Collision Over Vietnam: A Fighter Pilot's Story of Surviving the ARC Light One Tragedy

Very informal style and a very quick read. I found it very informative about the responsibilities of a B-52 crew. It is a classic story of survivor's guilt. I wanted more about the claim that the mission, if executed, likely would have ended the Vietnam War. Based on my assessment, it was the author's opinion based on his pride of his branch of service. That is not a criticism but an observation; and it may be correct. But I was hoping for more analysis and perspective as well as the stated objective of the mission. I am a military veteran having served in Iraq. The disconnect between staff planners at headquarters and the military members on the ground that led to the mid-air collision has yet to be fixed.

What an enthralling story in the life of a co-pilot. Not to "wordy", just a very moving and frank description of his career up to the mid air collision and conclusion. Mr. Harten provides some excellent insight into the life and experiences of a Strategic Air Command Co-pilot during the cold war. Hope Kindle offers his other book "Arc Light" in the not to near future. As a former career Air Force enlisted man and C-130 aircrew member as well as aviation enthusiast, I highly recommend this book

As a former SAC bombardier it brought back many memories. Story was well told

Excellent documentary on the Arc Light Operation. I was part of the MITO take off from Mather AFB Don Harten describes in the book. I remember the details of our deployment and the subsequent accident very well. I was in security and remember some of the crews involved and remember talking with Major Gehrig. I also remember Sgt. Neville and Capt. Robertson. It was a very sad day for Mather AFB, America, SAC and the USAF

A true story of Arc Light One the first use of B-52s in combat June 18th 1965 out of Guam! This book and sister book Arc Light One give a true picture of THE REAL STORY of early use of the B-52 bomber. I know because I was there!!

excellent look into tragic historical event

I was also with the 320th as was Harten. Excellent book.

Harrowing story of survival. I have read a lot of Nam war stories and for the most part, the good ole USA suffered by field intel and dereliction of duty by those we should have been able to count on. Not on Mr. Hartens behalf but on those he should have been able to rely upon. a great book for a first timer. This is a great read for those who arent interested in a super detailed historical account like youd get by an author like Bernard Fall. I learned a lot. The beginning and the end, especially, were my favorite part. The middle bogs slightly with family history and character dev't but thats cool. I would have liked a bit more of a prologue that told how the mission ultimately wound up. In other words, i dont know if the mission -for the rest of the squadron- was scrubbed as a result of the incident or was the run carried out and to what success?

As advertised

A very readable book that I got through in about 3 days, although I only skimmed over the chapter that covered the author's childhood growing up in Idaho. Besides an account of the incident itself, the author's rescue and a (very brief) account of his subsequent USAF career (chapters 8 -11), it provides an interesting snapshot of life within SAC during the 1960s and what it was like to fly on B-52 nuclear aleart missions during the Cold War. And the author manages to do this without getting too heavily bogged down in all the flying jargon and techno-babble that could have otherwise made this a tedious read for the layman. It doesn't provide a history of the B52's use thoughout the Vietnam War though, and it's not a history of the more general air war over Vietnam. So if this is what you are after you won't find it here. One minor but irksome thing throughout the book though is the consistent incorrect use of apostrophes. To give just a couple of examples: "gunner's" when it should have been "gunners'" (plural), "B52's" and "Nazi's" - apostrophes aren't used to pluralise, Mr. Harten! A competent proof reader should have picked this up. But that minor nitpick aside, it's a decent enough book with which to pass a few relaxing reading hours.

Heart warming and simple airman's first hand account of the first Arc Light operation mid air collision. A good simple read