" approaching from north-west." "Keep in formation until I find out what they're up to." "Got them spotted, Colonel." "Bandits at 10 o'clock." "Climb to 23,000 feet." "Attention American invaders." "You are violating our territorial airspace." "This is Colonel Ted Masters of the US Air Force." "Pitch out!" "They're firing on us." "This is no drill!" "Fire when you have a lock on them." "Two MIGs, 4 o'clock." "Watch your tail." "I'm coming around." " I'll pick out the leader." " Got you covered." "Angle's looking good." "Watch that bandit at 2 o'clock." "Okay, palsy." "Bandit turning in tight." " Closing in on bandit." " On your tail, Lieutenant." "Pull it up." "I've been hit!" "I'm dropping fuel!" "Get the hell out of there now!" " Move it' Lieutenant." " Heading back to base." "Check behind you, sucker." "That's it." "Come on." "Thank you." "Four to one." "They aren't taking any chances." "Come on, Matt." "Get off that phone." "We were supposed to meet Tony and Reggie twenty minutes ago." "Quit bugging me." "I'm talking to Sheila Talucci." "She's a junior." "Why are you messing with her?" "She thinks I am, too." "Get out, you're blowing it for me." "I'll take the Honda and meet you later." "Dad told you not to ride the Honda off base." "How will he know if he isn't around?" "Now disappear before I pound you!" "It's my little brother." "You know how kids are." " I'm leaving." "Will you pick up my tux?" " Yes, at 12 o'clock." "Will you tell your sister how nice she looks?" " She does look nice." " I look gross." "You only have to wear this tomorrow." "Your brother only graduates once." " It's a miracle he's graduating at all." " Thanks a lot, runt!" " See you, Mom." " Be home by 6." "Your dad will call." "He wants to say hi to you and Katie, before you go to the prom tonight." " Aren't you going to wait for the mail?" " I'm late." "Are you out of your mind, Masters?" "Ten miles an hour!" "Hey, Doug, how are you doing?" "How do you like the moves?" "I'm practising for the prom." "You look great." "Sorry I'm late, but ..." "Enjoy it." "Soon, if you show up late, they'll shoot your behind." "At the Academy, the word "tardy" is not in the vocabulary." " What were they doing?" " They came up behind me on the bridge." "What is it with you, Knotcher?" "Can't you get through one day, without proving you're an asshole?" "I was just having fun with your girlfriend." "She might realize she deserves better than some pussy Air Force brat." "Just forget about this big, nasty, moose-lipped greaseball." "They just want to get you in trouble." "If Sheriff Pingle finds out you've been fighting, you'll be put in jail." "Doug ..." "Just chill." " I'm losing my patience with you." " Well, I'm losing my patience with you." "It'd be easy to settle this, if you had any balls." " Just run "the Snake" with me." " You've got "snake" on the brain!" "Didn't you learn anything from last time?" "We love your jackets, boys." "Have a nice day." "He's the biggest creep." "No kidding." "This guy's bullshit hasn't changed in four years." "Neither has his breath." "He'd kill you with it." " It came right after you left." " What is it?" "Does US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs give you a clue?" "Drum roll." "The best new applicant for the pilot training program is ..." "Not Doug Masters." "What did it say?" "It said all that "we regret to inform you" crap." "It said that I didn't qualify." " You had to kind of expect it." " Maybe I didn't." "Face it, Doug." "With your average?" "We're talking subterranean range." "Because of one lousy F." "I only got it because I cut class to sneak into the simulator." "Good morning, boys and girls." "I have an announcement." "One of interest to all you military personnel out there." "Dougie Masters has regretfully been denied access to the Air Force Academy." "Too bad." "He would have looked so cute in his uniform and hair cut   marching with the other fairies." "What's the matter, fly baby?" "You're dead, Knotcher." "I'll wait here till you come out, and then you're mine." "If we fight, you'll have to deal with the sheriff." "If we race, you only deal with the mountains and me." "You've got it." "Be at Mclntyre's in an hour." "Call Raymond and tell him to gas up my plane for the "Snake"." "You'll get killed!" "Just like Jimmy Branson did." "Excuse me." "Excuse me!" "Hand me that Phillips head." " Why are you working on my plane?" " The Phillips head, boy." "Raymond was supposed to ..." " You're flying the "Snake", right?" " How did you know?" " Why are you making my mixture so rich?" " How low will you be flying?" "Fifty feet, why?" "As lean as you were running, and it went into a stall,   you wouldn't be able to pull it out." " That's what happened to Jimmy." " That's right." "He didn't know either." "You couldn't tell him after he was peeled off that cliff." "What do I owe you?" "We'll talk about that later." "If you come back." "According to the rules, Doug can take any route through the mountains   if he stays under the fifty foot height limit." "Knotcher, you have to stick to the main road." "You'll do a loop through Dragon Canyon and end up back here." "Who'll make sure he doesn't pull up, if it gets too scary for him?" "If he pulls up, he's disqualified." "Packer and Brillo can ride monitor with me and Reggie." "Let's do it." "Good luck." "I'm climbing." "That music is jamming!" "Dance to those rocks." "How's he doing?" "My stomach hurts from watching him fly." "What's with Knotcher?" "He almost started a career as a hood ornament." "Just land on him and get it over with." " Don't you feel like flying today?" " Flying, yes." "Dying, no." " That's not the main road." " A road's a road." "That'll take ten minutes off his time." "He's taking the fire road." "You can't beat him now." "It's not over yet." "You're coming up on Devil's Face." "That's where Branson bought it." "You did it, Buddy!" "Come on, Reggie!" "Pull up!" "You're toying with death, you know that?" "Keep jamming to the tunes, you're zooming." "Smoke's pouring out of your manifold!" " I'm losing oil pressure." " Set her down!" "Wonder what a crashed Cessna looks like?" " What did you do to his engine?" " Knotcher made me