We were working with local military anti-drug forces...
a search and destroy mission on cocaine labs.
Lt. Dobbs and I had trained local pilots in Cobras...
for their own strike forces.
This is Snake Two...
entering sector 4079.
Advise operations of our position.
Wilco, Dobbs. How's the view up front?
I'll be glad when we get out of this canyon.
I was flying wing with Captain Tejada.
Lt. Dobbs, the other American...
was with Captain Mendez.
Between the 2 Cobras was a Black Hawk helicopter...
with a support team of American...
and South American D.E.A. agents.
It was our 4th mission as a team.
We were entering a new sector.
It was rumored among the locals...
that this was an area of offensive cartel activity...
but we were used to such rumors.
We were 5 miles from the objective...
when we saw the Scorpion attack helicopter.
Dobbs, bogey at your 12:00!
Dobbs!
Black Hawk, get the hell out of there.
The Black Hawk began evasive action...
but the Scorpion was too fast...
heavily armed, and hard to find.
The pilot was the best I'd ever seen.
I tried to pull the Scorpion away from the Black Hawk...
but to no use.
He was a cold killer.
Tejada!
Wake up, goddamn it!
I took the controls...
and crossed over the top of the Scorpion before he could fire.
I made it out of the area.
We said the cartel was up to something.
I'm not blaming anybody. We're on the same side.
We have some decisions to make.
Thank you, Mr. Preston. That will be all.
May I say something?
Go ahead.
I volunteered to fly with the anti-drug forces.
I watched the men in those choppers...
risk their lives for their families and their country.
The cartel has them outpaid, outmanned, and outgunned.
Knowing that, they still went out.
They didn't stand a chance.
They're heroes, and they should be avenged.
It's more complicated than that.
I think it's very simple.
They killed our people and they killed our friends.
Their drugs kill Americans every day.
It's a war, and it's our duty to fight.
Thank you. You are excused.
Does anyone else feel as frustrated as I do?
Yes, but it's a complex problem.
We have an executive mandate to stop the drug cartel.
That pilot out there has the clearest take on this mess.
We are at war, and we deal with the problem as such.
Should we go back to the same sort of operation?
The D.E.A. is fighting a war with its hands tied...
and we're losing.
Not anymore.
General Olcott, I want a task force.
- I want that operation taken out. - Yes, sir.
My Apache crews are trained for ground support...
not for air-to-air combat.
If this enemy helicopter is as good as we hear...
I need help to bring him down.
Anything you want.
Who is this enemy pilot, and what's his support like?
I've got to have Brad Little and his team.
I want them at Fort Mitchell.
This is a need-to-know operation.
All reports eyes-only to me.
And that Preston...
see if you can keep him in the mix.
Will do.
Preston?
Yes, sir.
You've seen this bogey work.
Can the Apache stand up to it?
It is the only aircraft that will.
How soon can you fly the bird?
I'm scheduled to start hands-on at Fort Mitchell.
Olcott wants you in this mission.
I believe in you.
- Can you handle it? - You can count on me.
At ease. Take a seat.
We've got a lot to do, so I'll make this brief.
This is our new combat instructor pilot...
Chief Warrant Officer Brad Little.
He'll bring us up to speed on air combat maneuvers.
You men know all about...
air-to-ground technique.
Now you have a new objective in your lives...
and that is to become masters of air-to-air combat tactics.
When we have mastered these tactics...
we will use them to seek out...
the forces of evil, and kill them deader than hell.
We're lucky men.
We face the opportunity of a lifetime.
I do not expect you to throw away this opportunity.
I expect you to improve every minute of my time...
by becoming the best air-to-air pilots in the world.
You will fight as teams of Gunners and pilots...
each more dependent on the other than to their own mama.
Our mission has the highest national priority.
I can't stress that enough.
We're going against an enemy...
who's defending his own territory.
The clock is running, folks...
and it's running fast.
Group! Attention!
Carry on.
Looks like a fine group of aviators.
They are that, Brad.
Preston showed extraordinary courage in South America.
Pay special attention to him.
Somebody called it a flying race car with guns...
but that's bullshit.
It's not that simple.
Put your hands here and there...
put your feet here and here.
Do not step here or there.
That's it. Crawl right in there.
Riding at 150 knots through the treetops...
is like having your ass strapped to the nose of a bullet.
