Viper Pilot
By Dan Hampton
- Release Date: 2012-10-02
- Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Description
151 combat missions
21 hard kills on surface-to-air-missile sites
4 Distinguished Flying Crosses with Valor
1 Purple Heart
Sure to rank as one of the greatest aviation memoirs ever written, Viper Pilot is an Air Force legend's thrilling eyewitness account of modern air warfare
From 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.
Taught 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.
With manned missions rapidly giving way to remote-controlled UAV drones, Viper Pilot 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.
Reviews
Great! Couldn’t put it down!
5By Flcdb6Truthful, addicting, and well executed. You are missing the best author of modern air combat if you aren’t reading Dan Hampton.TAMU CORPS
5By Seagrams 7Giggem AggiesViper Pilot
5By Tommy2TowelsA great read for an ex-fighter jock (F4D 1970’s). The writing style gives the reader a realistic feel of operations in a fast mover cockpit. The attitude of fighter pilots is well described. Only error I saw was his assumption that he was the best. That would be me, Ace. Tom MacDonald OregonOutstanding Read
5By Raptor!As a pilot, I can say that this book is unmatched with respect to accuracy, suspense, and humor. Hampton has done a great service to the public by detailing the everyday life of a fighter pilot—knowledge which has become abstruse by no small measure. Out of all of the books I have ever read, this is my favorite. Every American should read this for the sake of knowing "what it's like" to be a fighter pilot. This book helped me garner even a greater appreciation for those who put their lives in harms way to protect us. I know it will do the same for you.Viper Pilot
5By KMoody001Great man, great story!Great story well told!
5By ChicoartistWell done! Hampton takes us through his varied experiences with a good mix of bravado, ego, humility, insight, and for us - most importantly - good storytelling. All required elements for a fighter pilot and an author. As an enlisted Air Force veteran of a fighter squadron, and a current aviation artist who has researched/painted the subject, and flown in AT-38s with IFF squadrons, I was generally familiar with much of the discussion, but Dan's personal story of his career in war and peace and his ability to strap us in next to him for the whole thing really educated me personally. Yes, there is a bit of ego in here, but cripes, folks, this is a fighter pilot's story, not your local bank managers'! Awesome book from the horse's mouth. If you are remotely interested in this topic, I am confident that you will thoroughly enjoy it. - Wade MeyersI felt like I was flying
5By KidDynomiteA thrilling ride that puts you in the seat of a jet fighter behind enemy lines and shows you what it's like to be a one man wrecking crew @ Mach 2.01. We were fortunate enough to have Dan Hampton as a guest on the Book Guys podcast this evening where we discussed our favorite parts of the book and got some extra insight not the mind of a US Fighter Pilot (Wild Weasel variety). 5 stars. Sir Jimmy