Razor 03: A Night Stalker’s Wars

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 556 ratings

Price: 23.85

Last update: 12-22-2024


About this item

The attacks of September 11, 2001, prompted the creation of a robust and deadly special operations force—Task Force Dagger. Alan C. Mack, Callsign Razor 03, led a team of MH-47E helicopters and armed MH-60s. Their two-fold mission–Personnel Recovery (PR) and Unconventional Warfare (UW) involved flying in terrain and weather previously not thought possible. If that wasn’t enough, they pushed the flight envelope of their specially modified Chinooks to the limit and beyond.

Mack shares his behind-the-scenes perspective of the Horse Soldier’s infill into Afghanistan. He discusses the hunt for Osama Bin Laden at Tora Bora and describes his shootdown during Operation Anaconda. Years later, he chased Bowe Bergdahl, rescued hostages in Iraq, and the U.S. Navy Seal "Lone Survivor" from the Kunar Valley.

Mack’s near-death experiences and frequent deployments not only affected him, but pushed his wife toward prescription opioids. Her developing addiction led to friction as he kept her secret and continued to deploy.

He lived by his unit’s motto, "Night Stalkers Don’t Quit!" He wouldn’t quit on his unit–he couldn’t quit on his family. His story of success, tragedy, and ultimate happiness is as old as warfare itself.


Top reviews from the United States

Mike Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars A Flying History Lesson
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2024
Very enjoyable read. Great to learn about the first special ops engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq.
As a retired pilot and special ops buff, I highly recommend.
D. S. Barber
5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Well Told Memoir
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2024
This was a great book. The Nightstalker stories were amazing and interesting, but the dark underside of what was going on at home with his wife Linda was gripping
Erl Gould Purnell
4.0 out of 5 stars military Life Is Not Just Flying
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2023
Al Mack. I want him on my dodge ball team and in the cockpit with me. The consummate warrior and the compassionate husband. Quite a story of mixed emotions as well as heroic flying. The SOAR are the BEST and this CW5 was at the top of the team. Thank you and well done Mr. Mack. And, I hasten to add, I’m so glad you recovered from the trials and tribulations of your marriage to Linda.
Carl Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars great read
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2024
20 year retired Air Force pilot. Thoroughly enjoyed and couldn’t put it down. Took part in few of these operations mentioned
Mike Donohue
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2024
Once you start this book you won’t want to put it down. It’s not just about one of our nation’s greatest helo pilots in the world’s greatest aviation unit, it’s about leadership, work-life balance, friendship and devotion to duty. A book for Patriots and anyone interested in how the best do what they do!
Jeff Van Es
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Book
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2024
This was an outstanding book and gave great insights into what it is like to be not only a military pilot but a great leader and aviator. As a 30 + year helicopter pilot I can't recommend this book enough. I read it cover to cover in two days.
Mark R. Hasara
5.0 out of 5 stars Behind-the-Scenes look at this Elite Unit
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2022
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)... Al Mack's book RAZOR 03 gives the mental, emotional, and physical behind-the-scenes look at how the men and women of the greatest helicopter organization on the planet do their business. Reader's minds are plugged into the once-secret and mysterious special operations we've all heard about in the news but wondered how did it go down... now revealed by someone who was there from planning to execution of those now famous high-profile missions.
All of us have heard of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Alan Mack's book RAZOR 03 places readers inside the MH-47E Chinook inserting a SEAL Team on an Afghan mountain called Takur Ghar, rescuing an MC-130P Combat Talon crew that had just crashed after refueling Al's helo, and planning the pick up of Marcus Luttrel, the Lone Survivor after a Spec Ops capture/kill mission went sideways.
Movies are made about the missions Alan Mack was involved with and the pages of RAZOR 03 describe.
You feel the mental and emotional stress of these extraordinary and extreme missions in harsh environments... not just because people are shooting at Al and his crew, but also fighting against rules of engagement and leadership a thousand miles removed from the situation.
I was remotely involved in some of the events Al Mack talks about in RAZOR 03 from the Combined Air Operations Center in Saudi Arabia, the nerve center for the air campaigns over Afghanistan and Iraq. Al's superb writing and storytelling style brought back all kinds of memories, some of which brought the entire CAOC floor to its feet cheering after the mission success code words were broadcast, and others bringing tears to our eyes watching via Predator UAV video the desperate battle to save lives on a mountain top. This is one of those books which should be on the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff reading list because of the stories and lessons learned. Not just military lessons, but life and business lessons.
When RAZOR 03 showed up on my doorstep I sat down and began reading. Two hundred fifteen pages later I looked at the clock. Five hours. I encourage all of you reading this review to pick up and read (or listen!) to this incredible book by one of the US's most decorated Special Operators and national heroes.
Amazon Customer.
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2024
I was engrossed in this book. If you would like s no holds barred look into the life of a military man, then this book is for you. The author shows you the pain and suffering of a life in combat and then the toll it took on his personal life. Respect for the author to be so transparent about his career and personal life.

Best Sellers in

 
 

War

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 2958
17.71
 
 

Citizen: My Life After the White House

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 63
19.69
 
 

From Under the Truck: A Memoir

3.6 3.6 out of 5 stars 159
22.04
 
 

Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 71
13.12
 
 

Sonny Boy: A Memoir

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 807
19.69
 
 

The Nvidia Way: Jensen Huang and the Making of a Tech Giant

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 45
17.5
 
 

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 7262
13.78
 
 

Dinner for Vampires

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1217
16.4