Danger Close
My Epic Journey as a Combat Helicopter Pilot in Iraq and Afghanistan
Amber Smith flew into enemy fire in some of the most dangerous combat zones in the world. One of only a few women to fly the Kiowa Warrior helicopter—whose mission, armed reconnaissance, required its pilots to stay low and fly fast, perilously close to the fight—Smith deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and rose to Pilot-in-Command and Air Mission Commander in the premier Kiowa unit in the Army. She learned how to perform and survive under extreme pressure, both in action against an implacable enemy and within the elite "boy's club" of Army aviation.
In Danger Close, Smith "covers each mission with edge-of-your-seat detail and a coolness that demonstrates how she gained the respect of fellow pilots and soldiers on the ground" (Library Journal). Smith's unrelenting fight for both mastery and respect delivers universal life-lessons that will be useful to any civilian, from "earning your spurs" as a newbie to "embracing the suck" through setbacks that challenge your self-confidence to learning to trust your gut as a veteran of your profession.
Intensely personal, cinematic, poignant, and inspiring, Danger Close is "the captivating story of one woman's fight to serve her country in the direct line of danger" (Dana Perino, co-host of The Five on Fox News).
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Release date
September 6, 2016 -
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9781501116407
- File size: 29998 KB
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9781501116407
- File size: 29999 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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Publisher's Weekly
June 27, 2016
Like a skilled helicopter pilot who skims the ground without churning up too much dust, Smith, a former U.S. Army Kiowa Warrior pilot, superficially revisits her years in the military. As both piloting and military service ran in her family, Smith grew up believing that someday she’d don a uniform and fly planes. The 9/11 attacks turned someday into now. Smith was still in college, though, and without a degree only the Army flight program accepted her—and only for helicopter training. She discusses her experience training as a pilot, occasionally peeling back a layer or two from the surface but studiously avoiding controversy. Smith does deliver deft, almost loving, descriptions of the Kiowa helicopter and the role that the chopper and its crew play in combat. Though comfortable writing about training, equipment, and missions, Smith sidesteps addressing military gender politics. This may come as a disappointment to some readers, given that all combat positions recently opened up for women and that sexual assault and harassment continue. She also shrinks from discussing the politics or the history of the wars. There’s no question that Smith was an accomplished and loyal soldier who served her country well, but readers will be left wondering why she didn’t address crucial aspects of service. Agent: Jim Hornfischer, Hornfischer Literary. -
Library Journal
August 1, 2016
While most memoirs about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been penned by male combat veterans, Smith's book represents a missing viewpoint--the voice of a female Kiowa Warrior helicopter pilot. Deploying in 2005 and 2008 with the Second Squadron of the 17th Cavalry Regiment, part of the legendary 101st Airborne Division, Smith flew missions over dangerous and remote territories in Iraq and Afghanistan to scout IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and enemy presence, maintaining calm under fire in the worst of situations. Smith begins with her decision to join the U.S. Army after growing up with her pilot father and a childhood of flying experience. The book journeys through basic training, flight school, and then in-the-air training. Through that training, Smith shares the difficulty of breaking through the "boys club" of military aviation. The author covers each mission with edge-of-your-seat detail and a coolness that demonstrates how she gained the respect of not only her fellow pilots but also soldiers on the ground. VERDICT A rare outlook in a field of wartime memoirs, Smith's account is a must-read and an inspiration for women who aspire to become aviators.--Rebecca Hill, Zionsville, IN
Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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Booklist
August 1, 2016
Former U.S. Army helicopter pilot Smith presents a straightforward, largely apolitical account of her time in the military, during which she flew two combat tours, in Iraq (2005) and Afghanistan (2008). Smith flew the Kiowa Warrior helicopter and provides plenty of detail about her sometimes harrowing flying experiences both in the U.S. and overseas. She also guides readers though a brief overview of her childhood and what it was like growing up in a family whose aviation background dates back to WWII and included both a flying mother and father. There are no major revelations about sexism here as Smith focuses on the mechanics of flight and her friendships with men and women in her unit. The descriptions in the air will resonate, and her inside look at the U.S. Army will appeal to many, especially those who share her experiences or are thinking of embarking on a similar career. Though not as eloquent as other recent military memoirs, Danger Close does provide a unique viewpoint of combat helicopter operations, and as a female pilot, Smith offers a valuable perspective.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)
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Formats
- Kindle Book
- OverDrive Read
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subjects
Languages
- English
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