You will be flying like a bat out of hell...
shooting at the enemy...
dodging bullets, missiles, rocks...
spears, ducks, and geese.
Sounds like a full-time job.
You're gonna be as busy as a 3-peckered goat.
Let's get to it.
You really get into this, don't you?
- I love it to death. - I can tell.
Heaven, here we come.
- What do we do first? - Is this a quiz?
You whole life's a quiz.
Tell me the first order of business.
Program the nav systems, enter the laser codes...
punch in target and Doppler coordinates...
initialize weapon systems, and optimize F.L.I.R. sensors.
Good. Let's see if the damn thing will start.
It has a roll rate of 150 degrees per second...
so if you need to duck, dive, or disappear...
this buggy will do it before your brain can think it up.
We could crash this aircraft at 20 G's and survive...
but I am not gonna prove it to you.
Darn.
The missiles can take out a door at 5 miles.
In air-to-air combat, your best weapon is agility...
and this gunship is agile, mobile, and hostile.
Great.
How's the ride?
Unreal!
God.
You usually hide in a hole and cause things to blow up...
but now you'll move like a thief...
keep your nose down...
then come out of nowhere and blow your enemy to pieces.
- Sound like fun? - Yeah.
- Sir? - Yeah?
That was totally cool.
I'd marry that thing.
I'll give away the bride. Buzzard!
MeetJake Preston, part of the Apache force.
This is Scott Buzz, my chief scout I.P....
and Billie Guthrie, his copilot.
Billie Lee Guthrie.
I think I've heard of you.
How you doin'?
I do fine.
How about a drink this evening?
Jake, not a chance.
"Not a chance."
- How much flight time did you log? - 2.3.
- What? - 2.3, sir.
2.3.
- You have a problem with women in the army? - Not with all of them.
Just that one.
I'll see you at 0700.
The cartel has made the decision to go...
on the offensive and expand into neighboring countries.
They've brought in Cuban arms and an advisory team.
They've hired Eric Stoller, a crack pilot and mercenary...
to ride shotgun on their missions.
His terrorist training was in Europe and North Korea.
Now he sells his expertise to the highest bidder.
In this tape, our D.E.A. team thought they had him cornered...
but it was a setup.
Stoller acted as a decoy and drew them in.
There's a booby-trapped bomb waiting for those men.
Watch for the box at the bottom of the screen.
Everyone in Washington knows what we're up against.
This guy's a killer.
We need to support the D.E.A....
and that means dealing with Stoller air-to-air.
I'd like to be considered for the Apache task force.
I need you here.
Nobody better than I am.
It's your job to convey that knowledge and experience...
to these young pilots.
When the time comes to use the experience, I want to fly this mission.
- Is Janet joining you? - This afternoon.
- You want to fly and get shot at? - Affirmative.
We can't afford to lose you.
-Just one drink. - No.
It's your birthday. Let's have fun.
I'm 40 years old, and I want to go home.
At ease, Little.
Everybody does what they want on their birthday.
Surprise!
Oh, no! No!
There you go.
Go for it.
This is really stupid.
- Yeah! - All right!
How about that drink now?
Interested?
Uh, no, thanks.
No, Billie.
Welcome to the future.
Descend the stairway and turn right.
At the first platform, enter the big black box.
Make ready for war.
Want some gum, Breaker?
No, thanks.
Little, how about you? Strawberry gum?
No.
It's delicious.
Come on,Jake.
This simulator will do anything the Apache will do.
It will also do anything your enemy will do.
Good, because I have a pocket full of quarters.
Let's go play.
- Set up X-ray. - Yes, sir.
This program is called "X-ray. "
All babies need to crawl before they walk.
All systems are up. The pilot has the controls.
The name of the game is surprise.
Stay low, using the terrain for cover...
then nail your targets.
There's a town.
Locate same and recon for targets.
Let's see what this baby can do.
Looks like a quiet Sunday afternoon.
That's a negative.
We dialed in 9:00 A.M. Monday, and we're open for business.
Mad turtle on your 11:00.
Missile laser locked in.
Good shootin'.
You're talking to a legend.
I hunt the pigeons...
you shoot 'em.
How are we doing?
You're looking good. Proceed up the river bed.
Higgins, move it up to Yankee program.
The schedule only calls for X-ray.
- I'm changing the schedule. - Yes, sir.
