Hangar 4

De: Isaac G. Lee

Narrado por: Clint Bell

The Best of the Best . . .

Risk taker. Son. Badass. Husband. Combat aviator. Father.

From Officer Candidates School to squadron Commanding Officer, Isaac G. Lee, Lieutenant Colonel, USMC (Ret.), reached the finish line at HANGAR 4 on MCAS Miramar at the conclusion of seven deployments during his two decades of service. In this memoir, he shares the lessons, the rewards, the losses, and ultimately, the personal cost.

Isaac pushed every boundary he encountered as a combat aviator, repeatedly testing his own mettle under harsh wartime conditions. He sets a high standard in HANGAR 4 with his candid accounting of a transformative journey that took place while he endeavored to balance life in the squadron, in the cockpit, in war zones, and at home. Combat defines every warfighter, along with episodes of survivor's guilt, emotional numbness, and lingering grief. Personal reckoning occurs in the aftermath of war.

Truth triumphs.
Once a Marine, always a Marine.

©2023 Isaac G. Lee (P)2024 Isaac G. Lee

So you want to be a US Marine helicopter pilot?

LtCol Lee does a tremendous job of helping a person know and feel what it is like to be a CH53E pilot. He takes you through a whole career… his career start to finish. Having been a USMC pilot myself. I can relate to a story in many ways. I give this book 2 thumbs ups, and my strongest recommendation! Thank you, “Whiskey” …. A job well done! Semper Fi!!

Reliving the Past

This was a great book and very relatable. Having been a CH-46E and a V-22 pilot who served in Afghanistan I felt like I was reliving my past. A lot of the places and names were ones that I know. If you are an aspiring Marine Aviator, this walks you through getting your wings and being a combat aviator. And at the same time brings you into being a married parent with the complexities of the desire to feel the adrenaline of war! Great read!

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us!

If the Marine Corps ever created a required “listening” list, Hangar 4 should be the first.

I never knew Issac during my time in the Marine Corps, but between ourselves we probably know many of the same people.

Hangar 4 brought me back into the deployment cycle with the Marines I’ve served with. I really miss it!

Next time I see Issac, I have so many questions to ask him!

“The greatest gift that the Marine Corps gives is the honor of being in the presence of other Marines.”

-Issac Lee, LtCol, USMC (Ret)

Superb Audio Version of a Must-Read Memoir

The exploits Isaac Lee describes are harrowing and life-altering. His insights on seven tours, including combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, give the reader/listener a rare view of the support provided to frontline combat troops by Marine Aviation. These guys and gals fought and died as part of the Marine Combat Teams and their stories should not be overlooked. Isaac has done a phenomenal job ensuring that isn't the case, and the audio version of his killer memoir is equally fabulous.

Mandatory Reading for Assault Support Pilots

Great book, Whiskey! I’m so glad you wrote this, lots of legendary experiences and people. Also, thanks for putting it on audible so those of us who only “read” while commuting or on a run can experience it too! I think this should be included as a must read in every squadron university, especially for assault support guys.

The ending - For those who never made it back home

The end of this audiobook, I think it might have been the very last line. Something to the effect of - For those who never made it back home. Breaks me down everytime I think about that. For all of those who never made it back home, I for one, will Never Ever Forget. Never Forget 🎗️

an intimate view into a different world

CH53 pilots transported me around Afghanistan and often delivered mail, water and chow to our outposts since all the convoys would get blown up before making it to us. I always held high regard for the pilots and crew of those big, beautiful, hydraulic leaking birds.

Hanger 4 is a insiders view into the life of a Marine aviator during the GWOT. It's a balls to the walls expose on the mindset of a Marine aviator. Issac's story is especially interesting as he began his service prior to 9/11 and continued to serve through two ears. While the action and excitement within with gripping, the most impressive aspect of Hanger 4 for me is the intimate and vulnerable way Issac shares his internal struggles as an Officer, a pilot, a father, and a husband, as well as his emotional and psychological reflections and openess about his healing process. Hanger 4 is a story of espirt de corps, perseverance, and self-reflection.

I highly recommend Hanger 4.

Phenomenal book on Warrior culture!

As a combat arms veteran, this book hit home. It’s been a phenomenal read that helped me reflect deeply on my own journey. No matter your background, it offers powerful insight into the selfless service required to support our nation.

Highly recommend! 🫡