Celebrating a New Book from Our Friend Daniel Jackson Flying Brothers

Every once in a while, a book comes along that shines a light on a chapter of aviation history that deserves far more attention. I’m excited to congratulate our friend Daniel Jackson on the upcoming release of his new book, Flying Brothers.

If you enjoy military aviation, Cold War history, or stories of the remarkable men who built allied air forces in Southeast Asia, this is one you’ll want to preorder.

Rather than retelling the familiar story of Vietnam, Flying Brothers explores the often-overlooked air wars and strategic partnerships that shaped the Cold War across Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Daniel takes readers directly into history:

• F-5 Freedom Fighters intercepting rebel “Tora-Toras” over Manila during the 1989 coup attempt.
• F-86 Sabres firing the first AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles against Communist MiG-17s over the Taiwan Strait in 1958.
• AT-6 Texans attacking a mutinous warship on a river through downtown Bangkok in 1951.

For me, this book has an especially personal connection.

After flying combat missions with the Burma Banshees during World War II, my father, Philip Adair, continued serving in Asia during the Cold War. As an American advisor, he helped train the newly formed Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force, passing along the combat experience he had gained over Burma to a new generation of fighter pilots.

That training proved invaluable.

The Taiwanese pilots he helped prepare would go on to make history during the 1958 Taiwan Strait Crisis, when Republic of China Air Force F-86 Sabres scored the first successful combat victories using the newly introduced AIM-9 Sidewinder missile against Communist MiG-17s. It was a watershed moment in aerial warfare and demonstrated how the lessons learned during World War II continued to shape the Cold War.

This is one of the reasons I’m so excited about Flying Brothers. Daniel Jackson tells the broader story of the American advisors—true “diplomats in flight suits”—who didn’t simply deliver aircraft. They flew with their counterparts, trained pilots and maintainers, shared combat experience, and helped build capable allied air forces throughout Southeast Asia.

Many, like Philip Adair, continued serving, mentoring allied pilots, and helping shape the next generation of airpower during the Cold War.

Congratulations, Dan, on what promises to be an outstanding contribution to aviation history.

If you’re passionate about military aviation, Cold War history, or the untold stories of the men who built America’s alliances in Asia, I encourage you to preorder your copy of Flying Brothers. I know I’ll be reading it the moment it arrives.

Preorder here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1501789007?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

The post New Book Alert -> Flying Brothers: From Dogfights to Diplomacy in Cold War Southeast Asia appeared first on Burma Banshees.

For WWII aviation fans—and specifically followers of the legendary Burma Banshees (80th Fighter Group)—this book is an absolute treasure.

Before flying dangerous missions in the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater, the 80th Pursuit Group was organized right here on Long Island at Mitchel Field and Farmingdale in 1942. Faces From Mitchel Field highlights key figures tied to that history, including:

• Lt. Phil Adair: Famous for his legendary heroism in the CBI Theater, Adair’s early history and personal photos connect deeply to the airfield’s legacy.
• Lt. Dick Nellis: The heroic “Forgotten Eagle” whose selfless story is remembered by aviation historians. In January 1943, while testing a P-47 Thunderbolt out of Mitchel Field, Nellis steered his flaming aircraft away from populated areas out over Jones Beach before bailing out—sacrificing his life to protect the community below.

📖 What is Faces From Mitchel Field About?

This landmark book explores the rich 44-year history of Mitchel Field, the legendary airfield on Long Island, New York. Rather than just listing dates and statistics, the author brings the airfield to life through the eyes, experiences, and personal stories of 38 individuals who served there.

Profusely illustrated throughout, the book features hundreds of rare photographs—most pulled directly from the Cradle of Aviation Museum’s extensive archives, alongside fascinating selections from private and public sources.

🏛️ A Journey Through Five Eras

To capture the true scope of Mitchel Field’s legacy, the book is thoughtfully divided into five distinct sections, with a special, in-depth focus on the pivotal World War II years:

• 1908–1917: The early “Cradle of Aviation” pioneer era
• World War I: Early mobilization and training
• Between the Wars: Golden age exploits and aviation development
• World War II: The height of operation, defense, and wartime training (including the 80th Fighter Group’s early days)
• Post-War Era to 1961: The Cold War years leading up to the airfield’s eventual closure

Drawing directly from primary archival sources, official military and government records, and historical newspapers, this volume offers unprecedented accuracy and depth.

📌 Book at a Glance

• Title: Faces From Mitchel Field: Portraits and Stories 1917–1961
• Subtitle: Forgotten Eagles (Beneath the Shadows of Wings)
• Format: Volume 1 (Richly illustrated non-fiction)
• Key Highlights: 38 personal stories (including Adair and Nellis), hundreds of archival photos from the Cradle of Aviation Museum, deep historical documentation.

🌟 Why This Matters for Our Community

Mitchel Field played a massive role in shaping both aviation history and the local fabric of Long Island. Works like this ensure that the sacrifices, triumphs, and daily lives of the men and women who passed through its gates are never forgotten.

It stands as a testament to what passion and painstaking research can accomplish—bringing “Forgotten Eagles” back into the light.

It’s available at Amazon here:

https://a.co/d/09jCw1XW

The post Faces From Mitchel Field: Portraits and Stories 1917-1961 Forgotten Eagles (Beneath the Shadows of Wings) appeared first on Burma Banshees.