None Braver
U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen in the War on Terrorism
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4.6 • 124 Ratings
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
From award-winning journalist and combat veteran Michael Hirsh comes the thrilling inside story of the Air Force’s pararescue operations in Afghanistan.
The first journalist to be embedded with an Air Force combat unit in the War on Terrorism, Hirsh flew from Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, with the 71st Rescue Squadron to their expeditionary headquarters at a secret location in Central Asia. Unparalleled access to the PJs, as well as to the courageous men and women who fly them where they have to go, often under enemy fire, allowed Hirsh to uncover incredible stories of courage.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A cross between Green Berets and 911 paramedics, Air Force pararescuemen--PJs for short--parachute or helicopter in, sometimes under fire, to treat and evacuate sick or wounded soldiers. Narrowly specialized, highly trained and bound by the credo"That Others May Live," PJs are the embodiment of the hyper-professionalism and leave-no-comrade-behind ethos of today's military. This gung-ho and often gripping account celebrates their exploits in the war in Afghanistan. Investigative reporter Hirsh loves to shoot the breeze with PJs while they regale him with anecdotes, brag about their maniacal training regimen and disparage other commando units, especially the Navy SEALs ("We don't think the world revolves around us," says one PJ."Whereas the SEALs do"). Sometimes Hirsch lets his subjects go on too long, giving readers an all too vivid impression of a torpid day at the base. But when the action starts, he depicts their harrowing adventures with verve and insight, writing in a laconic, acronym-heavy military-ese that aptly conveys the cool-headed grit with which soldiers cope with the chaos of combat ("Captain Self began to sense that the shrapnel wound in his right thigh was going to cause mobility problems as the day wore on"). A Vietnam vet himself, Hirsh retains a certain scorn for the brass, especially when they evince a lack of faith in the PJ's ability to get the job done. Full of special-ops procedural, you-are-there detail, and moments of real pathos as soldiers confront the horrors of war, this book will delight military buffs.
Customer Reviews
None Braver
Very good book detailing what it takes to be a PJ and acknowledging sacrifices up to and including ultimate sacrifice “So That Others May Live”.
Thanks Mr. Harsh
As a former MC-130 pilot with the 9th SOS, and friend of many of your main characters in None Braver, I applaud your efforts. Your book brought the memories cascading back. I laughed out loud and cried quietly while reading it. I started in HC-130 "King birds" when the 71st ARRS was still located in Alaska. I was lucky enough to call many PJs my friends and could not agree more they are beyond a special breed. Thanks for telling some of their story and also of the aircrews. My special ops days are long gone, but, there are those out there doing the job tonight, and every night. Anytime, Anyplace.
Thanks again, Greg Bentley
None Braver
A telling story of how USAF clear thinking enlisted personnel must deal with and overcome the ineptness of U.S.Army officers in combat just so "That others may live".