Book Summary 1

My first book choice was a particularly easy choice to make. As a young child my dreams often wandered to the skies and I have aspired to be a pilot ever since. Becoming one the United States Air Force’s elite pilots must be among every young man’s dreams at some point in his life. Unfortunately for myself, I found out this year that I am not medically qualified to become an Air Force pilot but that I am restricted to the commercial industry. Nevertheless, I still look up to and have great respect and admiration towards the brave men and women of our nations Armed Services. I hope this have given you a more personal look at why I have chosen to write my review on this book.

United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Dan Hampton is one of the most decorated fighter pilots the skies have ever seen. His book Viper Pilot takes you on an uncensored journey into the cockpit of his Block 50 F-16 Fighting Falcon during his 20 year career protecting our servicemen and women from high above the battlefield. This book caught my undivided attention because of the extraordinary way in which it was composed. Colonel Hampton takes you right to the edge of the action and gives you the sensation that you in the cockpit with him on each palm sweating mission.

Col Hampton begins this journey by explaining to his audience the responsibility with which he was entrusted during his career: a “Wild Weasel” pilot. These squadrons were the elite, the best of the best in the Air Force. Tasked with destroying SAM (Surface to Air Missile) sites, this is one of the most dangerous assignments a pilot can receive. Col Hampton has been called “The most lethal F-16CJ Wild Weasel in the United States Air Force. The danger associated with this task is ...

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...verwhelming. This book is a tribute to the people who give their lives each day to ensure that every service member has a chance to make it home to see their family.

Colonel Hampton served a grateful nation and had a career that most can only dream of. This book gives the public a chance to see what everyday life is like for the ones who lay it on the line everyday while we are going about our busy lives. I can say with regret that there are days when I don’t stop to think about how many men and women are protecting me at that very moment. This book has helped me to do just that and I am better for having read it. To Lieutenant Colonel Dan Hampton and all the men and women of the Armed Services, I thank you.

Works Cited

Viper Pilot: A Memoir of Air Combat. By Hampton D. Print. (Harper Collins Publishers, 2012. X-337 pp. Illustrations, glossary, index. $23.00.)