Download or read book Commanding an Air Force Squadron written by Col Usaf Timmons, Timothy and published by Createspace Independent Pub. This book was released on 2012-08-07 with total page 148 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The privilege of commanding an Air Force squadron, despite its heavy responsibilities and unrelenting challenges, represents for many Air Force officers the high point of their careers. It is service as a squadron commander that accords true command authority for the first time. The authority, used consistently and wisely, provides a foundation for command. As with the officer's commission itself, command authority is granted to those who have earned it, both by performance and a revealed capacity for the demands of total responsibility. But once granted, it much be revalidated every day. So as one assumes squadron command, bringing years of experience and proven record to join with this new authority, one might still need a little practical help to success with the tasks of command. This book offers such help. “Commanding an Air Force Squadron” brings unique and welcome material to a subject other books have addressed. It is rich in practical, useful, down-to-earth advice from officers who have recently experienced squadron command. The author does not quote regulations, parrot doctrine, or paraphrase the abstractions that lace the pages of so many books about leadership. Nor does he puff throughout the manuscript about how he did it. Rather, he presents a digest of practical wisdom based on real-world experience drawn from the reflection of many former commanders from any different types of units. He addresses all Air Force squadron commanders, rated and nonrated, in all sorts of missions worldwide. Please also see a follow up to this book entitled “Commanding an Air Force Squadron in the Twenty-First Century (2003)” by Jeffry F. Smith, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF.

Download or read book Sharing Success Owning Failure Preparing to Command in the Twenty First Century Air Force written by Colonel Usaf David L Goldfein and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2012-08-17 with total page 132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Command is the ultimate service. It is a time when we have the singular responsibility to create and lead strong Air Force units. A time when our passion for our Air Force and our vision for its future must be overwhelmingly clear. Early in the "Developing Aerospace Leaders" initiative, we began to focus on the way in which the institution teaches leadership and prepares airmen for command. What we found was a wide range of practices and a wide range of expectations - a complicating factor in today's Expeditionary Aerospace Force. We realize that preparing our officers to command effective, mission-oriented units must be a deliberate process. It must develop our unique airman perspective, creating commanders who are able to communicate the vision, have credibility in the mission area, and can lead our people with inspiration and heart. The foundation of our institution's effectiveness has always been its leaders. Colonel Goldfein's work provides valuable lessons learned and serves as a worthwhile tool to optimize your effectiveness as a squadron commander. This book is a must-read, not only for those selected to command a squadron but for all our young officers, helping them understand what the requirements of squadron command will be. Remember, command is a unique privilege - a demanding and crucial position in our Air Force. "Sharing Success - Owning Failure" takes you a step closer to successfully meeting that challenge.

Download or read book Flying Among Heroes written by Norman Franks and published by The History Press. This book was released on 2012-05-01 with total page 192 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: T.S.C. Cooke joined the RAF as war began in 1939, aged 18, and trained to be a bomber pilot. Rising to the rank of squadron leader and decorated three times, Cooke bombed Berlin on 7 October 1940 in a Whitley Mk V, nearly ditching in the North Sea. Throughout this tour he faced the usual dangers of wartime aircrew, his aircraft being hit by AA fire on several occasions, once almost having to order his aircrew to bail out but landed safely at the last minute. They were also attacked by night fighters, encountered icing and even shot up a train and bomber station at tree-top level.Flying Wellingtons and Stirlings, Cooke took part in the infamous 1,000-bomber raid on Cologne and Essen, before returning to operations flying Special Ops Halifax aircraft, dropping agents into enemy-occupied France. After a dozen missions, he was shot down but he and his navigator survived and evaded capture. Helped by the French resistance, they got into Spain and returned home via Gibraltar. Both men received the DFC for their bravery. While their story is not totally unique, their adventures and courage make this tale akin to an adventure novel.

