What do you think?
Rate this book
The Southern Border Squadron: An Aviation Thriller
The government can't stop cartel drones. Three Vietnam veterans with vintage fighters can.
Every day, Mexican cartels fly drones across the US southern border carrying fentanyl. The Pentagon's counter-drone weapons would shut down every cell phone and GPS signal for fifty miles. The US government seems powerless to stop them.
Vietnam-era fighter pilot Dale Grant doesn't wait for permission and hasn't forgotten what it means to dogfight and put ordnance on target. When two fellow combat veterans join him at an aviation museum stocked with flyable warbirds and the machine guns to match, they do what no one in Washington has the nerve to do.
They go hunting.
Armed with World War I, World War II and jet age fighters and combat vet instincts, the squadron starts winning — shooting down cartel drones over the Sonoran Desert in broad daylight. But the cartels don't just build more drones. They bring in a Russian intelligence operative with stealth technology that makes the next generation invisible. They deploy military-grade attack aircraft. And they make it personal — targeting the pilots' families, their community, everything they've spent a lifetime protecting.
Now three aging warriors must decide how far they're willing to go. Across the border. Beyond the law. Past the point of no return. Because the only thing more dangerous than fighting a war you can't win is knowing you're the only ones willing to fight it at all.
Southern Border Squadron combines the cockpit authenticity of Flight of the Intruder with the relentless pacing of today's best military thrillers — grounded in real-world cartel drone technology, authentic combat aviation, and a border crisis that's no longer fiction.
Every day, Mexican cartels fly drones across the US southern border carrying fentanyl. The Pentagon's counter-drone weapons would shut down every cell phone and GPS signal for fifty miles. The US government seems powerless to stop them.
Vietnam-era fighter pilot Dale Grant doesn't wait for permission and hasn't forgotten what it means to dogfight and put ordnance on target. When two fellow combat veterans join him at an aviation museum stocked with flyable warbirds and the machine guns to match, they do what no one in Washington has the nerve to do.
They go hunting.
Armed with World War I, World War II and jet age fighters and combat vet instincts, the squadron starts winning — shooting down cartel drones over the Sonoran Desert in broad daylight. But the cartels don't just build more drones. They bring in a Russian intelligence operative with stealth technology that makes the next generation invisible. They deploy military-grade attack aircraft. And they make it personal — targeting the pilots' families, their community, everything they've spent a lifetime protecting.
Now three aging warriors must decide how far they're willing to go. Across the border. Beyond the law. Past the point of no return. Because the only thing more dangerous than fighting a war you can't win is knowing you're the only ones willing to fight it at all.
Southern Border Squadron combines the cockpit authenticity of Flight of the Intruder with the relentless pacing of today's best military thrillers — grounded in real-world cartel drone technology, authentic combat aviation, and a border crisis that's no longer fiction.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy
Recently, I came across a new series (The Southern Border Squadron) by Eric W. Ristau while checking out the BookSirens website to see what new offerings were available. I received this prequel from the author and the fine folks at BookSirens in return for an honest review. According to Amazon, this is the first of a two-book series that is scheduled to be released on 31 March 2026.
The premise of this book involves a methodology that is rapidly becoming a growing concern for U.S. law enforcement agencies -more specifically, the extensive use of drones to smuggle drugs, especially potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl and methamphetamine, across the U.S.-Mexico border. According to Goodreads, this is the debut novel for Eric W. Ristau.
The author has taken a unique approach to combat this threat in his latest aviation thriller by utilizing a mix of vintage aircraft to shoot down the cartel drones (as well as any incursions over the Sonoran Desert).
Every day, Mexican cartels fly drones across the southern border carrying fentanyl—and Washington can’t stop them without shutting down half the Southwest. The Pentagon's counter-drone weapons would shut down every cell phone and GPS signal for fifty miles. The US government seems powerless to stop them.
The initiating event in this novel is the unfolding crisis of cartel-driven lawlessness and violence along the U.S.-Mexico border, which is further personalized following the death of a young woman in the local community due to fentanyl, a 100% synthetic drug developed in 1960 as an anesthesia.
