From a Dark Sky
The Story of U.S. Air Force Special Operations
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- $13.99
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
A fascinating history of the most secretive and unsung branch of the US military’s Special Forces, from World War II through Desert Storm
Very little is known about USAF Special Operations—yet their exploits have been as daring and their achievements as remarkable as anything accomplished by their brother warriors. Since World War II, these ultra-secretive “air commandos” have routinely performed the near-impossible, undertaking missions that typically carry them across enemy lines. From secretly inserting covert operatives into North Korea and participating in clandestine CIA operations in Vietnam and Cambodia to providing air support for partisans in Nazi-occupied France and rescuing dozens of downed fliers trapped deep in enemy territory, these courageous airmen have done the jobs that no one else could do, often in the most technologically advanced war machinery the Air Force has at its disposal. Sometimes called “ravens” or “carpetbaggers,” the air commandos have a history that has long been buried beneath layers of official cover stories, rumors, and deceptions—until now.
An expert in military affairs, Orr Kelly has already written what many believe to be the definitive history of the US Navy SEALs (Brave Men, Dark Waters). Now, he turns his attention to this unsung branch of the military’s Special Forces, relating a true story of courage, skill, and commitment that spans decades. With uncompromising honesty, he explores both the triumphs (Project 9 in Burma) and the disasters (the failed rescue of hostages in Iran) of these incomparable heroes of the sky, who have never sought recognition or glory.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The U.S. military has done a generally excellent job of publicizing the glamorous, dangerous and vital work performed by its special forces. The Air Force, however, has maintained relative silence on the exploits, indeed the existence, of its own commando units. This is partly because, traditionally, Air Force special ops teams have been particularly fond of deception and averse to record keeping. Military affairs specialist Kelly (Brave Men--Dark Waters) has undertaken the laborious task of writing the history of these secretive commandos. Relying on old-fashioned detective work, he has pieced together records and remembrances dating from the 1943-era "Project 9" in Burma to present-day operations. The resulting stories are as bizarre as anything to emerge from the annals of special forces--such as the 1944 mission to deliver British army mules behind enemy lines in Burma via balsa-wood gliders, or the courageous yet ultimately unnecessary 1975 mission to rescue the crew of the U.S.S. Mayaguez from captivity in Cambodia. But despite many episodes of high jinks and adventure, this isn't a puff book. Kelly records victory as well as defeat, analyzing what has worked and what has not for air commandos. His fine work should be of great interest and usefulness both to casual readers and to uniformed students of special ops. Photos not seen by PW.