Download or read book Sharing success owning failure preparing to command in the twenty first century Air Force written by David L. Goldfein and published by DIANE Publishing. This book was released on 2001 with total page 125 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Then-colonel David L. Goldfein discusses several themes central to a successful command tour. His ideas and questions will spark your imagination as you begin preparing for the task ahead of you--squadron commander. He shares stories from other squadron commanders that include both success and failure because, as Goldfein states, "it is from studying our failures that we learn, grow, and improve as officers and leaders." Maj Gen Charles D. Link, USAF, retired, states that "this book is a must-read, not only for those selected to command a squadron but for all our young officers." General Goldfein is the current chief of staff of the Air Force."--

Download or read book Fighting Squadron A Sequel To Dive Bomber written by Lt.-Cmdr. Robert A. Winston and published by Pickle Partners Publishing. This book was released on 2015-11-06 with total page 228 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An engaging memoir of Lieutenant-Commander Robert A. Winston’s wartime experiences as squadron leader of Fighting Squadron 31, which succeeded in shooting down more enemy aircraft than any other squadron serving on light carriers then in action. Robert A. Winston was born in Washington, Indiana, in 1907 and graduated from Indiana University. He worked for The New York Times and The New York News for five years before starting flight training with the navy in 1935. He flew in fighting squadrons on both coasts and as an instructor at Pensacola, and he wrote about his initial aviation training in Dive Bomber, published in 1939 when Winston held the rank of lieutenant. In his second book, Aces Wild, he chronicled his experiences in Europe during 1939-40 as a test pilot accompanying a consignment of fighters destined for Finland. Back on active duty in the United States, he served as a flight instructor, then in the public relations office in Washington, D.C. After the attack on Pearl Harbor he was assigned to combat duty in the Pacific, which he recounts in Fighting Squadron, published in 1946 when Winston was a commander. At the end of the war he was serving on Admiral Nimitz’s staff on Guam. From there he moved to Stockholm, where he served as the naval air attaché.

Download or read book Commanding an Air Force Squadron in the Twenty first Century written by Jeffry F. Smith and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 200 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Jeffry Smith updates the earlier release of Col Timothy T. Timmon's Commanding an Air Force Squadron (1993). In this book, which includes a foreword by Gen John P. Jumper and an introduction by Colonel Timmons, USAF, retired, Colonel Smith relies on the vast "insights, experiences, and recommendations" of former and current commanders to identify the attributes of a successful commander at multiple levels. He identifies some issues commanders face regardless of the level of command, including counseling personnel, dorm inspections, commanders' calls, money management, and the roles of spouses and families. According to Colonel Smith, the conduct of individuals in times of crises is the truest barometer of a good commander."--Publisher website.

Download or read book Stapme written by David A Ross and published by Casemate Publishers. This book was released on 2008-09-08 with total page 200 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This biography of the WWII flying ace recounts his legendary career in the RAF, his time as a POW and his postwar life as a beloved public figure. One of the most famous fighter pilots of the Second World War, Basil Gerald “Stapme” Stapleton achieved flying ace status in the Battle of Britain and was immortalized in Richard Hillary’s classic wartime memoir The Last Enemy. Born in Durban, South Africa, Stapleton joined the Royal Air Force in 1939 and flew Spitfires with 603 Squadron. His legendary escapades during the Battle of Britain account for nearly twenty enemy aircraft destroyed, probably destroyed or damaged. Stapleton later became flight commander of 257 Squadron and a gunnery instructor at RAF Kenley and Central Gunnery School, Catfoss. He returned to combat in 1944, flying Typhoons as commander of 247 Squadron. For his courageous combat during the Battle of Arnhem, he received the Dutch Flying Cross. In December of 1944, he was forced to land inside German lines and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner in Stalag Luft I on the Baltic coast. Nicknamed 'Stapme' after a phrase used in his favorite cartoon 'Just Jake', Stapleton was a larger-than-life character who became a beloved public figure in his postwar life. With his handlebar mustache and good-humored bravado, he became for many the quintessential ace fighter pilot. In this authoritative and intimate volume, Stapleton tells his full story to historian David Ross, author of the acclaimed biography Richard Hillary.

