Product Description

* The true adventure tales of a U.S. Air Force fighter who flew more than 400 combat hours while on duty in Vietnam
* Provides a rare insider's glimpse into the world of the flying elite, detailing their education, training, emotions, and day to day experiences
* Poignant, sometimes funny, brutally honest, always exciting, and an eye-opening look at one of the most tumultuous eras in U.S. history.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #339232 in Books
• Published on: 2002-04-26
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .71 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Thompson, Doug, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 10/13/96
"Those more interested in modern-day, traditional fighter memoirs should take a look at Once a Fighter Pilot, by Little Rock's Jerry W. Cook, who now flies the Stephens Group Inc. corporate jet. Cook flew 400 hours on combat missions in Vietnam. Once A Fighter Pilot (McGraw-Hill, $22.95) is available in bookstores. He spent 10 years in the U.S. Air Force and was a brigadier general in the Arkansas Air National Guard before retiring in 1986."

Sanfelici, Arthur H., Editor of Aviation History Magazine
"The best personal narrative of a start-to-finish career of a fighter pilot I have ever seen."

From the Back Cover
"This is the best personal narrative of a start-to-finish career of a fighter pilot I have ever seen...factually accurate...pleasantly readable. It will captivate the neophyte to the world of flying and the old-hand as well."--Arthur H. Sanfelici, Editor, Aviation History

CLIMB ABOARD A JET FIGHTER FOR THE MOST HAIR-RAISING RIDE OF YOUR LIFE!

"Once a fighter pilot, always a fighter pilot." The old adage epitomizes Jerry Cook, who spent 28 years at the controls of Air Force jets, including some 400 hours flying F-4 Phantoms on combat missions over Vietnam. Here is an unflinching account of his experiences--alternately poignant and side-splitting, always extraordinarily honest and compelling.

Cook gives you a rare insider's glimpse into the world of flying's elite, describing the rigorous training required to become an Air Force fighter pilot and revealing the true nature of men thought of as swaggering, larger-than-life top guns. You'll meet flesh-and-blood human beings who feel all the fears and misgivings you would expect of people facing death almost daily.

Cook also whisks you along on heart-stopping combat missions. Fly with him in Air Force F-4 Phantoms over enemy territory dodging shrapnel, missiles, and other aircraft.

Along the way, you'll get an eye-opening look at one of the most tumultous eras in U.S. history--as seen through the eyes of men who risked their lives for a cause that threatened to tear a nation apart.