Volume 4 in Harpia Publishing's highly successful Arab MiGs series expands the history of the major Arab air forces that became involved in the wars with Israel during the period 1967 to 1973. It solves the intractable complexity of this violent period by dispassionately outlining the sequence of political and military events — in chronological and geographic order. The reader is systematically taken through Egyptian attempts to reconstruct its battered air force and expand its air defense capabilities, and then reestablish control of its airspace in spite of increasing and ever more aggressive Israeli attacks. The military support Israel received from the United States not only resulted in both sides developing, testing and employing ever more advanced methods of air warfare, but eventually provoked a Soviet military intervention, which marked the culmination of the period better known as the War of Attrition. The narrative continues with dramatic descriptions of the developments in Jordan, which culminated in a civil war in 1970, and with an exclusive insight into the previously unknown expansion of the Syrian air arm with extensive support from Czechoslovakia, in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The content is concluded with lesser known military events in Algeria, Morocco, Iraq and Libya, where a series of military coups resulted in developments that were to become critical not only for the future of the local air forces, but also well beyond the borders of those countries.

Arab MiGs. Volume 4: Attrition War, 1967-1973

History

Cooper, Tom

Nicolle, David

Nordeen, Lon

Middle East

Harpia Publishing

On 6 October 1973, the Egyptian and Syrian air arms opened an Arab attack on Israeli military installations on the Sinai Peninsula and in the Golan Heights. Thus began a war for recovery of territories lost to Israel during the June 1967 War, but also a war that was intended to repair damaged military and national pride, and a war that was to bring Israel back to the negotiating table. For the Israelis, who grossly underrated the capabilities of their enemies, it was a war that started with a surprise and alarming losses in men and material, and was characterized by the deployment of advanced electronics, computers and guided missiles. For the Arabs it was a war of revenge, in the best traditions of ‘guts and glory’. During the first few days of the war, the Arab air arms supported Egyptian infantry that stormed through the Bar Lev Line and Syrian mechanized forces that pushed into the Golan plateau. Egyptian and Syrian air defense forces inflicted unprecedented attrition upon the Israeli Air Force, denying it the ability to exercise aerial dominance and thus preventing it from playing a decisive role in the conflict. Gradually, the Israelis recovered from the initial blows, and their air force began exerting considerable pressure upon Syria. Undeterred, and reinforced by the Iraqi Air Force, the Egyptians and Syrians continued to hit back, turning the war into another slugging match of attrition. Clearly written and illustrated with a rich and unique collection of exclusive photography and original illustrations, Arab MiGs Volume 5 provides a detailed record of aerial warfare during the opening phases of the October 1973 Arab-Israeli conflict. Drawing on extensive research, declassified information, and interviews with dozens of participants, it recounts the origins, operational history, and battle performance of all the air forces involved. While emphasizing the Arab point of view, Arab MiGs Volume 5 goes well beyond standard histories to offer suppressed information and a plethora of new insights, well away from the bias and distortions of both sides. As such, it is the first comprehensive analysis of the aerial operations waged by both sides in this conflict.

Arab MiGs. Volume 5: October 1973 War, Part 1

Smisek, Martin

Müller, Holger

Arab MiGs Volume 6 continues Harpia Publishing’s renowned coverage of air actions by Arab air forces during the October 1973 Arab-Israeli War. After researching in the Middle East for more than 40 years, interviewing and discussing the fighting in detail with pilots, participants and eyewitnesses from almost every unit involved, the authors provide the first ever coherent narrative of this air war. While it has often been argued that air power did not play a dominant role in the conflict, it eventually proved critical to its outcome. Moreover, thousands of combat experiences that were learned during this war — and paid for in blood by both sides — proved extremely influential for the development of new aircraft types and new weapons systems. The October 1973 conflict was one of the best examples of the ever increasing importance of electronic warfare and unmanned aircraft upon the modern-day battlefield, and therefore prompted fundamental changes in the tactics and strategy of the dominant air powers across the globe during the late 20th century. As well as enabling the reader to gain a clear insight into the nature of the air operations by all involved air powers – and the Arab air forces in particular – and the weaponry deployed, this book contains a detailed cross-examination of claims from both sides, analyses aircraft losses on both sides and lays bare the over-claims, regardless of whether officially confirmed. Descriptions based on the reminiscences of veteran aircrews provide an unprecedented insider’s view of key aircraft and operations, illustrating how developments in technology and information warfare added a new dimension to the history of air warfare. Supported by a plethora of background information, more than 300 photographs, color profiles, maps and diagrams depicting the action, aircraft, camouflage patterns, markings, and weaponry deployed, Arab MiGs Volume 6 is set to become the standard reference work on the subject.

Arab MiGs: Volume 6 - October 1973 War, Part 2

Grandolini, Albert

An illustrated study of premier US anti-ship missile, the AGM/RGM-84 Harpoon, and its 1986 and '88 uses against Libyan and Iranian naval vessels. In this study, defence technology expert Lon Nordeen details the role played by the Harpoon missile in two Cold War flare-ups in the 1980s. The Harpoon was the first tactical anti-ship missile developed by the US Navy to provide a counter to the anti-ship missiles exported around the world by the Soviet Union and China. It was deployed on ships, aircraft, submarines and land vehicles and soon became the most widely used anti-ship missile system in the West, with 7,000+ having been produced since 1977, operated by the military forces of more than 30 nations. This exciting book explores the engagements of the Harpoon by the US Navy against its Libyan and Iranian adversaries, using original photographs and specially commissioned artwork to examine the naval systems and weapons employed by both counterparts. Drawing upon interviews with the US Navy A-6 Intruder crews that deployed the AGM084 variant of the Harpoon in 1986 and 1988, the author brings unique insight to his examination of these fascinating duels.

Harpoon Missile vs Surface Ships: US Navy, Libya and Iran 1986–88 (Duel, 134)

Osprey_Publishing

Nordeen, who has worked for Boeing for a number of years, tells the story of the Harrier II aircraft, tracing its development from US Marine Corps air-ground team close air support concepts in the 20s, through the first Harrier's evolution during Vietnam and near cancellation during the Carter administration, and Harrier II's use in Iraq and Afghanistan. The narrative includes interviews with military commanders, pilots, engineers, production personnel, including some figures who opposed the development of the craft. Appendices contain a timeline, a list of Harrier II squadrons, a production history and color photographs. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Harrier II: Validating V/STOL

Military

Naval_Institute_Press

This book is the third of three volumes on US Marine Corps Harrier IIs in combat, and it is the first volume in print to cover the whole story of the AV-8B's service employment during peacekeeping operations and then in Afghanistan.
In the 1970s the USMC bought the AV-8A Harrier from the UK to test V/STOL (vertical and/or short take-off and landing) concepts for close air support. A successful funding battle was subsequently fought in the 1980s to secure military, political, and economic support to expand this concept to develop and field the second generation AV-8B Harrier II from the late 1980s onward. The AV-8B was, and still is, the only tactical aircraft that could deploy with Marine forces on amphibious assault ships and provide air cover and close air support separate from large deck aircraft carriers. Having seen action in-theater during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, the Harrier II was heavily involved in peacekeeping operations in Balkans in the 1990s, as well as in Africa from 1992 to 2002. From late 2001, the jet took part in the 'War on Terror" during the early phase of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Units equipped with the aircraft initially flew from amphibious assault ships off the Pakistani coast, before becoming land-based in-theater from early 2002 following the occupation of Afghanistan by Coalition troops. Harrier II squadrons have maintained a presence in-theatre supporting anti-Taliban and al-Qaeda operations ever since.

AV-8B Harrier II Units of Operation Enduring Freedom (Combat Aircraft)

Americas

Step onto the battlefield and immerse yourself in the experience of real historic combat. Designed for the battlefields of Europe at the height of the Cold War, the M60 and T-62 were the premier combat tanks of their day. However, it was in the deserts of the Middle East that they finally met in battle. This new Duel title examines the design and development of these main battle tanks, identifying their strengths and weaknesses, and describing and analyzing their performance on the battlefield during the Yom Kippur War, the Iran-Iraq War, and the first Gulf War. Included are color photographs, cutaway artwork, and original illustrations by Richard Chasemore. It's a must-read for fans of the evolution of armored warfare.

M60 vs T-62: Cold War Combatants 1956–92 (Duel, 30)

Isby, David

In the 1970s the USMC bought the AV-8A Harrier from the UK to test V/STOL concepts for close air support. A successful funding battle was subsequently fought in the 1980s to secure military, political and economic support to expand this concept to develop and field the second generation AV-8B Harrier II from the late 1980s onward. The AV-8B was, and still is, the only tactical aircraft that could deploy with Marine forces on amphibious assault ships and provide air cover and close air support separate from large deck aircraft carriers. When Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, a coalition of nations launched Operation Desert Shield in order to defend Saudi Arabia. The Harrier II was among the first tactical air assets to be deployed to the region to support ground forces in their efforts to halt the advance of Iraqi forces at the border with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. During Operation Desert Storm, the five units flying the AV-8B in-theatre became some of the top tactical squadrons of choice by air mission planners for allied battlefield preparation and close air support. This was due to the AV-8B's capabilities, proximity to the battle zone and the proven abilities of Marine pilots and forward air controllers, who were closely integrated with ground forces and knew their business so well. The untold story of the AV-8B in this conflict is vividly brought to life by the author through firsthand accounts and period photography sourced from those that were there, as well as official archives. This is planned to be the first of three volumes on USMC Harrier IIs in combat, with follow-on titles covering the jet's operations in Iraq in 2003-08 and Afghanistan in 2001-2009.

AV-8B Harrier II Units of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (Combat Aircraft, 90)

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