Apache: Inside the Cockpit of the World s Most Deadly Fighting Machine

I could tell you what a terrific writer Ed Macy is and what a courageous soldier, marvelous pilot, and, and, and. All of that is true.
But what it basically comes down to in this book is being inside. Inside the monstrous machine none of us would ever set a foot in - even less get to fly the 46 million GBP thing.
You want to feel the thrill of first takeoff, Camp Bastion, Helmand Province? Burn your fingers on the stick and controls preheated by the Afghan sun, wipe the sweat off your face as you inhale the smell of metal and resin as the four thundering rotor blades race it across the desert, the twin Rolls Royce engines working at full speed.
All of that and more you find in here.
The book concentrates on a breathtaking rescue mission to retrieve a Marine MIA, where the Apaches must land right in the middle of a Taliban stronghold and come face to face with hordes of their unrelenting enemy.
But it has much more. The human side, the thrill, the comradeship, the pain, the fear, the technical - you name it, it's there. Because Ed Macy was one of the very few who mastered the craft of operating (not just flying) this machine.
And although after reading it you still won't be able to make your eyeballs work independently of each other like these guys can, at least you will have a sense of the courageous masterminds at work here.
Includes 5 maps, 2 detailed drawings of the Apache and numerous color photographs.
My highest respects go out to Ed Macy and his comrades.

If anyone out there is a "egg beater" fanatic - or a Tank Killer enthusiast, then this is the book for you! This book is more than just an insight into the Apache Long Bow. It is a look at a very different "animal" that the Brits put together, and have put to very good use I might add! (Infidels should be proud!) The Apache is an American creation. But Ed Macy, who is more than just a pioneer in the field of flying/"owning" this machine, puts a very detailed spin on flying the British version of the Apache in Afghanistan while on the front lines. He chronicles what the Brits did in way of changing the Apache into a hard-charging, tank-killing attack chopper of their own. Plus, his is a first hand account of what type of "punishment" it takes to actually fly their version - because of the changes and "modifications" that their tech division made to the existing platform. (The US Army really should look into these improvements for their own inventory!)

From the moment I started this book, it was impossible to put down. When it ended, I was left with that sinking feeling that hits you when something so good has to come to an end. The writing of the story, in my opinion is top notch HANDS DOWN - all of it very eloquent and yet to the point with no frills or haughty attempts at false bravado (that people assume come with pilots). Any military personnel, chopper fanatic, or even just a curious layman can pick this book up and run with the story! And hot damn, what a story it is! When people review books like this, especially if they like them, tend to give away too much to the reader - so much so that the review ends up becoming a spoiler. I don't want to do that here. All I can say is
that if you pick this book up, you won't be sorry or disappointed!

The premise of this book is an outline of what Ed Macy and his squadron did for the British Marines in and around the "Green Zone" of Afghanistan. There are illustrations, maps, and detailed pictures of everything that is discussed in the book - including a cut-away intro to the British version of the Apache.

EVERYTHING - and I mean EVERYTHING in this book is well documented. Some of the material is still considered sensitive information (so some names/places have been withheld). But other than that this book is everything that Nicolas Cage's late 80s lemon "Firebirds" should have been! Macy and his squadron may show some adolescence in their "in-house" pranks on each other - but there is no "Maverick/Goose" cheese-ball attitudes from "Top Gun" here. I cannot emphasize enough that there is absolutely nothing "Top Gun" (the movie) about the actions of the men and women in his story.

After reading this book once, because of the sheer enjoyment that I got from reading it the first time, I re-read it to see if I missed anything. And the answer to that was, I missed nothing - I soaked in every possible nugget of declassified information on this very unique aircraft and the special nature of the aviators that fly her!
In closing - All I can say is Thank God there are people like Ed Macy and the folks in his squadron (who have retired or are still fighting strong) out there on the front lines with a machine like this one! This was some of the best writing I have read in a while!!!

I finished reading this incredible book yesterday and I've been mulling over how to formulate a review for a book which is sure to touch people on so many different levels. I've finally decided that this book is one of those rare instances where a book can appeal to anyone, regardless of your particular ideas or feelings about the war in Afghanistan.

I enjoyed the way the book was designed. It began with a mission from Macy's previous assignment at Camp Bastion where he was assigned the recovery of two SBS team members who were either missing or killed in an encounter with the Taliban. It then fast forwards to later in that same year when Macy has been assigned to that same Camp once again. After a brief time away from this particular hot spot designated for defense by the British, Macy was once again on that same ground as a pilot of the Apache helicopter. I've seen one of these birds sitting on a runway. They are truly impressive in their "ugliness". What a wonderful idea to use "Ugly" as the designation call sign for these warrior machines.

