A Duck Looking for Hunters: A Bird Dog FAC's True Story - Softcover

Amend, LTC Dale

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1477540407 ISBN 13: 9781477540404

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2012

Synopsis

“A Duck Looking for Hunters” is Capt Dale Amend’s first person true experience story as a Bird Dog FAC in Vietnam in 1965-66. The Forward Air Controller (FAC) flew alone in an unarmed airplane about as heavy as a Toyota Corolla and traveled about as fast, 75 knots. The FAC directed all air strikes in South Vietnam. He frequently operated just over the treetops. The losses of airplanes and pilots were large. Bird Dog FACs had a high profile job, full of drama and danger. The central theme of the book is the FAC business of controlling air strikes, but the scope of the book is broad. It includes Green Berets, bets over catching rats, Christian missionaries --- the Real Warriors, black market and prostitution, the ineptness of the Vietnamese military, the Worst Officer, the Best FAC, Christmas and Easter music recorded and sent back home, heroes and traitors, culture of the native Montagnards, happy homecoming and much more.

About this title

About the Author

Lieutenant Colonel Dale Amend is a Colorado farm boy with a degree in General Agriculture from Colorado State University and a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado. He is a US Air Force Command Pilot. As a Bird Dog FAC, (Forward Air Controller), in Vietnam in 1965-66, he flew 423 combat missions in 773 hours of combat flying time. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, 19 Air Medals and other decorations. After Vietnam, he taught Military Training at the US Air Force Academy. He retired from the US Air Force after 24 years of service. He and Nancy, his wife of more than five decades, live in Albuquerque. He loves gardening, golf, chasing grandkids and traveling with Nancy in their modest motor home. All four of their children and their families live nearby. Together, the combined clan comprises a strong family unit. They enjoy frequent family gatherings.

Edition details

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1477540407
• ISBN 13: 9781477540404
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 394