The writer Air Force News described as, “the RAAF’s answer to Tom Clancy” will join forces with his former university at the Bundaberg International Air Show.

With aviation thrillers drawing rave reviews as far afield as The Marine Corps Gazette, Phil Smith has drawn on his experience in the military and media to create international adventures with Australian characters in the lead.

A journalism graduate from CQU, Smith is a proud alumnus. Last year’s graduation speaker at the Bundaberg campus will be one of the guest writers at next year’s Somerset Celebration of Literature. He’ll join the CQU team at its trade stall throughout the air show.

“CQU has always had a very strong media and creative writing stream,” said Phil Smith. “It’s exciting to see the Bundaberg campus developing new degrees in areas such as aviation.”.

The author has served in uniform from East Timor to the Arctic Circle. He spent time training and working with the US Marine Corps and now works as an ABC broadcaster, based in Brisbane. He also writes for overseas aviation magazines.

“My writing career began during two days in a C130 Hercules, watching everyone read British or American thrillers,” says Phil Smith. “I reckoned it was time we had Australian heroes in technically accurate, international stories.”.

His first novel 'Shooting Script' was the result.

If readers want to know what it’s like to jump at night from a US Navy C2A Greyhound, they’ll find out in his latest book, 'Tiger Stripe'.

Further information: www.philsmith.com.au