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*** LOCAL IDAHO AUTHOR PUBLISHES HISTORY OF FIRST-RATE FIGHTER SQUADRON ***
WHAT?
An exciting book written and published in 2009 by retired Idaho Air National Guard pilot Colonel William C. Miller is still available.
This full-color 204-page 8 X 10 'trade paperback' will delight aviation and military history readers. The Idaho Air National Guard was formed right after World War II and quickly became renowned for its excellence, and its sustained top-rated status with national defense officials. Written by a 38-year part-time Air Guardsman, this factual and entertaining book describes unit activities, major personnel, and exciting stories from the 29-year early period. Interviews, over 300 pictures, and personal reflections make this a superb read. See slideshow below for more memories.
WHY?
You must read this account of Air Guardsmen--citizen soldiers and your neighbors--who served the 190th Fighter Squadron, later the 124th Fighter Group. Learn how these dedicated individuals balanced the demands of the Guard, their employers, and their families to help the unit fulfill its motto's promise: First Class or Not at All.
WHEN?
My first edition came out in May, 2009 and sold out quickly, but more are available from sources in red in the next paragraph..
 Direct from
HOW?
Do I get my Autographed copy? Contact the AUTHOR or MILITARY MUSEUM above for updates on book availability, pricing, and ordering. Book prices are listed above slideshow, down the page. For questions, comments, or suggestions, contact author at firstclassbook@Gmail.com and you will be taken care of in a first class manner!
READ "FIRST CLASS OR NOT AT ALL" TO LEARN:
  Brief Description of Book--After World War II, Air National Guard squadrons were established in the states, and the 190th Fighter Squadron cranked up in October 1946 at Gowen Field. The 190th quickly became combat-ready, growing substantially in just a few years. After being activated for the Korean War, the 190th soon expanded to Group dimensions, becoming the 124th Fighter Group. During its early years the unit flew the P-51D, F-86A, F-94B, F-89B, F-86L, and F-102A, performing air defense under USAF's Air Defense Command until 1975. Idaho's Air Guardsmen adapted and continued to make good the unit motto: First Class or Not at all.
First Class or Not at All tells the story of the part-timer, or 'traditional guardsman', who maintained two careers, balancing the demands of employer, family, the Guard, and conscience. In First Class you will meet the people and re-live the events of a 37-year period of excellence in air defense service. Through first-person interviews, hundreds of photos, extensive file research, and an entertaining style, this history brings the Idaho Air Guard's early-period history back to life. First Class is a must-have for past and present Guardsmen, Idaho citizens, and all military history buffs.
This is a Selected Feature from First Class or Not at All, posted 6 March 2011:
A MEMOIR TO THE LATE LT.ROBERT P. SHARPLES
Lt. Bob Sharples passed away on 22 February 2011 n Boise Idaho. These are my words to his family in memoriam: "I knew about Bob Sharples when I was an Air National Guardsman, in 1960, at the time of his tragic crash in an F-86L. Later when working for the Idaho Trnsportation Dept. I became acquainted with Bob in his position with the Federal Highway Administration. Bob was always a positive and really 'nice guy'. Then in September 2008 I interviewed Bob for a history I published in 2009 on the Idaho ANG. His brief aviation history and interview results are included on P. 117 in my book "First Class or Not at All". I was truly heartbroken when hearing of Bob's death, for he was significantly and permanently affected by his tragic accident, yet was always upbeat, philosophic, and kind. Bob was an officer and a gentleman." William C. Miller
From "First Class or Not at All..." p. 117
The summer camp [1960] began normally, but on Tuesday, as F-86Ls were departing for Hill AFB for rocketry training, a serious accident occurred. Lt Robert P. Sharples, recently returned from F-86L training, encountered engine problems during a  Sharples’ aircraft landed about 100’ from a trailer park, struck a ditch and a fence as it skidded on its belly, crossed another ditch, and rotated to a stop in a hayfield. Jake Leppert said he was in his hayfield with his two sons stacking hay, and they saw Sharples trying to remove the canopy [it was jammed], and then moments later, eject himself through the canopy and “up into the air about 15 or 20 feet…” then watched Sharples land head-first on the tail. Leppert said he and his 10-year old son Harold “immediately drug him from the burning plane. He could talk … but he was not burned.” General Trail later said “there was no question that Leppert’s quick action may have saved Sharples’ life,” and noted that this was the Squadron’s first accident in 25 months. Sharples was severely injured and remained hospitalized for several months and eventually received a disability discharge from the Idaho ANG. Bill Free remembered visiting Sharples “… at the hospital, and of course, some of the guys were going down to see him and sneaking stuff in to him!” In September 2008 I asked Sharples what he remembered about the accident. “I had a little problem before I took off with a little bit of an overspeed on the engine. But it wasn’t much, just a little bit. Usually you can control it by bringing the throttle back to 100 % [RPM], so I got it back and went ahead and took off, and didn’t get very far. And I didn’t get very far at that; I was only about 200 feet in the air and it just …. quit! And I thought the afterburner had blown out so I brought the throttle back and jammed it up, and nothing happened, it just, the RPM just kept winding down. And I thought “Oh, oh, I’m going to land out here and there’s no runway; ha, ha! Yeah, the gear and flaps were up, I was about 200 feet in the air, which isn’t high enough to eject—they say a minimum of 500 feet is what it takes. It was a frightening experience.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scenes from "First Class..." The weekly slide show below has 24 of the 300-plus images from First Class or Not at All--Idaho Air National Guard 1946-1975. Enjoy these scenes of our Boise-based Air Guard unit's early history.
BUY THIS BOOK. IT IS A GREAT GIFT FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, OR RETIRED GUARDSMEN.
Connect to the links (in red) above. BUY NOW direct from Idaho Military Museum for $30. If you catch me in/around Boise, I'll even Autograph the darned thing for you! Contact me at firstclasbook@gmail.com
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