Praise for the Book

Endorsements

ISSUE 10 · SPRING 2026

VOL. I · The Squadron Reader

PRAISE

EIGHT VOICES · ONE SQUADRON

PP. 01—18

A FIGHTIN' TENTH PORTFOLIO

— —

PLATE 01—10 TFS

Endorsement № 01 of 093 MIN

The Fightin' Tenth is far more than a squadron history.

Ian Sanders

Michael Makatura delivers an absorbing, fast-paced account of life in an F-16 unit at the sharp end of the Cold War and during Operation Desert Storm. Blending meticulous research, wartime journals, personal recollections, and his own experiences, he brings readers into the cockpit, the operations room, and the close-knit community that made the 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron so effective. The book excels in balancing technical detail with deeply human stories of courage, humour, sacrifice, and leadership. Whether you are an aviation enthusiast, military historian, or general reader, this is an engaging and authentic tribute to the men and women who stood ready during one of the most pivotal periods of modern history.

Ian Sanders

Host of The Cold War Conversations Podcast

№ 01

"Julio"

PLATE 02COL10 TFS

Endorsement № 02 of 093 MIN

And I'm even more proud to still call him a dear friend today.

Edward "Julio" Houle

I'm proud to have worked, sweated, argued with, yelled at, and honorably served with Captain Michael 'Mak' Makatura, even when I had to remind him that he was a lieutenant, and I was a lieutenant colonel, and the silver oak leaf on my shoulder carried more weight than the single little bar on his shoulder. He scored a 'shack,' a direct hit on the bullseye, with this book.

Edward "Julio" Houle

Colonel (Ret), USAF

Sabre 1 (June 1989 to June 1991)

№ 02

"BooBoo"

PLATE 03PLT10 TFS

Endorsement № 03 of 093 MIN

Wow, does THE FIGHTIN' TENTH bring back some memories...

Joey "BooBoo" Booher

Military life on the Mosel, the Cold War, NATO, Nuclear Cert and 250 feet at 540 knots in Low Fly 7 to...SCUD hunting, AAA, SAMs, high 45 deliveries and 'friendly' combat Crud at the Viper's Pit. Mak captures it all in vivid detail. the 10th played hard, trained harder, and fought to win! This book is a must read for the military enthusiast.

Joey "BooBoo" Booher

F-16 Pilot, 10th TFS

LPA 1990 - Desert Storm - 1991

№ 03

"Ragin"

PLATE 04LtC10 TFS

Endorsement № 04 of 093 MIN

Ever wondered what life was like for the pilots and personnel in an F-16 squadron in West Germany in the midst of the Cold War?

Terry "Ragin" Bull

In his book, THE FIGHTIN' TENTH, Michael Makatura details how a squadron was organized, operated and rigorously trained to repel a full-scale attack by forces of the Soviet Union and its Eastern Block partners. Then, through his access to wartime journals and personal accounts, Mak puts the reader into the cockpit of an F-16 Viper during Desert Storm combat operations against Iraqi forces, and helps the reader appreciate the challenges and stresses of conducting high-tempo air combat operations in an unforgiving and hostile environment. Personally, I am humbled and honored that Mak chose to share the Tenth's story. I have no doubt you will come away with an appreciation for not only the men and women of the Fightin' Tenth, but also all the man and women who commit to serve and defend the United States and her allies against the forces of evil and oppression.

Terry "Ragin" Bull

Lt Colonel (Retired)

10TFS B Flight Commander, December 1988 to August 1991

№ 04

— TSgt

PLATE 05TSgt10 TFS

Endorsement № 05 of 093 MIN

The 'Fightin Tenth' story brings back my own memories of serving during the Cold War and Desert Shield/Desert Storm days!

Tod Gohl

For those that have not served, this is a great account of the life of an airman in the United States Air Force. The BEST Air Force in the world! You have the Airman, NCO's, Officers and then you have the Pilots. The men and women that strap into a claustrophobic office sitting on a jet engine with an enormous amount of power and an arsenal of weapons at their fingertips performing G forces that can take you into another dimension! This is an account of those pilots and the constant state of high alert during the Cold War and then actually exercising what they learned during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. This is an account of the team of logistics, admin, bomb loaders and maintenance that make sure our pilots can become airborne at a moment's notice to do that job. This is also an account of the sacrifice by the families that are left behind during war. Each squadron have their own unique stories to tell, but this one is the Fightin Tenth's story!

Tod Gohl

Ret. TSgt USAF

Author of "Saving America's Citizens"

№ 05

"Frenchie"

PLATE 06COL10 TFS

Endorsement № 06 of 093 MIN

Mak describes squadron life, family life, and the psyche of a fighter pilot perfectly!

Doug "Frenchie" French

This is a must read! Greatly enjoyed it.

Doug "Frenchie" French

Colonel (Ret), USAF

Fighter Weapons School Graduate & Instructor

№ 06

"Doodle"

PLATE 07BG10 TFS

Endorsement № 07 of 093 MIN

THE FIGHTIN' TENTH is an outstanding read that I couldn't put down.

Paul "Doodle" Dordal

As an integral part of the Fighting Tenth Sabres, a NATO F-16 squadron, Mak puts you in the middle of the action of a story that's exciting and true. After protecting Europe, the Sabres deployed and fought in Desert Storm, striking targets all over Iraq and hunting SCUD missiles aimed at Israel.

Paul "Doodle" Dordal

Brigadier General (Ret), USAF

Sabre 1 (1987-1989)

№ 07

— PUB

PLATE 08PUB10 TFS

Endorsement № 08 of 093 MIN

Using several actual journals and his own experience, Mak writes with honesty, humor, suspense, and loss.

Stephen Reed

Michael Makatura takes you on a journey from Officer Training School to Iraq to experience the lives and sacrifice of those that served as the 'terrors of the sky' during the Iraq war. The country needs to know their stories. So buckle up and ride along in F-16s as they risk their lives in service to their country.

Stephen Reed

(Ret.) Special Markets, Penguin Random House

№ 08

"Mongoose"

PLATE 09—10 TFS

Endorsement № 09 of 093 MIN

I just finished Michael 'Mak' Makatura's book, The Fightin' Tenth.

Richard 'Mongoose' Hess

Once I started I couldn't put it down. Having myself served in a fighter squadron during the Cold War and also participating in Operation Desert Storm, Mike captures perfectly the pace and warrior culture of a fighter unit. The F-16 was a stallion that could humble even the best aviator. 'The culture demanded thick skin, sharp wits, and absolute focus. It chewed up the lazy and spit out the unprepared.' The book describes the 10th TFS's stellar performance in the desert during hundreds of high risk missions where one mistake could cost you your life. But even more, the book captures the wonderful experience of American service men and women living in the Mosel River Valley of Germany. 'For many of us, those evenings in the Mosel became defining memories...when you remembered that while the mission mattered, so did the moments in between.' For those of us who were there, it's a wonderful story of remembrance, and for everyone else interested in what it was like to serve in such a dynamic role, this is your opportunity to immerse yourself in the presence of warriors.

Richard 'Mongoose' Hess

USAF & ANG (ret)

Author of Night Of The Bear, Red Tide, and High Flight, A Pilot's Journey Through Life

№ 09