Vipers in the Storm: Keith Rosenkranz Interview by Jeremy Wesolowski
	After reading Capt. Keith Rosenkranz's book Vipers in the Storm I noticed that he had placed his email address in the back cover of the book and so I decided to let him know how much I had enjoyed it. I have personally always wanted to be a combat pilot but poor eyesight kept me out of military pilot training. I try to fill that 'void' through books and combat flight sims. When Keith replied, one of the first things that I said was: "Thank you for a great and honest book." Why "honest?" When you sit down and read "Vipers in the Storm" you'll notice that combat pilots are just like you and me: doing their job. Keith was honest in his feelings about when he was called up for duty in the Gulf (and subsequent action) and in his feelings towards his family. THAT was the part that captured my attention and made me "fly" through the book...three times. Honesty alone did not alone make the book. Keiths writing style was fluid and precise; liberally adding exhaustive details of a Viper pilot's life. There is no bravado and instead, Keith walks you through his experience without any gung-ho talk usually found in other jetfighter pilot book. His patriotism glows from every page as well as his concern for his family, fellow pilots and even the enemy. This might come as a surprise for most of you, especially during the 'CNN days', but we all have to realize that the Iraqi troops (most of them in Kuwait against their will) suffered heavily becasuse of a ruthless dictator. Keith shows his humanity when he talks about the first time that he knew that he was about to kill a person. He goes on to describe how he locks up a moving vehicle, a truck most likely, and lets loose the Maverick that completely obliterates it. To this day, Keith wonders about that incident that occurred in the middle of the dark desert. Click to continue		During all his combat descriptions Keith never once goes beyond his professionalism. He coldly describes his actions like any of us would describe their own jobs. There is no hatred in his words and it shows even more when he describes the shootdown of one of his fellow squadron mates. During that passage the issue at hand was the endangered pilot and not the Iraqi gunner who had managed the kill. Keith recognizes that the job at hand is not risk free and he acknowledges that he may never see his family again. But through all this he never fails to believe in his country, his mission and his leadership. We should all thank Capt. Keith Rosenkranz for his personal sacrifice and also all the men and women who participated during the Gulf War. As a final commentary, I would like to thank Keith for taking the time to answer the interview questions. Once again I would like to say that this book is fantastic and gives an excellent insight into the thoughts, feelings and life of a modern combat pilot. Thank you Keith! Go to On to the interview...
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