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Wings of War #2
Steel Tiger
In 1967 Vietnam, Court Bannister takes on his second tour of duty, Toby Parker struggles against alcohol to earn his wings, and Wolf Lochert degenerates into mercenary madness. Reprint.
450 pages, Paperback
First published May 21, 1990
98 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Mark Berent
24 books32 followerssource: BN Nook Store
Meet the Author
MARK BERENT
Lt Col Mark E. Berent, USAF (Ret), was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He graduated from Cretin High
School and attended St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Minnesota. Later he graduated from Arizona State University under the Air Force Institute of Technology program with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Lt Col Berent began his Air Force career as an enlisted man, then progressed through the aviation cadet program. He attended pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi and then Laredo Air Force Base, Texas flying the T-6, T-28 and T-33 aircraft and then moved on to F-86s at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. He served on active duty for 23 years until retirement in 1974. He began his operational flying career in the F-86 and F-100 flying at various posts throughout the United States and Europe. He later served three combat tours, completing 452 combat sorties, first in the F-100 at Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, the F-4 at Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, and then in Cambodia for two years to fly things with propellers on them and through a fluke in communications timing, to personally run the air war for a few weeks.
He has also served two tours at the United States Space and Missile System Organization (SAMSO) at Los Angeles, California working first in the Satellites Control Facility and later as a staff developmental engineer for the space shuttle. In his expansive career he has seen service as an Air Attaché to the United States Embassy, Phnom Penh, Cambodia and also as Chief of Test Control Branch at the Air Development and Test Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. He also served as an instructor at the Air Force's Squadron Officer School.
During his flying career he has logged over 4300 hours of flying time, 1084 of those in combat missions in the F-100, F-4, C-47 and U-10 over North and South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. He has flown 30 different aircraft.
His decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star, Air Medal with twenty four oak leaf clusters, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Cambodian Divisional Medal, and numerous Vietnam Campaign ribbons. He completed jump school with the Special Forces. Later, he jumped with and was awarded Cambodian paratrooper wings. He also flew with and received Cambodian pilot wings.
After leaving the Air Force he lived in Europe to establish and direct international operations for the sale of spares for combat aircraft. He has flown many foreign aircraft such as the Swedish Viggen and Royal Air Force Jaguar and Hawk. He also established Berent and Woods Inc, a firm that managed many aviation related activities.
Over the years he had published numerous articles for such publications as Air Force Magazine and the Washington Times and for 18 years wrote a monthly pilot/reporter column for the Asian Defense Journal. Under the name Berent Sandberg he and Peter Sandberg collaborated on three novels. He now has five Vietnam air war flying novels in print, Rolling Thunder, Steel Tiger, Phantom Leader, Eagle Station, and Storm Flight.
Berent states it is never too late for any endeavor: he published the first of his five books at age 58, ran his first Marathon at 59, bought a T-6 warbird and flew in airshows at 64, and rode in his first cattle roundup in Montana at 74.
Meet the Author
MARK BERENT
Lt Col Mark E. Berent, USAF (Ret), was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He graduated from Cretin High
School and attended St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Minnesota. Later he graduated from Arizona State University under the Air Force Institute of Technology program with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Lt Col Berent began his Air Force career as an enlisted man, then progressed through the aviation cadet program. He attended pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi and then Laredo Air Force Base, Texas flying the T-6, T-28 and T-33 aircraft and then moved on to F-86s at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. He served on active duty for 23 years until retirement in 1974. He began his operational flying career in the F-86 and F-100 flying at various posts throughout the United States and Europe. He later served three combat tours, completing 452 combat sorties, first in the F-100 at Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, the F-4 at Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, and then in Cambodia for two years to fly things with propellers on them and through a fluke in communications timing, to personally run the air war for a few weeks.
He has also served two tours at the United States Space and Missile System Organization (SAMSO) at Los Angeles, California working first in the Satellites Control Facility and later as a staff developmental engineer for the space shuttle. In his expansive career he has seen service as an Air Attaché to the United States Embassy, Phnom Penh, Cambodia and also as Chief of Test Control Branch at the Air Development and Test Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. He also served as an instructor at the Air Force's Squadron Officer School.
During his flying career he has logged over 4300 hours of flying time, 1084 of those in combat missions in the F-100, F-4, C-47 and U-10 over North and South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. He has flown 30 different aircraft.
His decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star, Air Medal with twenty four oak leaf clusters, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Cambodian Divisional Medal, and numerous Vietnam Campaign ribbons. He completed jump school with the Special Forces. Later, he jumped with and was awarded Cambodian paratrooper wings. He also flew with and received Cambodian pilot wings.
After leaving the Air Force he lived in Europe to establish and direct international operations for the sale of spares for combat aircraft. He has flown many foreign aircraft such as the Swedish Viggen and Royal Air Force Jaguar and Hawk. He also established Berent and Woods Inc, a firm that managed many aviation related activities.
Over the years he had published numerous articles for such publications as Air Force Magazine and the Washington Times and for 18 years wrote a monthly pilot/reporter column for the Asian Defense Journal. Under the name Berent Sandberg he and Peter Sandberg collaborated on three novels. He now has five Vietnam air war flying novels in print, Rolling Thunder, Steel Tiger, Phantom Leader, Eagle Station, and Storm Flight.
Berent states it is never too late for any endeavor: he published the first of his five books at age 58, ran his first Marathon at 59, bought a T-6 warbird and flew in airshows at 64, and rode in his first cattle roundup in Montana at 74.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 27, 2021
outstanding
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: STEEL TIGER: An Historical Novel of War and Politics (Wings of War Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
This is both outstanding history and good fiction. It covers the incredibly venal and foolish actons of Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, and company as well as the plight of the thousands of young Americans caught up in their machinations. Most of the action concentrates on the activities of the air and Special Forces campaigns. I've known many men of the Special Forces and Rangers who served in SE Asia. This story rings true.
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: STEEL TIGER: An Historical Novel of War and Politics (Wings of War Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
This is both outstanding history and good fiction. It covers the incredibly venal and foolish actons of Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, and company as well as the plight of the thousands of young Americans caught up in their machinations. Most of the action concentrates on the activities of the air and Special Forces campaigns. I've known many men of the Special Forces and Rangers who served in SE Asia. This story rings true.
June 13, 2025
Mr. Berent writes from experience. He volunteered three times to go to Vietnam. He writes about what he knows and can take you along, flying by the seat of your pants.
We find Major Court Bannister flying over Vietnam while his brother is a journalist. He writes about opposing the war and getting fighting men to agree with him. And this time, he is getting too close to the enemy and pays a price.
Bannister has very close friends who are also flying missions, and some never return home.
In this story, we have a Russian flight instructor helping the NVA with tactics against the better-armed Americans.
But the Russian was tired of just teaching on the ground. He decided to get in the cockpit of a MiG and attack American fighter jets. And is successful.
Mr. Berent writes with clarity, and his description will have you sweating as if you are finding yourself in the jungle after being shot down.
Spoiler alert, the story continues.
We find Major Court Bannister flying over Vietnam while his brother is a journalist. He writes about opposing the war and getting fighting men to agree with him. And this time, he is getting too close to the enemy and pays a price.
Bannister has very close friends who are also flying missions, and some never return home.
In this story, we have a Russian flight instructor helping the NVA with tactics against the better-armed Americans.
But the Russian was tired of just teaching on the ground. He decided to get in the cockpit of a MiG and attack American fighter jets. And is successful.
Mr. Berent writes with clarity, and his description will have you sweating as if you are finding yourself in the jungle after being shot down.
Spoiler alert, the story continues.
June 30, 2016
Berent must mix crack in with his prose.
From available information, it would seem that Mark Berent was a good pilot in Vietnam. While I wasn’t there, hence can’t confirm or deny, I can confirm that he is a great storyteller. Tom Clancy said Berent spun yarns of “good men in a bad war” and that sums up Wings of War quite well. His three primary characters work within the idiotic constraints they are saddled with, and pursue a victory that is forbidden by Washington.
The author interprets the jargon and explains some technical details which might otherwise confuse some readers; but doesn’t interrupt the story flow long enough to be a nuisance. He’s also got some “character sketches” that will probably resonate with anybody who has served some time in the military.
With all this, in Steel Tiger you get a Soviet MiG pilot, a wartime sting operation, plus glimpses inside the Hanoi Hilton and the Johnson State Department.
You can read a more detailed review at (www dot) Virtual Pulp (dot) net.
