The Intruders(novel)

The Intrudersis a 1994 novel byStephen Coontsand is a sequel to his 1986 novelFlight of the Intruder.

The Intruder

Author	Stephen Coonts
Language	English
Genre	Techno-thriller novel
Publisher	Pocket Books
Publication date	October 1994
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print (Hardback&Paperback)
ISBN	0-67187-060-2
OCLC	1355363757

Plot

After two combat cruises, Grafton is now a flight instructor on a naval base. During a visit to his girlfriend Callie, he has an argument with her father, who's anti-war. Distraught, Grafton is later involved in a bar brawl with another man who's anti-war. His shore duty is cut short and he is sent on another cruise to help train a USMC A-6 squadron.

Grafton witnesses accident by accident, some with fatal results. A faulty arresting cable, an in-flight fire, landing at night in bad weather, a cold shot, and lightning strike his aircraft. Grafton is thinking about quitting the Navy but eventually makes up his mind to stay.

The book ends when Grafton is shot down by a weapon smuggler and is captured. He and his BN survive, albeit injured and escape from their captor.

Characters

• Lt. Jake “Cool Hand” Grafton – Naval aviator, protagonist.
• Capt. Clarence Odysseus “Flap” Le Beau – Grafton's Bombardier/Navigator, an ex-Marine Recon Officer.
• “Real McCoy” – NavyLanding signal officer,also A-6 pilot.
• Callie McKenzie – Grafton’s girlfriend. Repeated character.

Aircraft appearing/mentioned

• TheGrummanA-6 Intruder.A two-man, twin-engine bomber flown from aircraft carriers.
• TheMcDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II.A two-man, twin-engine fighter bomber flown from aircraft carriers.
• TheLTV A-7 Corsair IIone-man, carrier-borne, light bomber.
• TheNorth American A-5 Vigilante.A two-man, twin-engine, carrier-borne, reconnaissance aircraft.