Basic Airman to General: The Secret War & Other Conflicts: Lessons in Leadership & Life. This item is unavailable.Basic Airman to General: The Secret War & Other Conflicts: Lessons in Leadership & Life

This book covers the remarkable success of a second-generation Polish kid who, at the age of eighteen, enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was one of less than a handful of basic airmen who rose to the rank of four-star general. More importantly, it covers the reincarnation of WW II Air Commandos under the code name of Jungle Jim, as well as US combat air operations from 1961 through 1967 flying obsolete B-26s and the newest jet fighter, the F-4D. Then airman Piotrowski qualified for aviation cadet training and earned his first wings as a navigator and electronic warfare officer (EWO). Following assignments in Korea and Japan, he returned to the United States for pilot training ranking number one in his class and qualifying for jet fighters. He was selected for Project Jungle Jim and became a leading air force expert in conventional weapons and tactics. His flying ability, combat experience, and tactical expertise led to his assignment at the Air Force Top Gun School to instruct air force generals headed for Vietnam on conventional weapons and tactics. Following school and staff assignments, he was selected to command the Fortieth Tactical Group, Aviano, Italy. He led the group for three years, receiving a rating as “Best Wing in the USAF.” Following Aviano, he was a special assistant to, and troubleshooter for, General Jones, air force chief. Shortly thereafter, he was selected to build the 552nd AWAC equipped with the E-3A aircraft and bring it to combat status. For his outstanding leadership of the 552nd AWAC Wing he received the prestigious Secretary of the Air Force Zukert Award.

"General Piotrowski attended Henry Ford Trade School, where he earned his apprenticeship as a toolmaker and world-class draftsman, and a high school diploma in June 1952. He stayed on at the Ford Rouge Plant in Detroit, Michigan, as a draftsman working on projects for the Korean War. On his eighteenth birthday, he left Ford, registered for the draft, and found employment designing fixtures for the B-52 bomber. In September 1952, he enlisted in the USAF and was sent to Keesler AFB for electronics and ground radar training. While in school, he was accepted into the Aviation Cadet Program, graduating as a second lieutenant with the silver wings of a navigator and electronics warfare officer (EWO). His first operational assignment was to the Sixty-Seventh Tactical Recce Wing flying RB-26s from Korea and Japan. While in Japan, he participated in the filming of Sayonara starring Marlon Brando and James Garner. In 1957, he returned to the United States for pilot training, graduating number in his class and qualifying for jet fighter training in the storied F-86F. He also participated in the filming of The Hunters, a Korean War film starring Robert Mitchum and Robert Wagner. He volunteered for a clandestine assignment with Jungle Jim, which led to three combat tours in Vietnam flying AT-28s, B-26s, and F-4Ds. Following several staff and command assignments, he was promoted to general to serve as the air force vice chief of staff and subsequently commander of NORAD and US Space Command. During his service, he lived in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, South Vietnam, England, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. He also traveled extensively throughout the fourteen NATO nations, as well as Africa, Canada, Mexico, and Sweden."