From available information, it would seem that Mark Berent was a good pilot in Vietnam. While I wasn’t there, hence can’t confirm or deny, I can confirm that he is a great storyteller. Tom Clancy said Berent spun yarns of “good men in a bad war” and that sums up Wings of War quite well. His three primary characters work within the idiotic constraints they are saddled with, and pursue a victory that is forbidden by Washington.
The author interprets the jargon and explains some technical details which might otherwise confuse some readers; but doesn’t interrupt the story flow long enough to be a nuisance. He’s also got some “character sketches” that will probably resonate with anybody who has served some time in the military.
With all this, in Steel Tiger you get a Soviet MiG pilot, a wartime sting operation, plus glimpses inside the Hanoi Hilton and the Johnson State Department.
You can read a more detailed review at (www dot) Virtual Pulp (dot) net.
September 16, 2012
Book two of the five book series featuring Court Bannister as a Vietnam war fighter pilot.
The problem is I know there are another three books after this one and therefore there is absolutely no suspense to air combat sequences. Although they are well written, he was there, they do get to be a bit repetitious over the course of the book.
The end of the book leaves no doubt that there will be a sequel, something important 20 years ago when it was written. I generally really don't like books that leave the reading hanging. It is such an easy matter for the author to close out a particular action at the end of the book and Berent chose not to do so with this one.
Overall a good story, well told. And, add more of Berent's views on why the war was lost and so many aircrews were lost, it still holds up well 40 years after the end of the war. And some of the reasons given by Berent translate into the current quagmire in Afghanistan.
The problem is I know there are another three books after this one and therefore there is absolutely no suspense to air combat sequences. Although they are well written, he was there, they do get to be a bit repetitious over the course of the book.
The end of the book leaves no doubt that there will be a sequel, something important 20 years ago when it was written. I generally really don't like books that leave the reading hanging. It is such an easy matter for the author to close out a particular action at the end of the book and Berent chose not to do so with this one.
Overall a good story, well told. And, add more of Berent's views on why the war was lost and so many aircrews were lost, it still holds up well 40 years after the end of the war. And some of the reasons given by Berent translate into the current quagmire in Afghanistan.
January 28, 2014
This is one of the best air novels I've read and one of the best ones about Vietnam. Although it is critical of the American policy and conduct during the war it was able to tell the about horrors, rejections, bravery and valor of the men and women who served there.
August 18, 2013
Agree with one reviewer about too many threads left hanging at the end, but for pure page-turning entertainment this one is a winner. Detailed information in some parts of the book get a bit tedious, but overall a very good read.
July 16, 2017
The gripping tale of fighter pilots and Special Forces men in Southeast Asia in the late 1960s continues in this second novel. We follow the characters made so vividly familiar in "Rolling Thunder," and also meet new ones, including a brilliant Russian fighter pilot. Not content to simply train his North Vietnamese student pilots, this man defies orders and embarks on daring attack missions.
The author's firsthand knowledge of Air Force and military material is impressive and authentic. His insights into the minds of fighting men are also perceptive and humane. These are men who willingly put themselves into harm's way, and the mental gymnastics they must perform to be able to do so aren't always apparent to non-military folk.
While the book was generally enjoyable, a few things were troubling. In two places, the dates that mark sections were incorrect--the year was noted as 1989 (when the novel was being written) rather than 1967 (when the story took place).
There were also some unnecessary repitions, such as long descriptions of pilot gear, procedures, or definitions of acronyms. More troubling, however, was an instance in which text was lifted verbatim from the previous novel.
In "Rolling Thunder," the author noted: "Saigon was no longer the Pearl of the Orient ..." He goes on to state that the city was more like a forsaken courtesan forced to make her living on the streets. This description is apt, capturing in a few words the unique atmosphere of a particular time and place. When the same description appeared in "Steel Tiger," it reminded me of the terrific joke told one too many times. The effect desired was not the effect achieved, even though the method was exactly the same.
Even with these small complaints, I found the story propulsive, the characters compelling, and the writing polished and assured. I have already plunged into the third book in the series, eager to see what tricks the author has in store.
The author's firsthand knowledge of Air Force and military material is impressive and authentic. His insights into the minds of fighting men are also perceptive and humane. These are men who willingly put themselves into harm's way, and the mental gymnastics they must perform to be able to do so aren't always apparent to non-military folk.
While the book was generally enjoyable, a few things were troubling. In two places, the dates that mark sections were incorrect--the year was noted as 1989 (when the novel was being written) rather than 1967 (when the story took place).
