Overview

This ebook is a collection of poems describing experiences of military missions spanning 25 years of flying in the US Air Force; flown to Africa, Antarctica, war torn Bosnia, and other places around the world. It casts spiritual light onto the graphics of military flying. The poems underscore the fact that there is a bright seam to life in not only what we do, which can appear as drudgery, but as a result of the intention one holds in doing the work. The poet takes a 50,000 foot view of the world, and translates the everyday flights of US Airmen and places them in the all too human landscape. He juxtaposes their roles with the plight of every human being, trying to make the world a better place by succeeding at their mission. Missions are sometimes dangerous and are planned to the finest detail to cover all contingencies. But at the same time, all are filled with potential to escalate into something we never thought about psychologically. It is this translation of the 'surprise of reality' that the poet describes and connects through the eyes of the operator, the flier, out in the field, hacking the mission for God and country.

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9780998046549

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In 'Deployed Flight and Sometimes Eternity, ' Ronnie Smith engaged all my senses at once. Through his brilliant imagery, staccato rhythm, and deployment of poetic styles, I joined Ronnie on C-130 missions across the globe. Transported out of myself, I tasted red Honduran dust clouds, inhaled thick Camel-laden Somali air, and witnessed ancient beasts rising from Antarctic tombs. His commitment to storytelling airlifted the mundane into the transcendent. Through his poetic skill, this collection of poems pays beautiful homage to his airplanes, missions, austere airfields, and of course his fellow airmen. (Brigadier General Ed Vaughan, USAF)

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