Tango Uniform

Vietnam Air War #3

by Tom "Bear" Wilson

Tango Uniform concludes the trilogy that started with Termite Hill and Lucky's Bridge, Tom "Bear" Wilson's faithful story of the air war in Vietnam.

As the enemy masses for its greatest assault of the Vietnam War—the Tet Offensive—the American high command receives a daring new plan that could result in a quick and decisive victory.

Genres: Fiction, Aviation, Military Fiction

798 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 1994

About the author

Tom "Bear" Wilson was a career United States Air Force Officer with 3000 hours of flying time, mostly in fighters. During his 500 hours of combat flying, he earned four Silver Star Medals for gallantry and three Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism. He also served in various roles as instructor, flight examiner, tactician, staff officer, and unit commander. After leaving the military, Wilson enjoyed diverse careers, including: private investigator, gunsmith, newspaper publisher, and manager of advanced programs for a high-tech company in Silicon Valley. Mr. Wilson resides in Texas and has recently completed his ninth novel, Black Serpent.

Reviews

[David Melton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving and heartbreaking

This novel, and the whole trilogy, are written by someone who was there and knows what he is talking about. You get the fine details that only experience could put on paper. I had this trilogy recommended to me by a Wild Weasel veteran while reading about the Air War in SEA and it answered so many questions.

It is moving and heartbreaking to read it. You know that the US Government - unlike the fighting men - never fought to win. So much was sacrificed, so many men lost, by people who didn’t care. It makes you sad and angry to read these novels. But I wholeheartedly recommend them.

[William M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed

Fly A4 Skyhawks from USS Intrepid during the Vietnam conflict so could get the feel for this author’s words describing the Air Force missions over N. Vietnam.

[William J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

outstanding

Like being there only safer. But it brings forward the question what if America had tried to win earlier? What if…

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third of the books in Tom Wilson's trilogy set against the backdrop of F-105 operations in the Vietnam War. I had read the paperback version of Termite Hill some time ago but had been unaware that there were two sequels until they popped up in my Amazon feed.

Tango Uniform wraps the various plot lines up. Boys meet girls, key targets are destroyed and I 'walked' away with a sense of sadness at the waste of lives and resources expended in a war that a nation just didn't seem to want to win.

Tom Wilson has the same easy writing style as others in this genre who have also 'seen the elephant' like Stephen Coonts, Gerry Carroll and Mark Berent. Each of these authors has created believable fictional backdrops to their own experiences and recounted stories in a manner that probably would not be as easy in a non-fiction format - no doubt those who were there at the time will recognise people and events and simialrly note where such have been altered to protect the innocent or for editorial license.

If you would like to read about the F-105 war in Vietnam, Tom Wilson's trilogy is a good foundation for further reading...

[срфкдшу · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was an excellently written book, which accurately portrays the common airmen of the Vietnam War. It shows many hardships faced by the pilots, and also by the people who were being bombed. Tom Wilson adds even more realism to the story by including songs and jokes frequently used by airmen of the Vietnam War. Tango Uniform can make you appreciate what soldiers on both sides will do to protect and serve their countries in times of need.

[Tom Nolan]

paperback 4x6

[Joe Graf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

A great ending to the trilogy written by Mr.Wilson. Somehow I knew that the ending would be sad and at the same time uplifting.