do it." " He made me adjust his oil cap." " They've loosened your pressure cap!" " Land the plane." " Stop acting crazy!" "Easy." "I'm coming up on Knotcher." " I can beat him." " Don't be a fool!" "Land the plane, man." "Don't stall on me now." "You've got him now!" "Shit!" "Rough landing, flybaby?" " It was just a joke." " It's pretty funny." " You could've killed me." " What?" "I said, you could have killed me." "Couldn't hear you." "Can you hear me now?" "Doug, you have to come with me." "It's your dad." "You have to get back to the base." "He's been shot down." "Jesus ... is he?" "I don't know, they just found out about it." "I'll get Matt, just go." " When will they release him?" " They don't know." "Didn't they tell you why they were flying so near the coast line?" "The general said, they couldn't go into it with me." "I'll be back in a minute." "Is Colonel Blackburn in there?" "You can't go in there!" "You can't go through here!" "Who the hell do you think you are?" "I want to talk to Colonel Blackburn." "It's okay." " I suppose you want some answers." " Nobody tells us what's going on." "Since you have been friends so long, you might tell me the truth." "What have they told you?" "That dad and another plane were flying over the Med when they got jumped." " And then something about a trial." " It's a complicated situation." "It's a bunch of nonsense." "Some countries don't play like us." "Come on." "Stick on my heels for a minute." "I'm going to get my tip in the wringer if the general sees this." "So keep your mouth shut." "We fly freedom and navigation exercises to establish ..." "International airspace." "My dad's told me about it." " But he wasn't even in their territory." " They claim a 200 mile limit." "Right about up to here." "We only recognize 1 2." "They usually don't mess with us, but they caught us with our pants down." "Your dad didn't have a chance." "But he whacked three before he bailed." " What's all this about a trial?" " Excuse me a second, Doug." "You're full of shit!" "We asked for a carrier." "They couldn't cooperate with us now." "It's nonsense!" "Get Admiral what's-his-nuts on the horn!" "Tell him the general wants to talk to him pronto!" "I don't like the way the State Department's playing this." "We're holding all the aces and they're acting like we only had a pair of twos." "Putting a carrier off their coast might put a fire up their butt." "They denied our request." "They tell us that they're negotiating." "Please just tell me what's going on." "He's being put on trial for violating their territory." "We know it's bullshit." "Washington knows it's bullshit." "State Department thinks it's a bluff." "They think they're using him as a bargaining chip." " For what?" " They're what's called a pariah nation." "They're probably using this to get us to lift our trade embargo." " What's going to happen?" " I don't know yet." "We hope to hear what they really want in the morning." "Until then, there's not much any of us can do." "The suits in the White House have tied our hands." "You'll have to be patient." "We have no diplomatic relations with those bastards   so it takes time just to make a phone call." "Colonel?" "I've got the Admiral on the horn." "Hang in there, son." "Yes, sir." "Yeah, it came a minute ago." "I think the general will want to pursue this further." " How can you stay so calm?" " Because I've been through it before." "You don't remember." "You were only four years old." "That time your dad had to bail out over the Pacific ..." "The whole time I didn't know if he was alive." "I have to tell Katie that I'm not going tonight." "And tell the Winslows not to come for the graduation." "That is not going to help him." "He's over there, but all he thinks about is us." "He's thinking about you and Katie getting all dressed up tonight." "He's thinking about you getting your diploma tomorrow." "That's all he's got right now." "If you don't go ..." "it takes it all away from him." "Look, I'm very scared." "I'll admit that to you." "But if you start thinking the worst will happen,   somehow it always does." "What did you find out?" "I'll tell you in the car." "Let's go and pick up Amy." " Is Dad going to be all right?" " He'll be fine." "Go with Mom." "I'll be home in a while." "What did Blackburn tell you?" "He said they're holding him for ransom or something." "Can you nose around in your dad's office?" "I just came from there." "Everybody in intelligence is scrambling." "My dad put a lid on this." "Nobody's talking." "I'll see what else I can find out." " Is there anything we can do?" " No, nothing." "Guess you won't feel like going tonight." "I guess it's better than sitting at home going crazy over this." "Everything is going to work out." "Those dudes won't mess with us." "The Air Force will kick ass if they do." " Like in Iran?" " No, Mr Peanut was in charge back then." "Now we have a guy in the Oval Office who takes no shit from gimpy countries." "Why do you think they call him Ronnie Ray Gun." "I have some boutonnieres for us." "This smells so good." "Take a whiff." "You are allowed a statement on your behalf." "This court is a fraud." "I did not violate your territorial airspace." "We never engaged in any intelligence gathering operation." "This trial is a violation of international law." "Colonel ... the American naivety never ceases to amaze me." "We make the laws in this country." "We are not subject to your   ridiculous Western alliances." "I am a pilot myself." "And when in flight, I am always aware of my exact position." "I have no doubt you were quite clear about yours." "Your country has been warned time and time again!" "Yet your leaders choose to make light of our demands." "Reparation is our due, and we shall have our due." "They didn't ask for anything?" "I was sitting outside my dad's office during the briefing." "None of them could believe it." "They've already held the trial, and they found your dad guilty." " What does that mean?" " They haven't sentenced him yet." " It could be prison or ..." " Why are they playing so tough?" "They probably don't want other nations thinking they're chicken of the US." " They're trying to set an example." " When are