Original subtitles

Emergency pull forward.

Prepare a ready deck for emergency recovery.

Prepare a deck for emergency landing. Prepare a deck for emergency landing.

We've got emergency inbound.

Tower, paddles, I'm up and ready. What's your situation?

It's Boomer.

His radio's intermittent.

His hydraulics are fluctuating. Anyone up there with the skates?

Negative, sir.

The other LSOs went back to their ready rooms.

Boomer's on final. Can you take him? Yes, sir.

Good. I'll let you know when the deck's ready.

Roger that.

LSO, come in.

Get it off!

Skates, don't take anybody. Send them around.

Sir, I'd like to bring him in. No, no, no. Wait for me. I'll be there by the

time the deck's clear.

Damage Control Team, stand by on 2JF.

Damage Control Team. Shooter 1 -0 -2, this is Paddles. Do you copy?

This is Shooter 1 -0 -2.

Paddles, you're breaking up.

I'm having a little problem here, Paddles.

We may have to ditch. Take it easy.

Just fly a straight normal... We'll bring you in. Do you copy? Do you copy?

Battles, he's in the groove and we have a clear deck. Are you ready?

Yes, sir.

Last night, there was a mishap aboard the Patrick Henry.

Air Wing was conducting a training exercise when an aircraft lost its

and radio and attempted an emergency landing.

This is what happened.

Aircraft came in low, hit the ramp.

Pilot and Rio ejected.

Pilot ended up on the flight deck. The busted knee, Rio ended up in the water

and was recovered with minor injuries.

Do you know their names, sir?

Uh, pilot was Lieutenant Dalton Jonas, and his Rio was Lieutenant Frank Grady.

You know them?

Yeah, we serve in the same squadron. Good men.

Lucky men.

Unfortunately, one of the flight deck crewmen wasn't as lucky.

Piece of flying debris severed his leg.

Colonel, you and Commander Brumby will go to the Patrick Henry and conduct the

Jagman investigation?

Yes, sir. Aye, sir.

Ship's commanding officer is Captain Tobias Ingalls.

Expect you know him, Commander.

We have nodding acquaintance, sir.

Don't expect a red carpet.

Make your investigation thorough, but make it quick.

Aye, sir. That'll be all.

All right, let's hear it.

Sir, I served aboard the Patrick Henry. I understand flight ops. I know people

on board.

That's exactly why you shouldn't go.

You don't feel I can be objective, sir?

Well put, Commander.

No, I don't.

Sir, the landing signal officer on duty during the mishap was your former Rio,

Lieutenant Elizabeth Hawks.

Commander Stone, as the air boss, you supervise all shipboard air operations,

correct? Yes, including plane handling and fueling on deck.

You tell us what occurred the night of the mishap.

We had just recovered 18 aircraft. It was a high -tempo operation.

Everyone was pretty beat.

I had just set the deck red condition.

Excuse me, sir. Deck red?

Turned off the optical landing system, indicating a foul deck.

That way no planes could land.

The crewmen could cross the flight deck safely.

Understand. Please continue.

Six Tomcats were still up there.

They weren't due back for 45 minutes.

Which should have given you enough time to clear the deck, correct?

Plenty. Then Katze notified me they had an aircraft approaching on their radar.

It was Boomer, Lieutenant Jonas.

His hydraulic pump was failing.

His radio transmissions were garbled.

Sounds serious enough.

Critical. With fluctuating hydraulics, that aircraft takes on a definite life

its own.

I asked Lieutenant Hawks to bring it in.

Were you aware the supervising LSO told Lieutenant Hawks to send the aircraft

around? I was not.

Lieutenant Hawks is a qualified LSO.

He said she was ready.

I believed him.

I did my best to bring her down.

It was a pitch black night.

Radio was coming in and out.

I didn't know if any other systems would fail.

So what happened during the approach?

I was a little low and I tried to correct.

And that's when Lieutenant Hawks waved you off? Yes, ma 'am, but it was too

late. Are you saying the accident was her fault?

No, no, sir.

No. I mean, sure, maybe another LSO could have brought me in, but Skate did

best she could.

You ever landed an emergency aircraft before, Lieutenant?

Yes, ma 'am, in the simulator.

I've also landed no radio in training, of course.

And you assumed you could do it again?

Yes, sir.

Also, last thing I heard Skate say was, Boomer, take it easy, we'll bring you

in.

I believed her.

She was right not to send him around again.

He might have had to ditch the aircraft.

Well, the pilot thinks you should have waved him off sooner when he came in

That's a judgment call, Mac. Have you spoken to Skate yet?

We'll see her later this afternoon.

How's it look?

It's still wide open.

Look.

Keep me informed, will you?

Will do.

To get their boot, ma 'am.

Lieutenant, let me caution you. This is a JAG investigation.

Anything you say can be used against you in a court -martial.

Only if we suspect you committed an offense.

Right now, we're just trying to find out what happened.

So start with what you did when you saw the Tomcat approach.

I did what I was trained to do. I tried to bring him in.

Commander Bates, the supervising LSO, told you to wave the aircraft off.

Why didn't you? When he gave that order, the deck was fouled.

Once the deck was cleared, it was a different situation, sir.

Commander Bates was in transit. I had to make a decision.

So why decide as you did?

Were you concerned for the safety of the pilot and the radar intercept officer?

Of course I was.

Among other things, I don't know for sure. It was a split -second decision.

And if you had to do it over?

Hindsight's a wonderful luxury, Colonel.

I regret the outcome, but stand by my decision, ma 'am.

She wasn't sure the plane could handle a go -around.

Yeah, but better the uncertainty of a go -around than a ramp strike.

Her job was to bring a plane in.

Safely. She second -guessed her supervising LSO.

Why are you defending her?

The air boss told her to bring him in. Why are you prosecuting her?

No, I'm just trying to get a handle on what happened.

Let's continue this tomorrow.

Okay, I want to get a run around the deck before night. I'll start.

Enjoy your run.

Meg, I don't think Chase is culpable.

I know you don't, Meg.

But she said it herself.

She blew it.

I read your report. My compliments on a damn fine job.

Thank you, sir.

Your conclusion, poor judgment and misplaced priorities on the part of the

landing signal officer substantially contributed to the mishap. Yes, sir. I

believe Lieutenant Hawks placed the welfare of the flight crew above that of

ship. Do you agree, Command?

No, sir, I do not agree.

I see it as a combination of pilot error and LSO misreckoning.

I also believe all parties perform their duties as well as they could under the

circumstances, and there is no culpability.

Send him in.

Sir? Commander, have you read the Colonel's report on the Patrick Henry

Yes, sir, I did, and I must say I am surprised by her conclusions.

Well, be that as it may, Captain Ingalls agrees. He's convening a court -martial

to trial it, then it talks.

Colonel, you'll prosecute Commander Brumby, second chair. You'll defend,

Commander. Article 92, sir?

Dereliction of duty due to couple bull inefficiency.

He's right.

Boy's derelict. I don't want to hear you say that ever again.

It was my job to get that Tomcat down. I failed. Well, that's very noble, but

don't fall on your sword just yet. What was your primary focus when you saw the

aircraft approach?

Getting it down in one piece.

Not the safety of the ship?

That was in the back of my mind, sir, of course.

Well, that is something the prosecutor would tell you should have been foremost

in your mind's case.

Right, sir.

Something you want to tell me?

This is between us, right?

Well, we're client privilege.

You flew with Boomer. You know what he's like.

Why don't you remind me?

He's a deck spotter. He doesn't fly the ball.

Go on.

I didn't want to send him around again because I didn't think he'd keep it

together.

Then on final approach, he eased gun and made a play for the deck.

You don't see it on the plot page.

You wouldn't.

But I heard his engines unwind.

