Hammer from Above: Marine Air Combat over Iraq

Air & Space Power Journal, Winter, 2006 by Dan Mortensen

Hammer from Above: Marine Air Combat over Iraq by Jay A. Stout. Presidio Press (http://www.randomhouse.com/rhpg/category/military), Random House Publishing Group, 1745 Broadway, New York, New York 10019, 2005, 416 pages, $25.95 (hardcover), $15.95 (softcover).

At a conference on close air support in June 2006, I asked a couple of Marine aviators what they thought of Hammer from Above, which I had just finished reading on the flight to Washington. All of them knew about the book, and two of them had read it. Most of us know that marines make a point of having situational awareness about their service's materials. It's too bad that Air Force Airmen do not share this practice about Air Force operations. Moreover, it is too bad that no comprehensive study exists on Air Force operations over Iraq and Afghanistan. Readers anxious to get a sense of the air war will have to settle for this Marine Corps emphasis. Interestingly, Gen T. Michael "Buzz" Moseley, chief of staff of the Air Force, wrote the very complimentary foreword. Perhaps a Marine Corps leader will write the foreword for an Air Force account of Iraqi operations in the near future.

The marines, who knew some of the flyers mentioned in the book, agreed that the personal and colorful identifications were accurate, even if the overall analysis failed to match their own opinions. They also indicated that the author provides an anecdotal rather than a balanced historical account. Jay Stout, a retired Marine Corps aviator, admits that he hurriedly transcribed the series of interviews he had collected and makes no apology that Hammer from Above reflects nothing more than his own impressions of Marine Corps operations in Iraq.

That said, the book was a fun read and proved very informative since Stout not only describes a dozen or so specific operations to cover the activities of helicopter and fixed-winged air units, but also offers a primer on how things work--from headquarters to squadrons to very important forward refueling and repair bases that sustain helicopter operations. He covers the aircraft, its weapons, and operational parameters. Novices will enjoy reading this account, some of it pretty basic, as much as experienced airpower advocates will appreciate the opportunity to review.

Some missions proved dangerous and deadly, particularly those of the Cobra units. Providing close air support with helicopters is far riskier than with fast-moving fixed-wing aircraft--and usually not nearly as destructive. The coalition had to call in aircraft from all services and nations to destroy buildings and tanks. Nearly every helicopter operation drew enemy bullet and rocket strikes. Medevac operations during the first few days in Baghdad were particularly gruesome--and costly to men and equipment. Marine aviators suffered casualties, but strikes against the Fedayeen produced a kill ratio far greater for the enemy.

Ultimately the close-in action described by the author is much more exciting than the normal air operations of the Air Force, which involve flying air cover on long missions, hauling men and materiel, refueling other aircraft, or flying command and control, with only the occasional mission attracting enemy fire. Close contact with the enemy gives the Marine Corps its fine reputation and promotes a wide audience for Hammer from Above. The Air Force account of the Iraqi war will have to be a different kind of study.

Dr. Dan Mortensen

Maxwell AFB, Alabama