they going in?" "The Marines!" "They're not going to take this crap." "Nothing's being planned, but my dad thinks something can be worked out." "What will they work out?" "How many years will he stay in that shithole?" " What are they doing?" " They're still negotiating." "They won't do shit, and you know it." "Doug's here." "I'm sorry about not calling you back, but the general's had me hopping." "Colonel, don't lie to me." " Are you planning something?" " We're doing all we can." " Which is nothing, right?" " They're trying to talk to him." "Other than that, we have nothing on the boards." " I'm sorry." " So am I." "Hi, buddy." "I heard what happened to your dad, and I ..." "Marty, I was wondering if you could slip me in?" "There's someone due in here now, but he's running late,   so you can take it until he gets here." "Thanks a lot." "Just keep cool about this." "It isn't the same as sneaking you in at night." " Okay, I'll set you up with some MIGs." " Great." "Enemy squadron sited." "All right, you bastards." "Climbing to flight level 2-7-0." "Have radar." "Locking on to engage." "What else, Marty?" " This is Flight Leader' do you read?" " This is Bluebird, over." "Enemy approaching at flight level 2-2-0." "Shit!" "Excellent move' Bluebird." "That's four." "I don't believe it." "Your dive's too extreme, pull it up!" "Marty, I don't believe those guys ..." "Fancy manoeuvring's no good, if you don't watch the guys behind you." "I didn't see them." "I couldn't." "That's what the HUD's there for." " And cut off that music" " Sorry, Colonel." "We used up your time." " I'll catch up next week." " You got it." "Keep your chin up." "Something you want to ask me?" "I didn't know you were still in the Air Force." " So are you in the Reserve now?" " That's right." "So why are you a mechanic?" "Because fixing airplanes is something I like to do." "Anything else you want to ask me?" "I wasn't trying to write a book, I was just curious." "Your dad's a strong man." "He'll be okay." "You know him?" "Let's say I know the type." "That's what's most important." "If more people were like him, he wouldn't be stuck over there." " What do you mean?" " Nobody's doing anything." "They don't have the balls to force them to release him." "You think we should launch some missiles and go to war over it?" "Of course not." "But how tough could it be, it's a shitty little country." "It's not about being tough." "It's the way they do things." "Too many people make the decisions." "They just take too long." " You've seen them planning a rescue?" " A bunch of times." "But they usually lose more lives than they save." "Your dad's better off if they negotiate." "But with the right plan, would it be simple to go in and get him?" "Not simple, but possible." " Could you plan it?" " Why?" " Because I want to know." " Probably." " What would it take?" " A hell of a lot more than you've got." "Wait a minute." "There's a lot of people on the base who love Dad." "That's different from risking your life for them." "All right, let me ask you this." "Could an F-16, fully armed, fly in there and pull it off?" "Stop wasting your time." "The Air Force won't do anything." "They'll do more than you think." "They just won't know about it." "I'm telling you, I can get a plane, all the firepower it can carry,   aerial recon, intelligence." "I've got the whole base wired." "Anything you need ..." "I can get you." " Are you wired enough to get me pilots?" " I can get you one." "This is probably the toughest thing you've been through in your life." "But hanging on to those crazy ideas is not going to make it any easier." " You don't think I can fly?" " Don't talk stupid." "You think flying an F-16 in aerial combat is like flying "the Snake"?" "I have three times the hours on that simulator as most pilots on the base." "As for combat, that's bullshit." "How many guys around here have been in dogfights?" "Four ..." "Five?" "The simulator is good enough for them, and they're defending the country." "You think because they're older, it makes any difference?" "I've already missed my simulator time, I'm not going to miss my flight time." "Let me go with you." "I've been with Dad lots of times." " Let me show you what I can do." " I'm tired of talking about it." "You know he hasn't got a chance, but you don't give a shit!" "You're no different than anyone else." "You really believe that nonsense?" "Look at me, when I talk to you!" "Let me clue you into something right now." "I've given this country 22 damn fucking years of my life." "I've seen young guys blown out of the air over the Pacific." "So every time somebody dies for this country, believe me, I give a shit!" "Nobody talks to me like this, I'm not going to start now." "You want to help your father?" "Be strong for your family and stay here!" "I am pleased to present this year's valedictorian:" "Edward Thatcher." "Students, faculty and parents." "Each year, we students have the luxury of our dreams   without the responsibility of our sustenance." "Our gratitude must be with those who give us that freedom   without which we could not grow." "To our parents, then, I dedicate this ceremony." "What were all those loops and rolls, Colonel?" "You were to stay in strict formation." "I had a malfunction in my throttle sensor." "I thought you were doing a little sky-writing." "I think I may have a problem with my receiver." "I heard some music up there." "I must have picked up a radio station." "I'll have it checked out, Major." "These are training manoeuvres, not auditions for the Thunderbirds." "It's not a rock concert." "Get over here." "What the hell were you thinking?" "Do you know what could happen to me if you got caught in that plane?" "I'm sorry." "It won't happen again." "You bet your ass it won't!" "It's the last time you go up with me!" " Come on, Dad." " I don't want to hear it." "When will you show some responsibility?" "When I'm gone, I'd like to know that you can handle things." "At some point, you have to grow up, son." " Is that an order, sir?" " Yeah, that's an order." "Understood, sir." "May I ask the colonel a question, sir?" "Go ahead." "Did he like the reverse spirals I executed at 22,000 feet?" "They'd