Look, I can't prove it even if I wanted to, which I don't.

But he panicked, Harm.

Please state your name and duty, Stacey.

Lieutenant Dalton Jonas.

Attached to Fighter Squadron 218, embarked on the USS Patrick Henry.

Lieutenant Jonas, please tell the court what happened the night of the mishap.

We were on an exercise roughly 50 miles from the ship.

I was vectoring with the tanker for refueling when I got hydraulic warning

lights. Did you experience any other equipment failure?

Yes, ma 'am. The radio started acting up, so we headed back to the ship.

What happened during your approach?

I was too low.

I saw the green light blink.

I gave it some power. At that point, I still didn't think there was that much

trouble.

Then the ball turned red. I saw the wave -off signal, but by then it was too

late. And you struck the ramp?

Yes, ma 'am.

If you'd gotten the wave off a second or two sooner, could you have avoided that

wrap string? Jackson, speculation.

Overruled.

Yes, ma 'am, I think I could have.

Thank you.

Your witness.

Lieutenant, in your statement to the flight surgeon, you said you experienced

vertigo during your approach.

Yes, sir.

It's not that rare for pilots to experience disorientation or dizziness,

especially in the pitch dark, as I'm sure the commander is well aware.

I've had it a few times.

It's a frightening experience.

Were you frightened, Lieutenant?

A little.

Panicked? No, sir.

Did you keep your eye on the ball, Lieutenant?

Yes, sir, at all times.

Maybe the vertigo caused you to misjudge your approach.

If you had to go around again in the dark with vertigo, you think you'd have

made it?

I don't know, sir. I wouldn't have wanted to try.

That's a fair answer, Boomer.

Lieutenant Hawks is also an aviator. Is it possible that she wasn't sure if you

could have made it and she didn't want you to try?

Objection. That's two questions both calling for speculation. If Lieutenant

Hawks' thoughts are important, let her take the stand and tell us firsthand.

Sustained.

No further questions.

I reserve the right to recall this witness, Your Honor.

Lieutenant.

You stated that Vertigo may have caused you to misjudge your approach, correct?

Yes, sir.

But isn't that why you have landing signal officers?

To help guide you in when you do misjudge? Yes, sir, it is.

Lieutenant Hawks did a fairly poor job of guiding you in there, didn't she?

Jackson calls for an opinion.

I'd like to hear his opinion.

Overruled.

Lieutenant.

She did the best she could.

Undoubtedly.

But the fact remains.

Under her guidance.

You crashed, didn't you?

Yes, sir, we crashed.

These are just the opening rounds.

They're hitting their target pretty well, sir.

We'll get our shot.

You okay?

I visited Seaman O 'Brien last night.

Epitheta.

He doesn't blame me for losing his leg. He said we were both doing our duty.

He's right.

Will the members see it that way?

That time on the Seahawk.

When I grabbed your parachute.

If it wasn't for you, I'd have gone through the screws.

Wouldn't have been enough left for the shark.

I didn't drop you then, and I am not going to drop you now.

Commander Bates, you are the supervising landing signal officer aboard the

Patrick Henry, correct?

That is correct, ma 'am. Did you communicate with Lieutenant Hawks during

mishap incident?

I did.

I told her to send the aircraft around that I was on my way up.

When you reached the LSO platform, what did you find?

I never reached the LSO platform, ma 'am.

When I came out of the flight deck, the plane had already crashed.

In your opinion, Commander Bates, did Lieutenant Hawks perform her duties that

night? In my opinion?

By ignoring my order, Lieutenant Hawks was derelict in her duties, Colonel.

Thank you, Commander.

Commander, isn't it possible Lieutenant Hawks thought you issued the order

because the deck was fouled and once it had cleared, the order no longer

pertained? Objection. It's irrelevant why Commander Bates issued the order. It

goes to intent, Your Honor.

If she thought the order was issued because the deck was fouled, then she

exercised assertive initiative once it had cleared. And this entire case is

based on miscommunication.

