All Aces, No Jokers: The Wartime Memoirs of an American Fighter Pilot

by Thomas Littleton

All Aces, No The Wartime Memoirs of an American Fighter Pilot is the must-read first-person account of air combat by one of the most highly decorated, professional, and lethally talented warriors in modern history. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas “Axe” Littleton is a veteran of Just Cause, Desert Storm, Somalia, the No-Fly Zones over Iraq, the Balkan Wars, the Kosovo Air War, Afghanistan, and the second Gulf War. He was highly decorated, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, six Air Medals, and three Aerial Achievement Medals for heroism while logging more than 600 combat hours during 172 wartime missions. From dodging Surface to Air Missiles, to fighting MiGs, putting warheads on bad-guy foreheads, fighting to recover an airplane tumbling out of control over the ocean, and even encountering a UFO, Lieutenant Colonel Littleton lets you know what it’s really like to be a fighter pilot...strap in and enjoy the ride!

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2022

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

thrilling read and interesting to hear a first hand account of Operation Allied Force over Kosovo.

[Xiao Amu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of "All Aces, No Jokers: The Wartime Memoir of an American Fighter Pilot"

"All Aces, No Jokers" is an exhilarating and expertly crafted memoir that pulls readers directly into the cockpit of an American fighter pilot during some of the most intense moments of aerial combat. From the very first chapter, the book captivates with its fast-paced narrative and thrilling depictions of the skies in wartime.

The author's firsthand experiences are vividly brought to life, delivering an up-close look at the precision, skill, and quick thinking required to navigate high-stakes dogfights. The descriptions of the air battles are not only technically impressive but also incredibly immersive, making you feel the rush of the jet engines and the intensity of being at the controls. Even if you're not familiar with the intricacies of flying, the author skillfully breaks down the action in a way that is accessible and exciting for any reader.

One of the most impressive aspects of this memoir is how it highlights the camaraderie and teamwork that defined life as a fighter pilot. The strong bonds between fellow pilots and the shared commitment to each mission are evident throughout, making the book as much about brotherhood as it is about bravery.

"All Aces, No Jokers" doesn’t just focus on the action—it’s also a celebration of the determination and resilience required to succeed in such a high-pressure role. Every chapter is packed with inspiring moments of triumph, showcasing the dedication and unshakable confidence that the author and his fellow pilots carried with them on every mission.

For readers who love history, aviation, or simply a great adventure, this memoir is a top-notch choice. The blend of technical detail, personal narrative, and thrilling action makes "All Aces, No Jokers" a standout in the genre. It’s a powerful and uplifting tribute to the skill, leadership, and unwavering commitment of those who flew for victory.

Five stars for this high-flying memoir!

[M Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Riveting Dive into the world of combat Aviation!

The Wartime Memoirs of an American Fighter Pilot" is an electrifying journey through the heart-pounding experiences of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas "Axe" Littleton. This book is not just a memoir; it's an adrenaline-fueled ride through the skies and into the heart of modern warfare.
What sets this memoir apart is its unwavering authenticity. Littleton doesn't hold back when recounting his encounters with surface-to-air missiles, dogfights with MiGs, or the sheer thrill of putting "warheads on bad-guy foreheads." But it's not all about combat; the book takes an unexpected turn with his story about encountering a UFO, adding a touch of intrigue to the already gripping narrative.
Readers who enjoy military aviation and war memoirs will strap in and relish this captivating book.
Littleton's writing style is engaging, and his vivid descriptions transport you into the cockpit, making you feel the G-forces and adrenaline rushes firsthand. "All Aces, No Jokers" is a must-read for anyone curious about what it's really like to be a fighter pilot, and it's a salute to the dedication and bravery of those who serve in the skies.

[Eric Hartmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this memoir of air combat! The author does a great job of telling you what it’s like to fly a fighter plane. The descriptions of his combat missions are gripping. He also includes a lot of anecdotes about the fighter pilot lifestyle and his other flying experiences that were absolutely fascinating. There was even one story that made me laugh until I literally cried! I also enjoyed his discussion about UFOs/UAPs that he and other pilots encountered just like the videos you see on the news these days. Overall I thought the book was well-written and fast-paced. It reads like you and the author are swapping flying stories over a beer, which made it very readable and fun. I found myself staying up too late at night so I could read “just one more chapter” before turning out the lights! I highly recommend this book…it’s a Top Shelf book by a Top Gun pilot!

[Chad Manske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom ‘Axe’ Littleton is a fighter pilot’s fighter pilot! And that’s what comes shining through in this memoir of his flying adventures. A veteran of Operation Just Cause, Desert Storm, Somalia, Iraqi no-fly zone enforcement, Balkan Wars, Kosovo War, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom, it is chock full of edge-of-the-seat mission and combat sequences catalyzing a mach page-turning work! Tom takes us through his career as we see exactly how he earned his 600 combat hours over 172 combat missions, while in the process earning a Distinguished Flying Cross and a handful of Air Medals and Aerial Achievement Medals. All of this he did from his F-16 and mostly as a risky CJ (Wild Weasel) pilot. If you’re like me and enjoy this kind of book, you are likely to consume its pages in one sitting as I did! A must-read memoir!

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book and a great read!

I really enjoyed this book and was surprised when I came to the end, as I was completely engrossed in the author’s narrative. This book is gripping, entertaining, and a pleasure to read.

I only gave it four stars because the editing is atrocious. The book is riddled with typos, poor grammar, random words, and improper use of commas. These errors don’t detract from the story being told, but do force the reader to slow down to try to figure out what the author is attempting to say.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enlightening

Very interesting aviation memoir. There are plenty of wartime stories in here too, but I really appreciated the aviation information and insights. He was technical enough to satisfy aviation junkies, without being too technical and leaving behind people who have very little aviation knowledge. One war story was just about the funniest I've ever heard.

Having spent plenty of years in USAF circles, but not enough to satisfy my itch, this is the kind of guy is love to hang with and hear some more of his stories.

[Mubashirah Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an exciting book about a brave fighter pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas "Axe" Littleton. He shares his thrilling experiences in different wars, like dodging missiles and fighting enemy planes.
The book is full of action, and you get a real feel for what it's like to be a fighter pilot. With awards like the Distinguished Flying Cross and gripping stories, it's a must-read for anyone who likes exciting adventures or wants to learn about the life of a hero in the sky.

[Mitchell Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fantastic Array of Experiences

What a great book! I enjoyed following along on his exploits. The author and I seemed to have parallel careers, having been assigned to the same bases and retiring from the Air Force in the same year. But I, as an F-16 maintainer, had a different point of view (albeit not as exciting as his). I recommend this book for anyone interested in flying fighter jets. I also want to thank him for sharing his memoir with us.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Littleton has an extensive combat record as an F-16 fighter pilot flying missions in both Iraq and NATO efforts in the former Yugoslavia. This book reads as if Littleton is telling stories at the bar - there are some great stories in here and some good insight - all with a lot of cliche and some bravado mixed in. An interesting, accessible look at the career of a modern fighter pilot.

[Matija Krajnc · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit superfichial with a lot of macho bravado, US is the best and fighter pilots are even better attitude. The story itself very fluent and a fast read, with some nice details in terms of anti aircraft tactics i was not aware before. Some examples in the book are rather shocking as to how decisions to waste millions of taxpayer money are made by the "hotshots".

[Barry H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candid, pragmatic, worth the read!

The author tells his story without embellishment. The experiences described were told in a clear interesting and colorful fashion. A pleasure to read….

[Michael Bond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great yarns but needed an editor.