A couple of the worst books I've read recently have been about Afghanistan -very formulaic and a bit of an insult to the people doing the job out there.
Favourites of recent times are Vulcan 607 and An Ordinary Soldier.
I would also recommend any Derek Robinson novels.
Of previous mentions, I don't there's a bad one there (of the ones I've read which sadly seems to be most of them!), my faves being First Light, the Laddie Lucas compilations and Tumult in the Clouds (aside from Chickenhawk which everyone should have read at least twice!).
Another nice little book is Behind the Cockpit Door by Arthur Whitlock - well worth a read if you can dig out a copy. Not military aviation but is an autobiographical account of being a civil aviation pilot after WW2, from bush flying DC3's in India to being Captain of a 747. Good stuff.
JC