Title Details

In May 1943, 617 Squadron RAF executed one of the most daring operations in military history as bombers mounted a raid against hydroelectric dams in Germany. 617 Squadron became a World War II legend. Nearly 70 years later, in April 2011, a new generation of elite flyers, now flying supersonic Tornado GR4 bombers, were deployed to Afghanistan—their mission: to provide close air support to troops on the ground. Tim Bouquet was given unprecedented access to 617's pre-deployment training and blistering tour in Afghanistan. From dramatic air strikes to the life-and-death search for IEDs and low-flying shows of force designed to drive insurgents from civilian cover, he tracked every mission—and the skill, resilience, banter, and exceptional airmanship that saw 617 through.