Super Slick

Tom Feigel's "Super Slick: Life and Death in a Huey Helicopter in Vietnam" offers a visceral account of helicopter combat operations during the Vietnam War. As a former UH-1 "Huey" pilot, Feigel draws from his personal experiences flying missions in one of the conflict's most dangerous roles. The memoir stands as both a historical document and a deeply human narrative about aerial warfare in Southeast Asia.

The book centers on Feigel's service as a helicopter pilot, specifically flying the iconic UH-1 Iroquois helicopter, commonly known as the Huey. These aircraft became synonymous with the Vietnam War, serving multiple critical functions including troop transport, medical evacuation, and combat assault missions. Feigel's narrative provides readers with an intimate perspective on what it meant to fly these missions day after day, navigating hostile terrain while under fire from enemy forces below.

Feigel's writing style proves remarkably effective in conveying the intensity and chaos of helicopter operations in Vietnam. Rather than presenting a sanitized or glorified version of combat, the author offers honest depictions of the fear, adrenaline, and split-second decision-making that characterized each mission. The technical aspects of flying the Huey are woven throughout the narrative, giving readers insight into the mechanical challenges and limitations pilots faced while operating these aircraft in combat conditions.

One of the memoir's strengths lies in its attention to the relationships forged among crew members. Helicopter operations in Vietnam required extraordinary coordination between pilots, co-pilots, crew chiefs, and door gunners. Feigel illustrates how these men depended on one another for survival, creating bonds that transcended typical military camaraderie. The trust required to fly into landing zones under heavy fire, often with limited visibility and intelligence, forms a recurring theme throughout the book.

The author does not shy away from describing the harsh realities of the war. Combat missions frequently involved transporting wounded soldiers, inserting troops into hostile territory, and providing fire support for ground forces engaged with the enemy. Feigel's accounts of these operations reveal the constant tension between mission objectives and crew safety, as well as the psychological toll of repeated exposure to combat and casualties.

The memoir also provides valuable context about the broader helicopter war in Vietnam. The UH-1 Huey became the workhorse of American operations, with thousands of these helicopters deployed throughout the conflict. Pilots like Feigel flew multiple missions daily, often facing ground fire, mechanical failures, and challenging weather conditions. The book captures the relentless pace of operations and the cumulative stress experienced by helicopter crews during their tours of duty.

Feigel's narrative extends beyond combat operations to include the daily life of helicopter pilots in Vietnam. The author describes base camp routines, interactions with ground troops, and the peculiar mixture of boredom and terror that defined the war experience. These quieter moments provide important contrast to the intense action sequences, offering a more complete picture of what serving in Vietnam actually entailed.

The technical details throughout the book will appeal to aviation enthusiasts and military historians. Feigel explains various flight maneuvers, tactical approaches, and the capabilities and limitations of the Huey helicopter in combat situations. These explanations remain accessible to general readers while providing sufficient depth to satisfy those with more specialized interests in military aviation.

The memoir also touches on the moral complexities and ambiguities of the Vietnam War. While Feigel focuses primarily on his immediate experiences and responsibilities as a pilot, the larger questions about the war's purpose and conduct form an underlying current throughout the narrative. The author presents these elements without heavy-handed moralizing, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions about the conflict.

"Super Slick" serves as an important addition to Vietnam War literature, particularly the subset of works focused on aviation and helicopter operations. The book provides future generations with a firsthand account of this critical aspect of the war, preserving the experiences of those who served in this dangerous capacity. Feigel's willingness to share both triumphant and traumatic moments creates a balanced and credible narrative that honors the complexity of the Vietnam experience.

For readers interested in military history, aviation, or the Vietnam War specifically, this memoir offers valuable insights and compelling storytelling. The combination of technical detail, personal reflection, and historical context makes "Super Slick" a worthwhile contribution to understanding the helicopter war in Vietnam and the men who flew these perilous missions.