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

Lots of detail, superb narration

The story is very well written and interesting with plenty technical detail, lingo, humor and both human an political reflection.
John Pruden's narration deserves standing ovations.
It just could not have been a better man for the job than him.

It doesn’t get better than this.

Dan Hampton not only was a fantastic and responsible pilot, he’s also a great writer. If you want to know the life of a fighter jock, it really doesn’t get better than this. Also check out his other books. Lords of the Sky is one of my top 5 favorite books regardless if we’re talking infantry, naval, or air combat. John Pruden is a great reader for these military books and he does all of Hampton’s books. Five stars all the way around.

Brutally Honest

Loved every minute. Provides a brutally honest account of his view of combat, nothing political. He's cocky, but that's exactly the type of person you need in the seat, it was fun to see his point of view of being elite while also learning from his mistakes along the way.

Great story

I was a 25 years aircraft maintenance troop and it was interesting to hear (even though it wasn’t directly stated) how important it was that I did my job well. I enjoyed hearing what really goes on in an engagement and had no idea how busy a pilot gets. No wonder they have to be the best of the best. Thanks Dan.

Great

I rarely review books, but this is an exception. the narration, book and editing are top notch. its not often I run across a book written by a 'Wild Weasel' pilot and learned a few things about the F-16 systems I didn't already know, so its worth the educational value as well.

Fast and Furious

This is the type of Fast and Furious I can support. The Wild Weasles help the make life of ground forces a bit easier. Written in the first person, it draws you into the world of the fighter pilot. As I listened, my appreciation for this group of men grew and I was totally fascinated at what they are able in accomplish in mere seconds. I thought the narration was rock solid . So if fast paced books and first hand accounts are your thing, you will love this one!

Great Listen!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It is great for those that enjoy military experiences.

What did you like best about this story?

I really enjoyed that the author shared his story as how he saw it was and used the language and acronyms he used. Instead of dumming it down for the readers he explains it.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed listening to his book because I will never be a fighter pilot, yet through this book I can gain a small understanding of what it takes to be one.

Great at 1.5 to 2.0 speed

You just can't listen to a dog fight play by play at normal speed. 2.0 seemed the max speed & "understandably" while listening, 1.7 was my average. A fantastic series of stories to enjoy while rocking the baby to sleep.

Great Book!

This was an awesome listen and the narration was great! Awesome story that is very well written and easy to picture what the author is describing.

Outstanding Book

Would you listen to Viper Pilot again? Why?

I have listened to this book twice and will probably will listen to it again.