Apache Over Libya

by Will Laidlaw

In this military memoir, an Army Air Corps pilot recounts his experience flying Apache helicopters behind enemy lines in the First Libyan Civil War. In May 2011, after a routine exercise in the Mediterranean, HMS Ocean and her fleet of Apache attack helicopters were about to head home. But the civil war in Libya and the resulting NATO air campaign intervened. Soon the author and his fellow Apache pilots were flying at night over hostile territory. Despite Libya's cutting-edge defense systems and land-to-air weapons, the Apaches made nightly raids at ultra low-level behind enemy lines. They had to fight their way into Libya and complete their mission before the hazardous return to Ocean.Apache Over Libya describes the experiences of eight Army and two Royal Navy pilots who played a significant role in the NATO-led campaign. Despite fighting the best armed enemy British aircrew have faced in generations, they defied the odds and survived. Thrilling firsthand action accounts vividly convey what it means to fly the Apache in combat at sea and over enemy-held terrain. This unforgettable account gives a rare insight into attack helicopter operations in war.

Genres: Nonfiction

296 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[stephen struthers]

good factual account

A interesting read, more confirmation that the higher you go in the military the less you know. As usual its the people in theatre who know what needs done and how best to do it.

[Matt]

Very dry book, each action and contact written word for word no shortening for dramatic effect. I’m not taking anything away from the mission they did, just the writing style of the book, not my cup of tea.

[Malcolm O'Dea]

Exceptional!!!!

The task faced by these Apache's crews and their ground team in a new environment, a new operation and to develop maritime capability from basically a land based aerial platform is not to be underestimated. An excellent read, I couldn't put it down.

[Donald Pryde]

Good book about apache helicopters going to war in Libya

[Kenneth Flusche]

Can you believe it, an American Army Helicopter operating off a British Carrier!!!!!!!! By British Army Men!!!!!!!!

[Roy Szweda]

They said it should not be done – but these guys proved it can!
This is a brilliant book well worth the attention of aviationists and armchair tacticians not mention anyone in the services and politicos who command them to do the country’s bidding.
Personally, I was eager to read this one simply because it covers the debut of the “Sea Apache”. The Royal Navy can count on quite a number of firsts and this book describes one of the latest ones: AFAIK the first use of an Army attack helo from the deck of a carrier for interdiction and strike missions.
I have read other books on the wonder machine called the Apache and its achievements and can only thank the forward-looking powers that be who equipped the British Army with one of the world’s most effective aerial attack systems. Perhaps the Navy or Army could have prosecuted these actions (Afghanistan and Libya, etc) with other platforms like the Lynx (or Wildcat) but as you will discover in these pages the Apache excelled in what was asked of it.