From the Prairie to the Pacific is the story of one man's journey from rural North Dakota to the cockpits of U.S. Navy jet fighters and ultimately Captain of a flagship aircraft carrier. Gil Rud flew combat missions over Vietnam in A-7 Corsair II aircraft before taking command of his own squadron. His success as a Naval aviator led to the ultimate reward - "Boss" of the world-famous Blue Angel s aerobatic display team, overseeing their successful transition to the F/A-18 Hornet. Gil Rud reflects on his experiences and emotions as a husband and father as well as a pilot and an "officer and a gentleman." His stories of triumph and tragedy, from nights on the flight deck to nights on the town and the loss of close friends, reveal deep feelings, great insight and a wonderful sense of humor, as well as meticulous attention to detail. Book specifications: Dimensions: 229 x 152 Author: Capt Usn (Ret ). Gil Rud Cover type: Paperback Publishing Year: 2022 Publishing Month: 9 Pages: 414 Language: English Publisher: ELM Grove Publishing Weight: 549 g