Review: B-58s were fast movers but BUFFs rule
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 26, 2014
I was in the USAF serving in SAC on the staff of the 816th Air Division at Altus AFB, OK, during the time frame depicted in this novel. I find it difficult to believe that so few alert bombers would be able to launch and fly their assigned missions. Surely the Distant Early Warning network (DEW Line) would have triggered a more timely launch of the alert aircraft at the first hint of aggressive action against the US.I was part of ORI teams and there was no way of knowing when a wing was due to be hit by an Operational Readiness Inspection. The alert B-58s waiting to takeoff seemed unrealistic. The first objective was always to get SAC assets airborne immediately and heading to their Fail Safe points. If the radio in the control tower is knocked out the tower would flash a green light as soon as the bombers were approaching the runway.A reference to the SAC PRIDE program (Professional Results In Daily Efforts) would have underscored the high professionalism of everyone serving in SAC. This was one of General LeMay’s priority programs for SAC in 1964, after first being implemented by the 2nd Air Force.The B-58 was a fast-mover for a medium bomber, but the B-52s are still combat ready and flying missions decades after the B-58 went out of service. The “Old Dogs” are projected to be operational well into the 2040s. BUFFs rule!!!I looked for more of a depiction of human emotions after a surprise nuclear attack on the US. Surely they would have dropped two live nukes on the final target—sort of like a double tap perhaps with a remark about payback being a bitch. They dropped the damn nukes with less displayed emotions than would be shown during successful bomb run at a command wide bombing competition.The penetration into Soviet airspace was way too easy. Since the “Evil Empire” launched the attack they would have had their fighters on airborne alert anticipating an incoming bomber strike force.With all things considered I’d recommend this as an entertaining read. Adding more back stories of the crew would enhance the tale. Please invest some additional time for cleaning up the nasty typos--thusly the four stars. The content is worthy of a professional copyeditor.Enjoy often… John