Fire for Effect

Some things you can count on in this life. Judging by your e-mails, getting a timely Tanker.com newsletter isn’t one of them. Sorry, firepower fans, this little thing I like to call “The Global War on Terrorism” has kept me hopping at the day job for the past few months. With that said, I finally got off my ass to write a few lines to you, the readers who are so near and dear to my martial heart.

When last we checked in with our hero, Patrick Dillon, he was midway through his latest saga, tentatively titled TOMMY GUN at that time. Once again though, Dillon was foiled by the powers that be at his publisher and the title has changed. The new handle is WAR DOGS, and while it wasn’t my first choice, it’s starting to grow on me. Dogs; war; how much better does it get, I ask you? The manuscript is complete and my editor and I are quite happy with the end result. If you liked TIN SOLDIERS and IRON TIGERS, I think you’ll dig it. Once again I’ve added a few new characters to the mix to go along with Dillon, Jones, Stuart, Krieger, et al. The end result is some great action. And to those who keep asking…YES, Phantom makes an appearance in the new book. The tentative pub date is still September 2005. Stay tuned to www.TheTanker.com for updates.

Speaking of Phantom, his real-life alter-ego, a feisty Jack Russell terrier named Scout, is really enjoying the fan mail and treats sent his way. So, once again, here’s the big-headed canine’s mailing address: Send cards/doggy treats to: Scout Farmer, c/o Care Animal Hospital, 511 E. Bloomingdale Ave, Brandon, FL 33511.

The new job at Fort Bragg has kept me hopping. This has been my first opportunity to work with our Special Forces troops – Green Berets, Rangers and the 160th SOAR aviation guys – on a daily basis. What an experience it’s been for a “heavy force” guy. Short of the Cavalry (sorry, I couldn’t help myself), I’ve never worked with a finer group of professionals intent on protecting democracy and whacking tangos (that’s “terrorists”, folks). They’re doing God’s work, and business is good. Along with our other brothers and sisters in harm’s way, please remember them in your hearts and prayers and let’s hope we can pull the majority of our troops from Iraq within the next 12 months, not that most of them are complaining.

To the many female firepower fans that have written in upset about my planned nuptials announced in the last newsletter, rest easy, ladies. Farmer realized the light at the end of the tunnel was a freight train and jumped out of the way in the nick of time. So, keep those photos coming. Really. But as in all operations, we have to set range fan limits, so…no one younger than 29, no one older than 85.

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