There were also some unnecessary repitions, such as long descriptions of pilot gear, procedures, or definitions of acronyms. More troubling, however, was an instance in which text was lifted verbatim from the previous novel.
In "Rolling Thunder," the author noted: "Saigon was no longer the Pearl of the Orient ..." He goes on to state that the city was more like a forsaken courtesan forced to make her living on the streets. This description is apt, capturing in a few words the unique atmosphere of a particular time and place. When the same description appeared in "Steel Tiger," it reminded me of the terrific joke told one too many times. The effect desired was not the effect achieved, even though the method was exactly the same.
Even with these small complaints, I found the story propulsive, the characters compelling, and the writing polished and assured. I have already plunged into the third book in the series, eager to see what tricks the author has in store.
January 18, 2022
The saga continues and it continues to perform! This book picks up where the first one left off and continues to rock. Sure, this one would be fine as a stand-along book; however, start at the first book and go from there. Definitely recommend.
March 21, 2017
Illuminating.
Action packed scenes had me on the edge of my seat although I admit to skipping over some of the detail loaded descriptions.
Action packed scenes had me on the edge of my seat although I admit to skipping over some of the detail loaded descriptions.
June 6, 2011
I originally picked up this book because a) it had F-4's and KC-135's on the cover and b) it was $0.50 at the local Goodwill store. I started reading it while waiting on my wife to finish her shopping. The opening sequence is in a MiG-21 piloted by a Soviet military "adviser" over Hanoi in the thick of the Vietnam War in 1967. That set the hook. The book went home with me and was my constant companion until I completed it.
I had never heard of the author, Mark Berent, or his collection of stories about Vietnam. "Steel Tiger" is the 2nd in a 5-book series that follows 3 separate major characters (2 Air Force pilots and an Army special forces officer) as they fight their own battles both in and out of Vietnam and on and off the battlefield. The story mentioned events from the first book (titled "Rolling Thunder") but was not required reading to make sense of what was going on. It actually read well enough that I didn't realize that "Tiger" was the sequel until I looked it up on bn.com. After I finished it (the story literally stops at a lull in the action for all 3 characters), I discovered that, not only was there another book after "Tiger", there were, in fact, THREE books left in total to complete the story. It looks like I'm going to be dropping more money at bn to have the stories appear on my Nook or I'll be patronizing the library in hope that they've got the other 4. I've been reeled in.
If there were anything to complain about with this story, it would be this: the author occasionally jumps to vignettes at the White House where he portrays both President Johnson and his SecDef, Robert McNamara as bumbling/indecisive and cold/detached/oblivious to anything but statistics, respectively. These may be accurate and necessary depictions (I didn't come along until 1971 and so have no first-hand knowledge) but the way they were written in detracted from the overall story flow. Despite these somewhat ill-fitting distractions, procuring a copy of "Rolling Thunder" is now high on my reading priority list. I'm looking forward to consuming the entire series.
I had never heard of the author, Mark Berent, or his collection of stories about Vietnam. "Steel Tiger" is the 2nd in a 5-book series that follows 3 separate major characters (2 Air Force pilots and an Army special forces officer) as they fight their own battles both in and out of Vietnam and on and off the battlefield. The story mentioned events from the first book (titled "Rolling Thunder") but was not required reading to make sense of what was going on. It actually read well enough that I didn't realize that "Tiger" was the sequel until I looked it up on bn.com. After I finished it (the story literally stops at a lull in the action for all 3 characters), I discovered that, not only was there another book after "Tiger", there were, in fact, THREE books left in total to complete the story. It looks like I'm going to be dropping more money at bn to have the stories appear on my Nook or I'll be patronizing the library in hope that they've got the other 4. I've been reeled in.
If there were anything to complain about with this story, it would be this: the author occasionally jumps to vignettes at the White House where he portrays both President Johnson and his SecDef, Robert McNamara as bumbling/indecisive and cold/detached/oblivious to anything but statistics, respectively. These may be accurate and necessary depictions (I didn't come along until 1971 and so have no first-hand knowledge) but the way they were written in detracted from the overall story flow. Despite these somewhat ill-fitting distractions, procuring a copy of "Rolling Thunder" is now high on my reading priority list. I'm looking forward to consuming the entire series.
