About
The man behind
THE missions.
Alan J.billings
Who we are
A life shaped by service, leadership, aviation, engineering, and commitment to preserving stories that deserve to be remembered.
From the fight deck to the engineering lab, from moments of combat to years of purpose and dedication. His mission is simple: preserve the lessons, people, and memories behind the stories that continue to inspire
THE MAN BEHIND THE MISSIONS
Author’s Biography
U.S. Naval Aviator Systems Engineer
Inventor
Author
Alan J. Billings
A former U.S. Naval Aviator, CDR Billings rose from the enlisted ranks to become the Commanding Officer of the oldest combat search and rescue squadron in the Navy. He was a member of the Navy’s only helicopter attack squadron (which was the Navy’s most decorated squadron of the Vietnam era.). A highly decorated combat veteran serving four tours in Vietnam, the author was awarded more the 40 medals and citations for his service to the country, including the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry along with 24 air Medal’s. He completed a successful 22-year naval career in aviation and has qualified in more than 20 different aircraft. His final two tours were as Air Boss on the USS Belleau woods, LHA-3 and Program Manager for the Navy’s NTDS software.
The author holds a master’s degree in computer systems from the Naval Postgraduate School and an undergraduate degree in engineering. He has designed and built ground support hardware and software for combat aircraft (F/A-18, AV-8B) that were used in Desert Storm. He invented the Ground Maintenance station adopted by the Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS). He holds a Commercial pilot’s license including fixed wing, rotary wing, multi-engine, and instrument ratings.
As the information technology director for the Department of Public Safety, he initiated, designed, and led the largest successful systems integration project (Project Phoenix) for the state of South Carolina. Project Phoenix gave South Carolina one of the most modern DMV’s in the Nation.
His first book, “Seawolf 28” received a five-star review from the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA) and has been read around the world. His second book Received a gold medal from the Branson Stars and Flags Book festival. He is now retired and lives in Chapin, SC with his wife Patricia Calvo Billings.
Silver Star
24 Air Medals
Distinguished Flying Cross
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry
"The authority behind these books is lived experience, not borrowed mythology."
THE BOOKS
Two books
One life of service.
One book preserves the lived truth of Naval Aviation and war. The other transforms a veteran’s protective instinct into a high-stakes rescue thriller.
SEAWOLF
MILITARY MEMOIR
SEAWOLF 28
A decorated Naval Aviator’s uncompromising firsthand account of combat, leadership, military politics, survival, and the bonds carried long after the mission ends.
“A true story told from inside the cockpit.”
(535) Reviews on Amazon.
THE GOLD MEDAL
SHEEPDOGS
Inspired by true events, Sheepdogs follows Vietnam veteran Jerrod Hurst as he reunites his former wartime brothers to rescue a group of kidnapped teenagers from a violent Mexican cartel. What begins as an unauthorized rescue mission quickly exposes a far-reaching conspiracy involving terrorists, powerful weapons, corrupt officials, and rogue CIA agents. Forced to confront the trauma and rage he has carried for decades, Jerrod must risk everything to save innocent lives and uncover the truth.
FIRST PLACE FOR FICTION
Branson Stars and Flags Book Award