This is a book written very much in "military speak" but every effort has been made to help those of us unfamiliar with some of the terminology and the military's love of abbreviations to be able to follow the action without too much trouble. A glossary is provided along with an index and the glossary especially comes in extremely handy for non-military personnel such as myself. After reading for a short while I realized that I was learning what most of the alphabet soup meant just by the context of the story. This entire book is showing the abilities and the capabilities of the helicopter, the pilots, and the entire force of troops required to keep the helicopters flying. But the book isn't completely given over to one mission after another. There is a lot of background information given concerning Macy himself and his relationships with those he is serving with. All of which go a long, long way to personalize the people and the situations and to explain why they found themselves in the situation of a collective imperative resolve to rescue Lance Corporal Mathew Ford. What a wonderfully humanizing touch it was to have that young man referred to as Mathew while the rescue was taking place and after his recovery. It brought the entire situation down to a very personal level.

I appreciate all of the different elements which were included in the book; the maps of Helmand, the diagrams of the Koshtay attack, the drawings of Jugroom Fort and especially the one showing the Apaches on the ground at Jugroom Fort. They helped me visualize the rescue so much better. I also enjoyed the many color pictures included in the book. And I must not leave out Rocco, but everybody needs to find out about him themselves.

This is a very good book and I highly recommend it for reading by both men and women alike. It doesn't matter how you feel about war in general, we all need to be aware of deeds of heroism which take place on a daily basis on our behalf. If we can't all go there, at least we can show our support and respect for those who do.

Added June 9, 2009---I've just learned that Macy's next book is due out in early September of 2009. I'm looking forward to reading that one.

There have been a few books published by members of the British military services reflecting their hard work in Afghanistan and Iraq, Sniper One and Eight Lives Down to quote two excellent examples. Now Ed Macy gives us the view from an Apache pilot supporting ground troops in Afghanistan and it is enthralling stuff. Told in an easy style it captures the conflict, the characters he flew with and the awesome Apache very well indeed. I read this in a day and enjoyed it a great deal. The book also covers a particular incident where a rescue attempt is made on a soldier left behind in a firefight - an incident equal to any action film you have ever seen.

That would be enough to give this four stars, but there is additional content available on the internet and there are also maps and Apache details for those who like that level of detail.
A book that accurately reflects extreme bravery and one hell of an helicopter.

I'm an airplane guy, not so much into helicopters. I want to learn more about the air fighting in Afghanistan. I finished reading 2 books about fast jet air war, one by a Rafale pilot and "Joint Force Harrier". Both were very interesting but not riveting. Riveting is the least you can say about Ed Macy's book! It put into perspective very clearly the difference between the almost impersonal fast jet war and the very (extremely?)personal, close contact with the troops war of the Apache pilots. It is also very well written, combining missions info with day to day routine (Rocco anyone?). I reread twice the last few chapters to make sure I didn't miss anything. [...]

Brits combat fly modified AH-64's in Afghanistan during 2006.

If you play helicopter sims like DCS Black Shark you can learn combat lessons from this book such as how high and fast to fly to hit targets, as well as threat ranges of SAMS, small arms, and anti-aircraft artillery. Aircraft may differ but targets and threats remain the same.

It's interesting to read how the Brits modified the Apache (added a larger engine).

Written with optimism, energy and verve.

The book is amoral in tone but perhaps it is well to remember what the last surviving British veteran of WWI said before his recent death: "War is organized killing."

A good book about combat helicopter operations in Afghanistan. Macy writes in an informal (and "soldier-ly") style that is refreshing to read...at least for this old war horse!

If you like flying and combat and real-life issues and solutions, this is a good place to start.

An excerpt from this book was printed in Air & Space Magazine, which is why I ordered it. I guess the rescue attempt for which these folks are well known in the UK was little covered elsewhere ; a shame, since it was such a gutsy move.

The book is well written and accessible to readers with a non-military,or even non military aviation background. There is enough technical information to satisfy the military folks in allied fields, and the jargon/acronyms used are not impenetrable, and whose absence in any case would subvert the accurate portrayal of the job.

The rescue attempt is by no means the total of the book, but is one of the outstanding missions in a job where few operational missions are 'routine', and effectively describes the capabilities of the crews and the the machines, with no histrionics, as is the habitual understated British manner. Credit to all involved, from the support folks to the aircrew themselves. And a timely reminder, without involvement of a political viewpoint, that the UK Military, as challenged as they are by historically (and continuing) botched procurement decisions, has folks who are at the top of their game, and make a significant contribution.

Book purchased as a gift for a young man who is a helicopter pilot. I did not read it but I hope he likes the story.

Great writing about a tough war, the men who fight it, and a very awesome machine.
Like another war my generation fought in, I'm doubtful if this one is doable. But the men flying the Apache helicopter are doing an amazing job. I could hardly put it down.