Turn and Burn: A Fighter Pilot's Memories and Confessions

In “Turn and Burn” the author takes the readers with him in the cockpit as he shares the fulfillment of his boyhood dream and some of his most memorable adventures and misadventures during a twenty-four year flying career as a fighter pilot, both in combat and peacetime. Share the author’s emotions when being surrounded by enemy anti-aircraft flak, when having to crash land twice, during occasions when the aircraft’s response was violent and uncontrollable, when having a large turkey buzzard crash through the windscreen into the cockpit when the aircraft was 200 feet off the ground and traveling nearly 600 mph, just to mention a few of those memorable occasions the author shares. Along the way, the readers are given vivid accounts of the joys and delights, the fears and terrors, the frustrations and fulfillments, the thrills, intensity, and humor involved in the fighter pilot’s unique life, and the special and inseparable bond that exists in the fighter pilot community. The author’s account is also deeply personal as he shares his opinion of the top leadership, both civilian and military, during the Vietnam War. His criticism is shared by the vast majority of those who fought in that war, and includes the leadership’s lack of understanding of the enemy, a prime requisite when going to war, their lack of will to do what was necessary to win, a prime requisite when going to war, and worst of all, their unconscionable willingness to allow the U.S. military to suffer substantial losses in personnel and resources by fighting a war they were not allowed to win. The author’s pride in being part of the fighter pilot community can be summed up by the final phrase of a poem about military aviators written by an unknown author that goes, “Because we flew, we envy no man on earth."About the author:Darrell Ahrens is a former U.S. Marine, Air Force fighter pilot and operations staff officer, high school teacher, and pastor. He holds degrees from Chapman University, Boston University, and Fuller Theological Seminary, as well as diplomas from the Armed Forces Staff College, the Air War College, and the National Defense University. He and his wife Louise and her mother live in the Southwest, joined by their three-legged cat Masio.

"Turn and Burn puts you right in the cockpit with him. It's a real page-turner. I couldn't put it down. I give it five stars." ~ Mark Garrison, Bestselling Author of Guts 'n Gunships: What it was Really Like to Fly Combat Helicopters in Vietnam

"I devoured this book in one day. I found it a fascinating story about all the adventures and travails of an Air Force pilot, starting from his first solo through his very last flight. As a former Marine Corps Aviation Cadet (which the author Ahrens almost became), I related to every one of his exciting stories. I wish he had used more dates so I could know when our paths crossed...his paths very high, mine, as a Marine Corps helicopter pilot, low, but nevertheless intersecting." ~ Bill Collier (USMCR), Author of The Adventures of a Helicopter Pilot and Air America

" Turn and Burn presents a well-written, modestly understated, insight into the mind and personality of a fighter pilot, in peace and war, facing challenge and danger with inner calm and grace. The author chronologically inter-leaves chapters of peacetime experiences with those flying combat missions during the Vietnam War, which help the reader capture the measure of the man over a span of years and circumstance. And I could relate. I was a career Army officer. I "knew" Bitburg, Germany, where Ahrens was based during the Cold War. And I fought The Vietnam War on the ground, often the recipient of the close air support from F-4s and F-105s that LT. COL. Ahrens flew, and which often swayed the fight in our favor, and helped bring us home, alive. I particularly enjoyed his chapter on his reflections of the war, having come to the same core conclusions when I indulged in such reflection. Ahrens motivation for writing his book was the preservation of family history. He accomplishes that, and much more. He provides the reader with a rare view of the psychology and culture of those who fly, serve our nation, and who conquer fear and danger." ~ Richard Kurtz, Author of Then a Soldier

"This excellent book is firmly in the "there I was..." school of military memoirs. Lt/Col Ahrens describes in vivid detail his life, and almost his death, as a fighter pilot with the United States Air Force including the path he took to hold such a position. He flew the fast jets, the best we had at the time, and flew them well. Written in the first person, the book puts the reader in the cockpit with all the danger, excitement, and stress that entails. Climb aboard, strap in, tighten your lap belt, lock your shoulder harness, and check six with Darrell Ahrens, fighter pilot." ~ Ed Cobleigh, Bestselling Author of War For the Hell of It: A Fighter Pilot's View of Vietnam

"Lt Col Ahrens writes a fascinating collection of vignettes here to provide an interesting perspective on not only the combat sorties of a Vietnam Era pilot but many of the less well recorded training and non combat missions. Lt Col Ahrens demonstrates a clear and unwavering faith as a thread which ties his stories and journeys together which, although not my own Christian interpretation of gospel, I can respect how it grounds his journey. Written in an easygoing style, Ahrens provides enough technical details in his recollections to establish his bona fides, but doesn't go beyond that to confuse or bore the lay reader. His choice to present the book as a collection of vignettes makes this an enjoyable read, almost conversational, and you can almost hear his voice, your head as if this is an armchair conversation of his recollections. Lt Col Ahrens does well to not embellish his tales too much beyond the scope of his own experiences, and only beggs the audiences forgiveness for one chapter to inject his own larger political/social thoughts into the larger ramifications from his experiences. Although I don't always agree with his conclusions or the facts he insinuates, he does take care to call out that this is his perspective, shaped by the described experiences, and I appreciate the opportunity to get to learn from this faucet of Air Force history through his eyes.Overall a very digestible and interesting read that should be considered by both Air Force and Vietnam buffs for providing a different perspective than many other combat forward works out there." ~ Michael
★★★★★
"As Vietnam era veteran, I enjoyed reading about Lt. Col. Aherns adventures, misadventures, and reflections on his military career. It was like "old home week" as we say in Army. Veterans from the 60s, 70s and even 80s will enjoy this book because his experiences, insights and opinions will likely align with your own. Air Force fliers of that era will probably like it even more. He shares combat experiences with the reverence and humility of a true warrior. The fun and camaraderie we experience when we serve is there alongside the deep respect for our fallen. He touches on politics and the warrior viewpoint. He is no radical but shares his solid Christian and American values. "The cockpit of a fighter aircraft," he said, "is a place of self-discovery where one is faced with the stark reality of one's capabilities and limitations." He was forthcoming on both. Although, Lt. Col Aherns wrote these recollections for his grandchildren, I felt privileged to share them." ~ Donna Woodward
★★★★★
"The book was written with humor, humility, truthfulness, and wisdom. Ahrens was a Marine who then entered the Air Force to become an exceptional fighter pilot. He shared his mishaps and mistakes, and he learned from those to excel at flying. Moving from a chapter on learning to fly each fighter jet to a chapter on being a fighter pilot in the war in Vietnam eased me into the culture of fighter pilots. He was always willing to share about the different countries in which he was stationed. I loved his simple way of telling his story and I, at times, felt as if I was one of his kids, learning to know his history, his heart, and his passion. For a fighter pilot, he was just so down to earth in his story-telling. The last chapters included his opinions about the Vietnam War and War on Terror. I greatly appreciate his insights, especially of the Vietnam War. These last chapters are why I included wisdom as a description of his writing. While you may not agree with his conclusions, or even beliefs, you will hear the story from someone who lived it." ~ Lynnette Goebel

"As a "Cold War" Army veteran and certified military history nut, I devour a good military read. I truly enjoyed reading this first person account of an honorable military pilot. His easy, personable writing style had me joining him in the cockpit....longing for that feeling of power and elation. I grew up with most of the jets mentioned in this book and had the honor of sitting in the WSO seat of a F4 at Andrews where my Uncle worked maintenance. I fondly recall them all as beautiful birds of prey. I can relate to experiencing foreign cultures, having served in Italy and traveling Europe and Turkey. As the author says, "you need to go". I can also relate to Faith. God has been there for me so many times because He had a better plan. Read the book and prepare to slip the surly bonds of earth. Salute LTC!! " ~ Bill

"Turn and Burn by Darrell Ahrens is a must read for those of us who appreciate military history, technology and combat experiences. Ahren's style is engaging and conversational. The author, like most true heros, projects a strong sense of integrity, humility and introspection. Unlike many works within this genre, the author minimizes combat drama. Although this book provides plenty of colorful action, the story is predominantly an inspirational journey of a young boy's life long aspiration to become a fighter pilot. The focus is on the chronology of trials, sacrifices and accomplishments along the way. The first ninety percent of this book is clearly written for those of us who love this genre. The last ten percent is a must read for everyone who are concerned for the future of The United States of America." ~ Daniel

"I have read numerous books within this specific genre and to the best of my recollection found this book to be one of my favorites. I felt that the method the author used to "break-up" his life and career path with the insertion of actual combat experience and other flying experiences made the book more interesting and held my attention better than the basic "step-by-step" progress through life used by many authors. As a retired member of the U.S. Navy within a couple of years of his period of service somewhat reminiscent of some of my experiences in the area of military "policies" as a enlisted member; needless to say though not to the same degree of possible consequences. Since I agree totally with his comments in the Chapter Thoughts and Comments on War I definitely found it refreshing." ~ Ernest