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Hellfire
The true story of one man's determination to master the world's deadliest helicopter and of a split-second decision that changed the face of modern warfare. Ed Macy bent every rule in the book to get to where he wanted to be: on Ops in the stinking heat of the Afghan summer, with the world's greatest weapons system at his fingertips. It's 2006 and he is part of an elite group of pilots assigned to the controversial Apache AH Mk1 gunship programme. So far, though, the monstrously expensive Apache has done little to disprove its detractors. For the first month 'in action' Ed sees little more from his cockpit than the back end of a Chinook. But everything changes in the skies over Now Zad. Under fire and out of options, Ed has one chance to save his own skin and those of the men on the ground. Though the Apache bristles with awesome weaponry, its fearsome Hellfire missile has never been fired in combat. Then, in the blistering heat of the firefight, the trigger is pulled. It's a split-second decision that forever changes the course of the Afghan war, as overnight the gunship is transformed from being an expensive liability to the British Army's greatest asset. From that moment on, Ed and his squadron mates will face the steepest learning curve of their lives - fighting an endless series of high-octane missions against a cunning and constantly evolving enemy. Ed himself will have to risk everything to fly, fight and survive in the most hostile place on earth.
422 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2009
31 people are currently reading
445 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 25, 2011
This is another of those times where I wish there were half stars. I wanted so much to give this book 5 stars, but during the 400 pages in this book I spent from approximately page 100 to page 200 quite bored. However, the first 100 pages were terrific and the last 200 pages were outstanding. But, alas, I couldn't in all honesty give this 5 out of 5 because of that bit that bored me. I would prefer to give it 4 1/2 so really, that's what I am giving it.
I should also mention that the reason I was bored for that brief time is because I had already learned enough about the Apache, the monocle, the choppers handling and the weapons, in Apache the book that Hellfire is a Prequel too. I wish I had read Hellfire first, but I didn't even know it existed until I had finished Apache.
Great book though. Adrenaline filled, funny and honest.
I should also mention that the reason I was bored for that brief time is because I had already learned enough about the Apache, the monocle, the choppers handling and the weapons, in Apache the book that Hellfire is a Prequel too. I wish I had read Hellfire first, but I didn't even know it existed until I had finished Apache.
Great book though. Adrenaline filled, funny and honest.
September 3, 2012
Macy is a character, a really fun writer to read. I've read his other book, Apache, which was just flat out amazing and received a solid 5 stars from me. This one was still just as awe-inspiring, but just didn't have the same nail-biting intensity as Apache, hence the 4 stars. It is still a highly recommended read!
April 16, 2015
Incredible amount of detail on the training and operation of the Apache helicopter, which I found interesting but a little tedious at times. To be fair it sets the stage for the rest of the book; it would be hard to understand without a very high level introduction to the different aeronautical and avionics systems.
The latter half of the book deals with his tour of duty in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. I found this section more engaging, particularly the detailed sections on how the Apaches worked in CAS (Close Air Support) with the ground troops.
Enjoyed it overall; the author is a very driven and determined leader of men and his style is very straight up with no BS.
The latter half of the book deals with his tour of duty in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. I found this section more engaging, particularly the detailed sections on how the Apaches worked in CAS (Close Air Support) with the ground troops.
Enjoyed it overall; the author is a very driven and determined leader of men and his style is very straight up with no BS.
November 30, 2017
Soldiering and literary ability rarely coincide but as I've commented before (on Ed's earlier book, "Apache") they certainly do, here. This is another wonderful balance between military authenticity and engaging readability.
"Apache" is an account of the core of Ed's tour in Aghanistan. This book is half the story of how he got to be an Apache pilot, and half in-theatre accounts left out of the first book.
Judging by how Ed wangled a spot in the world's most advanced military flying machine, I think he must be one of the smartest, most forward-thinking people on the planet. He was invalided out of a potential place in the SAS due to a bicycling accident, and still managed, via a combination of extreme research and skunkworks tactics, to corner the British Army into putting him in the Apache program. The book is worth reading just for that journey.
