Brian Kelleher

Desert Lightning: Storm Birds Brian Kelleher

It's the beginning of VE Day and the end of the war in Europe heralds a newer war with the Soviets. Monopolizing and exploiting German technological breakthroughs will be critical in the new cold war. A cadre of USAF officers gathers captured German rockets and planes in a remote desert base. They've got captured pilots and scientists as well?but can't trust them much. Instead, using ENIAC, they amass a small number of USAAF pilots with the idea of forming the first of America's jet fighter squadrons. Distrust of the Germans and their planes is only one the problems?our heroes must also contend with an insane chain of command determined to make the cranky planes work and fight in ways they were not designed to be used.