It is at this time that a former Vietnam-era pilot, Dale Grant, and two fellow combat veterans decide to take matters into their own hands. Utilizing the contents of a local aviation museum - more specifically, three World War I-era bi-planes - stocked with flyable warbirds and the machine guns to match, they do what no one in Washington has the nerve to do. They begin to hunt down the cartel drones (in broad daylight) and are successful in their initial forays against the cartel.
_________________________________
The World War I aircraft used in this book are:
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5A: A premier British single-seat biplane fighter that was introduced in June 1917. This aircraft was designed for superior high-altitude performance, stability, and speed. Powered by a 200 HP Wolseley Viper engine capable of speeds roughly between 134-138 mph. This aircraft was armed with both a synchronized .303 Vickers machine gun (7.7 mm) on the fuselage and a .303 Lewis gun (7.7 mm) that was mounted on the top wing.
Sopwith Camel: This is another legendary British single-seat biplane fighter aircraft that was known for its extreme maneuverability, particularly in sharp right-hand turns due to the gyroscopic torque of its rotary engine. This aircraft was armed with synchronized twin Vickers .303 machine guns (7.7 mm).
Albatros D.Va: This was a German fighter aircraft that was used extensively in 1917-1918. It was equipped with twin Spandau MG 08s (7.92 mm) and had a top cruising speed of 116 mph.
_________________________________
Armed with museum-vintage aircraft and combat vet instincts, these three pilots utilize their aircraft to combat the advantages that small drones have over more modern aircraft, such as the ability to operate at lower altitudes and speeds.
To combat the success of these museum-vintage aircraft, the cartels don't just build more drones. They bring in a Russian intelligence operative with stealth technology that makes the next generation of drones invisible. They deploy military-grade attack aircraft (Embraer A-29 Super Tucanos). And they make it personal—targeting the pilots' families, their community, everything they've spent a lifetime protecting.
These three aging warriors must decide how far they're willing to go. Across the border. Beyond the law. Past the point of no return. Because the only thing more dangerous than fighting a war you can't win is knowing you're the only ones willing to fight it at all.
On my self-appointed five-star scale, I would give this book a definite four stars. I would highly recommend this book to aficionados of the aviation thriller genre. Sure to soon be a favourite of readers who enjoy the writings of Clive Cussler, Stephen Coonts, and Dale Brown.
The Southern Border Squadron delivers high-octane air combat, authentic aviation detail, and a ripped-from-the-headlines conflict where yesterday’s pilots face tomorrow’s war.
As with all my literary rants, this is just my five cents' worth.
The premise of this book involves a methodology that is rapidly becoming a growing concern for U.S. law enforcement agencies -more specifically, the extensive use of drones to smuggle drugs, especially potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl and methamphetamine, across the U.S.-Mexico border. According to Goodreads, this is the debut novel for Eric W. Ristau.
The author has taken a unique approach to combat this threat in his latest aviation thriller by utilizing a mix of vintage aircraft to shoot down the cartel drones (as well as any incursions over the Sonoran Desert).
Every day, Mexican cartels fly drones across the southern border carrying fentanyl—and Washington can’t stop them without shutting down half the Southwest. The Pentagon's counter-drone weapons would shut down every cell phone and GPS signal for fifty miles. The US government seems powerless to stop them.
The initiating event in this novel is the unfolding crisis of cartel-driven lawlessness and violence along the U.S.-Mexico border, which is further personalized following the death of a young woman in the local community due to fentanyl, a 100% synthetic drug developed in 1960 as an anesthesia.
It is at this time that a former Vietnam-era pilot, Dale Grant, and two fellow combat veterans decide to take matters into their own hands. Utilizing the contents of a local aviation museum - more specifically, three World War I-era bi-planes - stocked with flyable warbirds and the machine guns to match, they do what no one in Washington has the nerve to do. They begin to hunt down the cartel drones (in broad daylight) and are successful in their initial forays against the cartel.
