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Immediate Response: The Centenary Collection
In 1918, the RAF was established as the world's first independent air force. To mark the 100th anniversary of its creation, Penguin are publishing the Centenary Collection, a series of six classic books highlighting the skill, heroism esprit de cor ps that have characterised the Royal Air Force throughout its first century. The gripping true story of a Royal Marine helicopter pilot at war in Afghanistan. Major Mark Hammond was awarded the DFC, which ranks third after the VC, for remarkable feats in Afghanistan in his Chinook helicopter. Like the other Chinook pilots and crews, and the surgical teams who travelled with them, Major Hammond regularly put his own life in danger to save the lives of others. Three times on the night of 6 September 2006 he flew into hostile zones to pick up injured soldiers. During an attempt to land at the Para outpost in Musa Qala two rocket-propelled grenades passed within 10ft of his helicopter and four rounds hit it. He aborted the mission. On returning to Camp Bastion he found a new Chinook and made another trip, rescuing a soldier while still under heavy fire. Immediate Response is Major Mark Hammond's highly personal account of combat and provides readers with a vivid account of the brutal realities of war.
336 pages, Paperback
First published September 22, 2009
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Mark Hammond
19 booksLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 5, 2010
I usually love reading "one man's account" style war books - one of my favourites of recent years being SNIPER ONE. I looked forward to enjoying this one in the same way, but it just didn't do it for me.
The technical aspects of the conflict are fine. We learn plenty about flying Chinooks and rescuing/deploying soldiers in the heat of battle. We learn about the threats of RPGs and Taliban soldiers and what a misplaced round can do to a helicopter.
However, this account seems long-winded. It's a lengthy book, and little seems to happen - apart from some repetitive set-pieces and a second part that feels like it's been hastily tacked on. I didn't much care for the author's 'macho' tone either which infuses all of the text, especially in the larking around scenes inbetween the moments of conflict.
Not a bad book by any means, but certainly not a favourite of mine; just one of those books that didn't "connect". I think the Andy McNab-edited SPOKEN FROM THE FRONT, a collection of anecdotes describing fighting in Afghanistan from lots of different soldiers' viewspoints, has the edge on this.
The technical aspects of the conflict are fine. We learn plenty about flying Chinooks and rescuing/deploying soldiers in the heat of battle. We learn about the threats of RPGs and Taliban soldiers and what a misplaced round can do to a helicopter.
However, this account seems long-winded. It's a lengthy book, and little seems to happen - apart from some repetitive set-pieces and a second part that feels like it's been hastily tacked on. I didn't much care for the author's 'macho' tone either which infuses all of the text, especially in the larking around scenes inbetween the moments of conflict.
Not a bad book by any means, but certainly not a favourite of mine; just one of those books that didn't "connect". I think the Andy McNab-edited SPOKEN FROM THE FRONT, a collection of anecdotes describing fighting in Afghanistan from lots of different soldiers' viewspoints, has the edge on this.
December 14, 2012
The author takes us on one hell of a roller-coaster ride through the Helmand district of Afghanistan, giving us a unique view of the war from the cockpit of his Chinook. It is easy to see why so many pilots have a love affair with these huge ungainly looking machines. Hardly altered since coming into service in the 60’s, these birds can take a huge thumping why still being able to perform their varied roles.
The bravery shown by the pilots and crews of these helicopters is truly breath taking. They put their life on the line time and time again to deliver help and support to the troops on the ground. So buckle in and get ready to experience the madness of being a Chinook pilot in Afghanistan. I hope you bought a spare pair of undies.
The bravery shown by the pilots and crews of these helicopters is truly breath taking. They put their life on the line time and time again to deliver help and support to the troops on the ground. So buckle in and get ready to experience the madness of being a Chinook pilot in Afghanistan. I hope you bought a spare pair of undies.
October 18, 2018
To be totally honest I finished this last weekend but had no internet and then totally forgot to update Goodreads,
And now I can't think what to say without spoilers...
The books reads as if it's unfiltered, as much as I've read a fair few books that give an honest soldiers perspective a lot of them read like a writer wrote them, if that makes sense. You don't get the same slang or terminology that you'd see in real life (possibly for fear of alienating those from different localities of who have learnt English rather than the more localised 'Scouse', 'Manc' or 'Cockney').
I'm not saying that other books don't represent people as if they were real people but it's the one thing that stood out to me in Immediate response that I'd never really thought about before. I just wish I could remember the exact phrase that made it dawn on me...
Otherwise it's another book where I was seeing events I'd read about before but from an entirely different perspective, reading about Sangin and Lastay Kulang but from the Chinook Pilot's eyes rather than the infantryman, it's really interesting.
And again it's pretty well written, typical airman's genuine love for their machinery (not a negative) so you get some great descriptions and comparisons in there if you're into that.
Plus a nice little view of how things might affect home life (like misreporting in the news), which is something I don't recall reading much of.
Overall it's decent, I'd happily recommend though I do wish I could find the photo of the 3 Chinook's taking off somewhere online/in print because it's an ace shot.
And now I can't think what to say without spoilers...
The books reads as if it's unfiltered, as much as I've read a fair few books that give an honest soldiers perspective a lot of them read like a writer wrote them, if that makes sense. You don't get the same slang or terminology that you'd see in real life (possibly for fear of alienating those from different localities of who have learnt English rather than the more localised 'Scouse', 'Manc' or 'Cockney').
I'm not saying that other books don't represent people as if they were real people but it's the one thing that stood out to me in Immediate response that I'd never really thought about before. I just wish I could remember the exact phrase that made it dawn on me...
Otherwise it's another book where I was seeing events I'd read about before but from an entirely different perspective, reading about Sangin and Lastay Kulang but from the Chinook Pilot's eyes rather than the infantryman, it's really interesting.
And again it's pretty well written, typical airman's genuine love for their machinery (not a negative) so you get some great descriptions and comparisons in there if you're into that.
Plus a nice little view of how things might affect home life (like misreporting in the news), which is something I don't recall reading much of.
Overall it's decent, I'd happily recommend though I do wish I could find the photo of the 3 Chinook's taking off somewhere online/in print because it's an ace shot.
September 17, 2018
An interesting read detailing everyday life on a Chinook squadron in Afghanistan... Only it's not.
The author won a well deserved DFC for the actions of one night's casualty evacuation flying.
The writing style is rather unusual but still a very readable book.
As I write this review I can hear a Chinook from Odiham thumping overhead and wonder stories that craft's pilot has to tell!
The author won a well deserved DFC for the actions of one night's casualty evacuation flying.
The writing style is rather unusual but still a very readable book.
As I write this review I can hear a Chinook from Odiham thumping overhead and wonder stories that craft's pilot has to tell!
December 15, 2020
Realism without any bull
This is a no hold barred account of life on the edge and the importance of being able to depend on the skills learned and required to survive under fire and the importance of teamwork and unabridged dependence of those around you to do their jobs without thought for their own safety.
To so few we owe so much.
This is a no hold barred account of life on the edge and the importance of being able to depend on the skills learned and required to survive under fire and the importance of teamwork and unabridged dependence of those around you to do their jobs without thought for their own safety.
To so few we owe so much.
May 15, 2022
I hated this book when I started it, thought the guy was unbearable. But by the time you finish it, you’re almost charmed by him. The accounts of Afghan from the air air, in equal parts, terrifying and exhilarating. Still think he goes in a bit too hard on the REMF guys, but his love of the job is clear.
May 3, 2019
Excellent read
Good to read what it was like from an aircrew perspective. Amusing, enlightening and a tale of men and women just doing there job but determined to do the best they can often in difficult environments.
Good to read what it was like from an aircrew perspective. Amusing, enlightening and a tale of men and women just doing there job but determined to do the best they can often in difficult environments.
July 25, 2019
An excellent account of Major Mark Hammond, a Chinook pilot's time in Afghanistan.
It's fairly edge of the seat stuff, you can feel like you're actually there sometimes.
Well written and with good humour too, it's one of the better accounts of the war in Afghanistan.
It's fairly edge of the seat stuff, you can feel like you're actually there sometimes.
Well written and with good humour too, it's one of the better accounts of the war in Afghanistan.
May 11, 2020
Served with mark on Iraq operations through CHF via HMS OCEAN great book!!
August 27, 2022
Interesting, but averagely written war story. Enthusiasts only.
October 25, 2011
A fascinating personal account of the Afghanistan theatre but in places seemed a bit long winded. Major Hammond's experiences are well documented and seem to provide the "real" perspective of fighting modern battles. A light and easy read that packs a punch.
April 8, 2012
A bit biased because I ghostwrote it!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews