HOGS: HOG BORN: A Novella From the HOGS First Gulf War Air Combat Series

by Jim DeFelice

The bi-annual Red v. Black competition at Nellis Air Base is just getting underway, pitting young Air National Guard pilots against each other in a time-honored war game. Once, Colonel Michael “Skull” Knowlington was one of them. Now, he can’t help but envy them, as a downsizing Air Force in early 1990 doesn’t hold much promise for the aging ace who made his name as an old style dogfighter in the Vietnam-era F-105 Thunderchief. Still one of the best pilots on base, Skull’s biggest obstacle to finding a new billet is his drinking. He’s desperate to keep doing what he loves best – flying high-powered planes in dangerous situations. And what better way to get his last licks in than by helping a young pilot— the son of an old Vietnam buddy— figure out a plan to bring his underdog team to possible glory, using the underrated A-10As as bait. HOG A NOVELLA, features characters from Jim DeFelice’s Hogs First Gulf War series, available on Kindle. Michael Knowlington’s story is a prequel to the series, which focuses on a colorful group of brave pilots flying A-10 warthogs over the skies of Iraq during the First Gulf War in 1991. The #1 New York Times Bestselling Author (American Sniper, Code Johnny Walker) based this dramatic, historical action series on the actual events. Filled with blistering action and gritty authenticity, this is a powerful and exciting tribute to the men and women who flew and serviced these no-nonsense, down in the dirt” flying machines.

63 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 22, 2014

About the author

My latest book, CODE NAME: JOHNNY WALKER was hailed by Kirkus Review as a “fiery, insightful memoir from the former Iraqi translator who fought alongside U.S. Special Forces during the recent war in Iraq.” They also “a harrowing personal journey of courageous self-empowerment during wartime.” called it an “invaluable insider’s perspective of Iraq.

I wrote it with the real "Johnny Walker," who was born and raised in Iraq. His dream of building a better country after the ouster of Sadaam Hussein was dashed by religious and sectarian violence. He risked his own life to help US military track down religious terrorists who targeted innocent Iraqi civilians and American military installations. I first heard about him from Navy SEAL Chris Kyle (who I wrote AMERICAN SNIPER with, who credited Johnny with saving many American and Iraqi lives. Chris noted that Johnny had an uncanny knack for defusing volatile situations, uncovering the right perpetrators who might be hiding in plain sight, and saving several American team member’s lives under fire. With the help of concerned SEALs, Johnny and his family were safely relocated to the U.S., where they are now, as Johnny likes to say, “living the dream.”