Download or read book Commanding an Air Force Squadron in the Twenty First Century a Practical Guide of Tips and Techniques for Today s Squadron Commander written by Jeffry F. Smith and published by Createspace Independent Pub. This book was released on 2012-08-07 with total page 198 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The concept of command in a military setting is nothing new. It proliferates throughout most good history books. Many different individuals have exercised this phenomenon called commander: Alexander the Great as he conquered the known world; Attila the Hun in the fifth century A.D.; Generals Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant against each other during our Civil War; and General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower in Europe during the Second World War. These leaders are certainly a varied grouping: they were literally and figuratively worlds apart; they were surely loved by thousands of people and probably despised by an equal number, and with the exception of Lee and Grant, lived in different eras. But they shared this one common thread – military command. In the United States Air Force, an officer's first opportunity to command in the true sense of the word occurs at the squadron level. Most Air Force officers who have been commanders will tell you that their command tours were the best years of their careers, and a majority of those who commanded at multiple levels will tell you that squadron command was the absolute pinnacle. This book is all about squadron command. Colonel-select Jeff Smith has done a tremendous job in gathering the thoughts and ideas of many commanders, including himself, and offering the reader the opportunity learn from literally a hundred former and current commanders. After conducting extensive research, Colonel Smith presents “the best of the best” on a wide range of topics that directly apply to squadron commanders. “Commanding an Air Force Squadron in the Twenty-First Century” does not pretend to present the patented answer to any problem, issue or situation. Colonel Smith does not direct you to ready or study instruction and regulations as if you need textbook answer to command a squadron – you don't. Finally, he does not discuss units other than squadrons and does not discuss squadron command as if it were accomplished I the first 50 years of our Air Force's history. What Colonel Smith does do is present a plethora of account of how recent and current squadron commander have approached today's situations, problems, and issues. He paints a picture of commanding a squadron through the eyes of a hundred individuals and offers it to the reader in a well-written, easy-to-read format that might be best described as “Dutch uncle advice.” Any commander or soon-to-be commander can pick up this book, read it, and come away with new ideas or methods that he or she will be able to apply to his or her own situations. Please also see a previous book entitled “Commanding an Air Force Squadron (1993)” by Timothy T. Timmons, Col, USAF.

Download or read book Contact written by Bob Tuxford and published by Grub Street Publishing. This book was released on 2016-08-05 with total page 225 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A retired RAF Squadron Leader recounts his decades of service in Cold War combat zones across the globe, including his crucial role in the Falklands. Joining the Royal Air Force in 1970, Bob Tuxford distinguished himself as a fighter pilot, test pilot, squadron leader and flying instructor. In this enthralling memoir, he shares his story of active service across the world. Among other episodes, Tuxford details his exchange tour in the US Air Force and his courageous mission during the Falklands war that earned him an Air Force Cross for Gallantry. As a Victor tanker captain, Tuxford had the job of executing air-to-air refueling operations through the 1970s and early 1980s. This experience prepared him for the vital role he played in the first Black Buck mission during the Falklands campaign. Tuxford was the last Victor tanker to refuel the Vulcan piloted by Martin Withers before bombing commenced on that fateful night in 1982. Later in his career, Bob became the senior test pilot on the heavy aircraft test squadron at the Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down. In Contact!, Tuxford offers an intimate look at life in the RAF while shedding light on the importance of tanker squadrons during the Cold War.

Download or read book The Army Quarterly written by and published by . This book was released on 1928 with total page 494 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Millionaires Squadron written by Tom Moulson and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 2014-07-08 with total page 275 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Imagined by an aristocrat in White's Club, London in 1925, a part-time squadron of wealthy young men with their own private aircraft was incorporated into a newly-established combat-ready Auxiliary Air Force, first as bombers, then fighters. The pre-war years combined serious training with frivolity and mischief, but the outbreak of war in 1939 changed that. Despite their social rank the pilots were thrust into the heart of the action, with mortality proving to be the great social leveler. From privileged pre-war lifestyles to front line deployment the lives of those who survived underwent radical change. Through the battles of Britain, Malta, the African desert and Italy the squadron's composition was transformed, and by war's end only a minority were British and none were millionaires. Britain had changed too, and the re-formed squadron filled with a combination of veterans and young middle-class ex-service pilots. The pilots flew Hurricanes in the Battle of Britain, and Spitfires thereafter until the arrival of jets in the '50s; DH Vampires and Gloster Meteors. The one aircraft they could not master was the little-loved mid-engine P-39 Bell Airacobra in 1941. Disbandment in 1957 of the by-then 'Royal' Auxiliary Air Force was fiercely resisted, but inevitable.??Originally published in 1964 to great acclaim, this second edition features a wealth of brand new content in the form of newly uncovered documentation and photo illustrations. It is set to bring the story of this eccentric and dynamic squadron to a whole new audience of aviation and military enthusiasts.??As seen in the Western Morning News and Epping Forest Guardian.

