Only the Brave

Richard Herman’s critically acclaimed aviation thrillers are finally brought together in this fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat collection.

THE WARBIRDS

The Pentagon, Washington.

When Libya provokes a world crisis, the 45th Tactical Fighter Wing is relocated to a base in East Anglia to prepare for combat.

Colonel Anthony "Muddy" Waters has a mission: to mould a company of poorly trained rogues and misfits into heroes.

His assignment is one that no other officer in the United States Air Force would touch.

But Waters has a fabled stubbornness and dedication unparalleled in the armed services...and the will to make the impossible possible.

This includes turning a superbly talented pilot but loose cannon named Jack Locke into a fighting force to be reckoned with.

Because their country could ask them at any time to fly their F-4s into the eye of the firestorm, to face an overwhelming enemy and brave the flames of hell itself.

Tomorrow that call will come.

And there will be no turning back when the heavens explode…

FORCE OF EAGLES

Iran.

281 American POWs were taken captive when the US pulled out of the country.

Now the US is assembling a Force of Eagles to bring them home.

The POWs, including one woman, have become the latest bargaining chip in Middle Eastern politics.

The rescue team includes ace fighter pilot Jack Locke, his weapons system officer, “Thunder” Bryant, Colonel Rupert Stansell, and General Lawrence “Sundown” Cunningham – and a company of Rangers.

The Ranger’s Command Sergeant Major, Victor Kamigami, soon proves he is a force in himself.

The mission becomes a race against a thirty-day deadline as a sadistic prison commandant works to break his captives' will…

THE TRASH HAULERS

Vietnam, 31 January 1968.

Over an action-packed 24 hours, three lives collide amidst war and violence.

Captain Mark Warren and his crew are trash haulers, airlifting supplies and personnel on their C-130 Hercules, the workhorse of tactical airlift.

Flying a Huey, the helicopter that symbolizes mobile warfare in Vietnam, Wilson Tanner is a Dust Off pilot who risks all to rescue the wounded.

At Se Pang, Colonel Tran Sang Quan comes into conflict with inept superiors as they initiate the People’s Army of Vietnam’s long-planned General Offensive and Uprising.

This is the beginning of the Tet Offensive.

Both sides face more than the enemy as superior officers manoeuver for political advantage, and where cowardice, prejudice and treachery infiltrate the ranks – on both sides.

In the air and on the land, raw courage, tenacity, and honor are the marks of humanity that deal with the wreckage of war…

Praise for Richard Herman

‘An imaginative action story told to perfection’ – Clive Cussler

“Too many of today’s geopolitical thrillers ring false, but not Herman’s.” – San Francisco Examiner

‘This is the sharp end, with vivid descriptions of air combat, the smell of hot oil and fear’ – The Times

‘A really fast-moving air force adventure story, with some superb action scenes which glue you to your seat’ – Bookseller

“Intricately woven…solid entertainment… Herman deftly negotiates murderous chicanery, political hanky-panky, gripping air combat, and steamy sex in a sweeping political epic of post-Cold War power struggles.” – Publisher’s Weekly

‘Gripping story...service politics, aerial combat and sharply drawn characterisation combine to make a first rate action novel’ – Yorkshire Evening Post

Richard Herman is a retired Air Force officer who flew C-130s and F-4s. While on active duty, he logged over 240 combat missions. He also taught at the Air Force Academy and served as an operations plans officer. After retiring, he turned to writing about the aircraft he loves, and is the author of fourteen novels.