Flying the Line, An Air Force Pilot's Journey: Pilot Training, Vietnam, SAC, 1970-1979

Sorry to be a wet blanket here, but, as a Vietnam veteran ('68-'69) I was profoundly offended by the author's attempt to equate the brutality visited upon captured American pilots by the North Vietnamese with the waterboarding of a few terrorists,
after the atrocity of 9/11 (including Kahlid Sheikh Mohammed, the monster who planned the attack on the Twin Towers) . While we are all familiar with the term "flying with your head in the cockpit", it seems to me that , at least for that part of this book, the author is writing with his head up his......well you get the picture. Further, I didn't buy this book to read about the author's collection of sexual conquests ( even inserting one in the prologue). Was he bragging? I also did not buy this book to read about the author's political opinions. To be fair, I do agree with the author's description of his emotions as he attempted to visit The Wall in Washington. Like him I have visited the site a number of times and have been unable to get any closer to the wall than the area where the sculpture of the soldiers stands. Unlike the author, however, I have only contempt for Jane Fonda and cannot find it in my heart to forgive her as the author apparently has. I'm guessing that the families and friends of the soldiers whose names are on that wall would feel the same as I do. If you are looking for a book describing how the Buff flies and how pilots fly them, this isn't your book, instead, I would suggest Lt. Col. Earl J. McGill's book "Jet Age Man". Anyway, I'll be giving any future books by this former Lt. Col. a pass.

The author writes this book to "center" himself on his experiences. He fails to mention MANY times that the other people on any crew had a part in his experience. He speaks as if he is God's gift to aviation. I spent 31 years flying the C-5, and I know firsthand what it takes to "move the mission". it is a conglomeration of many talents and specialties. Without THEM he wouldn't be able to write this book. "Flying The Line" (by definition) is about the many people to make that happen. not ONE person on the airplane. We have a thing called CRM in the US Air Force aircrew world. It stands for Crew Resource Management. He obviously lacks in that skillset as a pilot. I am very glad I never had the misfortune of flying with him.

Glad I pre-read this before gifting to a Vietnam Vet.

I diverge from those that give this such glowing reviews. Firstly, I don't think it is well written at all. At no time is any theme explored in depth, or with any vivid imagery. Its like a letter home to a frat buddy, seeking to tell someone what they want to hear. More importantly, the book is chock full of second guessing and condemning our involvement in Vietnam; while trying to see the war from the North Vietnamese viewpoint. Then, the unfortunate, but predictable comparisons between the Vietnam war with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lots of moral hindsight.

The theme of the book seems to be the author trying to assert he was nothing more than a frat boy trying to stay out of the army, who comically ends up flying a B-52 over Vietnam, committing crimes against innocent people. (Really, "frat boy" appears annoyingly often in the book) The author chalks this incongruity up to his being a rock n roll "starship trooper" swept up into a war he had no investment in, other than to avoid muddy boots.

There are not enough stars or superlatives to describe this book. Reading this book was like time travel. Finally, a land mark book about SAC B52 crew life. We even share the same given name. Both of us history majors. I was an Electronic Warfare officer on a B52; 1972 - 1976. I was about three months behind Lacklan in our initial training. It was undoubtable we crossed paths on Guam. Any former or active B52 crew member wants to take a walk through SAC history, THIS BOOK IS FOR THEM!

I finished reading this book on the second day after getting it in the mail... it is very good. It was too good to put down and after reading it I'm looking forward to the next two books in the series that Lt Col Lacklen is in the process of writing.

I don't know what I expected but Jay Lacklen is a very good writer, he covered the subject matter in a way that made it possible for me to visualze things that I'd never actually seen before. The book was also fun, and Jay admitted to some things that will surprise you, it surprised me.

I would never give away the story... I will not read the jacket covers on any book... I want the whole story in the book with paper pages. My wife reads all book covers... I won't let her to say more to me than "Honey, you should read this one." With that, I hope that all of you get a copy and read it.... it is a fantastic book...

I was in the USAF several years before the author and was in the Strategic Air Command, and stationed at Loring Air Force Base. As I read the book I recalled memories of events that I had forgotten for close to half a century.

The same airplanes are still flying, and these pilots are still protecting all of us. Lt Col Lacklen is still training military pilots, and I'm still proud to be an American... and an USAF Veteran.

Lt Col Jay Lacklen, thanks again for writing this book ... and thank you for your life time of service to our country,

Awesome read all, both military and non-military readers! For those who have military backgrounds it is a great read and will bring back many fond memories. For non-military types, you will find it most entertaining, as well as most informative from a historical perspective, and will gain a great personal perspective of what our military brethren went through during the Vietnam era, which I believe was most unique, compared to other wars. I found that the book was very hard to put down and could not wait to read the next chapter. I also found myself smiling, sometimes laughing out loud, as I read each page relating to LT COL Lacklen’s day to day personal experiences and perspectives of what he, and most of us, were going through then. Lacklen is brutally honest throughout the book and holds nothing back, especially with his “political” perspectives, which some may challenge, but should seriously respect, as his logic and facts are well founded. Thank you LT Col Lacklen for serving our country, protecting freedom for all, and for sharing your great story. I cannot wait to read your next book.

Jay has provided much insight, forethought, humor and fun times with this edition of "Flying the Line". I can't wait to read his future books which he has promised us. If you're a veteran of the US military, especially the U.S. Air Force, you will love this book written with accuracy as it will bring back many wonderful memories. For me it was the fact that I had knowledge of the specific type of aircraft he flew and some of it's many idiosynchracies. He blends the seriousness of the real world as well as the fun things prior to preflight and the really fun things that took place after debriefings. The Rendezvous outside of the East Gate at Loring AFB comes to mind at the moment. Jay has articulated his experiences extremely well in this book and it will bring joy to your heart if you ever had anything to do with B-52's or SAC.

You get very little about flight training and what it was like to actually fly these birds. The author is too busy telling us his sexual exploits and ranting about politics.

Liked the flying stories of which I can relate to , but lost some respect for the Ltcol on his fling with the girls.

As an Infantryman, and later a cobra helicopter pilot, during my two tours of combat duty in Vietnam, and subsequent 20 year career as a soldier, I often wondered about the "other" warriors who served with and around me in both peace and combat...what they felt, experienced, and went through. I have read many books from many different perspectives over the years trying to answer those questions. FLYING THE LINE is by far one of the most insightful and rewarding reads I have encountered in this quest. It was a very entertaining read and placed me in the cockpit and mindset of a distinguished, highly capable pilot who lived it firsthand. A book I would not hesitate to recommend to all.