Into the Jet Age: Conflict and Change in Naval Aviation 1945-1975: An Oral History FROM THE PUBLISHER
Rarely have the reminiscences of such a distinguished group of naval officers been assembled under one cover. Through the words of the men who were there and made it happen, this book tells the story of how change molded the aircraft carrier and thus all of naval aviation.
FROM THE CRITICS
BookList - Roland Green
Editor Wooldridge puts forward a superior oral history of the first three decades of jet operations from aircraft carriers. It is a record of progress, from initial experimentation to useful but risky missions flown during the Vietnam War to, finally, deployment of the high-performance, all-weather aircraft that form the backbone of present U.S. carrier aviation. Some of the material here will be familiar to the well versed, but much of it is hidden treasure, such as accounts of the early experiences of the Blue Angels with jets and of early jet night-fighter operations--both of which activities gave those who report them here gray hair. Besides editing the testimonies, Wooldridge, a former naval aviator himself, contributes ably written background about the politics, economics, strategic considerations, and technology involved in each major change in naval jet aircraft.
Booknews
The radical changes in US naval aviation after World War II are recounted by 19 officers who took part. They describe how new technologies such as jet propulsion, guided missiles, and atomic weapons had to be integrated into existing systems and doctrine while maintaining an overseas presence; how the front line of the cold war stretched along coastlines scattered throughout the world; how Korea was the proving ground for carrier based jet combat; and how in Vietnam they faced new weapons and political constraints. Includes a glossary of salty talk. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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