been rehearsed all week in the simulator, sir." "I did." "Get out of here." "The colonel's wife thinks you're at school." "Today is an important day for all of us." "A turning point." "A time to realize that we are no longer children." "A time to take charge of our lives and destinies." "We must believe in ourselves or leave our dreams behind." "Mom?" "What's the matter?" "I didn't want to tell you before." "They heard from Washington today." "Your dad's been sentenced." "Three days." "What do you mean, three days?" "They're going to hang him." "In three days, they'll hang him." "I need to talk to you." " About Dad." "I think we can help him." " How?" "I think I know a way to go in and get him out." "God ..." "When are we going?" "I need you to do something for me." "What do I do?" "Tell the Eagles to meet me at the clubhouse tomorrow at 7:00." "I have some things to work out." "Go on, call them." "Are they really going to kill him?" "I'm not waiting to find out." "Now go on." " Welcome, Minister." " Take me to the prison at once." "I have been informed that you will not sign the confession." "I want you to reconsider." "I am a compassionate man." "I understand your courage and your sense of duty." "But there are those in power above me, who do not share my sentiments." "If you mean your beloved leader, he can come and see me personally." "I'll give him a confession." "I'll shove it up his ass." "Thank you for coming so early." "You know what happened to my father." "I know you'd do anything for him." "Most of us have been together for a long time." "Together we've got all we needed for our classes and our airshows." "Now I need you to get some stuff that will help my dad." "If we don't get it, he won't have much of a chance." "I have a list of everything we need." "Starting off with ..." "I'll take these to Hazel, I want to say hi anyway." "I have some more updates from my dad for you." "Thanks, Milo." "Oh, my God, look how many of them there are." " Getting pretty heavy duty around here." " Oh, I know ..." " I thought this was fixed last week." " It was." "Go input on the mainframe, I'll call a guy to come down here." "Then we won't get behind." "It is urgent that we get this out." " You'll go get him then?" " Sure, I promise." "I'll work on these." "You are an angel, Milo." "This is wonderful." "I'll be at the mainframe for an hour." " What are you doing here?" " We want to see the new Packer 32s." " I can't sneak you in during the day." " Come on, Sweeney." "My sister said to ask you to do it for her." "Was she talking about me?" "I heard her tell Mom that she was upset that you don't call her more." "I can sneak you in for five minutes, but only one of you." "Go ahead, I've seen them." " Hi, Dad." " What are you guys up to?" "We just came to get that picture you promised us for our room." "That big satellite photo of the Earth." "That was months ago." "Why now?" "You forgot to bring it home the last four times we asked you." " You're right." "I'll get it." " We can get it!" "Don't be silly, I've got time ..." " Joanie!" " I didn't mean to." "I have to wash this out." "You go and get the picture." "Put it in a sleeve." "I'll leave you a clearance to get it out." "I'm glad you brought these." "Mom's starving me on that new diet." " What have we got?" " Delta 662." "Get the Falcon maintenance file." "F-16's BR4." "Bingo, we're in." " Who is it?" " It's Doug Masters." "I know what you said before, and I'm sorry for what I said." "I came to ask you one last time, if you would help me." "I have the aerial recon of everything they've got." "Coastal defences, missile emplacements and troop locations." "I know where their fighter base is and their fighter capacity." "And I have a picture of where they're holding my dad." "I have intelligence." "I know every move they make." "When they fly their manoeuvres and fly in and out of their airports." "I can tell you when they go to the can." "I can get you an F-1 6 with anything you want on it." "Sidewinders, Mk 82 Snakeeyes   cluster bombs, Durandals, Paveway smart bombs   and all the 30 mm rounds the GE-Pod can carry." " Jesus, he's only got ..." " Three days!" "If you keep talking, you'll waste one of them." "Bring that stuff." " When did you work this up?" " Last night." "When I heard about that "trial"." "You think you can figure something out?" "Come up with a plan?" "I'm a long way from answering that." "But I sure would like to try." "Something about maniacs messing with good men always pisses me off." "I need to find a place for aerial recon, fighter bases, where they keep him,   scheduling info." "You read me the intelligence when I ask you." "How can you think with that music on?" "Come on, let's see what you have, quick." "What's wrong?" " Got your tennis shoes on?" " Yeah, why?" "Bring all the intelligence readouts and follow me." "Got that coastal defence info yet?" "Two trawlers ... 50 mm guns." "But they're currently in the Gulf." "This would be easier if I had my shorts on." "Don't interrupt while I'm thinking." "Read me that fighter status again." "Find it?" "There's only five choppers stationed there." "Anti-aircraft locations." " Which ones?" " All of them." "That's going to take some time." "They're listed all over the place." "Like Italian?" "You can eat while you read." "Slappy, I'd like you to meet delicate Doug." "This is the owner of the place." "You can sue him for the food poisoning." "Good to see you coming here, contributing to my retirement." "Even brings white folk in here, I like that." "We have some high-level confidence talk to do here." " Find it?" " Yeah, right here." "Move it like this ..." "The plane comes through here and knocks out this pepperoni." "Be careful of this olive." "The cheese here will nail your butt." "Through this lettuce, tight around this carrot, a second plane sneaks in." "What do you mean?" "Who's flying the second plane?" "I'm taking out these pepperonis here." " I don't believe it!" " Are you prejudiced or something?" "Don't play with me." "Why are you flying?" "When I met your dad, he earned my respect   and I do a lot for people I respect." " When did you meet him?" " About two years ago." "I'd booked some simulator module time." "I was late, I still had on coveralls, my hands were covered in grease." "And the guy on the module was new." "He said "get your black butt out of here before I call security"." "A couple of hotshot pilots thought it was really funny." " Didn't you want to kick their ass?" " As a matter of fact, I did." "Then your dad walks out of the simulator." "I'd never seen him before." "When they told him the story, he walks over and looks at me for a second." "He steps back and snaps me a salute." ""Sorry about this, we'll set things up for you right away ..." "Colonel."" "Your dad understands a lot about people's dignity." "That's the last kind of person I'd like to see locked up in a cage." "He won't be anymore." "We'll bust him out like a bat out of hell." "All we have so far is a plan." "All you've shown me is that you can steal computer printouts and pictures." "After tomorrow, he's only got one day left." "Are we going or not?" "We are going when I say so." "You still have a lot to prove to me." "Now keep your mouth shut and listen to what I have to ask you." "I want to make sure you can deliver   what you say you can deliver." "I want a couple of F-16s with full, approved flight plans." "Along with the stuff I'll give you, are two phony names." "I want a trainer at the same time on the tarmac tomorrow." " Put your money where your mouth is." " You still don't believe I can fly?" "Maybe and maybe not." "I want to test you on some live targets." " Great ... you won't be disappointed." " I hope not." "Or else, we aren't going anywhere." "Enough!" "You are a very stubborn man." "It would be easier on you if you gave us a signed confession   but we can proceed without it." "I admire the way you can handle pain." "I am looking forward to seeing you handle death." "Good thing Milo's on our side." "Good morning, my name is Colonel Sinclair." "I believe you have me down for that trainer over there." "Your name's not on the list, let me check with flight control." "Just got orders to take these two in." "Sorry about the screw-up, yours came in last night." " She's ready to go." " What's this about taking us in?" "Not you, sir." "The Falcons." "They were all set to go to Spain." "The crew worked all night to load them." "The computer just cancelled it." " She's ready to go." " Thank you." "Better get off the ground before this one gets cancelled." "The computer's been acting strange today." "Falcon 6 you're clear for take-off." "Runway 30 over." " Think you can get us to runway 30?" " If you show me where the throttle is." "I'm starting not to like you." "This is Falcon 6 ready for take-off." "Okay for take-off." "Where do you want to go?" "You're driving." " Let's see what you got." " Sure you're up to it?" "You're not a hot dog are you?" " How's that?" " You're a pilot, not an astronaut." "I guess you're right." "By the way ..." "I forgot to ask you when you ate last." "You'd know if I had breakfast." "Want to see me   turn?" "You know ..." "now I'm really starting not to like you." " Head over to the range." " Yes, sir." "Coming up to it." "I want you to circle around low." "Take out those two vertical targets." "Remember:" "The simulator's a little different." "Just feel your way." "I want you to concentrate." "Cut off that stuff!" " It'll screw up my rhythm." " I'll screw up something else." " Shit!" " Told you it was different." "This time I want you to drop a Mk 82 in that horizontal up ahead." "We can't go in there with you shooting like this." " Head back to base." " Damn it, Chappy, I'm doing it my way." "Nice piece of work!" " Are we going for it?" " There's still some things we ..." "All right, we're going!" "Get your Eagles." "We need to work out some details." "I figure you can do your first 500 miles at Mach 0.6   and the last 180 at Mach 0.9 after your last refuel." "What about wind current?" "Milo, when we get back, we have to go into business together." "In a dogfight, always remember to keep an angle on them." "Attack them either from the side, the top or the back." " If they're coming at you straight ..." " You eject and do some backstroking!" "The most important is to watch your airspeed as they talk you in." "Use a deep voice or they'll know you're a kid." "Let me hear you talk." "No, it has to be deeper." "Put some bass in your voice." "This is the Bluebird." "I be ready to refuel." "Doug ... move that control tower ten degrees to the north." "No, that's the oil refinery." " This one?" " That's the detention centre." "That's what's left of my lunch, get it out of there." "You must be in love, the control tower is over here." "Stop laughing!" "Say cheese!" "All right, gentlemen ... and ladies." "Time for the final check for tomorrow's operation, and I hope everyone's ready." "Lattmore?" " Status on the Falcons." " Two F-16Bs on the northern runway." "Fully fuelled." "Interior tanks and two exterior drop tanks." " Armaments?" " As requested and visually verified." "Thank you." "Mr Bazen?" " Flight plans cleared?" " Both fully authorized." "Refuel?" "I have a list here of times and coordinates all verified." " Place of detention" " Col. Masters is at the same location." "No change of plans reported." "I congratulate you all." "You've come a long way in a short while." "People shouldn't be judged by their experience,   but by their performance, and yours has been exemplary." "I'd like to shake everybody's hand." "I've never had a finer planning staff." "Go home and tell Mom I'm out with Reggie and Tony." " After tomorrow, you're in charge." " But only for a couple of days." "It's a promise." "Get lost." " Without you guys, there's no way ..." " We know that." "Eagles." "Show me the armaments availability list." "I have an idea that will give us some added insurance." "I'm too loaded down ..." "so you'll have to carry it." "Carry what?" "The "Hades Bomb"." "How fast is Milo?" "He can rearm in three hours." "What do you want me to do with it?" "Before you land, I want you to lay one right ... here." " It's got good points and bad points." " Tell me." "The good point is that they can't see you or touch you for five minutes." "But you can't see them either." "Now listen to me ..." "Look!" "Once this fire goes out, if you're not in the air,   you are a dead man." "Now I want you to get your butt in my trailer, get some sleep." "I've got some work to do here." "Chappy, I have to see my mom and call Katie." " What are you going to tell them?" " I don't know." "You can't tell them the truth!" "I'll tell you what ..." "I'll have Slappy talk to them after we have gone." "Now you get in my trailer." "I said get your butt in my trailer!" "Yes, sir." "We are standing by." "Give the American his final meal." "After tomorrow, he won't have much of an appetite." " I told you to get some sleep." " I'm just relaxing a bit." "Watching a little TV." "I don't need much sleep for this." " How do you know, what you need?" " I just meant, I'm ready." "You're ready, aren't you?" "You just think it's going to be so easy." "No, I'm just ready for it." "You're not ready for shit, boy!" "Here." "Open it!" "Go ahead, open it!" " Who are they?" " Kids who thought they were ready, too." " Pilots?" " All of them." " They look about 22 or 23." " That's right." "What are you so worried about?" "What makes them different from me?" "Because they're dead!" "All of them!" "I lay awake at night ... thinking about how fast and brutal they died." "Parts of them falling on the land, parts of them falling in the sea." "Some parts of them burning into nothing in the air." "All of them thought they were ready." "Afterwards, I promised myself I would never be a part of killing kids again." "That's why it took so long to help you." "Now ..." "I've got us both trapped into something that ..." "That could kill us?" "I know that, Chappy." "And those kids?" "I don't know what you think, but they knew it, too." "Maybe they weren't ready for it, but who is ever ready for it?" "You didn't get me into this." "I went to you, remember?" "I know what we're risking, and I'm proud to be able to fly with you." "Maybe I'm not all that ready, but I'm damn proud." "Enough of this nonsense." "Where's the tape recorder?" "In my bag next to the sink." " Wait a minute." "Where are you going?" " I wanted to see what you were doing." "Go see what my pillow is doing." "I want you asleep in five minutes." "Wait a minute." "I almost forgot." "It's my first pair." "I'll loan them to you." " I'll bring them back." " You better." "Now you get to bed." "Yes, sir." "Colonel, sir." "It sure is strange making you this tape." "Ijust got finished talking to you." "You had that look on your face." "Like the first time you asked me to help you get your father." "I never told you how I felt about you." "I always had a problem talking about my feelings." "You have more courage than anybody I ever met   and you will need every bit ofit to get through this." "I want you to know, I'm proud to have been byyour side." "And whatever happens just rememberyou tried." "And no one can take that away from us." "Okay for take-off." "Okay for take-off." "Switch to frequency 8." "I switched frequencies." " That fancy flying eats up your fuel." " Just getting used to the throttle." "It's a little touchy." "If I was in there with you, I'd show you touchy!" "Keep offother channels unless you communicate with checkpoints." "They can monitor everything except this frequency." "Climb up to 35,000 feet and relax until we hit the first refuel." "Get your air speed perfect." "Come in real steady." "Congratulations." "Couldn't have done it better myself." "Do they pump it for you, or is this self-service?" "Smart ass kids!" " Are you sleeping?" " Everything okay?" "Yeah, everything's fine." "I just felt all alone all of a sudden." "Try not to think about it." "Think about how alone your dad must feel over there." "Do you think he knows how much I love him?" "Sometimes he'd be really tough with me just like you are." "I know it's only for my own good, but I never told him I understood." "He knows ... believe me." "He's trying to make a man out of you." "Is that why you treat me the same way?" "To make a man out of me?" "Your dad already took care of that." "I'm just trying to get us out alive." "Chap, what if I screw up?" "What if everything goes wrong?" "Then I'll get real mad!" "Have you ever seen me really mad?" " No, and I wouldn't want to either." " Then don't screw up!" "Just think about the plan." "Go over it in your head until you have it automatic." "I'm showing a seven minute delay." "We have to make up some time." "We'll break our flightplan in five minutes." "It'll heat up from here on out!" "How do you feel?" "My stomach is a little tight." "Must be the cereal I ate this morning." "It tastes good going down   then 13 hours later' it makes you scared shitless." "Do a check-out list like I told you." "They'll know something's up soon." "If checkpoint contacts us, ignore it." "By the time they figure it out, we'll be over the coast." "Bring up the stores list." "Watch it carefully." "It's all you've got." "Look at your fuel gauge." "Run out of either of them, you're dead." "I got that." "We're running at about Mach 0.6." "Go to 3000 feet and hold your air speed." "Watch out for naval vessels." "Falcon 1' you have deviated from your flightplan." "Please advise." "It's just you and me, kid." "Drop down to 3000 feet like I told you." "When we're 100 miles off the coast' drop to 400 feet." " Keep under that, or they'll see you." " I know that." "I bet you thought you knew that." "You know their missiles have French radar?" "So you can fool them with foil packs." " I didn't know that." " Bet you didn't know that." "At the coast' punch it to Mach 0.9, but don't go supersonic." "When we reach the mountains, stay low and tight." "If we "snake" them right, they won't know what hit them." "You go for the runway, and I'll take out the tower and communications." "Don't miss." "You only have four clusters." "Make each one count." "Make sure you line them up right." "And play the right music." "These guys are no rookies." "They shot down your dad." " You won't freeze up?" " Anybody tell you you talk too much?" "My ex-wife." "There's the enemy coast." "Start up your jamming." "Coming up to the mountains." "Radar hasn't caught us yet." "We're seven minutes behind schedule." "They run manoeuvres at 7:30." "We have to pick up some time   or we'll be flying in a MIG soup." "Stay below 300 feet." "I have something that will help pick up some time." "This is no game." "I could get used to that." "We made up three minutes." "Radar hasn't picked us up yet." " I hope they're running late." " I won't think about it." "Get ready, Il Kharem is coming up." "They've picked us up on radar." "Too late for them now." "Cluster the runway." "I'll do the rest." " Three MIGs have taken off." " We'll handle them in the air." "Take out that runway!" "I hit it!" "I got the runway and the plane." "Now worry about those three MIGs that got up." "Climb!" "They're running away!" "They were just getting out of the way." "Now, get out of range!" "Damn!" "I got them!" "I got all three guns!" "But one of them got me." " How bad?" " Not head on, but close enough." " What kind of damage?" " Electrical problems." " Two MIGs coming up fast." " Follow me and listen carefully." " Load that tape I made you." " What's on it?" "Don't argue with me!" "Is it loaded yet?" "I'm only going to say this once!" "Ifanything happens to me' climb out ofrange and play that tape." " It might save your ass." " Nothing will happen to you." "When the MIGs get in range' split off from me and proceed to the next target." "One will follow you and one will follow me." "I'll head back to the Med." "I want to stay with you." "How can you handle them?" "Don't worry about me." "Just do what I told you and concentrate." "Your dad is depending on you." "Split offfrom me now!" "All right, you bastard!" "I just waxed a bandit and I'm coming to you." "I told you, damn it." "Put in that tape and forget about me." "Damn it!" "Hold together for two more seconds." "Mayday" "Chappy, where are you?" "Put in that tape." "Nothing you can do about me." " I want to help you!" " Climb high like I told you." "I won't make it!" "Lots of things must have gone wrong ifyou're listening to this." "Whatever happened' I know you must be real scared." "I wouldn 't blame you ifyou headed home or made a flat out run   for Helicon Air Base in Greece." "You're probably filled with all the doubts in the world." "But I'll tell you something." "God doesn't give people things He doesn't want them to use." "And He gave you the touch." "It's a poweryou have inside you, down where you keep your guts." "It's all you need to get back what they took from you." "Your dad's waiting for a miracle." "Ifyou fly your heart out, you can give him one." "Don't put on this tape ifyou're turning back." "Good!" "You decided, didn 't you?" "First you have to convince yourself that nothing can stop you." "You have to believe that yourplane is like a suit ofarmour." "Like an iron eagle that nothing can penetrate." "I recorded some stuff to help you through the mission." "Talk into your flight recorder so there's a record of everything." "Ifyou start worrying about me' you'll mess up." "Pretend I'm there with you' and we're going in to knock the shit out of them." " How long to repair your runways?" " Less than an hour." "Put every man you have on it." "I want these pigs blown out of the sky." "They're coming for the American." "Inform the prison to be prepared to move him." "We may need him as a decoy." "I want all anti-aircraft mobilized and I want defence command to find them." "Now!" "80 miles to Bilyad." "Keep a close eye on the stores list." "If they didn 't pick us up on radar through the mountains,   there 's something they won't know." "They won't know how many we are." "They won't think it'sjust you." "When you contact them, tell them there's more ofyou." "They have no MIGs there, but remember those choppers." "If their rockets hit you, you'll live permanently in the clouds." "Look out for the surface-to-air units." "They'll probably expect you." "You know what to do from here." "Good luck." "Good luck." "This one's for you, Chappy." "This is lron Eagle." "This is lron Eagle." "I am the flight leader of an American assault force   sent to recover Colonel Ted Masters whom you unlawfully hold prisoner." "Dress Colonel Masters in his flight suit and move him to the airport." "Then put him in ajeep by himself and send him to the northern runway." "Colonel Masters must leave the detention centre in 2 minutes'   or we will destroy the first offive strategic targets   beginning with your biggest oil refinery." "Do you understand?" "Pigs ..." "I want an armed escort at the detention centre   standing by for my orders." "And prepare my car." "I am going to the airport." "I want these people ... destroyed." "You were right, Chap." "They're not moving him." "Looks like they're trying to stall." " Bilyad Tower." "This is lron Eagle." " Yes, we hear you." "He's not being moved." "They're having trouble finding a suitable jeep." "Bullshit!" "You have a town full of them." "You just lost a refinery." "Let's see how they feel about losing 1 00 million in oil." "I'm just about to the refinery." "I'm going for the tanks." "I wish you could see this." "Looks like they'll be importing oil this year." "That pilot is a dead man." " How much longer to repair the runway?" " Ten minutes." "Tell them to move faster, or they'll hang!" "And tell them to move the American now." "I want them to be together when they die." "Chappy, they're moving him!" "See you soon, Dad." " How long now?" " Any minute." "Keep the Bovad units out of sight." "No one fires until I give permission." "I assume they're moving him." "Remember what I told you about the "Hades Bomb"." "Land' pick up your dad' and get out." "Keep track ofyour ammo." "I'm right there with you." "Everybody get out!" "Drive out to the runway." "Move!" " Can you confirm any other planes?" " Nothing, sir." "Let him land." "Then cut him to pieces." "Tell him to get ready on my command." "Goddammit!" "I'm coming down, Dad." "Kill him now." "You son of a bitch!" "Everyone out!" "Move your troops down the runway." "Finish off the American!" "Holy shit!" "Attack them through the flames!" "The Americans must die or you won't live to regret your mistakes." "Dad!" "Doug?" "ls that you?" " Are you all right?" " Yeah, I'm all right." "Can you walk?" "We haven't got much time." "We'll talk later, come