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Air Force: Inside the New Era of Australian Air Power
The inside story of the modern Royal Australian Air Force and its people in an action-packed period of air power from East Timor and the Bali bombings to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Award-winning journalist and best-selling author Ian McPhedran takes us on another exclusive journey, this time to the heart of the RAAF through personal stories of fighter pilots′ bombing raids over Iraq, hi-tech spy planes over Afghanistan, the operational nerve centre of the Middle East war and the men and women who deliver humanitarian aid and alleviate suffering around the world.
This is the compelling narrative in the RAAF′s 90th year of its aircraft, traditions and personalities, from the corridors of power in Canberra to far-flung bases around Australia and the world, in more than a decade of rapid change as technology propels it into the next generation of air power and the futuristic era of stealth.
It is a must-read not only for aviation and military buffs or those who are curious about what the RAAF has been doing since 1999, but for anyone who has glanced skywards at the sound of an air force plane passing overhead.
We know a lot about what the army has been up to since East Timor in 1999, but what about the Air Force?
Air power was a key deterrent during the 1999 East Timor crisis, when F-111s were sent to Tindal in the Northern Territory and used for reconnaissance flights over the island. The RAAF has been very busy on operations around the world, from F/A-18 Hornet fighters dropping bombs on Saddam′s palaces in Baghdad to Hercules C-130 and huge C-17 transport planes supporting war fighting and humanitarian missions all over the globe. Then there are the P-3 Orion spy planes flying clandestine night missions throughout the Middle East or using their high-tech imaging equipment to find lost yachtsmen in the Southern Ocean.
Featuring unpublished and previously secret material, including bomb camera imagery.
Award-winning journalist and best-selling author Ian McPhedran takes us on another exclusive journey, this time to the heart of the RAAF through personal stories of fighter pilots′ bombing raids over Iraq, hi-tech spy planes over Afghanistan, the operational nerve centre of the Middle East war and the men and women who deliver humanitarian aid and alleviate suffering around the world.
This is the compelling narrative in the RAAF′s 90th year of its aircraft, traditions and personalities, from the corridors of power in Canberra to far-flung bases around Australia and the world, in more than a decade of rapid change as technology propels it into the next generation of air power and the futuristic era of stealth.
It is a must-read not only for aviation and military buffs or those who are curious about what the RAAF has been doing since 1999, but for anyone who has glanced skywards at the sound of an air force plane passing overhead.
We know a lot about what the army has been up to since East Timor in 1999, but what about the Air Force?
Air power was a key deterrent during the 1999 East Timor crisis, when F-111s were sent to Tindal in the Northern Territory and used for reconnaissance flights over the island. The RAAF has been very busy on operations around the world, from F/A-18 Hornet fighters dropping bombs on Saddam′s palaces in Baghdad to Hercules C-130 and huge C-17 transport planes supporting war fighting and humanitarian missions all over the globe. Then there are the P-3 Orion spy planes flying clandestine night missions throughout the Middle East or using their high-tech imaging equipment to find lost yachtsmen in the Southern Ocean.
Featuring unpublished and previously secret material, including bomb camera imagery.
384 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 10, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It provided a very good overview of where and what AF has been doing since 1997. I particularly enjoyed the insight into the acquisition process.
July 19, 2014
McPhedran's book provides a good overview of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in the period from 1999 to the present. This period began with operations in East Timor and then moved on to a long deployment in the Middle East. The book focuses on the men and women of the RAAF giving details of their background and the work that they do.
The main problem with the book was its hagiographic tone. It tends to effusive praise rather than being a little more critical in its assessment. In the chapter discussing the RAAF's operations in East Timor it was hinted that problems were exposed as Australia's troops entered their first major overseas operation in more than two decades. However, this was quickly glossed over. I feel the book would have been much more informative if it had spent a little more time discussing these problems and how they were overcome.
I would have also liked to read more about the RAAF's humanitarian operations. There is significant coverage of the response to the Bali bombings in 2002. However, other major events such as the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami and 2009 Padang earthquake are only mentioned in passing. A more glaring omission is the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami which is not mentioned at all.
Another interesting aspect of the book is that it looks at some of the new technologies being adopted by the RAAF and how this will impact future operations. It is clear that the air wars of the future will increasingly be fought by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with teams of operators in control rooms remote from the theatre.
The main problem with the book was its hagiographic tone. It tends to effusive praise rather than being a little more critical in its assessment. In the chapter discussing the RAAF's operations in East Timor it was hinted that problems were exposed as Australia's troops entered their first major overseas operation in more than two decades. However, this was quickly glossed over. I feel the book would have been much more informative if it had spent a little more time discussing these problems and how they were overcome.
I would have also liked to read more about the RAAF's humanitarian operations. There is significant coverage of the response to the Bali bombings in 2002. However, other major events such as the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami and 2009 Padang earthquake are only mentioned in passing. A more glaring omission is the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami which is not mentioned at all.
Another interesting aspect of the book is that it looks at some of the new technologies being adopted by the RAAF and how this will impact future operations. It is clear that the air wars of the future will increasingly be fought by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with teams of operators in control rooms remote from the theatre.
February 6, 2017
I found this book to be incredibly well written, very well edited and very informative.
I have never ever had an interest in the Air Force or any form of military for that matter, but thoroughly enjoyed what this book had to offer. McPhedran's writing is informative, interesting and intelligent.
I had initial concerns that it would be overly patriotic but it is not. It also quite openly acknowledges many of the moral issues that come about by the various invasions and wars that the US and its coalition takes part in and also acknowledges the outstanding contribution of women in their various roles in this male dominated sector.
I have never ever had an interest in the Air Force or any form of military for that matter, but thoroughly enjoyed what this book had to offer. McPhedran's writing is informative, interesting and intelligent.
I had initial concerns that it would be overly patriotic but it is not. It also quite openly acknowledges many of the moral issues that come about by the various invasions and wars that the US and its coalition takes part in and also acknowledges the outstanding contribution of women in their various roles in this male dominated sector.
May 17, 2012
Told in too gossipy a style for my liking. It also has one of those "they can do no wrong" feelings. Maybe it will get better.
Finished, and no, the style stayed pretty much the same. Trying to personalise each chapter by looking at an individual and a brief discussion of that person in regards to their profession. Some chapters better than others but overall a bit too superficial when it comes to a summary of the present and recent past of the Australia Air Force
Finished, and no, the style stayed pretty much the same. Trying to personalise each chapter by looking at an individual and a brief discussion of that person in regards to their profession. Some chapters better than others but overall a bit too superficial when it comes to a summary of the present and recent past of the Australia Air Force
November 19, 2013
Took a little while to get into the conversational style of he author. No critical analysis here - just one big Air Force love in. Interesting though. I found the stories of those involved in Bali and East Timor quite moving.
September 15, 2015
Bad phrasing and the misguided decision to use a conversational writing style ruined what could have otherwise been a unique and involving account of military personnel and their experience of service.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews