As The Crow Flies

About the Book

For years there was a daily, deadly aerial chess game between our ‘Intelligence Collectors’ and the Communists defenses.  “As The Crow Flies” is an action/humor novel that tells of that struggle in general and of one most significant crisis in particular.  It reveals a unique outfit, its sensitive mission and the rare breed of men that made up the unit.  This story is the first to be written about those provocative probes of Soviet defenses and the men who faced death as a routine.  It is told with a slant toward humor, as that was how those men lived.  They enjoyed every day as if it were their last and engaged in constant practical joking, rule breaking and fun in order to preserve their sanity.

The Russians develop a new weapon that knocks down two of our most advanced ‘spy planes’ and we don’t know what it is, where it is or how it works.  The main character, a Colonel Savage assigned to Pentagon Intelligence, is given the task of  identifying the weapon and, later, directing the effort to gather the required intelligence on the system.  In the first chapters, Savage works with the Foreign Technology Division, the Strategic Reconnaissance Center and the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing in planning the tactics and systems to be used.  He learns many things that far exceed his wildest dreams and meets several strange characters in the other intelligence operations.

The story then moves to Turkey, where the actual missions are flown and the enemy is met on his home ground.  The third airplane, a six-man RB-47, is downed by the new missile and the project (as well as world order) seems destined to defeat.  The situation is so critical, the President breaks a long-standing agreement with the Soviets and approves an overflight.  A bold new approach is decided upon and another RB-47 crew is hand-picked for the mission.  

The other main characters are introduced as the new crew is rushed to Turkey, unaware of the special project.  They fly several thrilling missions on which they dice with Soviet fighters and missiles.  They are a fun-loving, devil-may-care bunch who keep the entire base in turmoil with their practical jokes.

The fateful mission is flown, and despite severe damage from missile hits, the RB-47 crew brings back the vital intelligence.  The crew return to their antics and a defense against the new weapon is quickly devised and employed.  The Soviets voice enraged protests over the RB-47 flight and demand an apology and confession from the Untied States.  President Kennedy’s last official communique with the Kremlin, two days prior to his assassination, is a one word answer to the Soviet demands.  His answer, fittingly, is the same as the name of the project for which this story was written,          

“Checkmate”.

About the Author

After getting kicked out several colleges, I found a home in the military. I learned of a weird outfit flying very secretive missions in strange-looking aircraft – it was a perfect match. For the next 22 years I was involved in what was commonly referred to as “Spy Flights”. I was assigned to the well known ‘spy planes’, such as the RB-47, U-2, SR-71 and RC-135, plus many one-of-a-kind and still unknown aircraft. I became known as ‘the authority’ on enemy capabilities and the methods of extracting intelligence on them. I spent an entire career working underground or in buildings that had no windows. Wherever my group went, we were isolated from all others and were referred to as ‘Brand X’. After military retirement, I remained in the intelligence business as a civilian. Now that the veil of secrecy is being lifted, I have begun writing about some of my experiences.