Lou Riviezzo

Tans Lou Riviezzo

A standing riddle in the Air Force goes something like this: "What's the difference between a fairy tale and a war story?" The answer is: "A fairy tale begins 'Once upon a time ...' and a war story begins 'This ain't no s***!'"

Enter the world of TANS, in which author Lou Riviezzo, who spent twenty years working in munitions, tiptoeing through bomb dumps and performing weapons maintenance, draws upon his varied experiences in short stories about people, places, and events that span the globe.

In "Buffs," learn about the majestic B-52, the maintenance people who prepare the craft for flight and how pilots must navigate through deadly situations.

In "How to Make an Impression on Those Around You," discover what's involved in a "quick turn," when planes returning from a mission in a shooting war are refueled and rearmed fast.

In "Truth, Justice and the American Way," discover why old stalwarts in the Air Force protect their own and the codes they follow.

There are many more stories in this collection that pay tribute to those who served. Relive the '60s, '70s and early 1980s in TANS.