Charlie Class [Paperback]

In the last novel of the Final Run series from an author who delivers "rip-snorting, realistic action adventure" (Stephen Coonts), the USS Manta Ray faces off against a Russian Charlie class nuclear sub in the Strait of Gibraltar as the Yom Kippur War puts Israel in a fight for survival.

David E. Meadows (also known as 'Igor') is a Captain in the United States Navy with extensive experience in both aircraft and surface ships. He has over nine years at-sea, earning his Surface Warfare device while assigned to the USS SPRUANCE (DD-963) 1980 through 1983. He holds a MS in National Resource Management, a MBA and a Bachelor of Science degree in Arabic/Middle East Studies with a minor in French. David has over 5000 flight hours in three different aircraft and holds aircrew wings in Super Constellation; and, both aircrew and NAO wings in the EP-3E — Orion.

(The EP-3E, along with the United States Air Force premier reconnaissance aircraft the RC-135 are portrayed in the books — two aircraft whose crews fly unarmed and unafraid in support of United States interests. He wishes to apologize for giving the EP-3E harpoon missiles in The Sixth Fleet II, but insists there were times he wished they had them.)

Currently, he is stationed in the great five sided building along the Potomac known as the PENTAGON and is assigned to the Joint Staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff He graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in June 2000. Before attending ICAF, his last job was Deputy Director of Naval Security Group Europe and Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Cryptology and Information Warfare on the staff of Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Europe. During Desert Storm, he was the Commanding Officer of Naval Reconnaissance Support Activity. David is a career cryptologist and the books show it with several cryptologic officers as background characters in the series. In the Navy, they are affectionately called 'Cryppies.' After the World War II Battle of Midway, the cryptologists of the United States Navywere called heroes It is unfortunate in this rapidly expanding era of the Information Age that only the U.S. Navy has retained this specialized branch.

Active in a myriad of sports, David is shown here finishing the arduous "Industrial College of the Armed Forces and National War College" massive cross country marathon competition (5 kilometers) in October 1999. Conscious of the self-esteem needs of those much younger than himself, he held back to allow most of the participants to finish ahead of him, which is probably why the National War College won the Commander's Cup this year. He is wearing the workout shirt given to him by the Admin department of CINCUSNAVEUR (N9) upon his departure from that command. A large red triangle is on the back with the words "Caution — Slow Moving Vehicle."

He is a native of Newnan and Coweta County Georgia and the son of Mrs. Wynella Meadows and the late Lamar B. Meadows. His brother Wesley is the fire chief/General manager of Southside Communities Fire Protection Inc in Georgia, and his other brother Douglas is Captain in the Police Department of a city in Georgia. David E. Meadows and wife live in Maryland with their daughter Sara and son Nicholas. David is a member of the local American Legion and Elks Club. David E. Meadows is married to the amazing Ms Felicity Bellis of Manchester, England, who has received many accolades for remaining married to the author for over 23 years and retaining her sanity.

His professional experience and extensive naval background make the Sixth Fleet series gripping novels reflecting a downsized U.S. military of the near future caught in a war of tomorrow easily seen in today's geopolitical world. The books do not reflect the position or opinions of the Department of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or any of the military services. In fact, they only reflect the author's desire to produce a great story that could be enjoyed by the readers.