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.
Adak: The Rescue of Alfa Foxtrot 586
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"...an engaging and readable book." -- Alaska History, Spring/Fall 2003
"Andrew Jampoler... has spun a memorable tale... overall 'Adak' is an adventure story to rival the best you've ever read." --Daniel Ford, The Wall Street Journal, May 16, 2003
"Andrew Jampoler... has spun a memorable tale... overall 'Adak' is an adventure story to rival the best you've ever read." --Daniel Ford, The Wall Street Journal, May 16, 2003
About the Author
Andrew C. A. Jampoler is the author of Horrible Shipwreck!, The Last Lincoln Conspirator, and Sailors in the Holy Land. A resident of Leesburg, VA, he spent more than twenty years in the U.S. Navy and flew a P-3 Orion on the same mission from the same base.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
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.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
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.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
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."
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good accounting
Good read that put me back in the seat. I was a flight engineer on the P-3 for 19 years. I remember this ditch well. It gave us some better survival gear and procedures. Read more
Published 14 days ago by Phillip Minor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Story
I have served as an Aircrewman on a P3 Orion (ordnance position). We always joked at that time better to bailout than ditch.
I learned of other P3 crashes during the read. Read more
I learned of other P3 crashes during the read. Read more
Published 25 days ago by Lawrence Bolger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great account of cold water survival
My review is somewhat baised as I was a P-3 crewman during that time in a different patrol squadron. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Donn W. Mckinnon
5.0 out of 5 stars
very enteresting
it digs into the real lives of p3 navy and its operation. It is action packed and easy to read.
Published 2 months ago by lee's
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Stuff
As a crew member of the USCGC JARVIS at that time, I really enjoyed the way the the author explain everything. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Danny Gutfeld
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jeanie
In 1972-73 I lived on Adak with my husband and two children.It was quite an adventure. Not much seems to have changed.The the high winds whipping up white-outs. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Jeanie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Adak
The book arrived in like-new condition. The book was written by a retired Navy Captain, an aviator whom I have met. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Edward M. Cutler
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
Arrived on time. Got the book for a friend as a gift. He said he liked it. Enough said I guess.
Published 5 months ago by Gil
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible True Story.
I was working at the Naval Safety Center as an analyst when this mishap occurred. Later I was assigned the task to improve the NATOPS P-3 Flight Manual's Egress and Survival... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Jack
5.0 out of 5 stars
You were there
This book inserts you into AF586 throughout it's ordeal and beyond. Recommended to me by a fellow Naval Aircrewman. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Navy Lady 724
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