317th Review From F-4 Phantom to A-10 Warthog: Memoirs of a Cold War Fighter Pilot- Steve Ladd

Steve Ladd the author of this book describes his life and career in the USAF and retired as colonel and Director of Operations of the 81^st Wing stationed in the UK. According to Steve the best job before he ended his career. What differs in his book from other authors who wrote about their career as fighter pilot is that he gives a good insight in what happens not only inside the cockpit, but also what is going on in the organisation and social life outside their flying desk.

You do not need to be a pilot to understand and appreciate his career starting in pilot training throughout different positions in squadrons all over the world. In the path of his Air Force career he was based in many countries, besides the States, Asia, the UK, Germany, Iran and Spain. And in the cadre of this book the local circumstances and atmosphere are reason for many funny stories, but also describing the problems in dealing with the local rules and habits.

His story telling is humorous in depth and accentuating that he is surrounded by well trained, loyal and professional colleagues with one common characteristic: they all love flying and trying to be good in it.He emphasizes also the fact that support from home is important because working in the Air Force means unexpected repositioning and moving to other locations and countries and you cannot to be distracted by an unhappy partner.

It is too much to give an overview of all his adventures in his different operational positions, but you read a lot about what happens in a long life career as a fighter pilot positive and exciting but also the dramatic insight when colleagues die in a crash and when you have to deal with incompetent colleagues.

He is honest in his critics and not avoiding mentioning man and place (…as we say in Holland…) but when reading this book his creed is positive and he calls himself a lucky man being part of a special band of brothers: the fighter pilots! The hardcover version is of a very good quality upgraded with some pages with coloured photo’s and containing 310 pages. A worthy ornament in your book bookcase. And yes!…there is also an audible version of this book!