Red Eagles: America's Secret MiGs

General Aviation

by Steve Davies, J. Jumper (Foreword)

From the late 1960s until the end of the Cold War, the United States Air Force acquired and flew Russian-made MiG jets, culminating in a secret squadron dedicated to exposing American fighter pilots to enemy technology and tactics.

Red Eagles tells the story of this squadron from the first tests of MiGs following the Vietnam War when the USAF had been woefully under-prepared in aerial combat. These initial flights would develop into the "black" or classified program known internally as Constant Peg.

At a secret air base in Nevada, ace American fighter pilots were presented with a range of differnet MiG jets with a simple remit: to expose "the threat" to as many of their brethern as possible. Maintaining and flying these "assets" without without spare parts or manuals was an almost impossible task, putting those flying the MiGs in mortal danger on every flight.

Despite these challenges, in all more than 5,900 American aircrews would train against America's secret MiGs, giving them the eskills they needed to face the enemy in real combat situations.

For the first time, this book tells the story of Constant Peg and the 4477th Red Eagles Squadron in the words of the men who made it possible.

Genres: Aviation, Military Fiction, History, Nonfiction, Military History, Aircraft, War

352 pages, Hardcover

First published August 15, 2008

About the author

Steve Davies is a military and commercial aviation photojournalist based in Cambridge, England. He began writing in 2001, and has since authored eight critically acclaimed books and co-authored four more. His freelance writing includes a plethora of articles penned for the world's leading monthly and quarterly aviation publications, and he has also worked on a range of aviation supplements that have sold millions of copies globally. He has worked as a subject matter expert for a range of military aviation documentaries commissioned by terrestrial television channels in the UK and North America, and by the History Channel. His photography has been used not only by the aviation press, but also by leading defense contractors and aviation corporations.

Reviews

[Michael Burnam-Fink · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the complete history of the Red Eagles, a squadron of American pilots that flew MiGs to train other pilots how to fight the Russians and their clients. Davies apparently interviewed almost everyone associated with the Red Eagles, and left no stone unturned. On the downside, this means lots of boring details about changes in command. But buried in the mass of the book are real nuggets of military history gold: black bureaucracy, fighter pilot hijinks, the difficulties of maintaining Russian aircraft without the benefit of spares or manuals, and of course, the stone-cold badassery of the pilots who went up in these airplanes day after day, and mostly brought them back home through the worst conditions. I won't spoil the good bits in this review, but the MiG-23 is just not a good airplane, and it is amazing that it only killed one American.

[Javier Casado · Rating 2 out of 5]

A-BU-RRI-DO. Hasta decir basta. Incluso para los muy aficionados al tema (evidentemente, el resto ni se acercan a estos libros)

Y mira que el tema es interesante: el programa secreto norteamericano para descubrir los datos técnicos, los puntos fuertes y débiles, y la forma de combatir contra los mejores cazas soviéticos de la época, analizando y volando algunos ejemplares capturados (generalmente por países amigos).

Pero el autor nos sumerge en una maraña de acrónimos, de nombres de pilotos y sus jefes, y los más minuciosos pormenores administrativos y burocráticos que no interesan a nadie, llenando el texto de morralla con muy poquito contenido real. Mucha paja y poca chicha, y además escrito sin el más mínimo interés por resultar divulgativo y, menos aún, ameno.

Al poco rato ya estaba leyendo en diagonal, saltándome páginas enteras de pura morralla, y aun así me ha resultado un verdadero tostón. Le salva de la única estrella el hecho de que al menos revela la existencia de este programa desconocido para la mayoría, pero hubiera bastado con un simple artículo en lugar de todo un libro.

[Kamas Kirian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice look into the secret MiG squadron that flew in the 70's and '80's out of Tonopah, NV and Area 51 by Air Force, Navy and Marine pilots. Told in nearly chronological order there is a lot of information, with a huge cast of characters that is sometimes difficult to keep straight (booking the index page at the end with the list of pilots helps). The narrative flow isn't all that great with lot's of quoted storytelling from the participants rather than the author. There are also a lot of acronyms that someone outside of the military will have to adjust to. But, the information presented is extremely interesting.

Planes flown included the MiG 17 Fresco, MiG 21 Fishbed and MiG 23 Flogger. From the technical specs and playing computer games such as Harpoon, I always thought the MiG 23 was a more dangerous plane. But, from this book none of the pilots really liked it and preferred the MiG 21.

The eBook was formatted well, but with several spelling errors. There are also several photos in two different sections of the book.

[Dustin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an interesting story, but, unfortunately, it is not told in a way to hold your interest. It reads like a text book, complete with far too many military abbreviations, and very little flair for the men that were involved. It didn't appear to me that any effort went into making this a story that civilian aviation nerds like myself could enjoy. And that's a real shame, because the base subject matter is really interesting to me. You'll learn a lot, but most likely be bored doing it.

[Kevin Bostenero · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a family connection to a Red Eagle so I did enjoy the book. If you do not, I think it would be difficult to keep your interest in the book as it is "technical"

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 2 out of 5]

Remember that thrill of reaching into a "grab bag" and anticipating the wonderful thing you would be extracting? There was some of that in Red Eagles, but not enough. Further, where was Davies' editor when this manuscript was submitted?

The topic is interesting: Our government gets its hands on Russian fighter planes that are getting the best of American pilots in combat. A special group of top pilots uses those planes to train our own pilots on tactics that will give them the edge, while keeping the Russians from knowing that any of this is going on.