Download or read book From Lightnings to MiGs written by Russ Peart and published by Air World. This book was released on 2021-10-13 with total page 389 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A Royal Air Force pilot chronicles his career flying during the Cold War in this memoir featuring previously unseen photographs. It was supposed to be just a training flight. The two Soviet-manufactured MiG 21s, each with two practice bombs and four air-to-ground rockets, were lined up on the runway in Bangladesh at the height of the Cold War, when air traffic control suddenly reported an incursion by Indian Air Force Jaguars. Though ill-equipped for combat, the two MiGs were scrambled. One of the MiGs’ pilots was an RAF officer—Squadron Leader Russell Peart. On a seven-month loan to the Bangladeshi Air Force, Peart suddenly found himself at the centre of the simmering hostility between two neighbouring nations. By the time they reached the area that had been threatened by the Indian pilots, the Jaguars had gone. Later, when Squadron Leader Russell Peart spoke of the incident to the British High Commissioner, he was told not to shoot down any Jaguars as the Indians had still not paid for them! Russell Peart flew many other aircraft in his varied career, including the MiG 19, and while a test pilot at Boscombe Down trialled such designs as the Tornado GR1. But it was whilst he was seconded to the Sultan of Oman’s Air Force, particularly during the so-called “Secret War” in Dhofar, that he saw the most action. In that theatre the author flew some 200 operational sorties, 180 of which involved live fire, during which he was hit many times. He was also hit and wounded by a 75mm shell. Russ Peart has written in detail of his exciting RAF career, from flying Lightnings in the Far East to winning the top prize in the International Tactical Bombing Competition against a handpicked team of United States Air Force fighter pilots and being awarded the Sultan of Oman’s Distinguished Service Medal. Supplemented by a selection of previously unseen photographs, this uniquely original memoir throws new light on the operational flying undertaken by some RAF pilots during the tense years of the Cold War. Praise for From Lightnings to MiGs “Absorbing and highly entertaining. . . . I have no hesitation in recommending From Lightnings to MiGs as an engrossing and enjoyable read for anyone with an interest in military aviation.” —RAF Historical Society “There’s some pretty jaw-dropping stuff in here.” —Rowland White, author of Vulcan 607

Download or read book Building Better Leaders written by and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 91 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Effective leadership is the foundation of any successful-organization, military or civilian. While the consequences of poor leadership can be catastrophic in any organization, poor leadership in the military can change the course of battle, cost lives, and even influence the destiny of a nation. It is for this reason that the Air Force, as well as the other branches of the military, invest heavily in developing sound leadership skills in their young officers. The military is unique as it develops its leaders from within its own ranks. Officers remain in the service for relatively long periods of time thus allowing for education, training, and experience to develop the best leaders possible. While on the whole the Air Force does a credible job with leadership development, this paper argues that Air Force character and leadership training is failing to meet the needs of the force. Nowhere is that more evident than at the squadron commander level. The 2002 Chief of Staff of the Air Force (CSAF) Climate survey provided the most startling evidence of this when it identified that a significant number of sitting squadron commanders were rated low in character, leadership, and/or both by the airmen they were charged to lead. The impacts of poor leadership are sobering low performing units, wavering mission commitment, low job satisfaction, and a direct impact on decisions to leave the Air Force.

Download or read book Squadron Leader Tommy Broom DFC written by Tom Parry Evans and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 2008-03-26 with total page 284 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Tommy Broom is one of the RAFs most legendary and popular heroes of World War II. He joined the service at eighteen years of age in 1932 and after service in the Middle East, he first saw action against Germany in a Fairey Battle during 1939 with No 105(B) Squadron. He continued to serve with 105 Squadron until November 1940, a period that included the disastrous Battle of France and the low-level attacks on the Channel ports to destroy the invasion barges, in both of which actions the squadron suffered severe losses.Having completed more than his share of front-line flying he was transferred to 13 Operational Training Unit at Bicester, to teach the influx of newly-trained navigators the additional skills required for combat situations. He returned to 105(B) Squadron in January 1942 to complete a further tour. In August of the same year he was again posted to the educational role. In May 1944. He then returned to front-line flying until the end of the war, belonging to numbers 571(B), 128(B) and 163(B) Mosquito Squadrons.Tommy completed 83 operations during the war and teamed up with a namesake as his pilot, Ivor Broom they became known as the Flying Brooms and completed 57 operations together.

Download or read book Colburn s United Service Magazine and Naval Military Journal written by and published by . This book was released on 1871 with total page 640 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Moonlight Squadron Squadron Leader Leonard Ratcliff Tales from the Special Forces Shorts Book 3 written by Sean Rayment and published by HarperCollins UK. This book was released on 2013-02-28 with total page 36 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is Leonard Ratcliff’s story, one of five true-life recollections from the Second World War in Tales From The Special Forces Club.

Download or read book Colburn s United Service Magazine and Naval and Military Journal written by and published by . This book was released on 1871 with total page 642 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: