Doom 34 - by Trey Morriss (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Author Trey Morriss recounts his experiences as electronic warfare officer of DOOM 34, a B-52 bomber mission that changed the course of modern combat"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Before stealth bombers flew from Missouri to Tehran and back, battle-worn B-52s pushed crews and machines to the brink in a history-making, out-and-back combat strike. It set the gold standard for global reach--and forever changed the face of modern warfare.

DOOM 34 is the first behind-the-scenes insider's recounting of a high-stakes mission that changed the course of modern combat. It combines the fast-paced, breath-less development of a highly classified, innovative weapon with the selection and training of untested aviators who executed this top-secret Black Ops mission in the run-up to Operation Desert Storm. This mission pushed the limits of human endurance and mechanical design.

Code-named "Senior Surprise" and nicknamed "Secret Squirrel," the mission selected fifty-seven airmen (only one of whom had any combat experience) to fly seven B-52s that were well past their prime on a thirty-five-hour, nonstop flight that was plagued with unforeseen complications from the moment of takeoff.

Trey Morriss was the electronic warfare officer on the fourth B-52--DOOM 34--and, along with his seven crewmen, had a front-row seat to what went down.

Review Quotes

"DOOM 34 meticulously recounts the top-secret plan that commenced Operation Desert Storm. Morriss recounts the fraught weeks and months before the assignment with vivid recollection, with his story's most harrowing moments mostly confined to the 30-plus hours he and his crew flew to the Middle East and back. A riveting read from start to finish."

"The kind of story in DOOM 34 is one I've almost never seen before. Many war stories give due to the grueling nature of a lengthy combat sortie, but none I've read are quite like this. Col. Morriss' book dives into details on B-52s I can't say I've heard elsewhere, and he does so in an engaging and effective manner . . . In many ways, if I'm asked 'You're a historian, what is it like to crew a B-52?' - a question I'm not exactly asked often, but it has been asked before - this is now the book I'll recommend . . . [DOOM 34 is] the kind of history that deserves to be remembered. [Morriss'] doing so in such a detailed manner, the first person of Secret Squirrel/SENIOR SURPRISE to do so, is a genuine service to current and future historians."

"Fasten your seatbelt for this smart history of an unheralded Air Force bomber flight . . . DOOM 34 does for bomber crews in the first Gulf War what the movie 12 O'Clock High did for the World War II era . . . a primer on operational security, group dynamics, Air Force culture, flight operations, and geopolitics. It will appeal to pilots and technocrats as well as readers of military history and lovers of a good adventure tale."

"DOOM 34 is an unforgettable firsthand account that perfectly captures both the precision and deeply human experience behind one of the most daring and secretive missions in U.S. Air Force history. Trey Morriss masterfully brings to life the harrowing 35-hour flight that launched Operation Desert Storm, offering readers an inside look at the courage, resilience, and camaraderie of the "Secret Squirrel" crews. With vivid storytelling, Trey honors the unsung heroes of DOOM 34 while reminding us of their enduring spirit of service and sacrifice. This is more than a military memoir--it's a tribute to ordinary Americans & extraordinary Airmen who answered history's call and delivered their finest hour."

"[DOOM 34 is] a fascinating read that sheds light on a little-known, extraordinary military feat."

"Having flown 25 missions over Europe in WWII--I know what guts and fortitude look like. Morriss puts you squarely in the DOOM 34 cockpit--a mission that changed warfare. His narrative of raw courage and sharp innovation is the real deal--nothing surpasses a first-person account."

"In DOOM 34, Colonel Trey Morris offers a firsthand account of a largely unpublicized airstrike that preceded the official outbreak of Operation Desert Storm . . . fascinating for those of us who have not been involved in the military . . . consistently feels authentic and grounded in lived experience . . . a memoir about a group of young men pushed to their limits--and about their success in meeting and exceeding those limits . . . Colonel Morris writes movingly about the bonds forged under such conditions, bonds that extend far beyond any single mission and can add lasting richness and stability to a person's life."

"In my many years of serving with Airmen, I've seen adversity and triumph. Trey nails it with DOOM 34--a piercing, unapologetic account of grit, mission focus, and leadership forged under fire."

"Part thriller, part tribute-- DOOM 34 is a firsthand ride through the classified chaos, human resolve, and split-second decisions behind America's first strike in Desert Storm."

"The true story of one of the most audacious long-range combat missions ever flown, revealing how airpower evolved from analog to digital in real time. An intense, exhausting, and unforgettable B-52 combat experience that set the standard for modern global strike" Naveed Jamali, Newsweek, Host & Executive Producer, Unconventional

About the Author

Trey Morriss is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel with thirty-one years of service, serving and supporting the legendary Eighth Air Force. His love of aviation runs deep--shaped by stories of his grandfather and uncle, who flew combat missions over Europe in World War II. Early in his career, Morriss took part in a top-secret, record-setting strike that opened Operation Desert Storm--the longest combat mission of its time and a turning point in modern warfare. He later flew 32 combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan following 9/11. He's a decorated veteran and sought-after keynote speaker. He lives in Louisiana with his wife, and they cherish time with their five adult children and three grandchildren.