Not Everyone Comes Home

Not everyone comes homeThis book is not an argument about politics, nor an attempt to glorify war. It is an account of responsibility, pressure, humour, fear, leadership and endurance, and of the people who carried those things often without recognition. It is written for those who served, for those who waited at home, and for anyone trying to understand the longer shadow that operations can cast.Whether you are at war for a day, a week, a month or a year. Whether you are looking into the whites of the enemy's eyes or are behind the scenes under an extreme pressure and threat, I have the utmost respect for you. This book is about the ground crew, those who grafted to deliver exceptional air power during a war, and for those who did not quite bring all of themselves home.It is a powerful reminder that behind every combat mission stands an unseen force of professionals carrying the weight of war.I was twenty eight years old when I went to war with the Royal Air Force. It was the only time I did so. In 2003, I deployed with IV(AC) Squadron (Harriers) during Operation Telic. What follows are some of the experiences and some of the letters written and received during that period. Those letters are a snapshot in time: unfiltered, sometimes raw, and written without the benefit of hindsight. They capture how I felt in the moment, what was happening back home, and the stark contrast between life on a frontline airbase and life in Middle England.The chapters are a glimpse into the humorous, the effort, the pressure and the leadership required to keep a squadron of Harrier aircraft operational.  The shadow that the journey cast, is often, very long.