Flight 27 Alpha

Flight 27 Alpha is the compelling story of two men, father and son, tragically separated by an incident officially termed as an unexplained military accident. Father and son were brought together again 50 years in the future. Follow Captain Robert E. Hayes, the father from World War II in 1943 and General Robert E. Hayes Jr. the son from 1993 as they meet face to face once again, this time, in a very unusual way and get to know one another in a bizarre twist of fate that cannot be explained. With the help of a military historian, and their attempt to challenge what appears to be the impossible, father and son, along with the military historian, devise and attempt to carry out a mission that, if successful, would utilize the technology of 1993 on an aircraft from 1943 and alter the course of World War II and thereby save millions of lives in the process. In the end, follow four generations of Hayes men as they love and honor one another over a span of 68 years, Lieutenant Berry Hayes, World War I Curtiss H-16 bomber pilot, great grandfather, Captain Robert E. Hayes, World War II B-17G Flying Fortress pilot, grandfather, General Robert E. Hayes, Jr. Vietnam Veteran F-4B pilot, father and Lieutenant Colonel Edward Berry Hayes, F-16 Fighting Falcon, great grandson, grandson and son.

I am a sixty-eight year old veteran of the Vietnam War. I had the honor of serving with several men who became prisoners of war of North Vietnam during the years of the conflict. My grandfathers, my father and a number of my uncles served their country honorably overseas in World War I, World War II and The Korean Conflict. I have always been dedicated to the veterans of this country and dedicate this effort to all of them. I have had this story, stored in a corner of my mind for 20 years or more and never had the time or took the time to sit down, organize my thoughts, and put my story on paper. This effort blends fiction with fact and possibility with reality. It has taken a year and a half to get "Flight 27 Alpha" to this point and I have no idea how it will be accepted if I decide to have it published. I have never written a story before and do not expect to write another so this effort is my one and only attempt to be a published author. If you have purchased this book, I sincerely hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it and will share your experience with others. In addition to all the veterans of all the wars, I dedicate this book to my children and grandchildren and I hope they understand just how much I love and appreciate them. Russell F. Offutt USS Constellation, CVA-64, Fighter Squadron 143, 1963/64 Danang, Vietnam, 1967-68 YN 2nd Class, Serial No. 511-31-49 United States Navy