I was looking along my overflowing review bookshelf this morning and I noticed this title that was released in August last year.
Flight Command is a memoir from AIRCDRE John Oddie who, as a farm boy in western Victoria, watched RAAF jets pass overhead as he ploughed the paddocks, wondering what it would be like to fly such machines. Thirty-five years later – having flown Hueys, Chinooks, Hercules, jets and C-17s in a range of operations – John had risen to the rank of Air Commodore.
His is an interesting story.
Toward the end of his service, John sat for a portrait by war artist Ben Quilty which became part of a widely-toured exhibition. It was the public’s response to those revealing images of people in the military that encouraged John to paint a more complete picture of his career by writing a memoir.
He has spoken about his career and his book on the ABC Radio program Conversations with Richard Fidler. To hear the interview, click here.
The book is published by Allen & Unwin http://www.allenandunwin.com RRP $32.99