There was no miscommunication. Why did you order Lieutenant Hawks to send the

aircraft around, Commander?

She'd never handled an emergency like this before, sir.

Also, I knew she was exhausted.

Thank you.

Continue, Commander.

Thank you, sir.

Well, let's talk about exhaustion, Commander.

Lieutenant Hawks, prior to the mishap, had five hours sleep in the past 48

hours. Is that not a violation of OPNAV instructions?

Her replacement had appendicitis.

We were in Battleflex deck ops. We were all overextended, and we were

shorthanded. So there were many contributing factors to the mishap.

Faulty radio, vertigo, exhaustion, appendicitis, lack of supervision.

I was on my way to the deck.

Yeah, but you weren't there, Commander, were you? Look, a landing signal

officer's primary obligation is to the safety of the ship and crew. Lieutenant

Hawks ignored my order and failed to wave off.

She was derelict.

Non -judicial punishment.

Letter of admonition.

I'd advise against a plea bargain at this time, Colonel.

Who do I talk to here?

You talk to me.

I'll propose it to Captain Ingalls. That's the most I'm willing to do.

Mac, we're winning.

Why give up anything?

You seem to have trouble accepting my decisions, Commander.

Not at all. I'm just a little confused.

I mean, you're the one that wanted to go after Lieutenant Hawks in the first

place. You're the one that thought she was not culpable.

And we're in trial now.

I never let my personal feelings come in the way of winning. It's not our job to

decide punishment, Mick.

I'll present Harm's proposal to Captain Ingalls. Present, not endorse.

As you wish, Colonel.

I broke Harm of the notion that because I'm a woman, I'm driven by my feelings.

I'll break you of it, too, before I'm done.

So you go.

I'd be glad to show you this.

Tuna! Pappy!

Or should I say Hammer?

Congratulations on your promotion.

Hey, you too. I understand you made Squadron XL.

So, how are they?

Eh, you know, a bunch of loudmouthed fighter jacks trying to be the best and

bravest. Are you Mipha? You know I do.

So what brings you here?

Patrick Henry's on post -deployment stand -on at Norfolk. I decided I'd pay

old roommate a visit.

Really?

It's about skates.

It's going to my office.

So what about skates?

She's getting shafted, Harm.

Shafted how?

I think that wasn't her fault.

It was her watch, yes, but it wasn't her fault.

Whose fault was it?

Before I answer that, I have to know something.

I'm willing to lay my career on the line to help skates.

Are you willing to do the same?

I never let fear for career influence my actions.

If you know something that can help skates, let's hear it.

I don't need to tell you what an outstanding Rio skates is.

No, you don't. I don't see.

Well, she's a good LSO, too.

She might have made a bad call.

Who hasn't at one time or another?

A dereliction of duty?

No way.

What does Captain Pike have to say about all this? The CAG was on emergency

leave when the mishap took place.

He talked to the skipper by phone, but the skipper won't budge.

He's wrong to blame skates.

Who should he blame?

You remember the pod that fell off Buxton's aircraft?

Yeah. That was not an isolated incident.

When you go out to sea without a full crew, and there's no time for emergency

training, and people are overworked and exhausted, mistakes are made.

You're telling me the ship wasn't ready to go to sea?

When you were on board, you were busy with all that legal stuff, so you

aware.

But I was a squadron maintenance officer.

Aware of what?

I knew there were shortages.

Systems malfunctioning, insufficient spare parts, gun deck maintenance

You have documents to back all this up?

All the evidence you want is aboard ship.

I can tell you what to look for, but you'll have to find it yourself.

All right.

Kenny.

Sir. I'm looking for somebody to assist me in the Hawks' court -martial. Someone

who's worked on a carrier, knows the way around ship's records, who's good with

a computer, who's diligent, detail -oriented, gets along with others,

Exactly. Commander.

Bud.

Hey, how's your case look?

Ample, sir.

