Viper Pilot

The Autobiography of One of America's Most Decorated Combat Pilots

By: Dan Hampton

Narrated by: John Pruden

Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

151 combat missions

21 hard kills on surface-to-air-missile sites

Four Distinguished Flying Crosses with Valor

One Purple Heart

Sure to rank as one of the greatest aviation memoirs ever written, Viper Pilot is an Air Force legend's thrilling eyewitness account of modern air warfare.

From 1986 to 2006, Lt. Col. Dan Hampton was a leading member of the Wild Weasels, the elite Air Force fighter squadrons whose mission is recognized as the most dangerous job in modern air combat. Weasels are the first planes sent into a war zone, flying deep behind enemy lines purposely seeking to draw fire from surface-to-air missiles and artillery. They must skillfully evade being shot down - and then return to destroy the threats, thereby making the skies safe for everyone else to follow. Today these vital missions are more hazardous than direct air-to-air engagement with enemy aircraft. Hampton's record number of strikes on high-value targets make him the most lethal F-16 Wild Weasel pilot in American history. This is his remarkable story.

Taught to fly at an early age by his father, Hampton logged twenty years and 608 combat hours in the world's most iconic fighter jet: the F-16 "Fighting Falcon", or "Viper" as its pilots call it. Hampton spearheaded the 2003 invasion of Iraq, leading the first flight of fighters over the border en route to strike Baghdad. In the war that followed, he engaged in a series of brilliantly executed missions that earned him three Distinguished Flying Crosses with Valor; he notably saved a U.S. Marine unit from certain death by taking out the surrounding enemy forces near Nasiriyah. Two years earlier, on 9/11, Hampton's father was inside the Pentagon when it was attacked; with his dad's fate unknown, Hampton was scrambled into American skies and given the unprecedented orders to shoot down any unidentified aircraft. Hampton also flew critical missions in the first Gulf War, served on the Air Combat Command staff during the Kosovo War, and was injured in the 1996 Khobar Towers terrorist attack.

With manned missions rapidly giving way to remote-controlled UAV drones, Viper Pilot may be the last memoir by a true hero of the skies. Gripping and irreverently humorous, it is an unforgettable look into the closed world of fighter pilots and modern air combat.

©2012 Ascalon, LLC (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

Excellent Book!

there are not many books that I would consider listening to twice, but this is one of them! The narrator does a great job of reading and the story is just incredible. Even though it is a story about war there are a lot of humorous moments thrown in as well. Just a great book to listen to.

Great Read!

If you want to know what it is like to be a fighter pilot in combat then this is a must read/listen book for you. Dan Hampton definitely has the right stuff! A real American Hero! As you can tell, I loved this book. He tells it like it is. You get the good the bad and the ugly of his profession. I appreciated his candor and honesty about life in the military.
I can only hope that Dan Hampton writes more books cause I have read them all so far.
Thanks!

Well-told story of a fighter pilot's career

Beginning and ending with combat tours, this is a great story of the development of a professional fighter pilot in the modern US Air Force. The author's wonderful recall of details brought back many memories of my own journey and the people I shared it with.

A book that paints a perfect picture!!

First of all the narrator’s voice matches so well with the story!! This book showed what is required to become and the missions of an active pilot. Of all my attempts to getting a clear picture of this career this one has done it. Thank you for taking the time to write this book.

It was like being there!

Viper pilot is truly like being there in the cockpit with your thumb on the pickle button. The narrator John Pruden makes you feel like you are Dan Hampton the F16 pilot who is the author of this amazing audio book. I give this book 5 stars in every category. Dan Hampton helped to keep his country safe during several wars & for that as Americans, we all need to appreciate his valor and those who have served to keep us free. I highly recommend this audio book for anyone who want's to fly with the best. The "Wild Weasels" are a unique elite group who have the job that requires and attitude of total self-sacrifice to the mission. Their moto of "First in, Last out" defines the whole purpose of these pilots. Whether it was Viet Nam, the Gulf War, Desert Storm or all other battles fought, searching for SAM launchers on the move or hidden to destroy the radar bases was real reason battles were won. During his entire book, from beginning to end, it was like being there!

Authentic and captivating

Really enjoyed this title - authentic, realistic and to the point.
Dan's real life experience as a fighter pilot shine's through - no BS here,
Based on actual events, describing his experiences through his own eyes, what a life he had!
Dan is an excellent story teller, and narrator (John Pruden) one of my favorites.

Simply Outstanding!

Outstanding narration, outstanding story; humorous and witty, worth a second listen. Thank you for sharing. Highly recommend,

One of best non-fiction accounts of modern air warfare

My title says it all. LtCol Hampton does a superb job of bringing the reader with him as he retells from memory his training and all that followed. Thanks Dan.

Riveting -edge of your seat story

I almost didn't pick this one because there were some mixed reviews. I'm sure glad I did as this was one of the better first-person accounts I've read. The author writes with such incredible detail that you feel as though you are in the cockpit next to him.

IMO this book serves a a lesson to today's generals as well. First- we succeeded in the gulf wars because we had trained to fight a super power (Russia). Also, in an era where many rear echelon generals are in charge of the military, and claiming that robot plains will replace fighter pilots and ground troops - we must never forget that wars will always be won through a combination of combat pilots AND infantry working towards a common objective.

The book was informative and entertaining and I'm certainly glad I selected it.

Good, Modern view from the air.

If you could sum up Viper Pilot in three words, what would they be?

I love the old WWII aircraft stories. Viper brings those stories into present time. I enjoyed the story and learning the differences between then and now. Some things are still the same, but not much.