New book “Razor 03: A Night Stalker’s Wars” will be released by Deputy Commissioner of Emergency Services Alan Mack
Goshen. The book chronicles Mack’s combat service as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot during conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan
| 31 Aug 2022 | 12:03
Alan Mack at Fort Campbell in 2002 after Operation Anaconda. He stands in front of his helicopter, which sustained RPG damage during combat.
Orange County Deputy Commissioner of Emergency Services Alan Mack is releasing a book about his experiences as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2001.
“Razor 03: A Night Stalker’s Wars” chronicles Mack’s training and combat missions, including the hunt for Osama Bin Laden in the mountains of Tora Bora, rescuing “Lone Survivor” Marcus Luttrell in the Kunar Valley, and being shot down by Taliban fighters during Operation Anaconda. The book has received positive reviews from General David H. Petraeus (Ret), Admiral William H. McRaven US (Ret), and Medal of Honor Recipient Britt K. Slabinski, US Navy (Ret).
Mack will host a book signing from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24th at Barnes & Noble, located at 1245 Route 300 (Union Avenue) in Newburgh. To pre-order a copy of Razor 03: A Night Stalker’s Wars, call 845-567-0782.
“After my deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, I read several books about those conflicts, which included many excerpts that mentioned me,” Mack said. “That was the inspiration to share some of my wartime experiences and highlight some of my proudest moments, along with some challenging times while fighting Taliban and Al-Qaeda terrorists. Writing this book was both cathartic for me and serves as a tribute to the many brave men and women that I served with, including many friends in the military who never made it back home.”
Chief Warrant Officer Five Mack enlisted in the Army in 1981 and became a helicopter pilot in 1989. Mack was one of the first pilots to fly into Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, bringing the same Special Forces unit depicted in 12 Strong to battle the Taliban during the start of the engagement.
Mack served several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, working with Special Forces and other elite units, including Delta Force and the U.S. Navy’s renowned Seal Team Six, which killed bin Laden in 2011. During his career, Mack was awarded the Legion of Merit, one of the U.S. military’s most prestigious awards, nine air medals, three Bronze Stars and two distinguished Flying Crosses. He spent the last three years as the Commander of the United States Military Academy’s Flight Detachment at Stewart International Airport in Newburgh.
Mack began working for Orange County in August of 2016.
“Alan is humble about his decorated service in the U.S. Army, but also proud of his accomplishments, and I know it was rewarding for him to share his experiences in this book,” Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus said. “A Night Stalker’s Wars is powerful and moving and worth reading. It is a fitting tribute to Alan’s service, and the men and women he bravely served alongside during the fight against terrorism.”
To learn more about Mack’s book, go to www.AlanCMack.com.
Mack served several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, working with Special Forces and other elite units, including Delta Force and the U.S. Navy’s renowned Seal Team Six, which killed bin Laden in 2011.