Road to Gold Author:Lt. Commander William H. Labarge From basic training to deadly battle in the skies, he followed a path of high risk and proud tradition. Matt "Sweetwater" Sullivan's dream of becoming a navy pilot could not possibly have prepared him for the body-numbing pace of basic training with a class of bewildered beginners. With grit, verve, and determination, Matt would su... more »rvive the "Pensacola Pressure-Cooker" and go on to Saufley Field to meet the grueling demands of the Navy's basic flight program. But learning to handle high-altitude crises and hazardous landings was only a prelude to the harrowing night flights, the hair-trigger laser weapons training, dicey test flights from the deck of the Lady Lex, and deadly DEA combat action. Facing down fears and doubts, meeting every challenge, Matt would take every risk, until he could say with a naval aviator's pride that he had gone the distance and earned the right to join the select few who wear the hard-won, coveted Wings of Gold.« less
The book follows a recruit through Naval Aviator training. Use of technical jargon in some of the training sequences can be confusing to non-pilots, but overall very interesting and a good read!