on." "One step and you're home, Dad." "Send me two brave men if there are any left among you." "Where's your air support?" "I only came in with Chappy Sinclair." "They took him out at Il Kharem." "Jesus, Dad." "Will the Maverick fly on the ground?" " I don't know, why?" " Something's out to get us." " They got up some MIGs." " We'll fight in the air." "This is Colonel Nakesh." "Respond immediately." "Which plane is most heavily armed?" "Major Joradi." "Have him land here at once." " How much fuel?" " 21 00 pounds." "Get to the Med quick." "Climb as high as you can." "Get down!" "And get out of your flight suit!" " Call up your stores." " Two sidewinders and 244 rounds." "We're burning fuel too fast." " Guess we'll have to take them on." " I guess so." "Can you handle a loop?" "You think you can handle the music?" "One down, one to go." "You may deal directly with me now." "Colonel Akir Nakesh." "You may deal directly with me now." "Colonel Akir Nakesh." "Then you can deal with me, Doug Masters." "Watch it, son." "Nice shot." "Anything else you want to send over?" "Way to fly, Doug." "You are a dead man' you know that?" "Turn out!" "Steady up." "This guy's an ace." "He knows what he's doing." "Don't let him stay behind you." "Move it, Doug." "Pitch away from him!" "Time to die' lron Eagle." "Roll out!" "I'm taking this guy out." "You own him." "You can do it, Doug." "That's it, take a steady strain." "So long, asshole." "Dad!" "More MIGs." "She can't take much more." "What's our stats?" "Only 30 rounds, 800 pounds of fuel." " Too chancy." "Try to outrun them." " I hope you're right." "Taking her to Mach 1 ." "I can't keep up the speed." "We must slow down or dump it." " We'll have to face them." " I'm ready." " Four more MIGs!" " Pull up hard!" "This is Blue Leader, do you read?" "They're ours, Dad!" "They're Americans!" "I have two bandits on my ass, can you assist?" "We are about to contact the aggressor and verify his intentions." "Attention." "This is Major Smiley of the US Air Force." "You are following an F-1 6 in international air space." "Do you wish to engage?" "I didn't think so." "The MIGs do not wish to engage at this time, sir." " Did you retrieve Colonel Masters?" " He's right here with me." "Congratulations!" "Welcome home." "We were worried you might have gone down with Colonel Sinclair." " Did you find the wreckage?" " Only parts of it." "Scattered all over the Med." "We will escort you to Ramstein Air Force base in Germany." " We have a fuel problem." " There's a fuel tanker standing by." "Can we fly the Missing Man formation for Colonel Sinclair?" "We're already in position." "We'd be honoured ifyou would take the lead." "Chappy told me to play this for you when we were safe." "Good morning, Colonel Masters." "This is Colonel Chappy Sinclair." "You're over the Mediterranean." "You'll be home soon." "I'm sure you already know what kind ofson you've got." "But I'm sure you'd like to know how he got over to you." "This kid comes up to me one day and says he's got a problem." "He was a cocky guy, kept telling me how good he flew." "Nice of you to join us for the occasion, Mr lron Eagle, sir." " They said you went down in the Med." " I did." "I had to dog paddle until I was picked up by an Egyptian trawler." "It didn't go easy for you either." " Is Dad coming to this?" " No, he's still in debriefing." "It's just you and me, kid." "They're going to put us in jail." "You know that, don't you, Chap?" "Whatever they do, keep your head up and your shoulders back." "They like it when you stand tall." "Stand at ease." "I've read the statements regarding this highly irregular operation." "You both stand accused of violating nearly all of the National Security Act." "The penalty for such violations could incarcerate you for the next 25 years." "Have you any idea of the consequences?" "If the details ever came to light,   it would undermine confidence in this branch of military service." "What the hell were we supposed to do?" "No one would lift a finger to help my dad." "Have you given any thought to the penalties that could be imposed on you?" " Yes, I have." " And were those thoughts pleasant?" " No, sir." " I'm glad." "Keep them in mind." "If you talk about this operation to anyone,   those penalties will be imposed immediately!" "Does this mean, you're letting us go, General?" "Your release is conditional on your silence." "I urge you to re-evaluate that decision." "Letting him loose would be a mistake." "He's already demonstrated his inability to keep his big mouth shut." "Send him to an institution   that can order him to keep that big mouth shut." "Are you saying we should confine the boy to some penal facility?" "In a manner of speaking, yes, sir." "Mr Masters has applied to the Air Force Academy   an institution well-suited for this kind of treatment." "But his application has met with some resistance." "I was wondering if you ..." "This aircraft, by order of the President of the United States " "This aircraft, by order of the President of the United States   has just arrived from Ramstein Air Force base,   where Col. Masters recovered from the rescue operation   which freed him just three days ago." "The Air Force sent a squadron of F-16s to mount an attack on hostile forces." "The operation resulted in no American losses and minor enemy casualties." "The details of the mission have been classified by the State Department." "Colonel Masters is followed by Air Force Reserve Colonel Sinclair." "Sources have uncovered a rumour that Col. Sinclair aided in the planning." "However, we've done some investigating on our own   and find this highly unlikely." "The young man is Col. Masters' son, who accompanied his father home   and as you can see, he has quite a following here." "Doug has received an appointment to the Air Force Academy this fall,   where he'll follow his father and take orders from the Air Force." "He's quite a capable Cessna pilot." "I'm sure he can't wait for the thrill of flying the more advanced Air Force jets." "Reporting live for Channel 6, this is Jeff Tamblin." "You did it, man!" "Unbelievable!" "I forgot to give these back to you." "Keep them." "You've earned them." "Come here."