By Fred J. Pushies, Motor Books International, 2000, soft bound, 124 pages, $16.95

Reviewed by: Dominique Sumner

Fred J. Pushies is a former military man turned author who specializes in material dealing with elite US military units. In his latest work, US Air Force Special Ops, he covers the US Air Force's Special Operations Command, or AFSOC.

The book is broken down into four main sections. The first half of the book gives a brief history of how US Air Force Air Commando units have evolved into their modern day counter parts. The second section describes AFSOCs current structure and its special operations wings. He also goes on to give detailed descriptions of aircraft currently in service with the units.

The second half of the book primarily deals with Air Force Special Tactics units. In the third section of the book he details the make up of the units, which consist of Pararescue technicians (PJs), Combat Controllers, and the Combat Weathermen of the 10th Combat Weather Squadron. He follows them through their selection and training process, and in the final section of the book he details their weapons and equipment.

Pushies really does not present any new information, but it the first time that anyone has gathered all of the material together in one place. My only complaints are that there are a few inaccuracies in the history section, and the information on the 10th CWS is a little on the lite side. Overall Pushies has done his homework and presents a good overview of the Air Commandos of today's Air Force Special Operations Command.