Gives brief comments on the accomplishments and exploits of some members of the 49th, that, at the same time, give a brief history and importance of the Group

They were two of the greatest heroes of World War II. But only one could be top gun... Capturing the hearts of a beleaguered nation, the fighter pilots of World War II engaged in a kind of battle that became the stuff of legend-and those who survived showdowns earned the right to be called aces. But two men in particular rose to become something more. Richard "Dick" Bong was a bashful, pink-faced farm boy from the Midwest. Thomas "Tommy" McGuire was a wise-cracking, fast-talking kid from New Jersey. What they shared was an unparalleled gallantry under fire which earned them each the Medal of Honor. What they had between them was a closely watched rivalry to see who would emerge as the top-scoring American ace of the war. What they left behind is a legacy and a record of aerial victories that has yet to be surpassed anywhere in the world.

This lavishly illustrated photo tribute captures the international scope of modern day American and European amphibious helicopter operations. The over-sized, full-color format and lively narrative draw the reader onto the ships and into the air of the versatile amphibious fleet. The HMS Ocean and the U.S. Navy's Wasp-class LHD USS Bataan, as well as the Dutch Rotterdam are just a few of the new helicopter assault ships covered together with a fleet of new and modernized helicopters. In addition, the author includes chapters on the joint US-UK exercise Bright Star 99, the MV-22 Osprey, RAF Chinooks, and U.S. Marines. Whether engaged in full conventional assault operations or peacekeeping/humanitarian support, helicopter amphibious forces provide an increasingly important role in today's uncertain strategic environment, as this book clearly indicates. A chronicle of their contributions, including photographs of troops and ships on exercises from nearly every NATO force, the book will be a welcome addition to the modern warfare bookshelf.

At the beginnning of World War II, the Imperial Navy had created the finest naval aviation corps in the world. Japanese aircraft were at least the equals of anything then flying in the West, and in some cases (as with the legendary Zero Fighter) were substantially better. Japanese aircrews were superbly trained and had been battle tested in the conflice in China during the late 1920's. When war tore across the Pacific in December 1941, the IJNAF was more than a match for any of its opponents. It is not surprising, then, that Japanese aviators scored victory after stunning victory during the first six months of the war, from the attack on Pearl Harbor, through the sinking of the British men-of-war Prince of Wales and Repulse, to the fearsome raids on northern Australia and the IJN's rampage through the Indian Ocean in April 1942. Only after the defeat at Coral Sea and the debacle at Midway was thir force finally able to be engaged on nearly equal terms.

The author of Battle of Wits: The Complete Story of Codebreaking in World War II explores the innovations that propelled "air power" into the lexicon of warfare, from the first biplanes to drop ordinance to the high-tech wonders of missile-firing drone aircraft. Reprint.

This book takes the reader on an illustrated tour of the U.S. Army's hard-hitting airborne forces, from the Parachute Test Platoon of 1940 to the multiple global contingencies of the 21st Century. More than 180 photographs and pieces of art highlight the history of airborne units.

Describes the aircraft, weapons, tactics, and soldiers involved in submarine operations, from 1912 to 1972.

"Always at War is the story of Strategic Air Command (SAC) during the early decades of the Cold War. It explains how an organization dominated by experienced World War II airmen developed a unique culture that thrives to this day. The narrative begins with the origins of powered flight and describes how the early generation of American pilots developed their own culture and shared beliefs rooted in the promise of airpower."--Provided by publisher.

Area 51's most important military aviation developments are profiled in an illustrated format. When most of us think of Area 51, we think of aliens, UFOs, and controversial government cover-ups. It's easy to forget that, since the mid-1950s, the United States' famed extension of Edwards Air Force Base has served as a top-secret CIA testing ground for many of the most groundbreaking advancements in American military aviation technology. In Area 51 - Black Jets, author and military historian Bill Yenne offers the first fully illustrated chronology of Area 51's most famous aircraft projects, including Lockheed's U-2 "Dragon Lady" and SR-71 "Blackbird" reconnaissance planes, drones ranging from the early Lockheed D-21 to the modern-day General Atomics MQ-1 Predator, and the famous F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter produced by the Have Blue program during the 1970s. Each project is given its own fascinating chapter illuminating the aircraft's development at this famed location. But beyond the aircraft themselves, Area 51 - Black Jets also covers a handful of the many classified experimental programs carried out at Area 51 over the years, such as Have Doughnut, Have Ferry, and Have Drill - secret undertakings that successfully reverse-engineered such enemy aircraft as the Russian MiG during the Cold War. Illustrated with historic color and black-and-white photographs, diagrams, and maps, this book reveals Area 51 for what it truly is: a clandestine area for the United States' most cutting-edge technological innovators in military aviation.