Walk A Mile In My Shoes

About the Book

After being set up by a CIA operative organization and arrested many times by the US Department of Treasury, Conrad pulls off one of the greatest known escapes from a war zone in battle-torn Zaire. Accepting death before defeat he repossesses his aircraft from President Mobutu Se Se and his Generals. Later, whilst setting up a food supply airlift to Bosnia Conrad became a prisoner in Russia. He was eventually documented and recognised by the US Government and the United Nations for his courage, persistence and character.

This is the story of one man's battle to achieve his goal of becoming a pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force in the 1970's and the subsequent journeys on which life took him...and he took life!

This often-humorous autobiography travels time and distance, revealing a man whose efforts and successes are the direct merits of his personal courage and self-motivation. Conrad's escape from El Salvador is a gripping testament to his driving force and determination, personifying him in the minds of all that know him.

Eventually becoming the owner of two Lockheed C130 Hercules aircraft, Conrad rises to the top, working for agencies of the United States Government, repossessing aircraft from the Greek Air Force and flying famine relief for the United Nations. All is not well among factions of the CIA however, and Conrad is a marked man with the US State Department and many Divisions of the US Government eager to aid his demise.

This is an inspirational story of true personal achievement and courage under fire. Conrad is a man who is not afraid to perpetually strive for the keys to his destiny, challenge the future and give fate a helping hand when it is needed.

This is his story.

About the Author

In an awful way World hunger leads to broken sprits malnutrition and death on the other hand the same problem enables others the opportunity to actually do something about world hunger and turn it into an infinite method of healing and pride. The United Nations "World Food Program" is such an inspiration.

I know this because I spent 4 years dealing with the atrocity of Dictators and their self-interested military and non military leaderships. Dictators such as ex President Mobutu se se of Zaire held positions of power by way of force. Generals to these Presidents such as Baramoto of Zaire, Adid of Somalia and Taylor of Liberia provide the administration for the force while the population provides the pathway for cheap cultivation of commercial goods to be sold on open markets ensuring the powerful their much needed luxury and protection they desire. Such are the spoils of force.

Money belies all governments worldwide from shadowy second agendas to that of dangerous conspiracies. One night as a member of the public I fell asleep the next morning I arose to the first inkling that I was in something up to my neck as I was carted off by US Secret Service Agents and later when a soldier tried to take my life on the banks of the Congo River, well, you get the picture.

I spent many days on many separate occasions in United States, African and Russian jails left to consider what I could do about the overwhelming power wielded at me from those dark corridors of some US Government Departments and Intelligence Agencies along with deception and manoeuvers of the dangerous Dictators and Generals who wanted me and my aircraft stopped from delivering food as this weakened their hold on the controlled civilian population. The Generals mainly wanted the aircraft to move troops while it is alleged that some US Government agencies including the "NACA" (National Air Carriers Association) just wanted to assist their mate " Southern Air Transport", (S.A.T. was recreated from Air America). S.A.T.'s hope was that I would be arrested and my challenge to reduce the cost of airborne food delivery by military aircraft would be finished. The powerful could continue on as usual.

My Aircraft had been seized by arguably Africa's most powerful General. Some USA intelligence agencies spun the seizure to look like a rogue pilot and his Military aircraft were operating in a war zone without US Government approval. I would spend many, many more months operating in war zones often on my own stealing through jungles in the dead of night hatching a plan to re possess my aircraft.

My plan and final resolve was stopping a CIA sponsored company by exposing them to democracy. This company (renamed from Air America to Southern Air Transport after the Vietnam War) then had to be stopped from monopolising the United Nations World Food Program which Southern Air did by way of the USA Government bidding process allegedly creating high aviation charges for the airborne delivery of food and supplies to remote sites and be pretty much one of the only companies authorised by the US Government to be accepted for UN contracts. Finally, I had to remain alive and out of jail in that order.

I would finally repossess my Lockheed C130 Hercules cargo aircraft from Zaire. Then with the support of the United Nations and some trusted ex aircrew members, who eventually swapped sides from Southern Air Transport, I took UN contracts with US State Department approval to operate in war zones eventually forcing the aircraft lease hourly rate down to 20% of the rate Southern Air Transport had previously charged.

The results are interesting.
First, more money is now actually committed to food now aviation delivery costs are lower and other competitive aircraft optional lease opportunities now exist.
Secondly, ex military cargo aircraft are not only far less expensive than civilian types to lease but are more suitable to operate in hostile environments. Further, these aircraft types entice ex military aircrew rather than civilian crews. Trust me, when you're being shot at, an ex military crew is necessary not optional.
And third, it is proof positive that the US and other democratic Governments can't beat a single honest man with a hot slingshot and the courage to use it especially when world news reports it.

Make a difference, stop the reign of bullies, speak up when Government's lie, don't except that people should starve, that's the democratic thing to do.

As for me, I did what I set out to do, I survived and found support from the US Department of State and the Department of Treasury and stayed out of jail, beat Southern Air Transport, airdropped thousands of tons of food and became an Advisor to the United Nations.

My integrity restored, I moved back to Australia, my experience only detectable by a wry smile and a slight limp on cold crisp mornings.