American MiG Pilot

Inside the Top Secret USAF “Red Eagles” MiG Squadron

Bloomsbury presents American MiG Pilot: Inside the Top Secret USAF "Red Eagles" MiG Squadron, written and read by Rob "Z-Man" Zettel, Lt Col. USAF (Ret.)

Get inside the head of one of America's most experienced MiG pilots as he tells the thrilling tale of the top-secret US operation that wouldn't feel out of place in 'Top Gun'.

After finding themselves outflown over Vietnam, the American military launched top-secret Operation Constant Peg, using illicitly obtained Russian Fighters pitted against star US fighter pilots in simulated combat exercises. With controls labelled in Russian and the only spare parts being the ones they could salvage, the pilots who climbed into the MiGs – the Red Eagles – accepted all of the risks associated with operating these aircraft.

This book describes what it was like to be there day in and day out at one of the most access-restricted airfields in the entire USAF, flying MiGs alongside some of the very best fighter pilots hand-picked from the ranks of the USAF, US Navy and US Marine Corps. Rob “Z-Man” Zettel tells the Red Eagles story for the first time through the experiences of a pilot who flew these aircraft to their maximum performance in simulated combat engagements, often several times a day, against frontline fighter pilots of the three US sister services.

Vivid accounts of training engagements put the reader right in the cockpit, while historical photographs help paint the picture of an operation that took the US Air Force from its disappointing performance in the Vietnam War to unprecedented success in Operation Desert Storm.

©2026 Rob Zettel (P)2026 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Incomplete Story

The final chapter just ended. Without a completion of the event being described or an explanation. I also would have liked to hear how Lt Col. Zettel finished his military career.

Great Story of 1980’s Aggressor/Red Eagles Pilot

Entertaining and informative story of a USAF fighter pilot who entered the Air Force through the Mid-70’s ROTC to become a F-4 pilot in Okinawa before further training in air to air combat in Korea. He transferred to aggressor squadrons flying F-5E’s before being assigned to the highly secret Red Eagles Squadron in Nevada. He relates his experience flying Mig 21 and MiG 23’s in 1980’s missions to train US pilots in F-4, F-5, A4, F15 and FA 18 aircraft. The book is punctuated by stories of fighter pilot pranks and of social life in bars that seem to have been required by fighter pilot culture of the era.

Where training ends and instinct begins

His “seat of the pants” feel for his aircraft is something that can’t be trained but often saves his life. This book had me on the edge of my seat!

Zettel puts you in the cockpit of a Mig with him in dogfights. Just terrific listen.

Once in a while along comes a book that quite simply grabs you, and you just don't want it to end. I was intrigued when I saw the title of this book and ordered it last year, and have been patiently waiting for it to go on sale. Bloody hell, talk about worth the wait.... Without a doubt this book is one of the very best aviation memoirs I have ever read and in this case, listened to. You are taken deep inside the workings and cockpits of the highly classified 4477th Red Eagles squadron at Tonopah Test Range, Nevada, the heart of Project Constant Peg, where American pilots secretly flew "acquired" Soviet MiGs with the objective of training U.S. fighter pilots to better understand, and best Soviet era fighters in gruelling air to air close in combat. Zettel’s detailed and deeply personal account of flying the MiG-21 and 23, as well as other American fighter aircraft is both technically precise and intensely immersive. His vivid descriptions of the air combat maneuvering put you right in the cockpit, feeling the G-forces and tactical tension of a close in conflict over the Nevada desert.

Z - man also perfectly captures the fighter jock culture, (the toga party is a memorable event) camaraderie, humor, and many times sobering risks faced by these, the very best of the best pilots; it balances gripping operational detail with very human stories — both funny and occasionally tragic — that make the Red Eagles’ mission come alive again.

For pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the art and science of extreme close in air to air combat, this book makes for extraordinary listening

Well written and spoken

Gripping story…well written and spoken…would highly recommend the book great work…author needs to write more…