As in Desert Storm, the most prolific USAF fighter in Operation Iraqi Freedom. This was because the US was hamstrung by the inability to base as many aircraft in Saudi airfields as in the previous war. This was mostly due to the political decision of the US to basically go it alone and start the war, unlike the earlier conflict where there was aggression on the part of the Iraqis. Agree with the situation or not, once the civilians start something, it is up to the military to finish it.

Though there were no air to air victories (that I know of) coming out of Operation Iraqi freedom, this did not mean that there was not a lot of danger. This was mostly from ground based AAA and SAMs as well as the ever-present small arms fire should an aircraft get low enough for ground troops to take a shot. This danger even included friendly fire as two Coalition aircraft were downed by US Patriot Missile batteries.

The author has several F-15 books to his credit and while that means a level of expertise that is commendable, it also means that the book is full of jargon, abbreviations and acronyms. Though each unfamiliar item is explained the first time it is used, for those of us who are either not used to it, or have forgotten much of it after retirement, it makes for a difficult read. The other side of the coin is that those who are used to these things will find the book to be easy sailing. I also got the feeling that the author had to include quite a bit of background stuff to fill the 96 pages just because OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) was such a short conflict without any of the air to air action the we all love to read about.

It starts off with a general introduction to the F-15 and what lead up to the current versions in service, including all the current aircraft systems. Unlike aircraft of old, it is aircraft electronics (avionics) that are the key to the success of a modern fighter. Sure, the airframe has much to do with it, but with out the avionics, it just isn't as capable as it could be.

There are the usual 'there I was...' stories as well as a feel for what it was like to operate aircraft in the environs above Iraq. A lot of space was taken with telling about getting the units in place and the problems of overcrowding at the bases which had to be used. The book is  enhanced by a lot of color, something one rarely has in books on WWII. There are the usual profiles of grey F-15s as well as several pages of very nice color close-ups of the nose art applied to the aircraft during the war.

The appendices include a full serial listing of the Eagles that took part in the conflict as well as their parent units. Also in there are nice three view drawings of the C and E model.

Despite my difficulty in following things due to the jargon, I'd have to say that overall, it is a very well done book and one that Eagle fans should have on their bookshelves.

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