I have read many books on combat in Vietnam, but not one compares to Low Level Hell. Hugh Mills writes much like he talks -- with a rare combination of wit and wisdom that makes you want to say "tell me more!" I eagerly await his next book.

I was a Crew Chief on an OH-6A and sat behind my pilot each and every time the aircraft left the ground. We flew many a mission for Captain Mills and you will not find a truer account of the life of an Aero Scout Pilot and his Crew Chief as you will in his book Low Level Hell. He was there, we were there, and when you read the book YOU will be there! An excellent account of what we went through in Vietnam.

Very, very good book. Gave me a good idea as to what my father might have went through as a scout pilot flying the OH-6 with the 2/11th A.C.R. Blackhorse in Vietnam.

I recently read Low Level Hell, and I want to say it was one of the best books I've ever read!! Hugh does a great job of captivating the reader from the first chapter to the very end. Every chapter has you on the edge of your seat, taking you through the drama of fighting in Vietnam. I honestly felt as if I was flying with him! At times I was howling in laughter and others crying at the loss of fellow officers. Hugh's last chapter sent chills down my spine. I honestly cannot think of a better read on one man's experience in Vietnam. Great job Hugh!

Angie Chirnside

absolutely a must read if you love flying helicpoters and enjoy the action of combat flying in the nam....could not put it down...scout pilot flying in vietnam had to be the most intense and insane mission that one could imagine...loved every minute of this read.

this book puts you in the pilot's seat with the crew. you feel the bullet impacts, hear the noise and smell the smoke. at the very top of my list with chickehalk. i could not put it down.

A few summers ago my work required daily helecopter transport (Hughs 500) into some heavily forested areas of Alaska. On one end-of-the-day flight back to camp I asked the pilot if he ever read "Chickenhawk" by Robert Mason (a "Huey" pilot in Vietnam). He replied it was manditory reading for pilots. Moments later he says if I really want a good read to pick up "Low Level Hell" by Hugh Mills. For the remainder of the flight he kept talking about this book. So on his advice I picked it up. He was right on...what a read. Mills writing really puts you into the thick of it...to the point where I had to put the book down about a half-hour before turning the lanterns off for the night...to let the adrenalin subside. The book is well written, humorous at times, terribly sad at others, and a real page turner. Even if this is not your typical read, pick it up. The book leaves a lasting impression and understanding. PS. the pilot was from Sweden and just came back for flying relief missions in Bosnia and talked about taking small arms fire while trying to deliver supplies to the needy.

this book puts you in the pilot's seat with the crew. you feel the bullet impacts, hear the noise and smell the smoke. at the very top of my list with chickehalk. i could not put it down.

This whole book takes you directly in the chopper above the battlefield. So be ready for a captivating account of flying and fighting with the smallest helicopter used in South-Vietnam. The pace is so fast depicting many different combat situations. What these crews achieved is simply stunning. These actions were all conducted using direct eye vision, before night-vision devices, laser beams and helo-borne radars. Mr. Mills, we want more please.

This whole book takes you directly in the chopper above the battlefield. So be ready for a captivating account of flying and fighting with the smallest helicopter used in South-Vietnam. The pace is so fast depicting many different combat situations. What these crews achieved is simply stunning. These actions were all conducted using direct eye vision, before night-vision devices, laser beams and helo-borne radars. Mr. Mills, we want more please.

I was in RVN a little befor the book. This is a very good look at the life we lived. Thanks to Hugh Mills for the trip back. I wish I had a OH-6 instead of the OH-23 I was in for my ride.

Jim Ashabranner
X WO-1
COL USAF RET

In 1969 I lost a close friend to the Viet Nam war and when I went to Jim Slater's funeral I thought maybe his wife or family could tell me how it happened. They didn't know any more than I. Some years later my brother called me and said "If you want to know what happened to Jim go buy Low Level Hell by Hugh Mills and by the way you won't be able to put it down 'til you find the back cover."

So again many thanks to Colonel Mills for this vivid chronicle of their experience and Jim's last ride. Now we know.

Thank you for this book.
I couldn't put it down, but when I got toward the end I started to slow down; I didn't want it to end. I hope your considering another book. Perhaps about your time a cobra pilot.
I was in vietnam in 67, and that experience helped me thoroughly enjoy this book. But that's not to say you have to be a veteran to appreciate this book.
Everyone of the amazingly brave exploits of the scout pilots. I wish there were more books on this subject, especially by someone so qualified to tell the story.
I wish I could write to Colonel Mills to let him how much I enjoyed this book.

Thank you for this book.
I couldn't put it down, but when I got toward the end I started to slow down; I didn't want it to end. I hope your considering another book. Perhaps about your time a cobra pilot.
I was in vietnam in 67, and that experience helped me thoroughly enjoy this book. But that's not to say you have to be a veteran to appreciate this book.
Everyone of the amazingly brave exploits of the scout pilots. I wish there were more books on this subject, especially by someone so qualified to tell the story.
I wish I could write to Colonel Mills to let him how much I enjoyed this book.

If you visit the Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker, Alabama, one of the first things you will see is Mr. Mills's Loach displayed outside the museum. A good choice, because Low Level Hell is a superb account of the bravery and skill of U.S. Army helicopter pilots in Vietnam. I read the book as a Second Lieutenant undergoing flight training at Fort Rucker, and it helped me make up my mind to become an Aeroscout. You will simply not believe some of the things these pilots did to accomplish their missions. Entertaining and informative.

I am about two thirds of the way through this book, and it is one of the best I have read about Vietnam. Although I have read a lot of books about the war, this is the first one I've seen which is written by a Loach (LOH)pilot. It seems like most of the books I have read about choppers are about Hueys, LRRP pilots or gunships and I never really had a good understanding about what the Loaches experienced. This book really filled a gap in my knowledge, and it is very well written.

I have read every book written on Army aviation in Vietnam and Low Level Hell is, no question, the best book written. I am an active duty Army aviator and consider Hugh Mills to be one of my heroes. This is a must read for anybody interested in Army aviation in Vietnam. I've read the book 5 times!

Helicopter ops in Vietnam consisted of dust-offs, which carried out the wounded, gunships, which blew the [heck] out of the enemy, slicks, which hauled troops, and scouts. Scouts flew "loaches", open cockpit OH58's at tree-top level, locating hidden trails, bunkers, in general, trying to start a fight and provoke the enemy into revealing their location. Most scout pilots didn't last six months. A few made it back. Two have written books about being a scout. This is the best of the two. See also "Hunter Killer Squadron"

I have read Low Level Hell on a couple of occasions, mainly during times that I really miss those exciting, less complicated days. The book really does detail those days with Darkhorse as they really were. What seems funny today was not that funny at the time. This book highlights our first tour with Darkhorse as a scout pilots. Approximately 8 months after returning home from our first tour, we both volunteered to return to Vietnam. We both found stateside life to tame and not really to our liking. We both returned to Darkhorse as scout pilots and survived another year flying scouts. (...) By the way, Hugh and I both live in Kansas City, Mo and see each other regularly.

Rod Willis, Darkhorse 17, 16 & 13.

I have never before been able to tolerate a media account of the Viet-Nam conflict. No other publication I have been subjected to has allowed that I might have an opinion of my own of the politics and values they wish to sway to thier line of thinking. I read until my knees were numb on several occasions and still couldn't put this book down. LTC. Mills has written a chilling account of the day to day operations and the brave men who were willing to accept the challange of possibly making the conflict one day shorter. These men who were daily forced to compromise human values yet maintain integrity and dignity as soldiers. This non-political and un-biased account is a real behind the scenes look into the esperit de corp that causes a group of individuals to become one important part of a team, and how the priority of a team becomes a reality. Darkhorse 16, thanks for a written account that lets us be again proud of our service in Viet-Nam.

This is one of the most interesting books I've read. It has the makings of an classic. It is an epic tale of a OH-6 Scout pilots exploits in Vietnam. Hugh Mills, the author and subject of the story brings to life his experiences as a young man during the Vietnam conflict. A true tale of guts, glory, and compassion. A must read!

Low Level Hell is the highlight of my Vietnam book collection. From the moment i picked it up, i had the hardest time putting it back down. Every word on every page intrigued me and made me feel like i was in the cockpit of his OH-6A. Mills is one of the most interesting men that i have ever met, and he deserves the repect of every American. Reading his book only made my interest in Vietnam explode into almost an obsession. Thank you LTC. Mills for your great account of your experiences.