Renner, Robert Cricket: - Lieutenant Colonel Robert "Cricket" Renner (USAF, Retired), a 1988 graduate of the US Air Force Academy, flew over 3,200 hours in the F-15C Eagle during his 22-year career, including combat missions over Serbia and Iraq. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor during NATO's Operation Allied Force in 1999. He has written numerous aviation articles, as well as the book Viper Force: 56th Fighter Wing-To Fly and Fight the F-16. He now flies 737s for Alaska Airlines, and warbirds with the Commemorative Air Force Alaska Wing. He lives in Alaska with his family. Lieutenant Colonel Renner wrote the text that accompanies the images in the book.