Overview

In May 2011, after a Mediterranean exercise to prove the Apache's ability to work shipborne, HMS Ocean and her embarked Apache attack helicopters from 656 Squadron, Army Air Corps were about to head home. But the civil war in Libya and the resulting NATO air campaign intervened. A few days later the Author and his fellow Apache pilots were in action at night over hostile territory. Within the range of Gaddafi's capable air defence systems and land forces once in sight of the coast, they had to fight their way into Libya, complete their mission evading lethal ground fire, before the hazardous return to Ocean.Despite Libya's state-of-the-art arsenal of ground-to-air weapons, the Apaches made nightly raids at ultra low-level behind enemy lines.Apache Over Libya describes the experiences of eight Army and two Royal Navy pilots who played a significant role in the NATO led campaign. Despite fighting the best armed enemy British aircrew have faced in generations, they defied the odds and survived. Thrilling first hand action accounts vividly convey what it means to fly the Apache in combat at sea and over enemy-held terrain.An unforgettable and unique account which gives a rare insight into attack helicopter operations in war. AUTHOR: Will Laidlaw is a son of the Scottish Borders and was educated in Scotland. He was commissioned into the Army Air Corps in the late 1990s and has amassed 1800 hours flying a range of military helicopters including the Apache. His work has taken him all round the world and he has deployed on active service in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. 32 colour illustrations

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9781526796820

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offers a profoundly unromantic view of war: one of the long stretches of exhausting work and preparation, fraught with moments of intense, high-risk combat... an engaging account of the Libyan intervention that provides a firsthand perspective of aerial warfare, as well as a view of the challenges overcome along the way. Laidlaw's book, a significant contribution towards the literature on Apache operations and NATO's Libyan campaign, is the most compelling memoir of the war published to date. -- Naval Historical Foundation A very good way to follow the operations of NATO in the closest combat, inside the cockpit of this formidable helicopter. -- Air Fan, February/March 2017

Author Information

Will Laidlaw [pseudonym for security reasons] is a son of the Scottish Borders. Educated in Scotland. He was commissioned the Army Air Corps in the late 1990s and has amassed 1800 hours flying a range of helicopters including the Apache. His work has taken all round the globe and he has flown on active service in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.

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