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The Vietnam Air War: From The Cockpit
The Vietnam War is one of the most misunderstood military conflicts in twentieth-century America. Showcasing seventy-two true stories told by American servicemen who fought from the skies, this unique and historically significant collection is a stunning record of the air war in Southeast Asia during the 1960s and 1970s.
There is no political agenda. There is no partisan opinion. There is no romanticizing. These are simply tales from the thick of an endlessly complex conflict, raw and uncut, told directly by the men who were foisted into its napalm- and sweat-soaked clutches.
Occasionally funny, sometimes tragic, and often harrowing, these true accounts bring new and personal perspectives to one of the most studied and most maligned wars in America’s history, revealing with no Hollywood glamorizing what the war was really like for members of the US Air Force of all ranks and myriad functions who answered the call to fight.
They saw no choice but to follow the orders they were given. And for better or for worse, by the time they returned, each of them would be changed forever.
There is no political agenda. There is no partisan opinion. There is no romanticizing. These are simply tales from the thick of an endlessly complex conflict, raw and uncut, told directly by the men who were foisted into its napalm- and sweat-soaked clutches.
Occasionally funny, sometimes tragic, and often harrowing, these true accounts bring new and personal perspectives to one of the most studied and most maligned wars in America’s history, revealing with no Hollywood glamorizing what the war was really like for members of the US Air Force of all ranks and myriad functions who answered the call to fight.
They saw no choice but to follow the orders they were given. And for better or for worse, by the time they returned, each of them would be changed forever.
442 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 2, 2018
399 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 29, 2023
Vivid and authentic vignettes from a bygone era. There’s humor, drama, heartbreak and a treasure trove of information in each story collected in the book.
July 12, 2017
A good book. My only problem was too many Air Force Pilot acronyms. As a Marine ordnanceman I knew some of them but not all. I was astounded at the nonchalance our leaders had in the beginning of the war. I like the attitude of our drill instructors in Marine boot camp, you don't get into a fight to loose! But that is the attitude that I got from reading this book about our leaders in DC. Too many good men lost for nothing. Also, rushing new equipment into combat without throughly testing it, such as the M-16.
A good, great even look into the war from the guys that had to fight it.
A good, great even look into the war from the guys that had to fight it.
December 6, 2019
Excellent stories from multiple sources
I appreciate Col Ridnouer's efforts to bring together in the book the perspectives of different aircrew members flying various aircraft during the Vietnam air war. He also included ground crew members who were instrumental in maintaining and arming the aircraft. The brief yet meaningful stories of effort, skill, frustration, relief, respect and loss gave me an appreciation for that era of American warriors. Each story related why America is the home of the free because of the brave. I highly recommend this book.
I appreciate Col Ridnouer's efforts to bring together in the book the perspectives of different aircrew members flying various aircraft during the Vietnam air war. He also included ground crew members who were instrumental in maintaining and arming the aircraft. The brief yet meaningful stories of effort, skill, frustration, relief, respect and loss gave me an appreciation for that era of American warriors. Each story related why America is the home of the free because of the brave. I highly recommend this book.
September 14, 2021
This is a compilation of many different stories and reports from various pilots during the Vietnam War. Some are very exciting while others are not so much. Still, it gives you a good idea of the many various situations encountered during that conflict. However for someone hoping for a more cohesive or longer story line following a single individual or group, this is not that. Overall I give it four stars because I learned a lot that I hadn’t known before and really felt I have more of an understanding of the war after this.
December 23, 2025
I repaired F-4C weapons control systems in Cam Ranh 65-66
We were never told anything about actual air ops. Probably a need to-know or a security/morale issue. This book brought tears to my eyes and helped me understand what was actually going on out there. We just watched them go; counted returning birds as they came home, praying for the best. It didn't always work out for the best, sadly. God bless the crews in these recollections.
We were never told anything about actual air ops. Probably a need to-know or a security/morale issue. This book brought tears to my eyes and helped me understand what was actually going on out there. We just watched them go; counted returning birds as they came home, praying for the best. It didn't always work out for the best, sadly. God bless the crews in these recollections.
February 14, 2018
Great Read
I will likely never get to talk to a fighter pilot who flew in the Vietnam Nam war but I’ve always wanted to fly and in this book, I got straight forward information from some of the very best pilots who have ever flown, decorated heroes who are/were the best of the best pilots in the world!
I will likely never get to talk to a fighter pilot who flew in the Vietnam Nam war but I’ve always wanted to fly and in this book, I got straight forward information from some of the very best pilots who have ever flown, decorated heroes who are/were the best of the best pilots in the world!
April 3, 2018
It took me a while to get around to reading this book as I usually don't like Collections of short sometimes very short stories.
However once I finally did read this book, I found the collection to be a really good book after all.
I guess pre conceived ideas often prevent me from enjoying something that I otherwise would.
Never judge a book by its cover.
However once I finally did read this book, I found the collection to be a really good book after all.
I guess pre conceived ideas often prevent me from enjoying something that I otherwise would.
Never judge a book by its cover.
September 19, 2018
Consider it your duty to read
Simply a collection of stories of the heroes that flew the dangerous missions north of the DMZ.
Most take it as a daily duty, which it was for them at the time.
Fly with 100 Buffs, take an F4 60 degrees noise down at mach 1.2 to pull up at 5gs to evade a SAM.