You can refuse, but I would really appreciate your help.

He said I could refuse.

Yes, sir. You surely did.

Excuse me, Commander.

Got a second?

What can I do for you, Lieutenant?

I couldn't help overhearing. You're looking for someone to assist you in the

Hawks case?

Boring paperwork on a carrier.

I'm no stranger to carriers, sir, or boring paperwork.

What is it that interests you about this detail, Lieutenant?

When I came to JAG, all people talked about was the legendary Harmon rap.

Now you're back, I'd like to work with you.

Actually, I'd like the chance to impress you, sir.

Well, you're very straightforward, aren't you, Lieutenant?

You find that disconcerting, Commander?

No, I find it refreshing.

Then you'll let me assist you.

I've offered the detail to Lieutenant Roberts. We'll see how it plays out.

If not this time, sir, maybe another.

Next time, leave the door open, Lieutenant.

Yes, sir.

You smoke, Commander?

No, sir, I gave it up.

What for?

A woman.

I didn't like being addicted, Captain.

Hmm.

Well, that's too bad. We never had a chance to get better acquainted while

were on board, Commander.

Captain Pike speaks very highly of you.

Well, I have the utmost respect for Captain Pike, sir.

Why? Sir?

Why do you respect the CAG?

CAG is an excellent leader, sir. He's fair, he's courageous.

One of the best fighter pilots I've ever met, Captain.

Why do you ask?

Oh, I just want to know what a commanding officer must do to earn your

Mr. Rabb.

Because, obviously, I haven't.

Well, that is not true, sir.

You come aboard my ship and demand to examine my records? I'd say that's

disrespect. Wouldn't you, XO?

Certainly smacks of it, Skipper.

It was a request, Captain. It's not at demand yet.

Well, you got sin, Commander. I'll give you that.

What I won't give you is access to my files.

Dismissed. Captain Ingalls, each party to a court -martial is entitled to the

production of evidence relevant to that court -martial, sir. You are aware that

I am the convening authority for said court -martial? Yes, sir. You are also

custodian of the evidence. Now prepare a list of the items we'll require, sir.

Have you?

Sir, if you refuse access to this evidence, I will get a court order.

You're threatening me with a court order aboard my own ship for a court -martial

I convened? Well, sir, as convening authority, you have the right to drop

charges, in which case no further investigation would be warranted.

Is he blackmailing me?

Would seem so, Skipper. I am simply stating an alternative, sir.

Captain Cameron.

Sir. Please alert the master -at -arms to have these two gentlemen escorted off

my ship.

Aye, aye, sir.

You may have won a few courtroom skirmishes, Commander, but tangle with

I'll hand you your gonads in a jar.

Now get the hell off my boat.

You threatened Captain England.

I feel it was the other way around, sir.

Drop the charges or I'll get a court order.

Well, sir, that wasn't exactly the tone, but it's basically correct.

Well, he's filed a complaint, Commander, accusing you of influence and disdain

for authority.

Sir, you and I both know I am completely within my rights securing evidence in

the government's possession that I feel will aid my client's defense.

Won't be long, Commander, before Captain Ingalls gets his star.

He's destined for the Pentagon.

CNO is not out of the question someday.

You better start thinking about the future.

Right now, sir, I'm thinking about Lieutenant Hawk's future.

Do I have your permission, sir, to secure a court order?

You don't need my permission. Go ask the judge.

Thank you, sir.

Admiral, about the complaint.

I'll just file it here with all the others.

Dismissed.

Aye, aye.

Operational readiness evaluations, personnel qualification standards,

reports, maintenance and material management reports. Commander, what does

this have to do with an aircraft striking a ramp?

Sir, these documents comprise evidence to go to ship and crew readiness.

Sir, this is... Your Honor, he's clearly on a fishing expedition.

One at a time, please. Sorry, sir.

Colonel. Your Honor, I fail to see how the qualification standards of a

machinist made in engineering has a bearing on this case.

Sir, I intend to show there was widespread operational vulnerability

Patrick Henry at the time of the mishap.

Wait a minute. You're saying that the carrier was in poor readiness and that's

why the aircraft crashed. Is that your defense?

Yes, sir.

You can't be serious.

My thoughts, exactly.

Sir, this defense is legally cognizable, and I need these documents, sir. To

support it, I respectfully urge you to approve the request.

Some of this stuff is classified, you know. Well, sir, per Military Rules of

Evidence 505, should it become necessary to introduce classified information as

evidence, Your Honor may conduct the proceedings in camera. Thank you,

Lieutenant. I read the manual for courts, Marshal.

Yes, Your Honor.

Of course.

In the interest of justice,

I am going to approve this.

Sir. But if you are on a fishing expedition, Commander, be damn careful

don't hook one so big it pulls you under.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, sir.

Sir, the defense requests a continuance in order to afford time to gather the

evidence.

Liberty call. Liberty call for duty sections two and six.

Liberty call. Liberty call for duty sections two and six.

Sir.

Sir, I think I found something interesting.

According to the operational readiness eval, the ship was in a complete ready

state when she deployed.

But it says here that the O2 plant and the inertial navigation systems were

down.

Did they repair them at sea?

Affirmative, sir.

The navigation system was repaired two days out.

The oxygen plant was back online within a week. A hell of a job for an ex

-fighter pilot.

Going through other people's dirty laundry?

Yes, sir.

Captain Ingalls is the finest officer I've ever had the privilege of serving

under. If you think we'll let you hurt his reputation with some courtroom flim

-flam, you have badly misjudged the caliber of officers aboard this ship.

And if you think that you can intimidate me, Captain, then you have badly

misjudged... Period.

Sir.

He was way out of line, sir.

There's nothing out of line about being loyal to your CO, Lieutenant.

I talked to Captain Ingalls about your plea offer.

He turned it down. However, he will consider dereliction of duty through

negligence, forfeiture of half pay for one month, 15 days confinement.

Any chance you have for a career in civilian aviation will be shot.

I recommend declining the offer.

What are the odds of an acquittal?

70 -30 in our favor.

70 -30 again.

I'll go along with whatever you recommend, sir.

Lieutenant, I don't have to tell you Captain Ingalls is not a man to back

from a fight. I'd consider his offer carefully.

We have, Colonel, and we declined. Thank you.

Can I talk to you outside, please?

You're turning this case into a personal battle between you and Captain Ingalls.

Not true.

Oh, this is me you're talking to here.

He threw you off his ship. You have no personal grudge?

None that affects my judgment as defense counsel.

You saw the members' faces. They'll hold skates accountable.

Not if I can show them somebody more accountable, Colonel.

The defense calls aviation electronics technician Harry Watkins to the stand.

Petty Officer Watkins, you repaired the radio aboard the mishap aircraft before

its flight, correct?

That is correct, sir.

Defense Exhibit C, Your Honor, the maintenance action report for the radio

repair.

Did you follow proper procedure in repairing this radio, Petty Officer? Not

exactly, sir. I had to cannibalize parts from another radio.

But the whole unit should have been replaced. This was the third time that

went down. So why not replace the entire unit?

Because there were no spare radios available, sir.

Chief Consino, you nearly lost an aircraft during flight operations in

first week of deployment. Isn't that correct?

Well, there was a pressure drop in the catapult steam system, sir. Luckily, the

aircraft had enough power to get airborne.

What caused the pressure drop?

Turned out to be a faulty valve, sir.

Well, this preventative maintenance report states that all the valves in the

high -pressure steam line were checked before the ship embarked. You signed off

on it yourself.

Yes, sir. That's what the report says.

Defense Exhibit E, Your Honor.

Did your crew gun deck this report?

No, sir.

The guys probably checked all the old valves and assumed the new ones were

working.

Why? Are you people lazy, Chief?