As usual though, the real meat is the balls-out seat-of-the-pants action. Ed is a professional soldier, so don't expect any compassion for the enemy or wider perspectives on the political situation. Ed's books give you a cockpit experience of very highly trained people performing incredibly difficult tasks under unimaginable pressures -- and enemy fire.
The surprise for me this time was the blind optimism with which commanders sent troops into action. At various points, Ed is literally begging to be allowed to keep his and his wingman's Apaches ready to go, just in case the mission runs past the fuel limit of the first wave, or something else goes wrong. You'd think this would be simple mission planning, but time and again commanders are blindsided and have to scramble to cover. You might think this would be avoidable, and it would cost lives, and you'd be right.
Even if you're not into first-hand military accounts, Ed's books are worth reading just for the slightly-above-the-ground perspective. I can't give his stuff a higher recommendation.
"Apache" is an account of the core of Ed's tour in Aghanistan. This book is half the story of how he got to be an Apache pilot, and half in-theatre accounts left out of the first book.
Judging by how Ed wangled a spot in the world's most advanced military flying machine, I think he must be one of the smartest, most forward-thinking people on the planet. He was invalided out of a potential place in the SAS due to a bicycling accident, and still managed, via a combination of extreme research and skunkworks tactics, to corner the British Army into putting him in the Apache program. The book is worth reading just for that journey.
As usual though, the real meat is the balls-out seat-of-the-pants action. Ed is a professional soldier, so don't expect any compassion for the enemy or wider perspectives on the political situation. Ed's books give you a cockpit experience of very highly trained people performing incredibly difficult tasks under unimaginable pressures -- and enemy fire.
The surprise for me this time was the blind optimism with which commanders sent troops into action. At various points, Ed is literally begging to be allowed to keep his and his wingman's Apaches ready to go, just in case the mission runs past the fuel limit of the first wave, or something else goes wrong. You'd think this would be simple mission planning, but time and again commanders are blindsided and have to scramble to cover. You might think this would be avoidable, and it would cost lives, and you'd be right.
Even if you're not into first-hand military accounts, Ed's books are worth reading just for the slightly-above-the-ground perspective. I can't give his stuff a higher recommendation.
June 10, 2020
A rather sprawling memoir of Macy's career as a helicopter pilot in the British army, culminating in the Apache. Macy provides extensive detail about training and tactics, sometimes perhaps in a little too much detail. At times Macy focuses too much on the "super-macho" characteristics of the Apache weapons system (detailed descriptions of how much damage a Hellfire missile could do). Nevertheless this is a worthwhile read for modern military readers (though not as exciting a read as his "Apache").
July 18, 2011
A wonderful book. The overall style of the book reminded me of "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!" in that both are a telling of the stories of the author's lives. Only, Feynman was a Physicist, and Ed Macy was a Helicopter Pilot. I would recommend this book to anybody, but especially Helicopter and war enthusiasts.
January 4, 2011
If you liked Apache this is a must read... Not as much drama as Apache but mostly a prequel explaining how the Apache program came to be developed in the British Army Air Corps.
October 18, 2021
This book was quite unexpected. Thought it might be a gungho war story but actually it was a thoughtful history of one mans career as a helicopter pilot in the Army Air Corps, culminating in flying an Apache in Afghanistan. The detail in the missions is very interesting. Shame that the war here and in Iraq were so pointless, achieving little but to cause more disruption. This doesn't take away from the heroism displayed here though.
April 9, 2020
I enjoyed reading this book, it was interesting and I really liked all the details, it's entertaining but not as entertaining as some other books similar to this one. I would recommend this book to other people but it wouldn't be the first alternative.
September 30, 2025
Very easy read, devoured it. Lots of action and tense moments. Plus a lot of interesting information about the specs of the Apache Gunship.
December 26, 2016
Hellfire is a 2009 publication telling of the author's experiences flying the Apache helicopter with the British Army's Army Air Corps. The earlier parts off the book look at his training on the Chipmunk and Gazelle, and subsequent service using the Gazelle and Lynx before being selected for the new (to the AAC) Apache helicopter. Following this, much of the book looks at a lengthy deployment in Afghanistan, and the subsequent ups and downs of his experiences using the Apache in combat. The author comes across at times as opinionated and arrogant, but since this is so often (arguably) a positive trait in military personalities it is just fine. Both informative and gripping to read, but altogether too brief.
February 10, 2019
If you love great stories about combat, you'll love this book. If you love the Apache helicopters, you'll LOVE this book. This, 'Apache Dawn' and 'Apache' (both by other pilot authors) I could not put down. Love them all.
December 2, 2009
Pretty good read about the first operational use of the Hellfire missle by UK Apache pilots.
May 23, 2012
Good stuff! Love the way the Apache is described for its features.
September 23, 2015
An inciteful glimpse into the intense training of an attack helicopter pilot. Very readable.
May 17, 2015
A good read, not as entertaining as Apache but if you liked Apache it's worth a read. A little heavy on the ego side but given the work these guys do it comes with the job.
September 23, 2016
A good read
A good read if a little bit to technical at times and too much use of abbreviated words for systems
A good read if a little bit to technical at times and too much use of abbreviated words for systems
September 21, 2010
Still think Macy is one of the best writers on the apache around.
May 21, 2015
Not as good as Apache but still a good read
April 12, 2017
A great read and an excellent complement to Apache. Although Hellfire is Macy's second book, it covers his history and that of the British Army's Apache project prior to the events recounted in Apache of Macy's second flying tour in Afghanistan.
It reads really well with great insights into the development of the Army's helicopter capability from light unsophisticated aircraft like Gazelle and Lynx into the complex beast that is the WAH-64 Apache, and the subsequent development and implementation of of the concept of intimate support where the Apache crew make the final decisions regarding the nature and type of fire support provided. This is a radical change from the traditional model of close air support where the onsite JTAC or forward controller make these calls, a change largely enabled by the way that this Army has chosen to employ it's Apaches and their awesome sensor and weapon suites in support of troops, especially those in close contact.
Macy's observations and experience flying Gazelle in support of armoured formations and infantry patrols across the spectrum of conflict offer still topical lessons for other military rotary wing arms, and are a timely reminder that the RW element can be far more useful than simple airborne taxi drivers...if they want to be...
My one regret is that I bought both Hellfire and Apache as bargain bin targets of opportunity and as such they sat on the shelf for a number of years before I finally got round to reading them...my loss!
Both of Ed Macy's books are must reads for anyone with a casual or professional interest in military rotary wing aviation...I would rate both 'up there' with Chickenhawk...
It reads really well with great insights into the development of the Army's helicopter capability from light unsophisticated aircraft like Gazelle and Lynx into the complex beast that is the WAH-64 Apache, and the subsequent development and implementation of of the concept of intimate support where the Apache crew make the final decisions regarding the nature and type of fire support provided. This is a radical change from the traditional model of close air support where the onsite JTAC or forward controller make these calls, a change largely enabled by the way that this Army has chosen to employ it's Apaches and their awesome sensor and weapon suites in support of troops, especially those in close contact.
Macy's observations and experience flying Gazelle in support of armoured formations and infantry patrols across the spectrum of conflict offer still topical lessons for other military rotary wing arms, and are a timely reminder that the RW element can be far more useful than simple airborne taxi drivers...if they want to be...
My one regret is that I bought both Hellfire and Apache as bargain bin targets of opportunity and as such they sat on the shelf for a number of years before I finally got round to reading them...my loss!
Both of Ed Macy's books are must reads for anyone with a casual or professional interest in military rotary wing aviation...I would rate both 'up there' with Chickenhawk...
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews