Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsOne of the best books in my military history library
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2015
This book came "recommended" by Amazon after I read "We were Crew Dogs" (I and II), so I decided to give it a whirl. What a great book!
It covers a period in history of tremendous military significance, as well as describing in detail a job that few truly understand outside of military aviation circles.
Regarding the book's military significance: The Strategic Air Command and the US Air Force fought a 35-year, toe-to-toe war with the Soviet Union-- and won. Few people understand what they did-- and how they did it. But the guys that crewed the "BUFFs" were playing for keeps. And then some. The B-52 is truly a world-recognized symbol of strategic (high level, and yes, high altitude) American air power. Those of us who grew up in the 60's (or 70's or 80's for that matter) knew what this plane could do- so learning all about it here, from a crewman's perspective, provides a truly significant contribution to a period of American history unknown to most.
I had no idea that these crews were flying low-level-- and I mean LOW LEVEL (500 foot off the ground, 300-450 mph!) flights-- in daytime and in the middle of the night. (I thought the B-52 was a high-altitude nuclear bomber-- shows you what I know.) I had not idea that these same bombers routinely flew missions lasting 16 hours-- or 24 hours-- in other countries, with one, two or three airborne refuelings.
And I not a clue that their navigators were tasked with not only being at the exact spot-- sometimes down in the dirt, sometimes high (in this book, 6-8 miles up was also routine)-- but they were to be ON time. And I mean, exactly on time. Down to the second. After flying for 7 hours and 23 minutes and eighteen seconds.. or six hours and 28 minutes and eleven seconds. No kidding. All this while dodging surface to air missles, staying clear of hostile air space, linking up with tankers, flying with two, three other aircraft.
But Jim Clonts makes it seem easy. Challenging, but manageable.
Some funny moments in this book. VERY funny moments. I won't spoil them here. But I had some times when I had to put the book down because I was laughing out loud, and my wife was giving me a puzzled look. "Good book? she asked. "Oh, yeah" I replied.
I served in a different branch, and had a different job... and at time before Jim Clonts served. But I found myself grinning at his observations of human nature, the miliary system, the Strategic Air Command, different pilots, different crew members, and yes, some of the close calls-- both in training and in combat, including Desert Storm.
I wasn't expecting this fine book to grab me the way it did, but I commend Jim-- who is now a search and rescue pilot in the Civil Air Patrol (as am I). From the moment I started reading chapter one until the last few pages, I found this book to be a real jewel. And I've read some great aviation books.
I am delighted to heartily recommend this book for anyone simply interested in the B-52, or the Air Force-- to those "die hard few" out there (like me) who are always looking for a fresh perspective-- a new story well told.