_________________________________
The World War I aircraft used in this book are:
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5A: A premier British single-seat biplane fighter that was introduced in June 1917. This aircraft was designed for superior high-altitude performance, stability, and speed. Powered by a 200 HP Wolseley Viper engine capable of speeds roughly between 134-138 mph. This aircraft was armed with both a synchronized .303 Vickers machine gun (7.7 mm) on the fuselage and a .303 Lewis gun (7.7 mm) that was mounted on the top wing.
Sopwith Camel: This is another legendary British single-seat biplane fighter aircraft that was known for its extreme maneuverability, particularly in sharp right-hand turns due to the gyroscopic torque of its rotary engine. This aircraft was armed with synchronized twin Vickers .303 machine guns (7.7 mm).
Albatros D.Va: This was a German fighter aircraft that was used extensively in 1917-1918. It was equipped with twin Spandau MG 08s (7.92 mm) and had a top cruising speed of 116 mph.
_________________________________
Armed with museum-vintage aircraft and combat vet instincts, these three pilots utilize their aircraft to combat the advantages that small drones have over more modern aircraft, such as the ability to operate at lower altitudes and speeds.
To combat the success of these museum-vintage aircraft, the cartels don't just build more drones. They bring in a Russian intelligence operative with stealth technology that makes the next generation of drones invisible. They deploy military-grade attack aircraft (Embraer A-29 Super Tucanos). And they make it personal—targeting the pilots' families, their community, everything they've spent a lifetime protecting.
These three aging warriors must decide how far they're willing to go. Across the border. Beyond the law. Past the point of no return. Because the only thing more dangerous than fighting a war you can't win is knowing you're the only ones willing to fight it at all.
On my self-appointed five-star scale, I would give this book a definite four stars. I would highly recommend this book to aficionados of the aviation thriller genre. Sure to soon be a favourite of readers who enjoy the writings of Clive Cussler, Stephen Coonts, and Dale Brown.
The Southern Border Squadron delivers high-octane air combat, authentic aviation detail, and a ripped-from-the-headlines conflict where yesterday’s pilots face tomorrow’s war.
As with all my literary rants, this is just my five cents' worth.
May 20, 2026
This is not normally the type of book I would pick up, but I was honestly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! The story grabbed my attention early and kept me interested all the way through. The mix of aviation, suspense, and action made it hard to put down, and the author did a great job creating tension without making the story overly complicated. The pacing was excellent, and there was always something happening to keep the reader engaged.
What really stood out to me was how realistic and believable the story felt. The aviation details added depth without overwhelming the reader, and the characters were interesting and easy to follow. Even though this was outside of my normal reading preferences, I found myself completely pulled into the story and looking forward to each chapter. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thrillers, action, or military-style adventure stories.
What really stood out to me was how realistic and believable the story felt. The aviation details added depth without overwhelming the reader, and the characters were interesting and easy to follow. Even though this was outside of my normal reading preferences, I found myself completely pulled into the story and looking forward to each chapter. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thrillers, action, or military-style adventure stories.
May 16, 2026
Old people in old planes take on cartel drones
Not only was this book hard to put down, there was more than a hint of truth to the plot. It was a book I truly enjoyed. I especially liked the escort and honor fly by that the 2 young pilots gave Colonel Grant after his bombing run on the drug cartel
Not only was this book hard to put down, there was more than a hint of truth to the plot. It was a book I truly enjoyed. I especially liked the escort and honor fly by that the 2 young pilots gave Colonel Grant after his bombing run on the drug cartel
Read
April 10, 2026Outstanding
One of the most fun, entertaining and timely books I have read in decades. War is coming to us here,like this.
One of the most fun, entertaining and timely books I have read in decades. War is coming to us here,like this.
April 21, 2026
THE SOUTHERN BORDER SQUADRON - The title grabbed my attention and the blurb made it a must read. I enjoyed the writing style of the author, the interesting and immersing story lines and characters, the touch of humor, and the steady pace. Every once in a while my breath caught, a rarity for me. It's too difficult to review this book without writing a book report. Source: BookSirens. 5*
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews