Shadow Flight

Steve Wickham #2

by Joe Weber

From the bestselling author of DEFCON One comes an explosive techno-thriller.

While Congress debates the merits of continued funding for the stealth bomber, sinister forces have their own goals in mind. During a training exercise, a B-2 bomber disappears. When search efforts produce no evidence that the bomber crashed, the US Air Force has no choice but to acknowledge that one of its most secret and high-tech aircraft has been hijacked.

Recovery of the B-2 and its crew becomes the president's highest priority, and the Kremlin claims no knowledge of the missing aircraft. Finally, intelligence leads to what at first seems a very unlikely suspect: Cuba.

But could the tiny nation pull off a theft of this magnitude?

And what might its plans be for the highly sought-after aircraft?

Getting the answers to these questions becomes the top-secret mission for CIA agent Steve Wickham, for without those answers, only one solution will remain: invasion. And if the US invades, World War III will certainly follow.

Genres: Fiction, Military Fiction, War, Thriller, Espionage, Audiobook, Action

379 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 30, 1990

About the author

Joe Weber is a former USMC carrier-qualified fighter pilot. His novels have appeared on the best-seller lists of the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, the Associated Press, and the Chicago Tribune.

Mr. Weber holds a Master of Science Degree in Aviation Management. He is an Airline Transport Rated pilot with over 10,500 hours of flight time in 43 different types of aircraft, ranging from aerobatic biplanes and high-performance military jets to four engine transports. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1970-1975. A carrier-qualified fighter/attack trained pilot, he graduated first in his class from advanced naval jet pilot training in Kingsville, Texas, in 1972. After his release from active duty, he flew commercially until 1989 when his first novel was published. Mr. Weber is a native of Enid, Oklahoma, and lives in Northwest Arkansas with his wife, Jeannie

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent yarn around military hardware and supposed macho cold war men engaged in life and death battles. Fair story and an ok listen. 5 of 10 stars

[Ross Jernigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed and realistic fighter ACM.

I usually quibble about the authenticity of similar novels. While this one seemed a little far fetched, I could envision just about everything actually occurring. In this case I was easily able to suspend my disbelief, sit back and enjoy the ride. A very entertaining read. Okay.... Maybe one tiny quibble: Short term, specific emergency military actions are the province of the Executive Branch, i.e. The President. A full court press to defang another country, particularly when that country has declared war on the USA, is in the purview of the Legislative Branch: The Congress.

[Dave Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catching up GR well after the fact. This was my first Joe Weber book, given to me by a dear friend as a Christmas present in 1990. While the premise of the story is a little far-fetched, the action and exhilarating flying scenes were pure gold. I'll be reading every Joe Weber story I can get my hands on. Semper fidelis, Mr. Weber!!

[Luis Serna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has a lot of great action and interesting subplots. However, the entire main plot hinges on what in my opinion is an unrealistic hijacking of a stealth bomber. I could not get past the idea that a US pilot would allow his top-secret plane to be taken over not once, but twice.

[Sagar Godbole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise felt really exciting but the story is actually quite middling.

Anyone who likes descriptions of military manoeuvres and dogfights will enjoy it though. The dogfights are described in such excruciating detail that you will know how every turn of every nato aircraft and every MiG feels like. I am not averse to the military bro book genre but I expected more satisfying resolution to the primary plot point.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story of hijacked B2 bomber by Cuba.

[David Erickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed the read and feel Joe Weber did a good job blending military jargon and detail with the story.

The writing is excellent and the characters believable, though I did feel President Jarrett was a stereotype and not well fleshed out as a character.

There were a few things that bothered me that really have nothing to do with the writing. I was disturbed that the B2 bomber stolen by the Russians was ultimately destroyed, rendering some of the character's actions pointless. Also, when in aerial combat, the story focused on each pilot to the exclusion of the team they were a part of. It was as if the pilots were going into combat alone.

I also found it tough to swallow that an aging Cuban submarine could so easily slip through the security net surrounding an American aircraft carrier. In the same scenario, the captain of the sub gave in to the Russian KGB agent and attacked when he knew it was a suicide mission. I just couldn't buy into it.

While for some knowing the thrust level of each aircraft, what weapons each was packing, etc., may be of interest, I thought that level of detail was a distraction.

Again, it was a good read, if you ignore the concerns I voiced.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall plot in this one is the high jacking of a stealth bomber by a rogue KBG faction. They force it to fly to Cuba where they interrogate the Pilots and work at stripping the plane to uncover the technology. Of course the US government is pulling all the plugs to find out what happened to their plane and when the discover where it is, an all-out effort to recover or destroy it and when Cuba puts up resistance, it full speed ahead to bring force to bear.
Lots of descriptive air battles as a major attack is made on Cuba and the Bomber’s hiding place.

[Chris Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by Joe Weber, a former US Marine pilot. This is a page-turner from the start - a "military mystery" from 1991. It is full of Naval Aviation names and lingo as the Americans pursue a hijacked B-2 Stealth bomber. Lots of action - I stayed up until 1 am on several nights to see what happens next! This is also a fairly easy read, so you will finish it in a week. I'm immediately going back for (agent Steve Wickham) novel #1, DEFCON One. Highly recommend for summer fun.

[Keith McGowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although filled with pilot jargon, I did not find the plot believable.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Expertly written. Fast paced aerial action.

[Ron Merte]

Too technical for me