Deadly Blue: Battle Stories of the U. S. Air Force Special Operations Command »

FRED PUSHIES (Westland, Michigan) is a photographer and journalist specializing in military special operations forces. His photo documentary skills have earned him unparalleled access to elite units including the Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces, and Marine Force Recon. He is the author of many books including Weapons of Delta Force, Marine Force Recon, Special Ops, U.S. Air Force Special Ops, U.S. Army Special Forces, and Weapons of the U.S. Navy SEALs.

“These are stories of personal triumph and loss. War is nothing if not personal, and we are always mindful that our most valuable resources are the men and women who take an oath to support and defend with honor, who make the mission possible with skill, strength, tenacity and determination.”

— from the Foreword by Lt. Gen. Michael W. Wooley, USAF, retired, former AFSOC commander

Military success depends not just on strategies and equipment, but also on people. Deadly Blue offers, for the first time, an intimate look at the people behind CAS—Close Air Support. Their work is both delicate and deadly, their actions rooted in months of planning and executed with split-second timing.

Acting as a bridge between special ops ground troops and lethal air power, CAS demands a skill set uncommon even among the most elite military forces. But just as important is the mindset, the focus, the dedication, and the sheer brilliance of a very special brand of Airman. They include:

• “First on the ground” forces such as elite weather and conditions teams, and the advance crews that create airfields and landing strips—from nothing

• The combat controllers that coordinated airstrikes and support during the hunt for Osama bin Laden in Tora Bora

• Special tactics teams working with Joint Special Operations Task Forces

• And many more

Packed in equal measure with detailed accounts and stories of exceptional bravery, professionalism, and patriotism, Deadly Blue presents the American military at its best, and American fighters at their finest.

Foreword ix

Preface xi

Acknowledgments xv

Chapter 1 The Origin of the Air Force Special Operations 1

Chapter 2 The Fog of War 22

Chapter 3 Boots on the Ground 34

Chapter 4 SatCom and Saddles 45

Chapter 5 Tora Bora, Closing in on bin Laden 55

Chapter 6 Diggers and Yanks 66

Chapter 7 Austere to Operational 78

Chapter 8 Green Hornets over Fallujah 86

Chapter 9 Vintage Aircraft and Modern Techniques 93

Chapter 10 The Quick Reaction Force 103

Chapter 11 Dragons over Iraq 116

Chapter 12 Spectre, Owning the Night 127

Chapter 13 Operation Medusa 136

Chapter 14 Synergy of Command 147

Chapter 15 All in the Family 161

Chapter 16 The Battle of Najaf 166

Chapter 17 Spooky, on Station 185

Chapter 18 Urrah! 194

Chapter 19 One Period of Darkness 203

Glossary 217

Abbreviations Used in This Book 223

Index 227