The downside: Much of the book is written in military speak complete with acronyms and jargon. Though nominally chronological, it cannot seem to maintain a narrative line. We get a constant jumble of: technical specifications; descriptions of air bases; anecdotes of combat; chronicles of administrative changes; anecdotes of plane maintenance details; individual biographical histories; Congressional funding issues; and most without tie-ins to the larger historical context. Too bad, because the secret is a very interesting chapter in military history.

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book is interesting, the technical data could have been contained in a longish article. On the other hand, it is easy to speed read your way through, skipping biographical and other details not essential to the technical content.

[Charles · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting info, but the way the author rather jerkily jumps from episode with no sense of any narrative nor any insights into this history -- just recitation of data and quotes -- left me feeling like I wasn't getting anything out of it, so I abandoned it about halfway through.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story, very well researched and told. An excellent blend of the technical details of flying and maintaining MiGs, the history of the squadron, and the characters that made it up.

[Angelo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of names and acronyms, some planes in between. Typos, too.

Meh.

[Joel Postma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating history of the secret USAF unit that flew MiG-17’s, MiG-21’s and MiG-23’s at the Tonopah Test Range in the 70’s and 80’s.
Davies really provides an in-depth and well researched look at the Contant Peg program that exposed thousands of pilots to Russian fighters before potentially meeting them at the merge in actual combat.

Together with the development of Agressor squadrons and large exercises such as Red Flag, Constant Peg was key to addressing and solving the problems that had plagued U.S. airpower during Vietnam and set the fighter community up for success during operations over Libya and later Desert Storm.

Illustrated with a lot of quotes and personal stories from many of the 69 ‘Bandits’ that flew the Migs and some of the maintainers, Red Eagles is an easy read that gives a good overview of the program, from the feared flight characteristics of the Flogger to the bureaucratic struggles that were bound to catch up with the program as it matured and grew into a full fledged squadron.

Definitely recommend this book to anyone with an interest in military aviation!

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aviation history enthusiasts--especially those interested in US and Soviet Cold War fighters--will find much to like about Steve Davies' account of the top secret US Air Force fight program. Davies researched records--despite many still being classified--and interviewed personnel to pull together the story of CONSTANT PEG, the US Air Force program utilizing Soviet MiG-17, MiG-21, and MiG-23 fighters to train US fighter pilots in how to fight their opponents. Recommended.

[Carter Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal read on not only the United States’ technical and operational exploitation of Soviet aircraft, but also of the development of Air Force training and doctrine from the end of Vietnam through the end of the Cold War.

It’s a well written book with great anecdotal footnotes, technical explanations, and with explanations easy to follow even for those not involved in aviation.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty dry, but an in-depth look at an interesting Cold War-era program.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stories, but lack of linearity and excessive acronyms make it difficult to follow.

[Jonathan Tarrant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice history of the 4477th TES Red Eagles. A personal journey with the pilots who flew the MiGs along with the overall history. A nice photo section as well.

[Juergen Nieveler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating look behind the scenes of the cold war USAF

[Relstuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book though it follows the history of a squadron with people coming and going. So it does not have the same cohesive storyline one usually has with a biography or something along those lines.

It is interesting to think that we acquired a number of Russian fighter planes and were able to fly against them in training scenarios so that our fighter pilots were ready to go against them if we needed to. Also interesting that the people that flew in this secret program had better info on their abilities than some other agencies in the US giving the Air Force info on the MIG.

Perhaps the saddest part of the story is at the end when you find the reason this squadron goes away is because of military cutbacks in funding. Also, the books points out that it is unlikely that we have anything like this now for the same reason. That is a shame because flying against enemy air tech in training could certainly cut down on losses on our side and ensure we understand the capabilities our foes have. I guess America is just betting no one will go up against us with high tech fighters our Air Force would have to take out. Hope that works out.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very informational, once you got past all the USAF jargon and abbreviations. Everyone has heard of Top Gun and Red Flag, about DACT, and how the USN and USAF performed poorly in Vietnam. What not everyone knew, because this was highly classified until recently, was the Red Eagles and their role.

Davies did a very good job documenting everything, including two tragic accidents, and how their 'mishap' rate was so much higher than an average USAF fighter squadron. In part because of the machines, Soviet aerospace engineering philosophy, and the fact this was a covert program. They couldn't just go to Cessna or the local Plane Parts R US and get stuff off the shelf.

A good read.

[Ken Prescott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly researched; details the successes and failures of the USAF's program to expose US pilots to actual MiGs. The author isn't afraid to criticize key players if he believes that they made bad decisions.

[Chris Rayle · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story of some of the crazy stuff we did during the cold war to keep up with the "Ivans" in air combat. Fairly interesting, but the author kept breaking up information into small anecdotes that weren't horribly well connected. Also, Yes, we get it. Fighter Pilots have egos, and do craaazy stuff.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting content, but could have used some better editing. Unless you really are interested in the subject matter, it's probably going to be a slog through acronym hell. But if you are interested in the subject matter, it's a neat read.

[Norbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting reading about USAF's MiGs

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, well told.

[Matt Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy story, loved every page.

[Joseph II · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent history. crews were open with "outside" reporter. Great story and very little remaining in "official" AF histories.

[Jim Heivilin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Afterburner Stuff

Lots of good info here but you need to be a fairly educated aircraft buff to understand most of it. But for those who can you'll love it. Nastrovya.

[William Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book for the aviation/military buff. I just got lost trying to keep track of all the players.

[Michael Teague · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are interested in Aircraft this is a great book.