Check out the highway...
for suspected enemy ground threat.
I am the greatest.
Go,Jake!
All right. Free game.
I am the greatest.
He's good.
Yes, he's good. He's very good.
I've played 'em before, but nothing like this.
So much for the warm-up, gentlemen.
You now have air-to-air threat.
I am the greatest.
I am the greatest!
I am the greatest.
I am the greatest!
Crank this up to zulu.
- Zulu's for experts, sir. - Hold the exercise.
If you keep on making me tell you things twice...
I'm gonna have you washing windshields.
Back in bogey.
Watch the wires or we're french fries.
On your deuce.
Coming up quick.
Nose coming up.
Smoke 'em!
Shoot 'em, nab 'em, grab 'em!
Shake 'em, bake 'em, cook 'em!
Broil 'em, kick 'em!
Twist 'em!
All gone! Bye-bye!
Let's see how well you do...
with your monocles down.
See if we can pump all that computer information...
into your little bird brains.
A bit different.
Let's get 'em.
Come on. Working.
Come around!
Jake, what's wrong?
I can't focus.
- Lock him! - Almost!
We got 'em. Wax 'em!
Watch those wires.
Now!
Goddamn it.
It's okay,Jake.
Don't worry about it. It's only a video game.
It's just a toy the army built...
for your personal amusement.
Try to make believe theyjust notified your next ofkin.
Out of there.
I think...
we're pushing them too hard.
I don't know about you, Higgins, but I am.
Clean the top of the rotor.
Sharon?
Hey!
Do you know where Billie is?
How do I know she wants to see you?
You don't, but I'll go give her the choice.
The laundromat.
That's just Jim-dandy.
Breaker.
I'll see you later,Jake.
What are you doing here?
I owe you a congratulations.
- You got your wings. - A mere 2 years of my life.
A D-model maintenance test pilot.
- Told you I'd do it. - Yep.
So...
- was it worth the price? - What price?
Us, remember?
Yeah, I remember.
That's all behind us now.
The main thing is that we're here together.
You look sexy in that skirt...
which is why I think we should give it another chance.
- I don't think so. - Why not?
I don't want to set myself up for that again.
- Can't we be friends? - Yeah.
- We can just be best of friends. - Good.
What are you doing?
It's a tradition for friends to seal a bargain with a kiss.
The tradition is a handshake.
- You can't resist me. - I can try.
Aren't you forgetting something?
You keep them.
- Good morning. - Morning.
- Morning, Chief Little. - Morning.
- Yo, Chief!. - Morning.
Good pacing!
Beautiful day, sir!
Whoever sees the other first is the winner.
Whoever gets seen first is toast.
The land mass behind which you can hide is your friend.
The open sky in which you cannot hide is your enemy.
Just remember this:
once a battle has been engaged, somebody is gonna die.
You do not have the speed to run from a fight.
When you engage...
you must bring the nose of your aircraft to bear on the bogey.
Unmasking, pop-ups, pedal turns, hovers...
could all be combined...
to effect your nose-on position.
Put your weapons on the target. The optimum attack position is?
Above and behind on a 6:00.
- The optimum kill shot is...? - Down through the rotor blades.
Some of you have been paying attention.
I thought you were all dreaming about women.
You're dismissed.
Stay out of trouble.
What kind of women do you think come here?
I don't know. Scandalous women.
- The kind that you like, Breaker. - You, too,Jake...
because there's Billie.
- Excuse me. - Back off, slick.
I want to dance with the lady.
Get in line.
While the music's playing, she's mine.
When it stops, I'll let her go.
You wouldn't get between a man and his fiancee.
Oh,Jake.
Take your best shot.
Billie.
Hey.
- Stay away,Jake. - I just wanted to dance with you.
I'm not a piece of steak for you two to fight over.
Understand?
We don't go out together anymore.
That's going to change.
It's gonna work now?
- Too many things haven't changed. - Like what?
Like that Neanderthal crap back there:
"Me man, you woman." I am notJane of the jungle.
I thought it was kind of cavalier, myself.
I think you want me to stay home and have babies and cook.
What's wrong with babies and cooking?
It's a tradition.
My mother did that.
Your mother didn't fly helicopters.
Too many things haven't changed.
She never flew helicopters. What else hasn't changed?
- We fight all the time. - We always make up.
Because I always wanted to.
You still care about me, don't you?
I want you to stop this.
I'm going.
- I have a flight test at 0500. - Don't you?
What if I do? You think it changes anything?
Intelligence says the site will be functional in a few days.
It has become the headquarters for their operation.
It would support an attack force...
even fighter aircraft.
We've accelerated our plan.
These were taken a few days ago.
All the major players in the cartel have disappeared.
We believe that they will show up at this airstrip.
Your Apaches should be ready.
Will do, General.
The crew and team assignments are:
Preston and Breaker with Guthrie...
Davis and Proctor go with me...
Rives and Tippet with Wade.
Listen up, gun bunnies, straight from the buzz man.
Just like Indian scouts in the old days...
we're the modern day equivalent, your eyes and your ears.
We stick our necks out...
to see what's out there.
Preston...
get your brains out of your pants.
I can find a target fast.
Let's talk about us.
No,Jake. To prevent radio detection...
we're set up with A.T.H.S....
direct to your video display.
I've got a display of your tail that is mind-boggling.
Think of us scouts as extensions of your own sight.
I like that. You only have eyes for me.
You will need reconnaissance going into battle.
With our laser designator...
we can paint your target while you're hidden in some canyon.
You can nail it from cover without ever being seen.
In an emergency...
it's possible to distract the adversary...
or temporarily blind him with the laser.
Watch this.
- Where are you? - You like me on top.
Jake,you still got your brains in your cockpit?
It's easier to fly that way...
Ioaded and ready to fire.
We've both been there when those guns didn't go off.
Don't worry about that, baby.
How about that drink tonight?
You never let up.
-Jake, get hold of ourselves. - I've got a hold of myself.
Then you don't need me. Have fun with yourselves.
Billie?
- Where'd she go? - Try to catch me.
That darn girl disappeared.
She's got you.
She sure does, Breaker.
I see you took Preston up to zulu.
Had a hell of a score.
Has a decision been reached on my request to join them?
Brad, I'm sorry.
Combat's a young man's game.
I'm the best you've got.
It wasn't easy for me, either.
Give it up.
- Hi. - Hi, there.
- Want to go a couple of rounds? - No, thanks.
Breaker, do you box?
That kind of stuff scares me.
I'm more into cooking and cleaning.
"Cooking and cleaning."
You're dropping your right with your jab...
- leaving yourself wide open. - I don't think so.
Wide open.
You're talking to the former light heavyweight champion...
of South Eastern Arizona State University, 1969...
intramural.
You're in a world of trouble now.
Come on, let's go.
Okay, a couple of rounds.
Show me those keenly-honed reflexes...
those catlike moves.
Ready for some coffee?
Mm-hmm.
- You slept in this morning. - Mm-hmm.
Honey, what happened?
Nothing. My back's a little sore.
What'd you do to your eye?
I hit it.
With a 2-by-4?
No.
Boxing a little down at the gym.
With Mike Tyson?
Ha, ha, ha. How much time do I have?
- 10 minutes. Want some cereal? - No.
I'll get something later.
Here.
Are you sure you're okay?
I'm fine, okay? Just a little sore.
- Maybe I pulled a muscle. - Are you sure?
You'd think I had my dick shot off.
I'd better check, don't you think?
You better see for yourself.
- Morning, sir. - Morning.
- Everything cool? - Totally cool.
Good.
We have some snapshots of a special individual.
His name is Eric Stoller. Charming, isn't he?
Here he is on one ofhis better days.
This man kills people for money...
and someone has paid him to kill you.
In air-to-air combat, he has no equal.
His instrument of choice...
is the Scorpion tactical assault helicopter.
Don't let the size of this aircraft fool you.
Because of its speed and agility...
it is one of the most deadly things you will ever see in the sky.
Put this personality into this machine...
and if you blink up there, you are in the body bag.
Law enforcement agencies moved in unison today...
in a series of sweeping raids of suspected crack houses.
Officers say that despite the 24 arrests made today...
and the bust made last week...
which netted over $500,000 in cash and cocaine...
they are overwhelmed by the massiveness of a problem...
that appears to have no end.
Dobbs, bogey at your 12:00!
Dobbs!
Well, good morning.
Eat your Wheaties this morning?
2 bowls, sir.
Good. All right. Welcome to the bag.
- Thank you. - You'll be flying in darkness...
dependent on your sighting system.
- Do your homework? - Yes, sir.
Good.
Lights out.
It's very dark.
Nice and easy.
Try to keep the airplane level...
and the velocity vector centered.
You're sliding left.
Don't second-guess the equipment.
What you see with your right eye...
should be coordinated with the video screen.
Look right 70 degrees.
Where are you taking us?
Don't turn us, turn your head.
Maintain your heading.
You've got us close enough to the rocks to count lizards.
I do not want to smack that canyon wall.
I can't focus.
I didn't know we were turning.
That wall is your line of sight.
Come to a heading of 240. Drop us down to 300 feet.
Come on.
Cross-check your picture with your data.
Keep your eye moving.
Where's the cocksure sky jock I had last week?
You're yawing.
- Trim it up. - I'm working on it.
Come to heading 200.
See that big rock out there?
Do you see that big rock out there?
Do you see that big airplane-killing rock?
What the hell do you want me to do with it?
I want you to approach that rock on this heading...
until you are within 500 feet of it.
Cross left in front of it on heading 170...
climbing out at 500 feet to clear the canyon rim.
- Clear? - Yeah.
Do it, Preston.
Make your turn.
I'm doing it.
But it's ugly.
Watch yourself!.
I'm turning.
Closing on it.
I'm turning.
Take it up!
I got it!
This flight is terminated. I have the controls.
You're on probation.
Let's go home.
I gotta take my little girl fishing.
I had high hopes for you, soldier.
It's like sex.
Hardly anybody gets it perfect the first time.
The bag is intimidating.
- You heard? - The whole base heard.
I blew it.
Jake Preston, super-pilot, blew it.
What happened?
I couldn't keep the data in my right eye in focus.
My left eye took over and screwed things up.
You ever shoot a gun as a kid?
Yeah.
- Shoot me. - Why?
What you're talking about is not a flying problem.
It's eye dominance.
We all have one eye that naturally takes over.
My dad always shot the way you just did.
He was right-handed, and left-eye dominant.
If I was left-eye dominant --
You'd have a hard time accepting data from your right eye.
You can learn. Little can help you.
- Can we get this? - Mom said no more candy.
Get that bread with the swirls on it.
Dad, what can I get?
- You can get spaghetti. - The colored kind?
Yes, and a big thing of barbecue sauce.
- I need to speak with you. - Speak.
I need your help to get through the bag.
You've pushed me...
harder than you've pushed anybody else.
You think I'm pushing you because I want you out?
Maybe.
If I wanted you out, you'd be gone.
I'm pushing you...
because I think you could be one of the best.
Give her that bottle, will you?
You fly conventional helicopters beautifully.
Your instincts are so good, you remind me of me 20 years ago.
But the Apache is not a conventional helicopter...
and instinct means diddley.
The most complicated equipment on that aircraft is your brain.
There's nothing wrong...
with my brain.
My eyes are screwing up.
I'm not gonna quit on this. It's everything I worked for.
I need you to help me out.
You get one more shot at the bag.
Fail, you're out. Pass, you're in.
We don't make any exceptions in this outfit, ever.
You're not gonna help me, are you?
That's real big of you, Little.
You want to tell me about it?
Nothing to tell.
You've been up 3 times tonight.
There's a kid in the mission...
one of the pilots: Jake Preston.
- You mean old 2-by-4? - Give me a break.
- The whole base knows about it. - So what?
He's just a damn good pilot.
- What's the problem? - He's got an eye dominance thing.
He failed the bag.
You beat it. So can he.
- If he doesn't, you wash him out. - You're tough.
They were tough on you.
I know enough about helicopters...
to make a lot of money in civilian life.
- You're a patriot, not a businessman. - That's right.
I'm trying like hell to take the Apache air-to-air...
- against some serious enemies of the U.S.A. - I know you are.
But it's going to guys who are younger, maybe even better...
if I train them well enough to replace me.
You've lost enough sleep over this.
Let's go to bed.
- Can I take my ice cream? - Yeah.
I don't care if we aren't rich.
I care about you.
What was that thing that helped you?
Are you up to some kind of silly joke, sir?
When I couldn't pass the bag, it cured me.
If we wanted to make you look like a jackass...
this would work fine for that.
I always said you looked good in red panties.
As long as you're having fun, Breaker.
Let's go!
Try to maintain zero degrees of steering.
I do not want to destroy any U.S. government property.
90 degrees of steering to the hard right, now!
See how easy that is?
It's all about control, and control is in your mind.
Turn right.
Very good.
I would avoid that tank.
Wouldn't this be better if we were all blindfolded?
Well done.
I lost just a little control, but now everything's cool.
Right turn coming up, 90 degrees.
Now!
No.
In the ditch!
Yee-haw!
Better driving than usual.
This will be a failure if we all die.
Road's to the right.
I found the road.
Well done.
Easing off on the throttle.
Smooth as a baby's butt.
A couple more training flights --
He's got panties on his head.
- Morning, sir. - Get out of here.
Good day for a drive.
Way to go.
You're doing great,Jake.
All right, kid!
Mr. Preston, today's your big day.
It's your final shot at the bag.
Good luck, boy.
Listen, sweetheart.
You know we're meant to be together...
so how about getting me through it this time?
I'm looking for a smooth ride, Mr. Preston.
Smooth enough.
Now show me the world, boy.
How am I doing, sir?
What do you think, big boy?
Well, I'd have to say that I'm doing piss-perfect.
How do you feel?
I don't feel...
anything.
Good. Let's go.
On behalf of the Army...
the Department of Defense, theJoint Chiefs of Staff...
the V.F.W. and P.T.A., the commander in chief...
and above all, me...
congratulations, Mr. Preston.
You have passed the bag.
- Good. - Okay.
- You're the greatest. - Hey.
I passed the bag, thanks to you.
- Want to help me celebrate? - I'd love to.
Wow. You look amazing.
This old thing?
I threw it on as I was walking out the door.
- You still have her. - Yeah.
Some things should never change.
I put your suitcase in the trunk.
- What are you doing? - Driving.
You knew that, didn't you?
Okay, hot-rod.
Put the pedal to the metal and let's see what you got.
Whoa, good night!
Wouldn't it be terrific...
if we could get a house here and live together?
There's nothing out here.
- Then I'd have you all to myself. - Oh,Jake.
- Why'd you change? - Less to take off.
Let's skip dinner.
God, it is beautiful.
You're beautiful.
Ha, ha.
Patience. Anticipation.
Food.
I learned something today.
- In the bag? - Yeah.
About dominance.
Put your right hand out to the side.
Close your left eye.
Put your left hand out to that side...
and close your right eye.
Jake.
I hear there's a great place...
a couple miles up a dirt road...
- where we can swim sans clothes. - I gotta get back.
No. Today is sangria day.
I can't.
I've got a F.L.I.R. flight with Scott in 2 hours.
Just call the buzz man and tell him you have plans.
You want to make the mission, right?
If you had a choice between a flight with Little...
- or a picnic with me, what would you do? - Do I have to ask first?
If you ask me first, I'll go anywhere you tell me.
You go alone.
Good thing about the army.
I only take orders from my superiors.
You drive a scout. I drive the Apache.
Therefore, I am your superior.
Get in and I'll drive you home.
Come on,Jake.
I'm driving!
No!
Thank you.
I'm sorry about the sangria.
Don't you ever want me to win?
No.
Today you are entering...
the final phase of aerial combat training.
You will engage in air-to-air combat...
with your flight instructors.
Your scores today will be the determining factor...
for selection to the Apache task force.
Good luck, troopers.
Thanks for getting me through the bag.
It's my job. You've done very well.
I'm glad to see it.
Just so you know...
I will be kicking your ass today.
Good. All right!
This is Rattler, ready for a full day.
Proceed with Stinger to sector kilo.
This is Stinger. Roger. Out.
Let's go to our corners and come out fighting.
These guys are serious.
- Breaker, you like history? - No.
You better start, because we're about to make it.
Bring 'em on.
Jump ball, kids.
Let's see who comes down with it.
Get me in position.
You want position? You got position.
That kid's good.
I can't lock him.
He's got position on us.
Not bad for old-timers.
Old-timers, my ass.
Those guys can fly.
Now, Breaker.
Let's get 'em.
Get me closer,Jake.
- I got lock. - He's locking on us.
Not for long.
I can't lock him.
Look alive, Rice.
Good-bye, try again.
Hang on, rice man.
Let's see if they can keep up with this.
Where'd they go?
- Where? - I don't know.
Clever, Chief.
Let's do it.
Get ready, Rice.
We're gonna park it here.
I've lost him,Jake.
He's vertical, over the top.
- Let's get 'em. - He'll pop through that notch.
He's hiding in a hole.
I'll give him vertical with a twist.
Look who we found.
"Hasta la bye-bye."
Nose down, Breaker.
- Lock. - Now!
Missiles's gone.
Shit!
He's toast. Great flying.
Rattler, they just notified your next of kin.
I got your next ofkin.
Well done, boys.
Let's get supper.
Good flying, Preston.
Intelligence reports the cartel offensive is set to launch.
All the major players are there, but we don't know for how long.
We can't let them slip through our fingers.
- How much time do we have? - We must move immediately.
- We have less than 24 hours to eliminate this threat. - Any word on Stoller?
He's there, making sure we don't get near them.
Morning, troopers. Let's do it.
Task force, attention!
At ease. Listen up.
In 24 hours, you'll be asked to use what you've learned here.
Our mission is to fly support...
for a D.E.A. operation of critical importance:
Operation Fire Bird. We launch immediately.
We move out tomorrow morning....
for a staging area in South America.
Once we're on the ground...
you'll get your operations order.
What I can tell you now...
is that we will be going air-to-air...
against a Scorpion attack helicopter and its backup.
There'll be officials on hand down there...
to arrest cartel leaders.
Our job is to make damn sure...
they get that chance.
That's all. Let's get hot.
- Congratulations. - Thank you, Colonel.
- Good luck. - Right,Jake.
Brad, I've reviewed the gun-camera tapes...
from your training flights.
Every man has got his place of maximum effect.
Brad Little's is with this task force...
flying the mission. You're my flight leader.
I knew that.
I want to talk to you.
- We can talk on the flight down. - What do you mean?
On the flight to South America.
How the hell did that happen?
I asked and A.K. cleared it.
You're going into combat?
I don't believe I'm hearing this.
You think it's fine for me to be a pilot...
when there's nothing at stake...
but dangerous missions are only for men.
Thanks,Jake. I have my orders.
Why is it so hard for you to understand...
that I just don't want you to get hurt?
You, my friend, have to accept it.
"My friend"?
The Bisante cartel has been amassing heavy arms...
for an attack on a friendly government.
Every operation that the D.E.A...
and our South American allies have mounted has been blown away...
- by Eric Stoller. - They're airlifting...
some major figures in the cartel under Stoller's cover.
The local government is tired of having their army chewed up...
by this guy.
They've asked for your help.
They're counting on you.
On your feet. Get some sleep.
- Sleep well? - Hell, no.
What do you think?
It all depends on things we don't know right now.
You train and you know you're capable...
but when it comes time, you wonder what you'll do;
whether you'll take it up or bring it down...
or whether you'll ever see an orange again.
Makes for a long night.
That night's been around for thousands of years...
full of men waiting to go into battle.
I think they've all been talking all night long.
Yeah.
You got chops you haven't even dreamed of.
Your instincts and training will take over.
Count on it. You had a brilliant teacher.
I've been pretty arrogant with you.
Mm-hmm.
I know I'm great, but you're the best.
No, you're better. I can't learn anymore.
Every time we went up I kept thinking...
"How'd that kid figure that one out?"
You're a natural.
You've got a lot of talent.
How about that roll-out you did during the fly-off?
- Only you could do that. - I'm not saying I'm not a genius.
I joined the army for the same reason you did:
to kick ass, like in the old war movies.
That's what I'm looking for in you.
An All-American hero...
with his heart and brain wired together...
cooking full tilt for freedom and justice.
It's the corniest story in the whole world.
By God, this could be a happy day.
We're under attack!
Let me repeat, we are under attack!
Billie, Colonel...
incoming missiles!
Let's get 'em in the air!
Get the helicopters in the air!
Get up, get up!
Scott's dead. I'm on my own.
This is Rattler. Do you copy?
Night Rider Six.
How many?
They shot down Rives and Tippet on take-off.
Davis and Proctor are with the Black Hawks.
Guthrie,you have...
two bad boys looking for something to do.
Locate ground radar.
When you find it, we'll blow it up.
I don't want them knowing where we're at.
Roger, Rattler.
Rebel is hunting.
Found it. Site unmanned.
Proceed to 3708.
We're on our way.
Stoller's out there. I can smell him.
Go find him, kid.
We're coming up on the coordinates.
Find me some high-tech shit on that canyon.
- Rice man. - I see it.
Locking in the missiles.
Make it go away.
Good shootin'.
What's happening, Guthrie?
There it is.
What's happening?
Rebel's located airstrip. Evacuation underway.
Request fire support.
Fast-mover bogey at heading 070.
This area is heavily armed.
Apaches rolling in hot.
That's yours, Stinger.
I'm picking up something else.
It's Stoller!
Keep moving.
Don't give him a target.
God.
He's closing!
If you keep moving, he can't lock on.
I'm on my way.
Oh,Jake, save my ass.
You're not touching her, you filthy piece of shit.
Don't let him get away.
- Have you engaged? - We're on him.
Grab your ass.
You've gotta nail him.
- Missed! - Stay on him.
Shit!
He's getting away!
Damn, he's fast.
Where is he?
I hear him.
That's not Stoller.
I got him.
We've got a fast-mover, coming hot and heavy.
Listen to your old coach.
Bring him to me, and Rice will punch his lights out.
We'll never make it.
Lead him on and bring him to us.
Get me closer.
I don't want to lose this kid.
If I could get around that ridge.
- He's on us! - Down on 3.
Stay on him. We got him.
- Missile lock! - We're there.
Look for the sweet spot.
Lock on!
Not bad shootin' for an old dog like you.
Thanks, Grandpa.
Solid gold, Rattler.
What goes on, Guthrie?
Unmasking to take a peek.
Fast-mover at your 1:00.
They got a whole air force down here?
- It's Stoller! - He's on our 6!
- He's tracking Little. - Coming around.
We're gonna get shot at.
Where is he?
We lost the tail rotor!
How's the main rotor?
RPM dropping!
I'm pulling Stoller out.
- He's on our ass. - Oh, yeah?
Mayday, mayday!
This is Rattler. We are going in.
Hang on, big boy.
Mayday! We are going in.
Find us a soft spot.
He missed!
Billie, check on Rattler.
He's in sight. There was no fire.
I'm going in to see if they're alive.
That make you nervous?
Stoller's making me nervous.
We're out of here.
- How's it going, Calvin? - Only my mother calls me that.
I am your mother now, Calvin.
- Rice? - Dead.
- Can you move? - My legs are broken.
Get your ass in here.
See if we have a good stinger.
He's on us.
Not for long.
This one looks okay.
Get the grip stock and the B.C.U.
What?
A cigar-box looking thing...
and a round thing that looks like a coffee can.
20 seconds.
Screw it into that cigar box.
Pop 3 latches on that missile.
Let's wax him!
Shit!
Put the flat end in the dirt.
Point the pistol grip down.
Hinge the cigar box onto the missile.
Okay.
Pop that latch.
Open up the square thing on the side.
He's turning inbound.
Put it on your shoulder...
and pull down the metal thing with your right thumb.
You are now activated!
Guthrie, turn around.
- He's in my sight! - Shoot him in the ass.
Snort that, sucker.
We got him.
- He's going vertical. - Where'd he go?
He's in the sun.
He's on our ass!
Get ready to throw the dog a bone.
He's getting position!
I'm hit!
- How bad? - I can't shoot.
Hang tight. He's mine.
Come on. Come to daddy.
Brace yourself.
Let's see how good he really is.
Oops, you blew it.
I'm gonna kill him now!
That was for Dobbs.
Request permission to join Fire Bird support at airstrip.
D.E.A. troops are mopping up Fire Bird now.
They've arrested all cartel members.
Once you took out Stoller, it was over.
Come on home.
Where's Billie and Little?
We just got confirmation on them.
They're alive. Rice is dead.
Little is hurt, but Billie's with him.
That medevac bird is leaving.
You're gonna miss the bus.
All right.
Christ, this hurts.
- Where's the meat wagon? -Just over the hill.
You drop me, it'll be the end of life...
in the army for you.
Did you kill him?
Yeah, I killed him.
Good, son. Well done.
You look like a first-class hero, Chief.
You, too. You both do.
First-class, All-American!
You did it.
We did it.
Okay, we did it.
I'm not gonna argue.
Oh, yeah? Since when?
I'll give you a ride home.
- Great. I'll drive. - No, I'm driving.
- I'll drive. - It's my helicopter. I'll drive.
No, no. I drive.