Red Eagles: America's Secret MiGs
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Author: Steve Davies
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-84603-970-6
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 400
Dissimilar air combat training is now a major part of air combat training, but it was not always the case. Initially, pilots would fly against one another in the same aircraft, with the same performance specs. This was found to be unrealistic in combat, and dedicated training units came about that had very different aircraft types. While that helped greatly in honing the fighter pilots' edge, the ultimate in training would be to fly against the very aircraft one might encounter in a combat situation. This book details the United States Air Force's secret MiG unit, based in Nevada, which existed for just that purpose.
The program was held in extreme secrecy, starting with the acquisition of the aircraft in the mid-1960s. The challenges of establishing an operational unit flying Soviet aircraft were immense, as there was no 'factory' support provided. The USAF had to maintain and fly these MiG-21s without service manuals or parts, a very challenging prospect from even the most basic standpoint. In addition to getting the aircraft in the air reliably, the Air Force also had to train flight crews to not only fly the Soviet aircraft, but fly them according to Soviet doctrines. These challenges kept the program from going active until 1974, and between 1974 and 1989 when the project was closed down, over 1600 pilots trained against these American MiGs.
This book is a fascinating read, as the story of American MiGs is an intriguing one. The book is broken down into logical sections, starting with acquiring the aircraft, then moving on to establishing the operational program. In the mid-1980s, more pilots were exposed to the MiGs, and the black program became slightly less black. By the late 1980s, the program was winding down, and by 1989, challenges in keeping the aircraft in the air along with their obsolescence saw the program closed. The book covers all of this in great detail, and as this is a 2nd Edition, there is quite a bit of new information that was declassified since the first edition came out.
If you missed the first edition when this book came out, here's a second chance. It is truly one of the Cold War's more fascinating aviation stories, and one well worth reading about. My thanks to Osprey Publishing for the review copy.