This is all real stores of real men in really nasty situations.
Read it!!!
Simply a collection of stories of the heroes that flew the dangerous missions north of the DMZ.
Most take it as a daily duty, which it was for them at the time.
Fly with 100 Buffs, take an F4 60 degrees noise down at mach 1.2 to pull up at 5gs to evade a SAM.
This is all real stores of real men in really nasty situations.
Read it!!!
December 15, 2018
Great stories with 196 missions in Nam and a brother with 104 voice
Great stories. With my 196 missions in Nam and a brother with 104 Thud missions " Going Downtow ", I could relate..
Kudos to the author, a great tribute to those who served and remembrance for those who went West.....
Great stories. With my 196 missions in Nam and a brother with 104 Thud missions " Going Downtow ", I could relate..
Kudos to the author, a great tribute to those who served and remembrance for those who went West.....
January 25, 2019
A very good read comprised of many recollections from many people. As a USAF veteran of this era it let me know what many pieces of equipment, procedures, etc. were used for and how they worked. I think a couple stories found their way into this collection by means not immediately clear to the reader but still worth a solid 5 stars. Thank you.
September 29, 2020
Good read. I couldn’t put this book down . I read it in about four hours This book relays a great historical
First hand account of air combat in F4s F105s and the F111.I believe this is one of better air combat books ever written.
First hand account of air combat in F4s F105s and the F111.I believe this is one of better air combat books ever written.
April 4, 2018
Great first person accounts of the war history would have us forget.
These men flew into the most heavily guarded skies the world has ever known and lived to tell their story!
These men flew into the most heavily guarded skies the world has ever known and lived to tell their story!
November 10, 2018
Great story’s of courage and America heroes.
I enjoyed this book. Great testimony of airmen and their courageous efforts during this difficult war. Well worth the read.
I enjoyed this book. Great testimony of airmen and their courageous efforts during this difficult war. Well worth the read.
February 21, 2019
Superb
Lots of pilot jargon. No BS. Told from a pilot point of view. But easy to follow for non military as well.
Lots of pilot jargon. No BS. Told from a pilot point of view. But easy to follow for non military as well.
February 22, 2019
Great stories.
March 27, 2019
I was in the air with them. B-52’s in Limebacker 2. Well written.
September 25, 2021
Enlightening, amusing, occasionally terrifying.
April 5, 2023
Great short snippets of multiple pilots war in Vietnam, will lead me to read other books for sure!
November 4, 2023
Excellent collection of action packed short stories. Detailed accounts of air battles, and ground attack sorties over Southeast Asia.
January 25, 2017
First hand accounts
I really found this to an excellent narrative of the Vietnam air war from the Us Air Force perspective. It was an honest diverse collection of experiences from heroes who deserve our respect. Thank you for your service and thank you Col. Ridnouer for compilation.
I really found this to an excellent narrative of the Vietnam air war from the Us Air Force perspective. It was an honest diverse collection of experiences from heroes who deserve our respect. Thank you for your service and thank you Col. Ridnouer for compilation.
August 1, 2017
Superb
I am an Army colonel, never a pilot (except r/c) but few pilots have read military aviation as extensively as I. I loved this book. One of my all-time favorites. I will read this again many times, as I have "Thud Ridge" and "Palace Cobra." Perfect bathroom or bedtime book. I hope Col. Ridnour writes another with these and more pilots. Beautifully edited.
I am an Army colonel, never a pilot (except r/c) but few pilots have read military aviation as extensively as I. I loved this book. One of my all-time favorites. I will read this again many times, as I have "Thud Ridge" and "Palace Cobra." Perfect bathroom or bedtime book. I hope Col. Ridnour writes another with these and more pilots. Beautifully edited.
July 15, 2017
This was a great book about a dumb war. There should be a special place in hell for Johnson and McNamara.
ara. Many missions were suicidal and many young, fine men were lost. The war accomplished nothing. Rules of engagement were stupid. Why have restrictions in any war?
ara. Many missions were suicidal and many young, fine men were lost. The war accomplished nothing. Rules of engagement were stupid. Why have restrictions in any war?
January 13, 2018
True story by those who flew the missions
This book should be read by anyone who loves military aviation and wants to know what is was like to serve one's country in a tough, too political war
This book should be read by anyone who loves military aviation and wants to know what is was like to serve one's country in a tough, too political war
May 15, 2017
Great TINS
Great first person accounts. History by those who made it.
If history is written by the winners, then we won!
Great first person accounts. History by those who made it.
If history is written by the winners, then we won!
June 28, 2017
Very well done
I don't usually read compilations, but there is always exceptions this is one well worth reading. It shows it all.
I don't usually read compilations, but there is always exceptions this is one well worth reading. It shows it all.
July 29, 2017
Very good read. At times a little repetitive but still excellent. Nam was
Nam was a bull shit war but the stories relate to the efforts of our troops. Let's not do it again.
Nam was a bull shit war but the stories relate to the efforts of our troops. Let's not do it again.
January 17, 2018
Air power by the USAF
Good details but terminology made for a jumbled read. Tough job these brave crews undertook. Lives saved and lives lost.
Good details but terminology made for a jumbled read. Tough job these brave crews undertook. Lives saved and lives lost.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews