{"product_id":"bk-black-lion-one-topgun-trailblazer-capt-john-monroe-hawk-smith-in-command-of-vf-213","title":"Black Lion One: TOPGUN Trailblazer Capt. John Monroe \"Hawk\" Smith in Command of VF-213","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta content=\"text\/html; charset=unicode\" http-equiv=\"Content-Type\"\u003e \u003cmeta name=\"GENERATOR\" content=\"MSHTML 11.00.10570.1001\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Lion One : TOPGUN Trailblazer Capt. John Monroe \"Hawk\" Smith in Command of VF-213\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #333333; font-family: Arial;\"\u003eAn exciting look at what it takes to command a US Navy fighter squadron.\u003cbr style=\"box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; text-transform: none; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(51,51,51); font-style: normal; text-align: left; orphans: 2; widows: 2; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThis historical biography of John Monroe “Hawk” Smith, Navy fighter pilot, is a gripping account of valor, sacrifice, and adventure during one of the most tumultuous periods in carrier aviation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"list-style-type: square; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; list-style-position: outside; text-transform: none; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(51,51,51); font-style: normal; text-align: left; orphans: 2; widows: 2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; padding: 0px;\"\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px;\"\u003eHawk, having completed a stunning tour as commanding officer of TOPGUN, received orders to a frontline F-14 Tomcat squadron—VF-213, the “Black Lions.”\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px;\"\u003eHawk joined the Black Lions prior to their March 1979 deployment.  Several critical factors portended to a most arduous workup period and deployment—there were issues lurking.  But Hawk was a man who did not shy away from a challenge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px;\"\u003eSoon, the Lions would have opportunities to show their colors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px;\"\u003eThese included the first-ever Fighter Derby at NAS Miramar, California—the “World Cup” for naval fighter squadrons, and Constant Peg, a highly classified “Black Program” that exposed aircrews to the capabilities of Soviet fighters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; text-transform: none; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(119,119,119); font-style: normal; text-align: left; orphans: 2; widows: 2; margin: 0px 0px 15px; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 30px; text-indent: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;\"\u003eAviation enthusiasts and historians will be captivated by the historical fidelity and descriptive air combat engagements, amused by the perpetual mirth of TACAIR aviators, and inspired by lessons of leadership that apply to all walks of life.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Other","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58145039352111,"sku":"2274214800000","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/9272\/5551\/files\/BlackLionOneTopGunTrailblazer.jpg?v=1787085623","url":"https:\/\/shop.eaa.org\/products\/bk-black-lion-one-topgun-trailblazer-capt-john-monroe-hawk-smith-in-command-of-vf-213","provider":"Shop EAA Merchandise","version":"1.0","type":"link"}