September 24, 2017
Steel Tiger (1990 by ibooks, New York) is a military action novel set in Viet Nam during 1967. Author Mark Berent draws on his experience with the Air Force as a combat pilot in Viet Nam to create a gripping story of pilots, spies, and Special Forces operatives engaged in both personal struggles and military assignments. With a heavy dose of military acronyms, Berent gives the reader a realistic setting complete with regulations, self-serving politicians, and anti-war protestors.
Court Bannister flew as a test pilot for the jet aircraft used in Viet Nam. Now he is flying those very jets in combat over the dense jungles that hide anti-aircraft guns. Bannister and his fellow pilots notice that the tactics of enemy fighters has improved, and the number of downed American planes begins to increase. In an edge-of-your-seat air battle between Bannister and an enemy jet, Bannister notices that its pilot is not Asian. Toby Parker is a natural whose flying skills make him one with his airplane. He flies a small, unarmed spotter plane, calling in the bombers and reporting the results. When Parker is deployed on a search and rescue mission, others worry that his drinking will again fog his judgement. These are but two of the interesting and believable characters who make Steel Tiger an engaging and enjoyable read. But avoid the book if you don't want exposure to torture, swearing, and chest-thumping aggressive men.
Court Bannister flew as a test pilot for the jet aircraft used in Viet Nam. Now he is flying those very jets in combat over the dense jungles that hide anti-aircraft guns. Bannister and his fellow pilots notice that the tactics of enemy fighters has improved, and the number of downed American planes begins to increase. In an edge-of-your-seat air battle between Bannister and an enemy jet, Bannister notices that its pilot is not Asian. Toby Parker is a natural whose flying skills make him one with his airplane. He flies a small, unarmed spotter plane, calling in the bombers and reporting the results. When Parker is deployed on a search and rescue mission, others worry that his drinking will again fog his judgement. These are but two of the interesting and believable characters who make Steel Tiger an engaging and enjoyable read. But avoid the book if you don't want exposure to torture, swearing, and chest-thumping aggressive men.
February 16, 2014
Excellent entry in the series, with more to come. Berent captures the air war and the politics, both civilian and military, of the era in a classic fashion, which should be of great interest to anyone studying the air war in Vietnam. Although it is presented as fiction, and much of it is, much of it is also hard and brutal fact.
I hate this website. I finished it days ago and am now reading Eagle Station but can't for the life of me locate the field to change the title from being read to finished. Someone in charge should enable easier navigation on Goodreads. It's too cluttered, and I've been on the Net since before thee was one.
I hate this website. I finished it days ago and am now reading Eagle Station but can't for the life of me locate the field to change the title from being read to finished. Someone in charge should enable easier navigation on Goodreads. It's too cluttered, and I've been on the Net since before thee was one.
January 4, 2014
Book two in a series called Rolling Thunder, Court Bannister washes himself out of any chance to get into astronaut training because he decided he wants to go back to SEA again and become the first ACE of the war. During one of his flights, he encounters a MIG pilot that appears to be a Russian. It then becomes almost an obsession to shoot down this pilot. He finds himself shot down and dug in hoping someone will rescue him.
August 8, 2014
another GREAT book
another great job by Mark Berent our characters continue on in the their lives and careers during a very difficult time in the United States. Mark did it again and hit another one out of the park.
another great job by Mark Berent our characters continue on in the their lives and careers during a very difficult time in the United States. Mark did it again and hit another one out of the park.
August 29, 2014
Fine Book
A great read. Accurate. Detailed without a lot of jargon. Well written and involving. I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended.
A great read. Accurate. Detailed without a lot of jargon. Well written and involving. I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended.
November 13, 2014
Too good! Phantom Leader Is Next
Another great book by Mrk Berent. When I we in Vietnam. I didn't realize so many interesting things were happening
Another great book by Mrk Berent. When I we in Vietnam. I didn't realize so many interesting things were happening
May 29, 2015
Too long too slow.
September 20, 2011
Didn't like the ending.
Too many threads just left hanging.
Too many threads just left hanging.
March 23, 2013
An innovative look into 'flying' a submarine, which Mark Berent pulls off superbly.
April 15, 2017
Well written
This being the second of this series, keeps the reader involved with what happens next. It helps five you a perspective of the politics of the Johnson presidency that we as young people may not have understood.
This being the second of this series, keeps the reader involved with what happens next. It helps five you a perspective of the politics of the Johnson presidency that we as young people may not have understood.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews