All language subtitles for A.Gathering.of.Eagles.1963.WEBRip.x264-ION10

I'm General Kirby.
I recognize you, sir.

I want to go directly
to the command post.

You will not notify anyone
to let them know we're here.
But, sir--

I'll vouch for these men.

I'm General Kirby,
the SAC Inspector General.

This is an O.R.I.--

a no-notice Operational
Readiness Inspection.

In seven minutes, you will
receive a message from Strategic
Air Command headquarters...

to carry out a simulated
Emergency War Order.

Now, you'll proceed
exactly as you would
in a wartime situation.

Sir, I'm Colonel Farr,
the vice commander.

May I contact
Colonel Brooks?

Not until the order comes in.
Until then,
no one is to be notified.

Carry on.

Sorry.
Can't talk to you now.
Call back in 10 minutes.

This is Jumbo
with a silver flash message
for Moonbeam in six parts.

Break, break.

Authentication time
is 12/0545 Zulu.

Colonel Brooks.

Do you want to act on this?

No, not now.
Later.
Right.

No, he's not going to--

New E.T.A. is 2030 Zulu.

This is General Kirby.

I want to talk
to General Hewitt,
SAC Headquarters, Omaha.

This is Kirby, sir.
At Carmody?

Doesn't look too good
so far.

Do you have the bombing scores?

Uh-huh.

Uh-huh.
How many aborts?

No, that's not good.
I'll get back to you.

Command post?
Yes, sir?

The moment Colonel Caldwell
finishes the briefing,
send him up to me.

Yes, sir.

All right, gentlemen,
if you'll go
right through there, please.

If we ever received
an order to go,

the first step
would be to make sure
the order was authentic,

that it does come
from the president.

The code which tells us that
is inside this red box.

The box is never locked.
There isn't time to be
scrambling around for a key.

However, we've taken
certain precautions.

Colonel Moore?

Thank you.

You'll notice
I called my duty controller
before I opened the box.

Did General Hewitt explain to
you about our two
Yes, he did, Colonel.

That's the way it is
all the way down the line.

The men on duty here are
required to wear sidearms.

If any one man attempted to
open that box alone--

Well, he wouldn't
get very far.

Now, gentlemen, if you'll
follow me over here, please.

Roger.
Divert to west. Over.

Right around here.

This is our primary
alerting system...

for transmitting the order
down throughout
General Hewitt's command.

Let's assume I'm going to
transmit the order
to go to war.

When I pick up
this red phone,

I'll be in direct
contact with every
SAC base in the world.

Colonel?

This is Jumbo
with a communications check.

The time is 1750 Zulu.

Acknowledge
on my count of five.
One, two, three, four, five.

That's how long it would
take all combat units...

to receive and acknowledge
the execution order.

They would then have 30 seconds
in which to decode and prove
their order was authentic.

In 15 minutes or less,

bombers would be on their way
to specific positive control
points...

which are well outside
the range of enemy radar.

They would not continue
on to their targets...

unless they received a coded
message which corresponds to
codes carried in the aircraft.

When various members
of each crew,
working individually,

have properly
decoded the message and
arrived at the same answer,

then, and only then,
would they proceed.

Gentlemen, if you'll
follow me over here, please.

Right over there.

A certain percentage
of our aircraft are always
in the air on alert training.

They could also be ordered on
to their targets immediately.

Lord Beresford.

Would you select
one of the planes from
our status board, please?

Uh, Bozo 2-3.

Bozo 2-3.

You've picked a B-52 flying off
the coast of North Africa...

approximately
5,000 miles away.

Let's again assume this is
the order to go to war.

Bozo 2-3,
this is Jumbo.

Give me a recheck
on your fuel reserve.

Roger, Jumbo.
This is Bozo, 2-3.

Adequate fuel for destination
and alternate.
Roger. Listening out.

As soon as he authenticated
the order, he'd be on his way.

Any questions?

This has been
most impressive.

Roger, Control.
Affirmative.

How are you doing
down the hole,
Caldwell?

Fine, sir. I'm soaking up
a lot of knowledge.
Good.

Sit down, then.
Thank you.

Did you ever
know George Brooks,
the wing commander at Carmody?

Yes, sir,
I checked him out in B-52s
when I was an instructor pilot.

Would you say he's
a pretty good officer?

In my opinion, sir, yes.
One of the best.

That's what I thought,
or I wouldn't have made
him a wing commander.

But it's just about
the toughest job in SAC,

and he didn't have
what it takes.

Caldwell, I've yanked you
out of the London embassy
for a specific job...

right here
in headquarters.

I realize you've hardly
been here long enough
to get your bearings,

but nothing anybody does
in SAC means a thing...

unless every one of our wings
is combat ready.
Yes, sir.

Do you want
the wing commander's job
at Carmody?

I certainly do, sir.

I believe from your
past performance in SAC,
you can handle this.

You'll get
your orders today.

Thank you, sir.
Good luck.

Thank you.

Is this
the London operator?

Operator,
I've been trying to get through
to Mrs. James Caldwell.

Good. Thank you.

Jim!

Oh, how wonderful
to hear your voice.
Is everything all right?

Everything's great.
In fact, I--

Jim, the spinet
has finally arrived.

Do you know why it took so long
to catch up with us?

It was shipped from Zurich
in April, eight months
after we bought it.

Then on to Oslo and it arrived
two days after you were
transferred back to London.

Victoria, will you
please listen?
I've got a wing.

Oh, Jim, how wonderful.

Oh, I'm so happy for you.

You remember Hollis Farr?

Hollis Farr,
my copilot in Korea.

He's vice commander
of the wing,
my right hand.

- That's marvelous!

Jim, I'll be on my way
as soon as I can
sublet the flat.

Oh. By the way,
where is this wing

No.
Near San Francisco.

San Francisco?

Most of the things we own
are on their way to Omaha.

To heck with our things.
I can get along
without them.

I just can't find anybody
beautiful enough to
send out the laundry.

You don't look half bad for
an old man who has been living
it up on champagne and caviar.

There's nothing like
a tour of duty in Europe
to broaden a man's education.

Oh, you haven't
changed a bit.

Well, shall I summon
the battle staff to
your palatial new office?

I better know what
I'm talkin' about first.
That's a good idea.

I'll take you to your house.

I'd rather stay at the B.O.Q.
till Victoria gets here.

All righty.

Hello. This is Colonel Farr.
I have the wing commander
with me.

We're on our way to B.O.Q.

Get a red phone hooked up
there right away.
Thank you.

Well, now,
tell me about Victoria.

I struck gold, Hollis.
Pure gold.

Well, so you finally wangled
your way back into
the flying business, huh?

Took four long years.
They'll have to blast me
out of SAC this time.

Hollis, what happened
to George Brooks?

George got clobbered by
an Operational Readiness
Inspection--

the O.R.I.

I thought he was doing
just fine until then.

Too rough for him, huh?

Well, now, it's not quite
the same as when the inspector
used to go around...

with a pair of white gloves
looking for dust.

They don't give you
any notice, you know.

A plane lands and out
steps Happy Jack Kirby
and his inspection team--

30 of them.

Before you even know they're
on the base, you get a simulated
war order from Omaha.

From then on,
night and day for a week,
they watch every move you make.

If the wing doesn't have
a perfect showing
in every department,

the wing commander winds up
as a-- as an air attaché
in the Galápagos Islands.

If 51 other
wing commanders can hack it,
why couldn't George?

You've got to be
hard and ruthless.

I don't think George
had enough heel in him.

I wonder if you do.

Maybe I have more in me
than you think.

This is Colonel Farr.
Going to the alert facility
with Colonel Caldwell.

Here we are, Jim.

Tankers, bombers--

Cocked and all set to take off.

The alert crews live in here
day and night.

How long
are they kept on alert?
Three days and three nights.

We used to keep 'em here
for seven days, but it
created a morale problem...

isolating them from
their families for so long.
Mm-hmm.

Ten-hut!

What's your job,
Sergeant Kemler?

Tanker crew 0-4, sir.
Boom operator.

You're on alert,
aren't you?
Yes, sir.

Suppose the whistle blows. Does
the rest of the crew wait while
you get your flying boots on?

Sir, I keep my boots
with the rest of my gear
in the aircraft.

Sounds like
a pretty good system,
Sergeant.

I've got enough heel in me,
but maybe not enough brains.

They've been
identified topside.
Let them in.

Roger, sir.

When George took over,
how much did he know
about missiles?

Oh, about as much
as you do.

I'd better start boning up.
Great.

That means
you only need about...
48 hours a day in your new job.

Control Center to
missile squadron commander.

Colonel Farr
is in the access portal
with Colonel Caldwell.

Control Center to
missile squadron commander.

Colonel Farr
is in the access portal
with Colonel Caldwell.

Here comes the pitch.

They're still sharp, Hollis,
and they'll stay that way
if I get the support I need.

If he had his way,
he'd toss base personnel
out of their houses...

so his troops
could move in.

Well, at least let's
get their barracks
in better shape.

Let's straighten out
Bill Fowler so we can get
a decent break on priorities.

Transportation, food--
You can't ask for a better
base commander than Fowler.

He still thinks everything
that flies has to have
a rudder and a pilot.

Let's get into this before
the battle staff meeting.

And put that off
until tomorrow
so I can get my bearings.

Quite a bird,
isn't it?
Yeah.

Just hope to God
it never has to fly.

Colonel Fowler,

are the missile complexes
getting all the support
you can give them?

I'm right now
in the middle of
a reappraisal of priorities.

Fine. I'd like
a detailed report in writing.
I'll get right on it.

Within the next 24 hours.

- Colonel Josten,

I've had a close look
at personnel records.

How long would it take you to
process discharges on these men?

Oh, two or three days, sir.

I want them
out of here today.
By sundown.

I don't want you gentlemen to
get the impression that I'm
coming here with a hatchet...

looking for heads
to chop off.

But I'll tell you this.
I expect to see immediate
improvement in all areas.

That's all for now.
Thank you.

Colonel Garcia,
weren't you a project
officer on the B

Yes, sir, I was.
I knew I'd seen you somewhere.
Good to have you on the staff.

Thank you, sir.
Come on. I'll buy you
a cup of coffee.

Every man
whose record I gave Josten
is below standard.

Why weren't they fired before?
We've been waiting
for replacements.

Waiting?
You don't wait for replacements.
You go out and get them.

What's your honest opinion
of Josten?

He's a damn good man.
They're all good men.

The best battle staff
I ever worked with.

George Brooks
is a good man too.

But the wing
flunked the O.R.I.

Have you seen
the official report on it?
Mm-mmm.

Came in this morning.

Suggest you take a good look
at it before you start
chopping off heads.

They score you on everything.

Disaster control, oral exams,
written exams, security tests.

Two of the men
on the battle staff
were down with the flu.

Some of the aircraft were
being modified to carry
the Hound Dog missile.

And we'd just gone operational
at the Titan complexes.

Happy Jack arrives and gives us
15 minutes to get airborne
and fly a perfect mission.

And we damn near did it.

And a wing commander
with an outstanding record for
the past 22 years gets the chop.

This is Jumbo...

with a green flash message
for Moonbeam in six parts.

Part one--
Victor Quebec Sierra.

Part two--
Sierra Alpha Kilo.

Part three--
Juliet Mike--

Colonel Farr with
Colonel Caldwell in mobile
going to the alert pad!

The way things are,
this could be the real thing.

You never know.

This is Ranger Control
to alert aircraft.

Starting roll call.

Ranger 1-1.
Roger. 1-1 ready to taxi.

- Ranger 2-3.
- Roger. 2-3 ready to taxi.

- Ranger 1-9.
- Roger. 1-9 ready to taxi.

- Ranger 2-6.
- Roger. 2-6 ready to taxi.

- Ranger 1-5.
- Roger. 1-5 ready to taxi.

Rog. 2-4 ready to taxi.

This is Ranger Control
with a green flash message.

Break, break.
For alert force.

This is a practice
quick reaction exercise.

Repeat. For alert force.
This is a practice
quick reaction exercise.

Three minutes and 20 seconds
since the message came in,
and they're ready to roll.

How long did it take
in the O.R.I.?

Three twenty-five.

Well, at least you got off
to a good start.

Happy Jack didn't
think so, pal.

General Hewitt
wants it done
in three minutes flat.

Victoria?
Hollis Farr.

Well, at long last.
I'm delighted to meet you.

I'm sorry. Jim got trapped
with a senate
fact-finding committee.

They kind of
dropped in on him.
Oh.

Don't worry. He'll probably
be free by the time
we hit the base.

How did you recognize me
in this crowd?

Well, I doubt if
Jim's shown me more than
a couple of dozen pictures,

but I kind of
recognized you anyway.

You know,
I've seen quite a few
pictures of you too.

My favorite one
is the one of you in a kimono
in a Tokyo teahouse.

Oh, you know,
I don't really think
I look my best in a kimono.

I can hardly wait
to hear your version
of that evening.

Same as Jim's,
word for word. I swear.

Jim?

Jim?

Isn't he here?
No.

I'll go see
if I can pry him loose.
Oh, thanks.

You must come
and dine with us.
Anytime you say.

Thanks, Victoria.
Good-bye and thank you
so very much.

Welcome to Carmody,
Mrs. Caldwell.

I'm Evelyn Fowler,
the base commander's wife.

I'm pleased
to meet you, Mrs. Fowler.

Orange marmalade and some eggs
for your breakfast.
Did you do all this?

If there's anything
I overlooked,
be sure to tell me.

Oh, have you seen
the bedroom?
Well, no, not yet.

I'm afraid the curtains
aren't the greatest, but they're
the best that I could scrounge.

Victoria!

We're just next door.
Do call if there's anything
you want.

Uh, good-bye
and thank you so much.

Jim.
Oh, Jim, darling.

Finally made it.

Colonel Caldwell,
in quarters.

So that's the red telephone
I've read so much about.
Mm-hmm.

And it's mine.

That's ours.

Please don't ring.
Please!

It wouldn't dare.

I love the house,
don't you?
Mm-hmm.

Certainly like this room.
Is something the matter
with the others?

I haven't seen them.
Oh?

The thought of roaming around
an empty house
without you in it--

I missed you enough
as it was.

You...
probably want to unpack.
Mm-hmm.

Are you going to help me?
Mm-hmm.

You don't think
I'd let you
out of my sight, do you?

Bring the phone, huh?
The red one.

You have to stay
that close to it?

Close enough to answer
in six rings.

What if you didn't answer it
till the seventh ring?

I'd have to have
a pretty good excuse.

Mmm.

I thought you were going to
unpack last night.

I met a fella.
Mm-hmm.

Mmm.
Breakfast
is nearly ready.

Mmm.

Gosh, you're ugly.
Thanks.

Oh, and, um,
thank you for being
so considerate.

Never know you'd
been away from 52s.

Pretty fair
low-level bomb run.

Let's go upstairs and take on
some fuel. Show me how much
you remember about that.

Okay.

Heading 1-2-0.
Rendezvous with Tanker at 5-6.

Ramrod 6-7.
This is Ranger 1-9.

Stabilized in
the observation position.
Ready for contact.

Roger.
Tanker ready for contact.

You're looking good, sir.
Forward 10.

Up five.

Got your flying boots on,
Kemler?

Yes, sir.

All set to walk home
in case anything goes wrong.

Stand by for contact.

Anchor contact.
Contact made.

You're in the green, sir.
You have fuel flow.

Fuel panel checks.
20,000 pounds to go, Colonel.

- Seepage in the refueling line.

The line broke!

Breakaway, breakaway, breakaway.

Ranger 1-9.
This is Ramrod 6-7.
What is your problem?

It's all over the place.
One spark and we've had it.

Pilot to crew.
Shut down all
electrical equipment.

Broken fuel line.

Everyone on 100% oxygen.
Prepare for possible bailout.

Ranger 1-9.
This is Ramrod 6-7. Wh--

Pilot,
am unable to contact receiver
and have lost him visually.

Ranger Control,
this is Ramrod 6-7.

Ranger 1-9 has just initiated
emergency breakaway.

We have lost radio
and visual contact.

Stand by, one.
Gimme that.

This is Colonel Farr.

Did you encounter any problem
in refueling prior to breakaway?

Negative. We have no knowledge
whatever of their difficulty.

See if you can
reestablish contact.
Roger. Will advise.

What's his flight plan?
He's, uh, due over
the base in 20 minutes.

This is Colonel Farr
in the command post.

Do you have Ranger 1-9
on radar?

Ranger 1-9 is 130 miles
southeast of base...

on a track
of 3-1-5 degrees.

I'll be in touch with you.

I'm going up
in a chase plane.
Right, sir.

How bad an emergency?

We don't know yet.

Get somebody to take your place
at the hospital and get to
his wife as soon as you can.

Don't tell her anything, Evelyn,
but stay right with her,
just in case.

Those fumes are
just as heavy
down below, sir.

One spark,
and this plane blows up.

We stand a hell of a chance
of getting one
if we lower the gear.

This is Gunsight.

Ranger 1-4 is now
at your 10:00 position.

Turn left 30 degrees.
Rog.

You're closing nicely.
You should have him visually.

Rog, Gunsight.

Notify the crew
we're going to lower
the landing gear.

The colonel's
going to drop the gear.

Oh, brother!

He better not get a spark
when he does.
I'll tell him that.

Hold it!

T-bird moving in
too close.

He'd go right up with us!

There's nothing I can see
to indicate the nature
of the emergency.

He still hasn't extended
his gear. That could be
part of the problem.

All right,
lower the gear.

Well, we've got wheels.

I hope we're as lucky
with the flaps.

I think we've stretched
our luck far enough.

We'll go in without them.

Our landing speed
will be critical.

Brakes will be hot and a spark
might explode the fuel.

We could blow our tires
at any time.

Tell the crew when I stop
to get the hell out and run!
Yes, sir.

Looks like he's coming in
for a flaps-up landing.

Have you alerted
all crash equipment?
Affirmative.

It's probably
an exercise.

You get used to sirens
around here.

Your airspeed's
still too high!

It's the best
I can do without flaps!

4,000-foot marker
coming up!

3,000 foot.

2,000 foot.

1,000 foot.

Get out
before the tires blow!

Evelyn,
you can go home now.

And tell the kids
I'll be a little late.

I'm buying that crew
a drink.

What happened, pal?
Couldn't find the switch
to turn on your radio?

Wouldn't this be
the perfect time
to get hit by an alert?

There's plenty of pilots
around here that can
handle a chase plane.

The next time I'm off this base,
you stick close to that phone
where you belong!

**

The way she stood by me
this afternoon when you
were in the air,

not a hint
that you were in trouble.

She just kept nattering on
until she got word
that you were safe.

Good evening, General.
Good evening, Jim.

May I present my wife?
This is General Aymes,
our air division commander.

How do you do?
Welcome to Carmody,
Mrs. Caldwell.

And forgive me
for being late.
Oh, not at all.

Jim told me how difficult
it would be for you
to get away.

Thank you so much for coming.
Mind if I borrow your husband
for a couple of minutes?

Of course not.

Thank you.

Hollis tells me you
still haven't found out
what caused the fuel leak.

We will, sir.
I have a maintenance crew
working on it now.

There you go.
Now, where were we?
The O.R.I.?

No. The F.S.P.
And by the way,
what is it?

Family Services Program.
It's a very useful
organization.

An airman's off flying
and his wife has to get in
to town to see the doctor...

and there's no one
to stay with the children.

What do we do?
Drive or babysit?
Both.

I alternate. Drive
to San Francisco one week
and babysit the next.

How do you find time
for anything else?

I've never seen a place
with so many children.
Well, you better believe it.

SAC has just about
the highest birthrate
in the entire world...

including China.
Isn't that wonderful?

It's miraculous, when you
consider how little time the men
get to spend with their wives.

Colonel.

I'll just be
a few minutes.
Yes, sir.

You act as though
you were never
chewed out before.

I never was by you.
You have been now.
You know I was right.

Come on.

You're due for
a refueling, Hollis.
I'm fine. Thanks.

Jim?
No, thanks.

Did a great job of bringing
in that B-5-2, Jim.

We're lucky.
We're proud of you.

I'll be just
a few minutes.

Oh, Jim.
Hmm?

Lipstick.
Oh.

Colonel Garcia!

We've made every
check in the book, sir.
No defects.

Yeah?

I located a spare
refueling receptacle.

She'll be okay
for scheduled takeoff.
Good.

But what happened
with the leak
in the old receptacle?

I don't know.
But I'll stay with it
till we find out.

Colonel Garcia!

Excuse me, sir.

The wrong size bolt
on the refueling receptacle.

The mating flange,
sir.

That's what did it.

Rubbed against
the drain boss
and wore it down.

Why wasn't that spotted
in the last inspection?

Well, it's impossible
to check every nut and bolt
after every flight.

There just isn't time.

We can't afford to jeopardize
combat crews because maintenance
has a time problem.

I want the receptacle
of every B-52
pulled out and inspected.

Sir, my men
have been averaging
over 70 hours a week.

And I hate to crank anything
more into their schedule.

So do I.

Good work,
Sergeant Banning.

Thank you, sir.

See you in the morning,
gentlemen.

Well, I hope your men
don't have any plans
for tomorrow night,

like sleeping
or anything like that.

I'll straighten
'em out, sir.

You bomber crews
showed a marked improvement
on your last written tests.

But in positive control,
nothing short of perfection
is acceptable.

There's a limit to
how much time you can spend
on this in a three-day cycle.

For that reason, and because of
other advantages in overall
training efficiency,

the 904th is going back
on the seven-day alert
as of now.

Revised schedules
will be distributed
this afternoon.

That will be all.

Get rid of that.

Jim, listen.
I can tell you right now
this isn't the answer.

When we were on
a seven-day alert,
morale hit a new low.

When you've got a losing team,
there's only one way
to handle morale problems--

start winning.
Wait a minute.
What about a five

Have you thought
about that?
Yes, I have.

And I thought about
that other morale booster
you sent through today.

These men recommended
for promotion.
Yeah?

Disapproved.
Every one of these men's
way overdue.

If I recommend promotion,
I'm saying in effect...

that I'm satisfied
with the efficiency
of this wing.

I'm not, and I won't be
till we pass the O.R.I.

If we don't,
take it up with
the new wing commander.

Jim? Jim,
it's time to go, dear.

Mm-hmm.
Come on.

Off the launching pad.

Missiles.

Uh, Jim,
the seven-day alert came up
at the meeting today.

I think you ought to know
there's a strong feeling
of resentment.

Oh, there is, is there?
That's just too bad.

Sorry I didn't have
a chance to talk it over
with them in advance.

Now, look, you red-headed
monster, I don't want
any trouble out of you tonight.

Vick, I know
what the 7-day alert does
to families, and I'm sorry.

But I can't consider
their feelings
at this point.

There's just
too much at stake.

Okay?
Okay.

Hello.
Hi.

Hi.
Hi.
Can I help?

You can be senior adviser.

The forecast is
40% chance of rain.

Should we stay inside
or risk it?
Decisions, decisions.

Risk it.

Let's stay outside.

Hi, Colonel Caldwell.
Hello, girls.

You can run along now, girls.
Oh, and do not stay
for the second show.

But, Mother,
they say it's one
of the best movies--

Repeat. Do not stay.
And come right back home
after the show.

Yes, ma'am.
Oh, Mother.

Daddy, can we go--
Do not stay
for the second show.

Yes, sir.
You won't find this
in my service record,

but when
I was at staff college,
I majored in martinis.

I'm the best.
I can remember--

Oh, I can vouch for these.

Bill and I
jumped the gun.

You didn't know,
but this is a celebration.

Bill Jr.
was just elected president
of his class at Stanford.

How wonderful.
Oh, congratulations.

Can you imagine
a slip of a girl like this
having a son at college?

Oh, Bill.
Oops.

Sorry, darling.
I'm sorry.

I, uh, just majored
in mixing them,
not pouring them.

Well,
shall we drink to
the young president?

Bill Jr.
To Bill.

Good.

Morning.
Morning, Bill.

Morning.
Morning.

Remember when
we used to take them off
30 seconds apart?

How we'd fight
the prop wash?
Yeah.

Wait till you see
these monsters go--
Fifteen seconds apart.

The first one
should be rolling
in 15 seconds.

He will be.

Tell me about Bill Fowler.
Has he slowed down any?
Pressure too much for him?

No. I haven't seen
any signs of it.

I've heard of officers being
carried when they're hanging
on for retirement pay.

Here he comes.

Right on the money.
Uh-huh.

Bill's a pretty
heavy drinker, isn't he?

I've never seen him drunk.
I've talked to
those that have.

And I've also checked
his liquor bills
at the club.

On the hack! That's
the first one off!
Check!

Fourteen seconds!
Check!

- He's startin' to wobble.
- Sure he was. He goes fast.

Sixteen seconds!
Check!

There he goes again.
Have to see it
to believe it.

Sixteen seconds!
Check.

You see how they veer off?
They veer off to the side.
Perfect!

Here he comes.
Fourteen seconds!
Check!

Gotta fan out!
Those are
perfect takeoffs!

Excellent pattern!

Well, you wanted
15-second intervals,
plus or minus one. Okay?

Look, Hollis,
I don't want this wing
falling on its face...

because my base commander
isn't pulling his weight.

Now, how about working off
that hostility with
a fast game of handball?

I got a briefing.

You want a fast game?
Yeah.

Look up
Sergeant Banning.
He's the line chief.

He any good?

He'll give you
a workout.

20-4, serving.

Oh, boy.
Have you ever played
with Colonel Farr?

Uh, once.
Just a couple of games.

That was enough
for him, huh?
Not enough for me.

Okay. You ready?
I, uh-- I've just got time
for a quick steam, Colonel.

They called us
an hour earlier today
for a disaster control drill.

Oh, all right.

That hard-nosed new
wing commander is sure
pouring it on, isn't he?

Mm-hmm.

Sergeant,
do you feel we're getting
the most out of our men?

Sir, in my opinion, Colonel
Garcia is the finest maintenance
officer in the air force.

Mm-hmm.
I agree with you.

How do your men feel about
the freeze in promotions?

Three of 'em have
already put out feelers
for jobs on the outside.

Key men?

No, sir.
The walkers.

Walkers?
Mm, the kind
you don't mind losing.

When you've got five minutes
to get one of those beasts
off the ground,

the men who run their legs off,
they're are the ones you
want to hang on to.

It's amazing we have
as many runners as we do.

More money on the outside.
Easier life.

Why did you stay in,
Sergeant?

Well, sir,
I used to be...
a pretty slow walker myself.

I mean, you really
had to build a fire under
my tail to get me to move.

Then one day General Hewitt
dropped in to have
a little talk with us.

And he built
one hell of a fire.

Only this one
wasn't under my tail.

He built a fire
inside of me.

Sergeant,
if I'm reading you right,

you think I'm building
the wrong kind of fires
around here.

Sir, I'm sure
you can judge that
better than I can.

Why don't you stop sparring
and level with me?

I don't know all the answers.

If I can't reach you, make
a man like you understand
what I'm driving at,

the rest of 'em
will never understand...

and this wing will never
get off its back.

I need your help,
Banning.

How about it?

Excuse me, sir.
I'm-- I'm late now.

Thanks far the workout,
Colonel.
Yeah.

Hello, Bill.

I ought to be on exhibit
somewhere in a glass case.

Nobody ever had a cold
like this one.

I heard you wanted
to see me, Jim.

I just came back from that
Chamber of Commerce luncheon
in town.

I must've made
a pretty good pitch.

They're going to raise money
for that swimming pool
next to the alert facility--

This just
came through today.
Huh?

"Review of all key personnel
with more than
20 years' service."

Any slight superlatives
you might like
to sprinkle in my case...

would be
greatly appreciated.
I can't do it, Bill.

I'm not going to recommend
keeping you on.

What?
I just can't.

Even though
your past ratings
have been excellent.

Excellent... or superior
for more than 24 years.

Jim. Jim, do you know
what this means for me?

Involuntary retirement.
I'm through.

I know.
SAC has changed, Bill.

It's changed so much
and so fast.
And you think I haven't.

Is that what you mean?
Yes.

All right.
Why don't you just
give me one example?

Missiles? I've been
studying missiles for the last
three years, night and day.

Every spare moment.
Surely there must be
some other reason for--

Oh, you... think
I've been drinking too much.

Is that it?
That's it.

Did it ever interfere
with my efficiency?
Was I ever drunk on duty?

You're the one
that mentioned drinking.
Why do you bring it up?

Have I ever let you down?

You might, Bill.
You might at
just the wrong time.

What am I going to do?

I've been in the air force
all my life.

The air force is my life.

Jim. Jim, you might've
had me transferred.
You still can.

A few more years,
I'd be able to draw
full retirement pay.

I'm sorry, Bill.

I just can't give you
a phony rating and pass
you on to another commander.

Jim.

I've just been
with Evelyn.

Oh, Jim,
how could they
do that to Bill?

After 24 years!
I know.
It's rough.

He couldn't adjust to it.
That's all.

I'm wondering how he's going
to adjust to civilian life.

He won't have any trouble
finding a job.
A job?

At his age,
to start all over again.

And if Bill Jr.'s
got to leave college--

It couldn't be helped.
It's something that
had to be done.

Did it have to be done
in that way?

I mean, to rip a man's life
to pieces in one stroke.
Five lives.

Jim, couldn't you
do something?

I mean, couldn't you put
in a good word for him,
speak to General Aymes?

Vick.

I'm the one
who said he had to go.

- Yes.
I had no choice.

You smash a man's life
without one word of warning?

You don't get any warning
in this business.

My job is to have this wing
ready for any emergency.

Is the job everything?

Don't people matter at ail?

Doesn't warmth
and friendship and--

Jim,
what's happened to you?

I'm not running
a rehabilitation center.

If I haven't made that
clear to you by now--
No, you haven't!

I didn't know you could
be so callous.
All right, then let's drop it.

There are enough people in SAC
to question every move I make...

without getting it
from you.

Good morning.

Good morning, sir.

Just wanted
to borrow the chair.

Good morning, Colonel.
Do you mind if I sit down?

I wish you would,
Sergeant.
Thank you.

The cook must have
walked through the potatoes.

They taste
pretty good today.

Yes, sir.

All right.

Now, you're sure you've got
a ride back to the base?

Positive. My sister's
definitely picking me up.

Thanks so much,
Mrs. Caldwell.

Oh!
Konichiwa, Victoria-san.

Konichiwa.

What does that mean?
"Where's the teahouse?"

It's the only
full sentence I know,

and I think we better
skip the translation.

So, what are you
doing for lunch?
Well--

There's a wonderful restaurant
on Fisherman's Wharf.

I was going back
to the base.
Oh.

I'll toss in
a free tour of Chinatown.

Oh, I'd love to,
Hollis, but--

And a ride
on the cable car. Okay?

Okay.
Okay.

Hollis, have you seen
the Fowlers?

No.

I hear they found
a terrific apartment.

View of the bay.
Just what they wanted.

It's just exactly
what Bill Fowler wanted.

That was a rough one
for Jim, Vickie.

It's not the first time
a wing commander's had
to fire a friend, but...

you better respect a man
who's strong enough...

to set aside
his own personal feelings.

Hollis, was Jim
always like this,
and I just didn't see it?

Or do you think
he's forcing himself...

to live up to his image
of a wing commander?

It's not just his image.

You've known him a long time.

Is it Jim or is it the job?

It's the job.

There wasn't a pilot in Korea
who wouldn't welcome a chance
to serve in Jim's squadron.

Not that he was a soft touch.
He was as hard as nails
when he had to be.

But...
when the pressure was off--

The difference is
when you're a wing commander,
the pressure's never off.

I didn't think he had
that kind of... toughness.

Well, it's a side of him
I've never seen before.

Hmm?

Colonel Caldwell
in quarters.

Sorry, Vick.
It wasn't my fault.

It was Robert H. Goddard's.

Who's he?

He invented ballistic missiles
for World War I.

If it weren't for him,
we wouldn't have the Titan,

and I'd have been here
two hours sooner.

Do I have time
for a drink?
Let's both have one.

Let's celebrate
that this is the earliest
you've ever been late.

Where did that
come from?

Oh, that?
That's from your
absentee husband.

Jim!

How did you find time?

Oh, I saw an ad
in a magazine.

It's quite a, uh,
fig leaf, isn't it?

It's absolutely gorgeous.

Oh, I love it.

It's so sheer.

I believe in protecting
my property...

without obstructing
the view.

Oh, I'm going to save it
for a really special occasion.

Okay. Here.

The Russian Ballet.

Oh!

Any four

No, sir.
It's been real quiet.

Oh, General Aymes
wants you to call.

Well, get him for me,
will you, please?

Oh, Jim.
Mm

This just came in
from SAC headquarters.

They want
a detailed report immediately.

Oh, thank you.
Mm-hmm.

Tell Colonel Farr
I wanna see him.
Yes, sir.

Hmm.

Colonel Caldwell
in quarters.

Do you like it?

You know I do.

No, the coiffeur.

It took me all afternoon.

It looks wonderful,
Vick.

Ann Morse told me
about a marvelous
after-theater place,

just in case you didn't
have time to do research...

on the San Francisco
nightspots before I arrived.

Or did you?

Don't answer that.

I can't leave
the base tonight, Vick.

I have a report I have
to get out to headquarters,
and it has to be in by midnight.

Don't explain.
I'm-- I'm sure
it couldn't be helped.

It won't always
be like this.

It's bound
to level off somewhere.
Then we can--

Yes, yes, I know.

I spoke to Hollis.

He's free tonight,
and I thought maybe the two--

What's it gonna be?
Ann Morse's place
or the Top of the Mark?

Oh, I really think
it's too late.

Do you mind, Hollis?
No. Not at all.

Evelyn!

Hello, Victoria.

I've missed you.

I've missed you too.

How's Bill?
Oh, he's fine.

Except for a cold
that kept him home...

on a night
we've been looking
forward to for months.

Hollis.
Evelyn, dear,
how are you?

How nice
to see you, Hollis.
How you been, Bill?

Just fine, Colonel Farr.

Bill, this is Mrs. Caldwell.

How do you do?

I've heard so much
about you, Bill.

How are you
getting on at Stanford?

I don't
go there anymore.

No, he's going
back next year.

He majors in chemistry,
and he thought a year
of practical work would--

Well, you see,
this wonderful opportunity
came along--

A job in a lab
here in town.
I'll get the car, Mother.

No, no. I'll go with you.

See you soon, Victoria.
We must get together.

Good-bye.
Bye.

You okay?

You've got it
while I check
the deicing equipment.

Fire on number six!

Emergency checklist.

Close throttles.
Pull fire wall switches.

Sir, there's
a phone call for you.
It's urgent.

All right.

Colonel Caldwell.

Bill Fowler shot himself.

They say it was an accident.
He was cleaning a gun.

Well, how bad is he?

I don't know.
I'm going into San Francisco
to be with Evelyn.

I'll be right over
and drive you down.

I don't think that
would be a very good idea.

I'll call you later.

Well, he's got
a fighting chance.

He's going to be all right.
He's got so much to live for.

I thought
I knew him so well.

But this...

just doesn't
seem possible.

If I could only believe
it wa an accident.

Things have been building up
in Bill for years.

You see,

he was
a great combat leader.

Ask any
of the older men.

He was once
the youngest command pilot
in the air force.

Then everything changed.

Missiles.

The red phone.

Constant pressure,
day in and day out.

It was just
too much for him.

For years
he's been at the top
of the promotion list,

and everyone but Bill
knew he'd never get
his first star.

He should have
retired years ago.

Instead he...

majored in martinis.

Oh!

You listen to me,
Victoria.

Don't you ruin
your life or Jim's
by blaming him.

It was bound to happen.

If it hadn't
been Jim, it--

it would have been
something else.

Colonel Caldwell
in quarters.

How is he?
No change.

Did I guess right
with the scrambled eggs,

or would you like
something else?
Oh, no, they're fine.

You want some milk?
No, thank you.

I think we ought
to talk this out, Vick.

So do I.

Jim, I'm sorry that I felt
that you were callous.
It was unfair of me.

I know it's the job,
and I know how important
the job is.

But why does it
have to be you?

There are other people
better suited.

I mean, it wouldn't go
against the grain
with them.

It doesn't with me.

It does. I don't care
how much you deny it.
It does.

Let me tell you
something, Vick.

If I thought I were
the wrong man for this job,
I'd step out right now.

But I don't think so.

And it's up to me
to give it everything I've got.

Bill Fowler gave it
everything he had.

He just didn't know when
to stop pushing himself.

Are you sure
that you'll know?
Yes. If the time ever comes.

I'll know before
anyone else does,

and I won't have to be told
what to do about it either.

In other words,
you don't want
to discuss it anymore.

I do want
to discuss it.

Jim, I want you to put in
for another assignment.

There are many jobs in SAC
just as important.

Well, at least give me a chance
to have a fair crack
at this one.

Sure it's tough.
It's tough on both of us now.

When this wing gets back
on its feet, things will
be entirely different.

And so will you.

You've changed so much already,
I hardly know you.

Jim, I wish you'd
think about putting in for
another assignment. Will you?

Yeah.
I'll think about it.

Thank you.

Has Hollis ever told you
why he never got married?

Well, no.
No, he hasn't.

Because he's a coward.

It takes a brave man
to look his wife...

straight in the eye,
night after night,

and say, "Sweetheart,
I just got a call
from the command post,

and I have to leave."

Carry on, my love.
I'll muddle through.

One of these days,
I'm gonna look you
straight in the eye...

and say, "Honey,
I'm off for the weekend.
Let's go to Lake Tahoe."

How would you like that?
I'd adore it.

Good. We'll do it.

The Jostens have offered
to take you home,

or I could drop you off now.

Which would you prefer?

Well, if you don't mind,
I think I'll stay on a bit.

All right. I'll try
and come back if I can.

I like your hair that way.

* Here at SAC
we're filled with pride *

* There's just one thing
we can't decide *

* Which we'd rather
get clobbered by *

* An enemy attack
or an O.R.I. *

* Our wing commander's
got a racket *

* Though sometimes
it's hard to hack it *

* Whenever he gets
his wife alone *

* Ding-a-ling-a-ling
goes the little red phone *

* Oh, we love
the seven-day alert *

* For a week
we will not see a skirt *

* But we know it's part
of SAC's main goal *

* To test
our positive control *

* Absence makes
the heart grow fonder *

* Whatever became
of the wild blue yonder? *

* How we wish
the good old days were back *

* In SAC *

**

I don't know any more.
I don't know any more.

Could I have
your attention, please?
Could I have your attention?

I've just received a message
from Colonel Morse
in the command post.

He's leaving for
his quarters immediately,

and he'd like us to drop
over there and eat him
out of house and home.

Coming with us, Victoria?
I can drive Victoria.

Fine.

- I-- I don't think so.

See you at the Morses.

What's the matter?

When I ran into you
at the BX the other day,

we got two
or three looks like that.

Did you notice?
Oh, don't worry.
It's ridiculous.

Nevertheless--

Nevertheless.

All right, I'll drop you off
at the Morses,
and they can drive you home.

I don't think
I'll go, Hollis.

Do you mind dropping me off
on the way?

All right.

Hello, Colonel.
How are you?
Hello, Banning.

Don't you ever go home?

Why? All I've got at home
is a wife and five kids.

At least it was five
last time I counted.

Excuse me, sir.

What's the problem?
Oh, it's nothing serious.

Well, then what's
Colonel Garcia doing here?

He was up all last night
on a check flight.
Oh, I know, sir.

We have standing orders
to call him whenever
there's a problem.

No matter how small it is.
Excuse me.

No sweat, Colonel.

I spotted the trouble
just after I called you.

Looks okay to me.

Evening, Colonel.
Joe.

I think
I found one reason...

why maintenance
has a time problem.

What is it?
You.

You're here
as an executive,
not a mechanic.

You're supposed to train
airmen and officers
to do their job,

not do it for them.

You're trying to pitch,
catch and play first base
all at the same time,

and that's what's
slowing them down!

You belong in the command post
or in your office...

unless there's
a major emergency,

and in your bed
when you're out on your feet
the way you are now.

Now, sir,
if I can't run my department
the way I think I ought to--

Joe, go on home
and get some sleep.

We'll talk about it
in the morning.

All right.
Bye. Bye-bye.

Hi.
Hi.

Uh, Garcia told me
about the chewing out
you gave him last night.

I wouldn't exactly
call it a chewing out.

You don't know
ol' Smokey Joe.

He wants a transfer
to B-58s.

Oh, come on.

I think you'd better smooth
his ruffled feathers quick
and talk him out of it.

I don't wanna talk him out of it
unless he develops
a backup system.

Suppose he gets sick
or has an accident?

Maintenance would
bog down completely.
And if an O.R.I. hits--

Oh, boy. This is where
I came in. I got the same
speech from George Brooks.

What happened?
You convince him he was wrong?

No. I just pointed out he'd
have a king-sized morale problem
if he replaced Garcia.

His men think
the world of him, Jim.

So do I.
But he can't do
everything himself.

You'll go a long way
before you find anybody as good.

He'd be a lot more effective
if he'd learned how
to delegate authority,

and he's going to.

What about
this request for transfer?

I never saw it.

Oh, now, come on,
you stall around on this,

all he'll do is go
to the inspector general.

Why go out on a limb?

Out on a limb?

How in the hell
do you think I've been living
since I took this job?

What's wrong with going out
on a limb, Hollis?

Don't get excited.
I didn't mean it that way.

Well, I like to know exactly
what you did mean?

Why, I just meant
you should be careful
the way you handle it.

You leave this one with me.

And if somebody
saws off that limb,
it'll be my neck, not yours.

Ranger Control,
this is Boxcar 3-0. Over.

I'd like to see
your flight orders
on tomorrow's crews.

Yes, sir.

Break, break.
Silver Toned Hotel.

Break, break.

Authentication time
is 06/0130.

Roger. Copy your traffic.

Boxcar 3-0. Out.

Who authorized that leave?

Colonel Farr.

General Aymes come back
from the Titan complex yet?

Yes, sir.
He's at the Missile
Assembly Building.

Runway temperature
is 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Break, break.

General Aymes.

There's something I'd like
to discuss with you, sir,
before you leave the base.

Well, I'm just
about set to take off.
What is it, Jim?

Could we use
your office, Tom?
Of course.

I want
to replace Hollis Farr.

Why?
What's happened?

Are we in good
enough shape in
the electronic squadron...

to give
the commander a leave?

No, I wouldn't say so. No.

Hollis Farr
gave him a leave.

And you're going to
fire him for that?

No, not just for that.

General, you're on top
of three wings.

You don't have time
to take off the cowling
and look at the nuts and bolts.

That's my job in the 904th,

and I finally found
the monkey wrench.

Why was maintenance below par
in the last O.R.I.?

And low-level bombing,
alert crew exams, air refueling?

Because Hollis Farr
was winning friends
and losing efficiency...

with a relaxed training program.

An 8:00-to-5:00 workday,
a policy geared to normal times.

I inherited the most popular
vice commander in SAC,

but one who will
not assume responsibility.

Friend or no friend,
he's out, John--
unless you override me.

I take it you have
a replacement in mind.

Mike Stanley,
at the Air War College.
Up for reassignment next month.

Okay. It's your wing.

I'll move Hollis out
as soon as Stanley
can take over.

Of course you know
what this will do
to his career.

Maybe a good
swift kick like this
is exactly what he needs.

It might straighten him out.

I just wonder
if your timing is good.

Because of the O.R.I.?
No.

Because it might look
as if you have
personal reasons.

There's been talk, Jim,

about Hollis and Victoria.

Even the grapevine
around here is below par.

I can't run a wing
on what people think.
I want him out of here.

Okay, Jim.

All right,
the low-level bombing
on this mission was red hot.

One after the other
right into the hat.

As far as air refueling,

well, if those tankers
were giving out trading stamps,
you'd all have a full book.

- I'm proud of you. Now--
- I'd like to say a few words.

I don't share
Colonel Farr's enthusiasm
about this mission.

Based on your weight
and weather conditions,

your B-52 performance charts
called for a takeoff roll
of 8,000 feet, not 9,000,

which three of yours took.

You're using improper technique,

and you're slow
in getting off the ground.

And it's burning up time,
and time is our enemy.

What the hell good
is bombing accuracy...

if enemy missiles
can knock the bombers out
before they even take off?

- Major Jarvis.
- Yes, sir.

You're low man
on this mission, Major.

Was there any problem
with the aircraft?

No, sir.

From now on,
any crew that fails
to measure up...

goes back on training status
until they can demonstrate
desired proficiency.

Are there any questions?

That'll be all.
Dismissed.

What the hell got into you?
You chopped my legs out
from under me out there.

How do you expect me to have
any authority from now on?
I don't. You're fired.

-I just talked to General Aymes.
I'm replacing you.

Y-You gonna tell me
why I've been fired,
or is that asking too much?

My job is to get
this wing on its feet.
Anything that stands in the--

Quit the lecture
and get to the point.
I intend to.

It's been one big
happy family, hasn't it?

The fishing's good at
Grant's Pass. Tell Hollis Farr.
He'll okay a leave.

You don't like
the seven-day alert. Tell
Hollis Farr. He aims to please.

He's not on any limb. No, sir.
Let the wing commander
stick his neck out.

Hang on as vice commander
till something
cushier turns up.

And don't ever get in a spot
where they can turn
the heat on you.

Well, it's about time
somebody did.

And if a man can't stand
the heat, the best thing to do
is stay out of the kitchen.

You know something?

I once said you didn't
have enough heel in you
to be a wing commander.

You got enough
for the entire air force.

What time are
the Jostens due?

I canceled dinner tonight.
I said I had a headache.

Good.

I'm afraid I wouldn't be
very good company anyway.

Colonel Caldwell
in quarters.

I see the spinet
finally arrived.

Looks good over here,
doesn't it?

Yes.

Well, aren't you
going to ask me?

Ask you what?

If there's any truth
in the rumors
about Hollis and me.

I think you know me
better than that.

No.

I don't really know you
at all anymore.

It's like--
like living with a stranger.

I don't fit into this life.
I've got to get away.

I've got to get away
and think things out.

Well, where would you go?

I'm not sure.

Home. London.

There's a boat
leaving on the 20th.

Are you sure
that's what you wanna do?

Yes.

I'll get you
something to eat.

First, we'll review
the latest safety procedures
in the Hound Dog.

Prior to our scheduled drop
on the Eglin range,

the positive locking device
will not be unlocked...

till the aircraft
is actually over
the range on the run.

If the release
is not accomplished,

the release system
will be positively locked...

prior to departure
from the range.

The Broken Arrow exercise
at 4-B went off
very well, General.

Sorry I couldn't get there.
I went into town
to see Bill Fowler.

How is he?
Any improvement?

Physically, yes.
But the fight's
drained out of him.

Winston Aircraft
offered him a good job.
He's just not interested.

Yes, I know.
We've all dropped in
to see him.

If something
doesn't happen
to snap him out of this,

he's licked.

Come in.

Hello, Bill.

How are you doing?

I thought I'd drop in...

and see how
you're getting along.

Nice room.

I, uh--

I've been meaning
to read this book.

Any good?

Well--

If there's anything
I can do,

let me know.

I hear you've been
using that hatchet again,

chopping off
more dead wood.

Who's next
after Hollis?

Do you have it
worked out in advance,

or do you
just play it by ear?

Well, that's
one hell of a system.

Next step, division commander,

then on to 15th
air force headquarters,
then Omaha.

You just might chop your way
right to the top.

The youngest four-star general
in air force history.

I'll tell you
what's wrong
with your system.

Men do their best
for leaders who inspire them,
not for hatchet men.

That's why General Hewitt
always stood out,

he and all the others
who made it.

Oh, they've got hatchets.
But when they chop,
they know it's dead wood...

because they know
how to judge men.

You can't even
judge yourself.

What makes you think
you know who's got it
and who hasn't?

I sure as hell
had you pegged.

You couldn't
even do a good job
of blowing your brains out!

Just a minute!

So you think
I'm washed up, huh?

Well, let me tell you
something, mister.

I've got a job waiting for me
when I walk out of here--
a good job.

And before I'm through,
I'm gonna make you choke
on every word of this.

Now, get out of here.

Who is he visiting?

Are you
Colonel Caldwell?
Yes.

There's a call for you.

- Colonel Caldwell.
Ralph Josten.

The tower has
an unidentified KC-135
on final approach.

No emergency declared.
Smells like an O.R.I.

Notify all members
of the battle staff.

I'll be there
in 20 minutes.

Colonel Farr.

You're sure it's Kirby?

I don't know,
but you'd better get
over here just in case.

Remember,
you're the storekeeper
till the boss gets back.

I'm on my way.

This is an O.R.I.--

a no-notice
Operational
Readiness Inspection.

In nine minutes,
headquarters SAC...

will dispatch
a fast-reaction message...

to test your readiness
to launch aircraft
and missiles...

in a maximum
of 15 minutes...

and to check
your effectiveness...

in carrying out
a simulated
Emergency War Order.

No one needs to be notified
until the order comes in
from SAC.

Meanwhile, carry on
with what you were doing.

This is Jumbo
with a silver flash message
from Moonbeam...

in six parts.

Break, break.

Part one--
Papa Kilo Zulu.

Part two--
Sierra Tango Hotel.

Part three--

Command post.

This is Colonel Caldwell.
Is it Kirby?

Stand by.
This is Colonel Farr.

Bravo. Break, break.

Authentication time
is 23/0655 Zulu.

Affirmative.
It's the O.R.I.

Keep me posted.
I'll be there as soon as I can.

Prepare for simulated launch
on all missiles.

Attention, all personnel.

Prepare for simulated launch
on all missiles.

This is Ranger Control
to all-alert aircraft.

Starting roll call.

Ranger 1-1.
1-1 ready to taxi.

Ranger 2-3.
2-3 ready to taxi.

- Ranger 1-9.
- Roger. 1-9 ready to taxi.

Ranger 2-5.

Roger. 2-5 ready to taxi.

Ranger 1-3.

Roger. 1-3 ready to taxi.

Ranger 1-8.

Roger. 1-8 ready to taxi.

Ranger Control.
Ranger 1-1 ready to roll.

1-1, you're cleared
for takeoff.

Full power coming up,
five seconds.

Four, three,

two, one, tag.

Ranger 1-5.

Ranger 2-4.

Fourteen seconds.
So far, so good.

Ranger 2-7.

Ranger 2-5.

Ready to raise
launcher number one
on my mark.

Ready. Mark.

Ranger 2-1.

Cannot get full power
on number six engine.

Ranger 2-1.
Cannot get full power
on number six engine.

Maintenance Control,
get over to 2-1 right away.

That's all the power
you're gonna get
on number six-- 80%.

That'll knock us
out of the box.
Ground abort.

It wouldn't even add
a thousand feet
to the takeoff roll.

It's against
peacetime regulations.

They'd flunk us
on the whole O.R.I.

Any improvement?
No, sir.
Eighty percent.

Give me
the command post.

Colonel Farr.
What?

The command post
is in contact
with Colonel Caldwell.

Anything you wanna
talk to him about?

Negative.
Ranger Control.

Ranger 2-1.
Negative.

We're simulating
wartime conditions.
Linke, go.

Ranger Control.
Ranger 2-1 ready to roll.

Roger, 2-1.
You're clear to go.

Keep a close check
on number six.

If it drops
below 80 percent
at the decision point,

we'll abort the mission
and clear the runway.

8,000-foot marker
coming up.

Number-six engine, 80%.

7,000-foot marker
coming up.

Speed, 112 knots.

Decision point coming up.

Now.

We're committed.

Losing power
on number six.
Shall I shut it down?

Negative.
We've passed
the refusal point.

3,000-foot marker
coming up.

No improvement
on number six.

Speed, 150 knots.

Liftoff point. Now.

Ranger Control,
that is affirmative.

You've got
six more aircraft to go.

Command post.

This is Colonel Caldwell.
I'm on my way
to the flight line.

Colonel, Ranger 1-8 is
at the end of the runway
with engine trouble.

Roger.

We've got less
than three minutes
to get him off!

Easy does it,
Sergeant.
Thank you, Colonel.

1-8, you'll be
the last to take off.

You've got one minute
and 55 seconds to roll.

Hey, Chief,
how does it look?
Have they found it yet?

We're working on it.

Get the lead out!
I've got a minute
and 50 seconds...

before they score me
as an abort.

Try it now.

Try it again.

1-8,
you've got 50 seconds.
How you looking?

We're okay.
Button 'er up.
I'm taking off.

That's what I call
cutting it close.

Just so we cut it.
That's all that counts.

Hi, Victoria.

I'm sorry to get you out
in the middle of the night,

but we thought that
the wing commander's wife
would like to be present...

during an O.R.I.

Is there anything
I can do?

Well, the patient in 712
is having a bad night.
Do you play gin rummy?

I can learn.

We got them all off
with 20 seconds to spare.

That sure
was a cliff-hanger.

This your first O.R.I.,
isn't it?
Yes, sir.

Let me tell you
something, Sergeant.
We're still hanging.

And we will be
during the air refuelings,

bomb runs
and every other phase
of the mission...

for the next
14 1/2 hours.

See how the coffee's
holding out,
would you, Sergeant?

Yes, sir.

You care for a cup
of coffee, Colonel?

Don't mind if I do.
Thank you, Sergeant.

I sent a plane
with 80% power
on one engine.

The B
Yes. 2-1.

I know it's against
peacetime regulations,

but I decided there
was no risk involved.

Operations normal
so far on 2
Yes, sir.

All right, say it.
Say I was wrong.

I don't know
how Kirby's gonna score it,

but at least you finally
stuck your neck out.

This is Ranger 1-5.

Our radar is inoperative.

Repeat:
Our radar is inoperative.

This is Colonel Caldwell.

Have you checked everything
in the DASH

Yes, sir, we have.
And in the maintenance manual.

Our radar is completely out.
Request further instructions.

Keep trying!
We've tried everything
in the book, Colonel.

It's impossible
to repair it in flight.

Who's his radar operator?
Trubek. He's
the best there is.

All right.
Proceed on course...

and fly the rest
of the route as briefed.

Roger. 1-5.

Well,
that's one abort.

And two
flunks us.

Let's not have the wake yet.

Josten, let me have a look
at the flight plan.
Yes, sir.

Ranger Control. 2-1.

Roger, 2-1. Go ahead.

Refueling completed
as scheduled.

Encountered light
to moderate turbulence.

Everything's in the green.
Roger, 2-1.

Have a good flight.

Ranger Control.
Ranger 2-7. Over.

This is Ranger Control. Go.

Ranger 2-7
in Bart's Rock refueling area.

Encountering
extremely heavy turbulence.

Disconnect.
We'll try it again.

Have had several disconnects.

Do not think I can get
my full fuel load
in required time.

How much fuel
have you taken on, 2

Almost half
the briefed on-load.

Have nine minutes left
to take on the rest.

Ranger 2-7,
this is Colonel Caldwell.

If you feel
the risk is excessive,

you're cleared
to return to the base.

There goes
the ball game.

I think I can hack it, sir.
I'd like to try once more.

Okay, but play it safe.

Remember, this is
a peacetime exercise.

101. Do you mind,
Mrs. Caldwell?

Oh, no, not at all.

An appendectomy.
He came out of it just fine.

And his wife has been notified,
if that's what he wants to know.

His name is Kemler.
Sergeant Kemler.

Will you make
a call for me, please?

Your wife's
already been notified.

Huh? Oh, no.

The call I want is to, uh,
Air Refueling Operations.

Would you ask them
how Ramrod 6-7 did
in the O.R.I.?

Would you, ma'am?
I'd be glad to.

Extension, uh, 1021.

Hello. I'm speaking
for Sergeant Kemler
from the base hospital.

No, he's fine.
No complications.

He was anxious
to know how his plane--

Tell him
the whole damn squadron
made it, Mrs. Kemler.

Oh, excuse me,
Mrs. Caldwell.

All bombers received
maximum on-load
in specified time.

I'll tell him. Bye.

What did he say?

"The whole damn
squadron made it."

Wonderful.

I'm Mrs. Kemler.
May I go in
and tell him?

Just exactly
what the patient needs.

Room 101.
Thank you.

Ground Mobile,
this is 2-6.

I'm the last one down
at 34 after the hour.

Rog, 2-6.

Hi, John.
How'd it go?

Pretty good.

Jarvis.

Any aborts?
One.

And one that could go
either way.

Want some coffee?

Thanks.
I believe in moderation.

No more than
20 cups a day.

There's one guy
I never thought
I'd be rooting for.

He's getting
the bomb scores.

Yeah. Thanks.

General.

Excuse me.
Here they are.

Well, there's nothing
we can do about it now.

Morning, sir.
Morning. Get any sleep?

No, sir.
I got in
a couple of naps.

That does it for me.

A 10- or 15-minute nap,
and I'm okay.

You know, it's remarkable
how little sleep a man can
get along with if he has to.

It certainly is,
sir.

Your crews did better
than ever on positive control.

I'm glad to hear that, sir.

Colonel Farr, you're aware
of the peacetime regulation...

against sending up
an aircraft
without full power?

Yes, sir.

Sir, we were simulating
wartime conditions.

I would have made
the same decision.

So would I.

And I'm not gonna score it
as an abort.

We're in.

He didn't even mention
the bombing scores.

Oh, I'll guarantee you
they're great.
Listen. He smiled at you.

When Happy Jack smiles
at a wing commander,

it's like giving him
the Airman of the Year award.

You could have
contacted me last night
before you sent that plane up.

Yes, I could have,
couldn't I?

How did you like it out there
on that limb?

Gets, uh,
kind of breezy,
doesn't it?

Yeah, it sure does.

You stay with it, pal.

You might even get
to like it after a while.

Think I'll
go get some sleep.

Good morning.
I hear it's
going very well.

Yes, it is.

I'm glad.

I was worried
when I heard that you
weren't here at the start.

My first trip to San Francisco.

Wouldn't you know?

How is Bill?

Bill's going to be just fine.

Colonel Caldwell
in quarters.

It's a good thing
they don't score you
on your home life.

I'd fall
flat on my face.

It-- It isn't just you.
It's everyone in SAC.

There was an airman
at the hospital.

Do you know the first thing
he asked about
when he came around?

His wife or his children?

No, he wanted to know
how his plane did in the O.R.I.

I know it doesn't make
any sense to you, but...

when you've spent
a lifetime in SAC, you--

But he hasn't.

He's still in his 20s.

I met his wife too.

She doesn't think
he's indifferent or callous.

She understands.

I wish I had.

Gosh, you're ugly.

Colonel Caldwell's
quarters.

It's for me.

Yes. Yes, of course.

No. No, it won't
take a moment
to get there, General Kirby.

Good-bye.

He wants to see me about
the Family Services Program.

I'll be back
as soon as I can, dear.

You will have
to learn to live
with these things in SAC.