManOfLaBook.com
The book is divided into five parts; Home Port, The Atlantic, The Arabian Sea, The Eastern Seas, and The Pacific. Each of these parts is devided into more descriptive sections.
For example, Home Port actually talks about the beginning of the Navy's aviation program while The Pacific talks about POWs, survivors, etc.
“Fly Navy: Discovering the Extraordinary People and Enduring Spirit of Naval Aviation” by Alvin Townley is a spirited book, almost an advertisement for the Navy much like the often referenced movie “Top Gun”.
I could certainly sense Mr. Townley’s enthusiasm towards the men and women in uniform who perform a touch, often thankless, vigilant and very responsible duty on a daily base to their best of their ability. That, in my opinion, is the strength of the book. These people should be celebrated and, to the author’s credit, he lets them do much of the talking.
Mr. Townley writing is inspirational, tales about the Navy culture, camaraderie and career are all very rousing and moving. Any kid who thinks about joining the Navy should read this book. However, not all of the book is glowing anecdotes of patriotic sons and daughters, some of the stories are about crashes, lost shipmates and POWs.
Part of the book also recounts the history of naval aviation, how the first sea plane came about and the history changing effort to launch off ships. The stories of a World War II fighter pilot through those of pilots supporting ground troops in the Afghan theatre.
The stories about the training were especially fascinating to me. Not just what a pilot goes through today, but, for example, what it took Navy aviator Alan Shepard to become an astronaut. In an especially poignant section, Mr. Townley writes about the sacrifices of the families who are left behind as well.
The subtitle of the book however is a bit misleading; this book is about the Navy aircraft carrier personnel. While the author certainly acknowledge other naval aviators (Marines, Coast Guard, helicopters, etc.) it starts and ends with that acknowledgement.
Overall, this is a very interesting book, well made with wonderful photography. The personal stories of those in the proverbial trenches are fascinating and draw a vivid image of the life on an aircraft carrier.
For more reviews and bookish posts please visit: http://www.ManOfLaBook.com
April 21, 2011
In reviewing this book I must admit to being prejudice. I am ex-Navy and was assigned to a Fighter Squadon (VA-106), and flew off of the carriers USS Shangri-La, USS Intrepid, and USS Saratoga.
Withstanding my prejudice, if every person who wanted to serve in the Armed Forces read this book they would all enlist in the US Navy.
Townley not only gives a history of Naval Aviation but gives the reader a close up look into the operations aboard a carrier. He shows the unbelievable co-opeation and coordination betweed both Ships Company and the Air Wings.
He is most supportative of the young enlisted men and women whom the Navy has entrusted with maintaining both ship and aircraft. What other entity would give an 18 to 20 year old complete responsibility for a 5 million dollar jet aircraft?
If one would like a barometer of how good we are, we are the only country that runs flight opeations at night. It is hairy enough to bring a jet traveling at about 140 mph on a ship that is rolling with a 750 foot runway and having to catch the number 3 wire during daylight hours, imagine what it must be like in the dark of night.
Townley expertly tells about the 7 month deployment and thee hardships it puts not only on those deployed, but the families that have been left behind. He also brings out the tremendous support group that has formed to help families get through tough times while their husbands, wives, sons, and daughters are serving overseas.
An aircraft carrier is basically a floating city. It is comprised of about 5,000 men and women. It has its own medical, dental, fire department, police force (Marines), court system, laundry, kitchen, barbar shop, televison station, gym, etc... There are more than 18,000 meals served per day.
This is a book that is very readable for anyone who may be interested in how Naval Operations work, especially those interested in carrier and air wing opeations. I highly recommend this book to anyone, even those that may not be interested in aviation or the Navy. The essence of the book is the patriotism, dedication, spirit, and loyalty of these young men and women.
Withstanding my prejudice, if every person who wanted to serve in the Armed Forces read this book they would all enlist in the US Navy.
Townley not only gives a history of Naval Aviation but gives the reader a close up look into the operations aboard a carrier. He shows the unbelievable co-opeation and coordination betweed both Ships Company and the Air Wings.
He is most supportative of the young enlisted men and women whom the Navy has entrusted with maintaining both ship and aircraft. What other entity would give an 18 to 20 year old complete responsibility for a 5 million dollar jet aircraft?
If one would like a barometer of how good we are, we are the only country that runs flight opeations at night. It is hairy enough to bring a jet traveling at about 140 mph on a ship that is rolling with a 750 foot runway and having to catch the number 3 wire during daylight hours, imagine what it must be like in the dark of night.
Townley expertly tells about the 7 month deployment and thee hardships it puts not only on those deployed, but the families that have been left behind. He also brings out the tremendous support group that has formed to help families get through tough times while their husbands, wives, sons, and daughters are serving overseas.
An aircraft carrier is basically a floating city. It is comprised of about 5,000 men and women. It has its own medical, dental, fire department, police force (Marines), court system, laundry, kitchen, barbar shop, televison station, gym, etc... There are more than 18,000 meals served per day.
This is a book that is very readable for anyone who may be interested in how Naval Operations work, especially those interested in carrier and air wing opeations. I highly recommend this book to anyone, even those that may not be interested in aviation or the Navy. The essence of the book is the patriotism, dedication, spirit, and loyalty of these young men and women.
January 31, 2012
This book was a fast, feel-good read about the Naval aviation community. It includes some interesting stories and describes a whole host of aviation-related jobs that today's sailors fulfill, but does not really take the reader any deeper than a surface-level appreciation for how "cool" modern Naval aviation is. Since it is an easy read, it will be a fun read for any aviation enthusiast.
July 3, 2012
Selfishly I wish there had been more about female aviators, but a great read nonetheless. Washington Post just reviewed the book about the Admirals...should be a good companion piece.
August 7, 2012
To be continued ...
January 18, 2014
Alvin has written another great book! Strongly recommend for anyone interested in our armed forces.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews