Air Commando One: Heinie Aderholt and America's Secret Air Wars

I had the opportunity to befriend Heinie Aderholt in the fall of 2009 and he promised to give me his book when we came up to Pamama city to share dinner with he and his wife, (we were going to by some furniture in his furniture store as well). I could not wait, I bought the book and consumed it quickly. Afterward we had a lot of time on the phone talking, about "stuff" that happened in Laos and all. I wanted to do a book about Bill Lair, but after reading his book and learning so much about him (Heinie) and his world, I just wanted to share Heinie's memories. Reading "Air Commando One" was like hearing it straight from "the man" himself. He was quite a story teller, he could really "spin a yarn"... Warren A. Trest has brought back this time I had with Heini Aderholt. (as I re-read Trest's book) Mr. Trest brings back to the dinner table the discussions of the adventures of Heinie's life and the account of a professional military man who stayed under the radar due to his clandestine work of a great man. The story should be told now that Heini is gone, it should be yelled from the roof tops. But just like so many great men who fought in secret wars doing the dirty work "Under the radar" so to speak, they will never get the recognition they deserve. This book; "Air Commando One" by Warren A. Trest is one of the best biographies I have read. I highly recommend this book, for it is very instructive and historically correct, interesting, amusing and will leave you smiling, sad, and scratching your head wondering what the heck does our government think they are doing? No matter where you stood on the Vietnam war politically speaking, in retrospect, we can now see perhaps, that just maybe the wars should be fought by those men who know what the heck they are doing, like Heini Aderholt. God bless all those guys who lived, died and fought by General Heinie Aderholt's side in World War II, Korea, Tibet, Thailand, The Golden Triangle, and Laos especially. Great job Mr. Trest, Great Book, Get the book and read it, you will be glad you did. I give it ten stars... (JRH)

Fantastic Read. What a legend!

According to my husband, Captain James L. Harper, Col. Aderholt, later Brigadier General Aderholt, under whom he served in Air Force Special Operations, was his favorite commander, and the book was as factual as you can get. WarrenTrest is one of the foremost and well respected military historians, and Air Commando One is one of his best, if not the best, books he has had published. A great book for anyone who knew Heinie and a great read for any military historian.

Still reading this one its a good read and explains some of the wheeling and dealing for the CIA Air America etc and makes me wonder who's doing this now.

As a former Special Forces officer and Mike Force A-team leader during the Vietnam War, I found Heinie's book fascinating. Without him the US Air Force may not have Air Commandos today. Though I didn't serve with Heinie I got to know him at the Special Operations Association Reunions in the latter 90's. Deceased now he was a superb gentleman and very respected by all those I know who did serve with him. For anyone interested in air operations in Indochina and military history, this book is a must-have.

I worked for Heine after he retired from the military.This book really describes the General and man so well.Great writing!Loved this great man! Sheila (Walker) Downing

I once had an autographed copy of this book but General Aderholt is gone so no chance of getting another one. A story about an amazing man from WW2 through Korea and Vietnam. I was at Nonkhom Phanom just before we pulled out. Great read.

For those who've never read this, and have a distinct affinity for all things being done in a certain manner (Lead, Follow, or Get Out of My Way!), READ this book. It's also a historical primer on both Korea and Vietnam air-related special operations from someone who was instrumental in the formation of this highly regarded, very efficient, and much-disliked-by-the-brass air operations unit. Having met General Aderholt, it really rang home with me. He was a true warrior's warrior.