{"product_id":"viper-pilot-a-memoir-of-air-combat-isbn-9780062130358","title":"Viper Pilot: A Memoir of Air Combat","description":"\u003cp\u003eAction-packed and breathtakingly authentic, \u003cem\u003eViper Pilot\u003c\/em\u003e is the electrifying memoir of one of the most decorated F-16 pilots in American history: U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Dan Hampton, who served for twenty years, flying missions in the Iraq War, the Kosovo conflict, and the first Gulf War.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBoth a rare look into the elite world of fighter pilots and a thrilling first-person account of contemporary air combat, \u003cem\u003eViper Pilot\u003c\/em\u003e soars—a true story of courage, skill, and commitment that will thrill U.S. Special Forces buffs, aviation and military history aficionados, and fans of the novels of Tom Clancy and Dale Brown.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e151 combat missions\u003cbr\u003e21 hard kills on surface-to-air-missile sites\u003cbr\u003e4 Distinguished Flying Crosses with Valor\u003cbr\u003e1 Purple Heart\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSure to rank as one of the greatest aviation memoirs ever written, \u003cem\u003eViper Pilot\u003c\/em\u003e is an Air Force legend's thrilling eyewitness account of modern air warfare\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom 1986 to 2006, Lt. Col. Dan Hampton was a leading member of the Wild Weasels, the elite Air Force fighter squadrons whose mission is recognized as the most dangerous job in modern air combat. Weasels are the first planes sent into a war zone, flying deep behind enemy lines purposely seeking to draw fire from surface-to-air missiles and artillery. They must skillfully evade being shot down—and then return to destroy the threats, thereby making the skies safe for everyone else to follow. Today these vital missions are more hazardous than direct air-to-air engagement with enemy aircraft. Hampton's record number of strikes on high-value targets make him the most lethal F-16 Wild Weasel pilot in American history. This is his remarkable story.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTaught to fly at an early age by his father, Hampton logged twenty years and 608 combat hours in the world's most iconic fighter jet: the F-16 \"Fighting Falcon,\" or \"Viper\" as its pilots call it. Hampton spearheaded the 2003 invasion of Iraq, leading the first flight of fighters over the border en route to strike Baghdad. In the war that followed, he engaged in a series of brilliantly executed missions that earned him three Distinguished Flying Crosses with Valor; he notably saved a U.S. Marine unit from certain death by taking out the surrounding enemy forces near Nasiriyah. Two years earlier, on 9\/11, Hampton's father was inside the Pentagon when it was attacked; with his dad's fate unknown, Hampton was scrambled into American skies and given the unprecedented orders to shoot down any unidentified aircraft. Hampton also flew critical missions in the first Gulf War, served on the Air Combat Command staff during the Kosovo War, and was injured in the 1996 Khobar Towers terrorist attack.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith manned missions rapidly giving way to remote-controlled UAV drones, \u003cem\u003eViper Pilot\u003c\/em\u003e may be the last memoir by a true hero of the skies. Gripping and irreverently humorous, it is an unforgettable look into the closed world of fighter pilots and modern air combat. \u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e“\u003ci\u003eViper Pilot\u003c\/i\u003e is fantastic.  Lt. Col. Dan Hampton offers a personal, irreverent, no-holds-barred look into the life of an Air Force fighter pilot. A great read!” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDALE BROWN, former USAF Captain and New York Times bestselling author of A Time for Patriots\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003ci\u003eViper Pilot\u003c\/i\u003e is an instant aviation classic. Dan Hampton’s  thrilling portrayals of combat missions kept me glued to the story, and he has captured the essence of Wild Weasel fighter operations as no one has before.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBRIGADIER GENERAL DAVID L. MOODY (Retired USAF)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Dan Hampton’s \u003ci\u003eViper Pilot\u003c\/i\u003e truly impressed me--if you’re a combat vet, it’s sweaty palms again; if not, strap in and get ready. Filled with lots of action, here’s a real and up-close look at modern fighter combat, told straight from the cockpit.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eCOLONEL JACKSEL BROUGHTON (USAF, Ret.), recipient of the Air Force Cross for extraordinary heroism and author of Rupert Red Two: A Fighter Pilot's Life\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“An instant aviation classic, Dan Hampton’s Viper Pilot captures the essence of Wild Weasel fighter operations. His recollections and thrilling portrayals of combat missions kept me glued to the story. I am proud to have fought with ‘Two Dogs’: he is a courageous, talented, smart fighter pilot—always the consummate warrior.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBRIGADIER GENERAL DAVID L. MOODY (USAF, Ret.)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Offers a gripping cockpit view of modern air combat ... Hampton is a vivid writer and an unabashed warrior. ... An outstanding work.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The best air combat memoir I have ever read... An incredible look into the unique culture of Wild Weasels.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eTyler Rogoway, Foxtrot Alpha, a Gawker Media site\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003ci\u003eViper Pilot\u003c\/i\u003e delivers 300 pages of aviation fireworks ... Dramatic ... Hampton does a fine job communicating the hair-raising incidents of service in the elite macho fraternity of American fighter pilots.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003ci\u003eViper Pilot\u003c\/i\u003e is an awesome adrenaline rush. If you love action packed modern day war stories then strap yourself in and get ready for a gut-wrenching, g-force defying thrill ride!” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eALEX KERSHAW, bestselling author of The Liberator and The Few\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Hampton’s one of the most decorated pilots in Air Force history. ... We may never see his like again.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNew York Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A rare riveting memoir of a highly decorated fighter pilot that’s packed with grit, swagger, and great humor. Do not miss this one!” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eW.E.B. GRIFFIN \u0026amp; WILLIAM E. BUTTERWORTH IV\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Dramatic. ... \u003ci\u003eViper Pilot\u003c\/i\u003e delivers 300 pages of aviation fireworks.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"William Morrow","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44889190269157,"sku":"NP9780062130358","price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780062130358.jpg?v=1730230715","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/viper-pilot-a-memoir-of-air-combat-isbn-9780062130358","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}