"The Naval Aviation Guide has long been essential reading for those earning their wings of gold as well as a convenient reference source for old hands and a useful introduction for those considering a career in naval aviation. Every major facet of naval aviation is treated here, from its origins and development to its organizational relationships and working parts, including Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Reserve aviation." "This fifth edition, revised by longtime naval flight officer and former magazine editor Lt. Cdr. Richard R. Burgess, retains the basic format of the previous edition but updates the text to reflect the changes that have occurred over the past decade."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Top Gun was only part of the story. Fly Navy delves beyond the Hollywood image to reveal the true mettle and genuine story of the elite men and women of naval aviation. For one hundred years, the U.S. Navy's aviators and crews have made the difference on military and peacetime missions around the world. Their unparalleled skill, preparation, and everyday dedication have paid off when it matters most: when lives are on the line. Together, these men and women—officers and enlisted personnel, past and present—have protected freedom, served their country, and forged a legacy of valor like no other. In this landmark book, Alvin Townley takes readers on an adventure around the world and across generations as he goes behind the scenes of naval aviation. From the skies over the Arabian Sea to the jungles of Southeast Asia to carriers patrolling the vast Pacific, he uncovers incredible stories of service members who survived weeks adrift at sea, made midnight rescues in deadly storms, crash-landed behind enemy lines, and found themselves in situations where their exceptional training and focus were the only things standing between life and death. Filled with inspiring personal accounts of courage, camaraderie, and sheer perseverance, Fly Navy pays tribute to the extraordinary individuals who have built naval aviation into the revered force it is today—and will remain tomorrow.