Absolutely not, sir. But there's no way we can accomplish all the maintenance

steps shorthanded as we are.

And still be ready to deploy on time.

Why not take an extra day? Do the job thoroughly.

There was no extra day, sir.

Thank you, Chief.

Your witness.

Your Honor, the Council is attempting to cloud the issue with a myriad of minor

problems present aboard any naval vessel.

Step up.

Your Honor, these minor problems comprise a major systemic problem. He's

everyone else for his client's wrong collection.

I've got this.

The charge is dereliction of duty with regard to the landing mishap. Can you

stick to that, Commander?

Your Honor, the evidence I'm presenting goes to operational vulnerability.

I know.

Sir, he's already blamed the supervising LSO, crew, division heads, and air

boss. Who's he going after next?

Bobby Latham, Congresswoman from the state of Michigan.

Congresswoman Latham, you are the chairperson for the House National

Subcommittee, isn't that correct?

That's correct.

Were you surprised by the mishap aboard the Patrick Henry, ma 'am?

Well, given the unprecedented operations tempo and short -time turnarounds and

stretched resources, no, I wasn't surprised, unfortunately.

Why are we so stretched?

After the Cold War ended, we downsized the military.

But there have been unanticipated operations, the Gulf War and Kosovo,

left little money for modernization.

Ma 'am, didn't Congress just approve a large budget increase for the military?

It's not the amount. It's where the money goes.

Congress insists on buying unneeded weapons and spending billions keeping

open because they provide jobs for the constituents.

Now, this reduces the funds available for training, maintenance, and

recruitment. Thank you, Congresswoman Latham, for putting this in perspective.

Your witness.

Congresswoman, were you on the flight deck of the USS Patrick Henry when the

mishap occurred?

No, I was not. So you did not observe the defendant's actions during the

incident in question? No.

Well, then, your testimony might make an interesting segment on 60 Minutes, but

it has little relevance here. I have no questions for this witness.

Thank you, Miss Latham. You may step down.

Planning to indict the entire U .S. Navy, huh?

If necessary.

Well, your steamroller tactics aren't working, mate. I'd rethink my strategy

I were you.

I remember a certain lieutenant commander acting jag who once told me...

Present the evidence. Don't make it look like you're trying to shift the blame.

And don't mud wrestle with two stars.

And as I recall, Colonel, you ignored my advice.

And I lost the case.

See you after lunch.

Does the defense have any more witnesses?

Yes, sir. The defense calls Captain Tobias Ingalls, commanding officer of

USS Patrick Henry.

Captain Ingalls?

Raise your right hand, please.

Do you swear the evidence you give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and

nothing but the truth, so help you God?

I do.

Captain Ingalls, were you aware of the gun decking occurring aboard the Patrick

Henry? Not specifically.

However, I've never been aboard a ship where some form of expediting didn't

occur.

We stretch limits all the time, Commander.

As an aviator, you should know that.

but never to the point of putting my crew in danger.

Sir, your crew was 12 % under man. This must have placed a burden on everyone

aboard. Yes, and we accepted that burden.

You didn't have time to practice emergency training, did you, sir? We

when we could. You were often without spare parts when you needed them, isn't

that correct, Captain?

We made do with what we had.

Sir,

time at sea is important for a captain if he's to receive his Admiral's star,

isn't it?

Objection completely irrelevant, Your Honor.

Stop it.

Move on.

Yes, sir.

Captain Ingalls, do you believe that a commanding officer is responsible for

failures as well as the successes of officers under his command?

I'm accountable for everything that goes on aboard my ship at all times.

If our readiness drops below acceptable limits, I'm accountable.

If I'm sleeping and the ship runs aground, I'm accountable.

If an airplane crashes, I'm accountable.

Well, sir, if you truly believe that, then why are we having this court

-martial?

In order to discharge my responsibility, I've been given the authority of

command. Under this authority, I have established standards of performance

I expect everyone to meet. When someone fails to do so, I take remedial action,

even to the point of court -martial.

Now, I wish I could be more lenient, but I can't. We are undermanned and

overworked. There are too few spare parts, too little time for training.

Recruitment is down, op tempo is up.

And yes, Commander, I do spend a lot of time at sea. Not because I'm bucking for

Admiral, but because the government tells me to go out there. And until the

government sees fit to improve our situation, I demand more from my

crew, not less.

I'm screwed, aren't I?

No. Come on, Harm.

You saw their faces.

After hearing Captain Ingalls, I'd convict me.

A jury is an unpredictable animal.

Harm.

It's time for me to take the stand.

So why didn't you send the aircraft around, Lieutenant?

I believed I could bring them in.

I've landed hundreds of aircraft without a mishap.

Nevertheless, your supervisor gave you an order.

Yes, sir.

But once the deck was cleared...

I assumed I could bring the aircraft in, and there was no time to check with

Commander Bates. So you acted on your own initiative?

Yes, sir.

And in so doing, despite these charges against you, you saved the lives of two

aviators. Objection. Counsel has begun closing arguments.

Sustained.

Your witness.

Lieutenant, what went through your mind when you saw the emergency aircraft

approaching? So many things.

I thought, they're losing control.

They can't hear me.

It's pitch black.

If they eject, they may drown.

In other words, you imagined yourself in their place.

I didn't have to imagine it.

I was in their place once.

Meaning you experienced a ramp strike.

Yes, ma 'am.

It's something you don't ever forget.

So by putting yourself in that aircraft with the flight crew, you were no longer

functioning as a landing officer, were you? For that brief space of time, you

were a Rio in the backseat, gripping the ejection handle, scared to death.

Yes.

I was scared.

You weren't thinking of the safety of the ship at all, were you, Lieutenant?

Your only thought was, get me down. Isn't that true?

Actually, it was, please God, get me down.

But that wasn't my only thought.

I considered the safety of the ship and crew, and I made a decision. I did my

job as I was trained to do it, and there was an accident.

On your watch?

Yes, ma 'am, on my watch.

If you think I've done something wrong, then go ahead and vote that way.

But whatever the outcome of the court -martial, I'm resigning my commission in

the United States Navy.

I will not be part of an organization that chooses to punish me for carrying

my duties.

No further questions.

Fact.

Lieutenant Hawk's duty is LSO.

is to safely direct the pilot in landing the plane.

Fact.

Lieutenant Hawks ignored her supervisor's order to signal a go

Fact.

There was a crash.

Conclusion?

Lieutenant Hawks is guilty of dereliction of duty.

By the way, it's irrelevant how undermanned the Navy is.

or how Congress earmarks funds.

What is relevant is the evidence.

Thank you.

Mr. President, members of the court,

I was going to try to convince you that blame for the accident should be

shared by the pilot.

the senior LSO, the commanding officer, the entire Navy.

But I can't do that.

Because these are all decent, honorable, courageous people doing a job under

difficult circumstances, and I will not diminish their self -sacrifice by trying

to pin even a portion of the blame on them.

All I ask of you is this.

then you regard Lieutenant Elizabeth Hawks as one of them and show her the

consideration.

Please don't accept her resignation.

Thank you.

Mr. President, have the members reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

Lieutenant Hawks, will you and your counsel please rise?

Mr. President, you may announce your findings.

Lieutenant Elizabeth Hawks, this court -martial finds you not guilty of all

charges and specifications.

This court is adjourned.

Must remember this new legal strategy skates tell the members to go to hell

only works if you're innocent Mick Congratulations the tenant this is one

I don't mind losing. Thank you Colonel.

I hope you weren't serious about getting out I'll think about

Yeah Lieutenant

You're closing, Commander.

Was that just a lawyer's trick, or did you mean what you said?

Well, I always mean what I say, sir.

Captain.

If the opportunity ever arise, sir, I would be proud to serve under your

again. I'd like to have you back, Commander.