Bøker av Adrian Symonds

A lavishly illustrated exploration of the US Air Force Reserve in the 1980s. Take a step inside the day-to-day operations AFRES in the 1980s.

Stunning photographs illustrate this fascinating account of Military Airlift Command in the United States Air Force.

A lavishly illustrated history of this fascinating part of the United States military in the 1980s. Take a step inside the day-to-day operations of PACAF and AAC in the 1980s.

The latest in Adrian Symonds popular series exploring the day-to-day operations of the US military aviation in the 1980s.

The lavishly illustrated story of US Naval Aviation in the 1980s. Take a step inside the day-to-day operations.

'Fighter pilots make movies, bomber pilots make history' - or so the bomber pilots say, anyway. Strategic Air Command held a constant nuclear-armed vigil, ready to launch nuclear war at a moment's notice, twenty-four hours a day. SAC was responsible for two of the three components of the Nuclear Triad - manned strategic bombers and land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) - alongside the Navy's SLBMs. Also responsible for the USAF's strategic reconnaissance aircraft, SAC maintained a large fleet of tankers to support its bombers and spy planes. After a drawdown of strength in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, SAC rebuilt its strength throughout the 1980s as part of a wider revitalisation of the US armed forces under President Reagan. New advanced bombers, tankers and ICBMs joined the fleet with the promise of new stealth aircraft under development.

Tracing roots to colonial militia formed in 1636, the National Guard provides the militia of US states, districts, commonwealths and territories. The Air National Guard was split away from the Army National Guard in 1947, concurrent with the creation of the USAF. Guard units also act as a federal reserve; when 'federalized' by order of the President, ANG units form part of the active USAF. Traditionally equipped with much older hand-me-down aircraft types than regular USAF units, the introduction of the Total Force concept in the aftermath of the Vietnam War saw the ANG re-equipped with more modern types, receiving some new-build aircraft for the first time and more aircraft assigned to squadrons. President Reagan's military build-up of the 1980s accelerated ANG reform while the ANG took on an increasing responsibility for national air defence. Take a step inside the day-to-day operations of the ANG in the 1980s.

Tactical Air Command, based in the United States itself, held the majority of the USAF's tactical air power. The wartime role for most TAC units was to deploy their assets to regional USAF commands, primarily to the main Cold War 'front' Commands, USAFE and PACAF, as well as to Latin America and the Caribbean with the Southern Air Division, and to the Middle East with the Rapid Deployment Force (later Central Command). Therefore, overseas deployments were routine for many TAC units. However, not all TAC units had to deploy for their war mission. In 1979 TAC absorbed the remnants of what remained of Aerospace Defense Command, giving TAC the air defence mission. TAC also oversaw the USAF Tactical Fighter Weapons Center, which provided US and Allied aircrews with the world's most realistic training, over the expansive Nevada ranges. Take a step inside the day-to-day operations of TAC in the 1980s.

On the front line of the Cold War, during a decade that saw East-West tensions - and budgets - rise considerably, the United States Air Forces in Europe reached the peak of their power during the 1980s. Not only did USAFE expand, but it introduced a generation of advanced new types, developed to counter perceived Soviet advances and often in light of America's still recent, and often bitter, experiences in Vietnam. Eagles, Fighting Falcons and Warthogs joined the ranks in increasing numbers, supplementing still considerable numbers of older stalwarts like the mighty F-111 interdictors and the iconic Phantom, which lingered on in specialised reconnaissance and defence suppression roles. But it wasn't all fast jets; Ground Launched Cruise Missiles were introduced, plus a range of support types including tankers, transports and spy planes deployed from the Stateside Commands to support USAFE. Take a step inside the day-to-day operations of the USAFE in the 1980s.