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Before stealth bombers flew from Missouri to Tehran and back, battle-worn B-52s pushed crews and machines to the brink in a history-making, out-and-back combat strike. It set the gold standard for global reach—and forever changed the face of modern warfare.DOOM 34 is the first behind-the-scenes insider’s recounting of a high-stakes mission that changed the course of modern combat. It combines the fast-paced, breathless development of a highly classified, innovative weapon with the selection and training of untested aviators who executed this top-secret Black Ops mission in the run-up to Operation Desert Storm. This mission pushed the limits of human endurance and mechanical design.
Code-named “Senior Surprise” and nicknamed “Secret Squirrel,” the mission selected fifty-seven airmen (only one of whom had any combat experience) to fly seven B-52s that were well past their prime on a thirty-five-hour, nonstop flight that was plagued with unforeseen complications from the moment of takeoff.
Trey Morriss was the electronic warfare officer on the fourth B-52—DOOM 34—and, along with his seven crewmen, had a front-row seat to what went down.
List of contents
Prologue: Reunion
Chapter 1: The Day That Changed Everything
Chapter 2: The Guys
Chapter 3: Planning, Training, Waiting . . .
Chapter 4: Ready for Takeoff
Chapter 5: The Best Laid Plans, Oft Get Laid
Chapter 6: The Most Dangerous Dance Ever
Chapter 7: Watch Your Six
Chapter 8: Fight’s On!
Chapter 9: Wing and a Prayer (aka New Enemies)
Chapter 10: No Slumber Party
Chapter 11: Eight Hours to Go
Chapter 12: Celebration
Epilogue: Finest Hour
Crew Roster
Acknowledgments
About the author
Trey Morriss is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel with thirty-one years of service, serving and supporting the legendary Eighth Air Force. His love of aviation runs deep—shaped by stories of his grandfather and uncle, who flew combat missions over Europe in World War II. Early in his career, Morriss took part in a top-secret, record-setting strike that opened Operation Desert Storm—the longest combat mission of its time and a turning point in modern warfare. He later flew 32 combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan following 9/11. He’s a decorated veteran and sought-after keynote speaker. He lives in Louisiana with his wife, and they cherish time with their five adult children and three grandchildren.
