Adak: The Rescue of Alfa Foxtrot 586

By Andrew C.A. Jampoler

Book Overview

In the tradition of great tales of men against the sea, Adak offers a compelling look at courage and commitment in the face of certain tragedy. Alfa Foxtrot 586 was a P-3 Orion on station on a sensitive Cold War mission off the Kamchatka Peninsula on 26 October 1978. When a propeller malfunction turned into an engine fire, the pilot was forced to ditch his turboprop into the empty, mountainous seas west of the Aleutian Islands. The aircraft went down in just ninety seconds, taking one of the three rafts with it. Thirteen men launched the other rafts, the smallest of which--terribly overcrowded--soon began to leak, threatening the nine men aboard. This account of the flight crew's desperate battle against the sea, and the heroic efforts to rescue them provide an engrossing true story of survival.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1591144108
• ISBN13: 9781591144106
• Release Date: November 2011
• Publisher: Naval Institute Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Outstanding!

A great read for all. Even better for us P-3 guys, gives great insight on many of the "why's" from emergency procedures. If you're not convinced E-handling a pitchlocked prop is a bad idea, you need to read this book.

These guys are heroes.....

As the son of a Navy P-3 (and sea plane) pilot and former CO of VP-9, this book hit very close to home for me. The story is well-written and extremely emotional, at least to anyone who has ever had a loved one fly in harm's way. When you're a kid, and your Dad flies Navy planes for a living, you never really consider the risks and dangers. This true story demonstrates what these men faced on a daily basis and shows how their endless training and attention to detail was essential to their survival. You wouldn't expect a Navy flyer turned author to write a tear jerker, but that is certainly what Andy Jampoler has done, at least for me. Thinking back on all those flights, all those deployments, all those "close" calls with engine failure, and realizing that it could have been my family welcoming back a box instead of a father, there simply is no way not to shed a tear of both sorrow and thanks. The men of PD-2 were heroes in the traditional sense; they did their jobs in the face of incredible danger, some losing their lives in the process. But for me, what this book really shows is that tragedy doesn't make heroes. For every Jerry Grigsby, Ed Caylor and John Ball, there were thousands of other Navy officers and men who were just a much heroes. In this time of war, it's important to remember that.

Very readable

I read this very exciting account of the rescue of these flyers in two sittings. Capt. Jampoler brings the story to life by presenting, "Finding of Facts," from the official investigation and then tells us the details in a very readable way. Jampoler also brings humor into this heroic story. He explains that the Navy does not train flyers to use survival suits in freezing water because it is akin to "practice bleeding."

When you have a "bad day at the office"...

This book amazingly recreates the scene of a horrific chain of events back on a cold day in Oct 1978. As an ex-Navy man, and a son of one of the flight survivors, I appreciate the accuracy and directness of the authors writing. The way the Mr Jampoler articulated the facts and experiences of all those involved is a tribute to those lost that day. This story provides an emotional referrence to use whenever you think you are having a bad day at the office.

The Navy's Perfect Storm

This is a superb book about the heroism of a Navy patrol plane crew that goes down in the midst of a raging north Pacific storm, and the men who dare the elements to rescue them. A well know story within naval aviation, it is thrilling to read this riveting account, and it is great to know that many others will have the opportunity to learn this tragic yet uplifting tale. I first heard this story from one of the survivors who visited my squadron many years ago, and it dramaticly affected the way I look at my job. I recommend it to everyone.