Ramon Padilla Jr.

Hailed as the finest combat aviation novel to emerge from the Vietnam War, Flight of the Intruder spent 28 weeks on the New York Times hardcover best-seller list and became one of the top-20 best-selling first novels of all time. An instant classic, the book was translated into more than 20 languages and made into a major motion picture. Its hero, Jake Grafton, became a household name and the star of many more Coonts’ best-sellers. Without question, the strength of the book lies in its flying scenes when Jake Grafton straps himself into the cockpit of his A-6 Intruder.

When the F-14 Tomcat of the only female flier in Punk's training class rolls wildly during a hop, nearly causing a midair collision, Punk has trouble believing her claim that a malfunction in the cockpit was responsible. When a similar accident claims the life of one of his fellow trainers, Punk suspects a cover-up involving the use of faulty parts. But no sooner does he bring on the heat with his allegations that a far more important crisis calls Punk's squadron into active duty. This time, it is not a training drill...it's America's next war.

Punk’s War reveals the inner workings of the US Navy as only an insider can. An authentic and riveting thriller, it is a highly acclaimed novel of a fighter pilot’s experience in the era just before 9/11. As the US military enters another postconflict period, the themes of leadership during crisis and accomplishing the mission make Punk’s War more relevant than ever.