Hunter Killer
The True Story of the Drone Mission That Killed Anwar al-Awlaki
By Kevin Maurer, T. Mark Mccurley | Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
About the book
The firsthand account of the hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki—and the drone squadron that found him.
In September 2011, with Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden both dead, the United States pinpointed American-born terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki as priority target number one. In order to eliminate the threat, Air Force Lt. Col. T. Mark McCurley and his squadron were called upon to turn their RPAs’ main function as tracking and surveillance devices into strategic weapons. Much was resting on the mission—al-Awlaki was the face of al-Qaeda propaganda, and his loss would have serious repercussions in AQ’s recruitment efforts. The Air Force had only a limited amount of time and firepower—it was up to McCurley and his Predators to neutralize the threat before al-Awlaki disappeared underground forever.
Remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), commonly referred to as drones, have become the new face of modern warfare, and Lt. Col. McCurley provides an insider look at the evolution of the RPA program. No book has ever told the story of the drones and the pilots who fly them. Until now.
With an unprecedented bird's-eye view, Lt. Col. McCurley details the start of their sixty-day surveillance of al-Awlaki up through the day the drones were ordered to take the shot, when the war on terror experienced a critical success.
Editions of Hunter Killer
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780525954439
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780451474872
- EBook
- ISBN 9780698161467
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780698179646
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780553545142
- AudioDisc
- ISBN 9781611763188
- AudioDisc
- ISBN 9780553545135
Read an Excerpt
The firsthand account of the hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki—and the drone squadron that found him.
In September 2011, with Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden both dead, the United States pinpointed American-born terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki as priority target number one. In order to eliminate the threat, Air Force Lt. Col. T. Mark McCurley and his squadron were called upon to turn their RPAs’ main function as tracking and surveillance devices into strategic weapons. Much was resting on the mission—al-Awlaki was the face of al-Qaeda propaganda, and his loss would have serious repercussions in AQ’s recruitment efforts. The Air Force had only a limited amount of time and firepower—it was up to McCurley and his Predators to neutralize the threat before al-Awlaki disappeared underground forever.
Remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), commonly referred to as drones, have become the new face of modern warfare, and Lt. Col. McCurley provides an insider look at the evolution of the RPA program. No book has ever told the story of the drones and the pilots who fly them. Until now.
With an unprecedented bird's-eye view, Lt. Col. McCurley details the start of their sixty-day surveillance of al-Awlaki up through the day the drones were ordered to take the shot, when the war on terror experienced a critical success.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hunter Killer about?
The firsthand account of the hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki—and the drone squadron that found him.
In September 2011, with Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden both dead, the United States pinpointed American-born terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki as priority target number one. In order to eliminate the threat, Air Force Lt. Col. T. Mark McCurley and his squadron were called upon to turn their RPAs’ main function as tracking and surveillance devices into strategic weapons. Much was resting on the mission—al-Awlaki was the face of al-Qaeda propaganda, and his loss would have serious repercussions in AQ’s recruitment efforts. The Air Force had only a limited amount of time and firepower—it was up to McCurley and his Predators to neutralize the threat before al-Awlaki disappeared underground forever.
Remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), commonly referred to as drones, have become the new face of modern warfare, and Lt. Col. McCurley provides an insider look at the evolution of the RPA program. No book has ever told the story of the drones and the pilots who fly them. Until now.
With an unprecedented bird's-eye view, Lt. Col. McCurley details the start of their sixty-day surveillance of al-Awlaki up through the day the drones were ordered to take the shot, when the war on terror experienced a critical success.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Hunter Killer?
History and Archaeology > History > Military history
Where can I read a sample of Hunter Killer?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780525954439
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Hunter Killer?
Kevin Maurer, T. Mark Mccurley
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Hunter Killer is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780525954439) and paperback(ISBN 9780451474872) and ebook(ISBN 9780698161467) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780698179646) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780553545142) and audiodisc(ISBN 9781611763188) and audiodisc(ISBN 9780553545135)
Where can I buy Hunter Killer online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Hunter Killer from below
Where can I buy Hunter Killer?