Danger Close

Contents

List of Illustrations xi Preface xiii List of Air Force Ranks and Abbreviations xix Prologue 1 Part 1—Afghanistan 1. The Challenge Is Clear—and Daunting 13 2. Integrating the Special Forces—Close Air Support Team 25 3. The Fall of the Taliban Regime 42 4. Operation Anaconda 57 5. Just Another Day in Afghanistan 87 Part 2—Iraq 6. A Controversial Invasion in a Context of Controversy 97 7. “Our Business Now Is North” 129 8. A Tale of Two Bridges 153 9. Through the Gap, across the Bridge, and on to Baghdad 170 10. The Thunder Runs 188 11. The Scud Hunt and Operations in Western Iraq 210 12. The Drive from the North 223 Conclusion 235 Appendix: People Interviewed 239 Glossary 241 Index 247 Contents ...