Michael Napier joined the RAF in 1978 as a University Cadet and studied Aeronautical Engineering at the Imperial College, London. He qualified as a fast jet pilot in 1985, and his military flying career encompassed both the Cold War and operations over Iraq after the Gulf War. Michael left the RAF in 1997 and joined British Airways, first as a First Officer and later as a Captain.
Michael has written articles for aviation magazines including Aircraft Illustrated, Flypast, Aeroplane Monthly and Cross & Cockade. He is the author of various books published by Osprey including In Cold War Skies, Korean Air War and RAF Tornado Units of Gulf War I in the Osprey Combat Aircraft series. Michael lives near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.