When Air Commodore McCoubrey joined the RAF, there were still World War II veterans serving; but by the time he left, the Cold War had ended and defence cuts were endemic; it was a very different world and a very different Air Force. The book describes experiences from McCoubrey's tours in Germany during the Cold War; in Hong Kong at the time of the Vietnamese Boat People; on Ascension Island just after the Falklands War; in the USA during the first Gulf War, as well as postings to various UK locations varying from RAF stations to Command Headquarters and the Ministry of Defence. There are accounts of Search and Rescue operations, aeromedical evacuation, winter and sea survival schools, accident investigation, international liaison, assorted airborne escapades, the challenges of commanding and then having to close an RAF station and the structural and sociological changes in the RAF over thirty years.