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Flying Blind
Flying Blind chronicles the adventures of gifted aviator Jean-Louis Thibodeaux in Indo-China during and after the Vietnam War.
Following the novel The Train by Tony Jordan, Flying Blind finds the young protagonist, who is assigned the mission of rescuing downed aircrew members, struggling to survive a 365-day tour of duty in a combat squadron during the Vietnam War.
Thibodeaux has joined the US Air Force intent on becoming a jet pilot…but sabotage and injury lead to a different fate.
A skilled nighttime helicopter pilot, Thibodeaux flies a specially equipped aircraft that allows for operations in low-level environments under the cover of darkness—taking spies deep into North Vietnam and then returning to bring them back. He and his crew must disguise these missions as night training flights and keep them secret from everyone, including other members of the squadron.
The story speaks to the uncertainty of combat, the rivalries among the squadron, and the heroism of flying life-threatening rescue missions, as well as to the horrors and the pain of losing friends.
This riveting novel also speaks to another kind of heroism—heroism that goes unacknowledged by the CIA.
Following the novel The Train by Tony Jordan, Flying Blind finds the young protagonist, who is assigned the mission of rescuing downed aircrew members, struggling to survive a 365-day tour of duty in a combat squadron during the Vietnam War.
Thibodeaux has joined the US Air Force intent on becoming a jet pilot…but sabotage and injury lead to a different fate.
A skilled nighttime helicopter pilot, Thibodeaux flies a specially equipped aircraft that allows for operations in low-level environments under the cover of darkness—taking spies deep into North Vietnam and then returning to bring them back. He and his crew must disguise these missions as night training flights and keep them secret from everyone, including other members of the squadron.
The story speaks to the uncertainty of combat, the rivalries among the squadron, and the heroism of flying life-threatening rescue missions, as well as to the horrors and the pain of losing friends.
This riveting novel also speaks to another kind of heroism—heroism that goes unacknowledged by the CIA.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 2, 2016
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Tony Jordan
9 books5 followersA former Spymaster and Counterspy for the CIA, Tony Jordan is a skilled and practiced observer of human nature. In his work he captures the essence of everyday people having moments of incredible lucidity, joy, tragedy, hope and faith. His writing is succinct yet graphic and expressive whether he is describing the onset of a cold December rain, the fear and elation of an air rescue mission or the Crow sung song of release as an elder lies dying.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 19, 2023
An emotional read
Brothers in Arms comes to mind while reading this. I’ve never served in the military but have significant experience with domestic wilderness search and rescue. Different environment, same mission.
Each chapter rings true and strikes emotional chords quite soundly.
Brothers in Arms comes to mind while reading this. I’ve never served in the military but have significant experience with domestic wilderness search and rescue. Different environment, same mission.
Each chapter rings true and strikes emotional chords quite soundly.
November 29, 2025
Great book that deserves a wider audience. If you know anything about flying, then you will really enjoy the time you spend in the cockpit as it is true to life. The description of a night flight being flown in “India ink” conditions brought back memories about flying around the carrier at night before they issued the crews NVG’s. Highly recommended.
November 19, 2024
Tony Jordan doesn't just tell a story about 1970s Vietnam; he immerses you in it. The lead character, J L Thibodeaux, is confident, fast-thinking, and smart. And it appears his helicopter air rescue crew will follow his leadership anywhere. It's a good read for sure.
July 20, 2025
Excellent read. Semi autobiographical tale of a religion major morphed into a combat rescue pilot. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews