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And I Lived to Tell the Tales: The Life of a Fighter Pilot
Lt. Col. Ed “Fast Eddie” Cobleigh flew as a fighter pilot with the US Air Force, the US Navy (TOPGUN), the Royal Air Force, the Imperial Iranian Air Force, and the French Air Force.
This is his story; a prequel and a sequel to his #1 bestselling memoir, War for the Hell of A Fighter Pilot’s View of Vietnam.
It’s all here; the life of a fighter pilot in peacetime, the aircraft, the missions, the tales, the women, the thrill of supersonic flight, and the tragedy of fatal crashes.
Climb aboard, strap in, and let’s go fly fighter planes!
This is his story; a prequel and a sequel to his #1 bestselling memoir, War for the Hell of A Fighter Pilot’s View of Vietnam.
It’s all here; the life of a fighter pilot in peacetime, the aircraft, the missions, the tales, the women, the thrill of supersonic flight, and the tragedy of fatal crashes.
Climb aboard, strap in, and let’s go fly fighter planes!
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2022
116 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Ed Cobleigh
11 books9 followersEd Cobleigh was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. After graduating from Chattanooga High School, he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech and a Masters Degree in Management at the University of Southern California.
Ed earned his pilot’s wings with the United States Air Force and eventually achieved the rank of Lt Col. As a fighter pilot, he flew the F-104 Starfighter, the F-4 Phantom, the A-4 Skyhawk, the Anglo-French Jaguar, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
He flew 375 combat missions in South East Asia during the Vietnam War in the Phantom, earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses. He was assigned as a Fighter Weapons Instructor Pilot with the USAF Fighter Weapons School, the US Navy Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun), and the Royal Air Force Qualified Weapons Instructor Course (Jaguar). He has flown with the US Navy, the Royal Air Force, the Imperial Iranian Air Force, and the French Air Force. Cobleigh also served as an Air Intelligence Officer working with the CIA, FBI, and the British MI6 branch on a variety of covert intelligence projects.
Ed Cobleigh resides with his wife, Heidi, in the Paso Robles, California wine country with their Arabian horses and Catahoula/Border Collie dogs.
Ed earned his pilot’s wings with the United States Air Force and eventually achieved the rank of Lt Col. As a fighter pilot, he flew the F-104 Starfighter, the F-4 Phantom, the A-4 Skyhawk, the Anglo-French Jaguar, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
He flew 375 combat missions in South East Asia during the Vietnam War in the Phantom, earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses. He was assigned as a Fighter Weapons Instructor Pilot with the USAF Fighter Weapons School, the US Navy Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun), and the Royal Air Force Qualified Weapons Instructor Course (Jaguar). He has flown with the US Navy, the Royal Air Force, the Imperial Iranian Air Force, and the French Air Force. Cobleigh also served as an Air Intelligence Officer working with the CIA, FBI, and the British MI6 branch on a variety of covert intelligence projects.
Ed Cobleigh resides with his wife, Heidi, in the Paso Robles, California wine country with their Arabian horses and Catahoula/Border Collie dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 30, 2022
Good read
Loved this book. Only a couple nit picks. JFK Jr. did not crash flying a twin. He was flying a Piper Saratoga single that was equipped with an autopilot capable of flying to touchdown but he didn’t know how to use it.
Loved this book. Only a couple nit picks. JFK Jr. did not crash flying a twin. He was flying a Piper Saratoga single that was equipped with an autopilot capable of flying to touchdown but he didn’t know how to use it.
March 13, 2024
Cobleigh’s book is a thrilling and captivating memoir that takes readers on a high-flying adventure through the life of a true American hero. Cobleigh’s writing is honest, raw, and at times, downright hilarious, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in military history or aviation. From his early days as a young cadet dreaming of becoming a pilot to his experiences flying combat missions in Vietnam, Cobleigh’s storytelling is riveting and filled with heart-pounding action. His vivid descriptions of dogfights in the sky and the camaraderie amongst his fellow pilots will have readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning the pages to see what happens next. But what truly sets Cobleigh’s memoir apart is his wit and humor. Despite the dangers and challenges he faced as a fighter pilot, Cobleigh’s irreverent and self-deprecating humor shines through, providing moments of levity and laughter amidst the chaos of war. His anecdotes about life on base, interactions with his fellow pilots, and the absurdities of military bureaucracy are both entertaining and insightful, giving readers a unique glimpse into the life of a fighter pilot. Cobleigh has crafted a memoir that is equal parts thrilling, poignant, and laugh-out-loud funny. Whether you’re a military buff, aviation enthusiast, or simply a fan of great storytelling, this book is sure to entertain and inspire. Strap in, hold on tight, and get ready for the ride of a lifetime.
June 3, 2023
Another great book
The author is very engaging and although the book suffers some repeat phrases and needs better editing with glaring typos, it is for aircraft fans well worth reading. I also like that he is unapologetic about what he was trained to do and is an American patriot, just the type we need as allies and thank goodness they are.
Greenham Common air show in the 70s you will never see the like of again because of the variety of combat aircraft. Marvellous. I note his amazement at the lack of academic qualifications for applicants attempting to become RAF officers, he refers to 'A' levels. I am 72 and can remember when studying for my 'O' levels seeing an advert for joining in the mid 1960s, then applicants needed just five. Today 'good' 'A' levels will still get you through the door but a candidate with a degree has a much greater chance of success. However, you probably still have a better chance of becoming a senior rank in the British Armed Forces if you attended Eaton public school, but the accent now must sound as if you went up the road to Slough Secondary Modern- Estuary English rules ok.
The author is very engaging and although the book suffers some repeat phrases and needs better editing with glaring typos, it is for aircraft fans well worth reading. I also like that he is unapologetic about what he was trained to do and is an American patriot, just the type we need as allies and thank goodness they are.
Greenham Common air show in the 70s you will never see the like of again because of the variety of combat aircraft. Marvellous. I note his amazement at the lack of academic qualifications for applicants attempting to become RAF officers, he refers to 'A' levels. I am 72 and can remember when studying for my 'O' levels seeing an advert for joining in the mid 1960s, then applicants needed just five. Today 'good' 'A' levels will still get you through the door but a candidate with a degree has a much greater chance of success. However, you probably still have a better chance of becoming a senior rank in the British Armed Forces if you attended Eaton public school, but the accent now must sound as if you went up the road to Slough Secondary Modern- Estuary English rules ok.
July 22, 2023
Great experiences
The Col had life experiences that 99.9% of us will never know. The only fault I have is how he can spend all those years as an AF pilot but never even mention any support troops who worked hard every day so that he could do his job. Without those enlisted men and women who labor to keep those aircraft flying with none of the glory and recognition he received he would not have been able to accomplish all that he did. Msgt retired.
The Col had life experiences that 99.9% of us will never know. The only fault I have is how he can spend all those years as an AF pilot but never even mention any support troops who worked hard every day so that he could do his job. Without those enlisted men and women who labor to keep those aircraft flying with none of the glory and recognition he received he would not have been able to accomplish all that he did. Msgt retired.
April 2, 2024
A Lesson in Wokeness
Stopped reading this book about 60 pages in. Mr. Cobleigh, I bought your book for a first hand account, not constant lectures on diversity, black (or lack thereof) pilots, women pilots, and other suck woke issues.
You probably have a fascinating story to tell. Stick with it nd leave DEI to others.
Stopped reading this book about 60 pages in. Mr. Cobleigh, I bought your book for a first hand account, not constant lectures on diversity, black (or lack thereof) pilots, women pilots, and other suck woke issues.
You probably have a fascinating story to tell. Stick with it nd leave DEI to others.
January 7, 2023
Life
What a life he can look back and say .
I did it all. congratulations .
One hell of a life ,hope I can say the SAME
What a life he can look back and say .
I did it all. congratulations .
One hell of a life ,hope I can say the SAME
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews