New Edition This is the story of a special breed of warrior, the fighter-bomber pilot; the story of valiant men who flew the rugged F-105 Thunderchief 'Thud' fighter-bomber over the hostile skies of North Vietnam. From the briefing rooms to the bombing runs, Colonel Jack Broughton recounts the tragedy and heartache, the high drama and flaming terror, the exhilaration and thrill of life on the edge. He relives the incredible feeling of high-speed, low-level sorties where SAM missiles, deadly flak, and enemy MiG fighters were all in a day's work. The bravery of the pilots and their commitment to each other in times of extreme fear, crisis and catastrophe are highlighted by vivid, fast moving aerial combat sequences.Thud Ridge is a fascinating and graphic memorial to the courage of American pilots, the power of their machines and their dedication to achieving successful missions despite the difficult challenges they faced. Author Jack Broughton, who passed away in 2014, had an exemplary career in the U.S. Air Force, receiving 43 separate awards and decorations, including four Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Silver Stars and the highest Air Force service decoration for heroism, the presidentially-awarded Air Force Cross. Broughton was also proud of the fact that he was combat-qualified in every USAF fighter from the WWII P-47 to the supersonic F-106 all-weather interceptor. Thud Ridge continues to be an inspirational memoir for each new generation of air force officer candidates, as well as an enduring and timeless military history classic.