Dale Brown's series of hypothetical stories where the US Air Force bomber command saves the day (more or less) continues with a visit to Iran. Iran has access to an old Russian carrier and when neighbouring states and the US disables a forward outpost (i.e. blows it up along with any humans there), they use the carrier for retribution. From there on it escalates.

The star of the show this time is a B2A Spirit Stealth bomber.

The books have some attraction but they are also stupid and silly and plain out wrong in many aspects. Enjoy them if you will but don't believe anything has any connection with reality. ( )

Listened to the abridged audio book. ( )

Set in 2001/2002?

Story
Iran has launched a aircraft carrier. "Valley Mistress" spy ship is caught spying on the carrier using a small drone developed by ? Masters. "Valley Mistress" sunk by Iranian.

The President asks Philip Freeman to re-create HAWC with McLanahan as leader.

Hal Briggs rescues most of the "Valley Mistress" but some UAE solders killed.

Technology

B-2B Spirit "Stealth" bomber
"Distruper" missiles - dropped from B-2
OV-10 Bronco - used by UAE soldiers to rescue crew

Characters

? Masters - inventor
Hal Briggs - SpecOps soldier
? Martindale - Newly elected President
Ellen Whiting - Vice President
Arthur Chastian - Secretary of Defence
Philip Freeman - National Security Advisor
Terrill Samson - Airforce LGen
Lieutenant Colonel Pat McLanahan - retired
Wendy Tork - EWO - retired

Enjoyable, though tactical, reading that contains multiple scenes of switch position description. The plot involves a maniac Iranian who stirs up action in the region and is quelled by our hero McLanahan flying a modified B-2 that does weird stuff. The characters include some Iranians, portrayed in a childlike manner, as well as some of the US leadership...portrayed the same way. The author continues his tradition of weak characters and very tactical discussions of fantasy military hardware. ( )

The 5th instalment in the Patrick McLanahan storyline is a solid addition to the series.

After being disbanded in 'Day of the Cheetah' Patrick is recruited to fly the B-2A stealth bomber, specifically a test airframe he helped design, against a belligerent Iran who wishes to exert control over the region.

Written in 1996 is almost parallels some of the chest-beating done by Iran in recent times in regards to the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding areas. Lots of precision and excellent flight / engagement scenes.

Really enjoyed it, although I think 'Night of the Hawk' may be the best of the series. (Hammerheads was excellent and features McLanahan but technically isn't part of the series - otherwise it would be my choice, highly enjoyable read, albeit long at 691 pages.) ( )