Once a Fighter Pilot

* The true adventure tales of a U.S. Air Force fighter who flew more than 400 combat hours while on duty in Vietnam * Provides a rare insider's glimpse into the world of the flying elite, detailing their education, training, emotions, and day to day experiences * Poignant, sometimes funny, brutally honest, always exciting, and an eye-opening look at one of the most tumultuous eras in U.S. history.

Brig. Gen. Jerry W. Cook, USAFR, Ret., has been flying for more than thirty-eight years. After ten years in the U.S. Air Force, he left in 1967 to fly for Pan American World Airways. Cook flew for sixteen years with the Arkansas Air National Guard, retiring as a brigadier general in 1986. He lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, and is a corporate pilot for Stephens Group, Inc.

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Kid's Dream

Where do I sign?

Welcome to the Air Force. Now, forward march!

Finally, airplanes

God's country

The boss's daughter

The Honor Code

Merry Christmas

The Honor Code, again

Descend lower

Aaa-haaa, San Antoine!

Number one?

Chase me back to town

Jets

Timing is everything

Mississippi Luftwaffe

What about my eyes?

Sabre

I wonder where in the world we're goin'?

Get your kicks on Route 66

Laredo by the sea

I'm your instructor: I'm here to learn.

Explosure decompression

What next?

Wanna trade?

If you haven't done it yet, you will

The great white hunter

Time kills?

Fear of flying

Failure, fun and higher learning

The screaming mimi

Fine feathered friends?

True class

Instructor follies

Still a mystery

One a day in Tampa Bay

School days

A lifesaver, a killer

Receiver ready!

There will be no accidents!

Ours is not to question why! (Don't bother politicians with facts)

Armed Forces Day

Mom's max performance club

Go get him

How many windows do KC-135s have?

One tough bird

What do you mean you fell out?

Air defense of the what?

Fighter pilots ain't grown men!

Needless nightmare

Like a farmer, outstanding in his field

Say your type aircraft

Missiles are supposed to be deadly! (for the other guy)

In the line of duty

Almost six

Go west, young man, about ten thousand miles

Where the sun rises first on America

Bombers, bombers, everywhere: Thank goodness, I never had to fly one of the damn things!

Welcome to the war

Which ones are the bad guys?

Sidewinder

Seagulls and paper tigers

Shot down, by a nurse

Number twenty-five

Surf's up

Through the cracks

Jam lucky

Parts is parts!

Come on baby, we can do it!

The Silver Star, posthumously

Ladies and gentlemen, on your left...

Next time, use the bomb!

What tree?

The race is on

Small world, isn't it?

Rank has its problems also

I can't do this!

Guardian angel?

Was it fate?

Quit leaving this ____ on my runway!

Another day, another way

A mind is a terrible thing!

Get it out, get it out!

The thud, the brunt

The longest day

Wayne's Waterlook (almost)

A most unlikely savior

The elephants versus the ants

"White Anchor, break left!"

Missiles (useless as teats on a boar hog?) Sometimes!

Famous, almost (infamous, so close)

Politicians and war (a deadly combination)

Why me?

Lucky number

About the author

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Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials