Schiffer Publishing LTD

DEBRIEF - A Complete History of US Aerial Engagements 1981 to Present

by  Craig Brown

Reviewed By  Bob Ulrich, IPMS# 35901

MSRP: $49.95 ISBN: 9780764327858 Hard Cover, 8 1/2"x11", 224 pages, over 160 color/bw images www.schifferbooks.com Both modelers and history buffs will want to take a close look at this impressive book. Author Craig Brown (a former F-111 pilot) has assembled a comprehensive history of American air to air combat in the post-Viet Nam era, mostly told in the words of the participants. Following an introduction by the late, great Robin Olds, the book begins with the famous Gulf of Sidra incidents in the 1980's, through Desert Strom and its aftermath, and concludes with action in the Balkans in the 1990's. This book is indispensable for those wanting a deeper understanding of modern air combat, which not only isn't like World War Two, but isn't much like Viet Nam either. Two impressions will be left with the reader. First, the astonishing effectiveness of the combination of AWACS, advanced aircraft and avionics systems and modern guided weapons. Second, the equally impressive effectiveness of American aircrew training. Too often, especially as modelers, we focus on the hardware. In each personal account in this book, however, it is striking that pilots with no combat experience performed nearly flawlessly when an actual fight came their way. Many of the pilots say emphatically that their training was crucial to their success, and that any American pilot could have performed as well given the opportunity. Individual success in air combat has always been a matter of being in the right place at the right time and taking advantage of it, and that's more true now than ever. All the pilots also take pains to include their ground crews in the story of their success. For modelers, the book is a treasure trove of photos and artwork illustrating the aircraft and pilots that fought these battles. The 192 pages contain 160 photos, mostly color, along with artwork depicting the planes and men. Where possible, photographs of the aircraft at the time of battle are used. One fascinating photo of Craig Stevenson's F-16 Mig-23 killer, taken as he taxied in after the flight, shows his crew chief frantically waving away the photographer. Stevenson had an AIM-120 hang up on the rail during the fight, and the photographer is unknowingly standing right in front of the live missile. Some of the artwork illustrating the accounts is official Lockheed or Boeing art, accurately depicting the aircraft involved. Appendices include a complete list of officially credited aerial victories, and a collection of flight suit patches from the pilots. 'Debrief' is a worthy addition to any modeler's bookshelf, and is highly recommended. My thanks to Schiffer, and to author Craig Brown, and also to IPMS/USA for the chance to review this fine book.

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