from
risking your life for them.
All right, let me ask you this.
Could an F-16, fully armed,
fly in there and pull it off?
Stop wasting your time.
The Air Force won't do anything.
They'll do more than you think.
They just won't know about it.
I'm telling you, I can get a plane,
all the firepower it can carry, -
- aerial recon, intelligence.
I've got the whole base wired.
Anything you need... I can get you.
- Are you wired enough to get me pilots?
- I can get you one.
This is probably the toughest thing
you've been through in your life.
But hanging on to those crazy ideas
is not going to make it any easier.
- You don't think I can fly?
- Don't talk stupid.
You think flying an F-16 in aerial
combat is like flying "the Snake"?
I have three times the hours on that
simulator as most pilots on the base.
As for combat, that's bullshit.
How many guys around here
have been in dogfights? Four... Five?
The simulator is good enough for them,
and they're defending the country.
You think because they're older,
it makes any difference?
I've already missed my simulator time,
I'm not going to miss my flight time.
Let me go with you.
I've been with Dad lots of times.
- Let me show you what I can do.
- I'm tired of talking about it.
You know he hasn't got a chance,
but you don't give a shit!
You're no different than anyone else.
You really believe that nonsense?
Look at me, when I talk to you!
Let me clue you into something
right now.
I've given this country 22
damn fucking years of my life.
I've seen young guys blown out
of the air over the Pacific.
So every time somebody dies for this
country, believe me, I give a shit!
Nobody talks to me like this,
I'm not going to start now.
You want to help your father?
Be strong for your family and stay here!
I am pleased to present
this year's valedictorian:
Edward Thatcher.
Students, faculty and parents.
Each year, we students have
the luxury of our dreams -
- without the responsibility
of our sustenance.
Our gratitude must be with those
who give us that freedom -
- without which we could not grow.
To our parents, then,
I dedicate this ceremony.
What were all those
loops and rolls, Colonel?
You were to stay
in strict formation.
I had a malfunction
in my throttle sensor.
I thought you were doing
a little sky-writing.
I think I may have
a problem with my receiver.
I heard some music up there.
I must have picked up a radio station.
I'll have it checked out, Major.
These are training manoeuvres,
not auditions for the Thunderbirds.
It's not a rock concert.
Get over here.
What the hell were you thinking?
Do you know what could happen to me
if you got caught in that plane?
I'm sorry. It won't happen again.
You bet your ass it won't!
It's the last time you go up with me!
- Come on, Dad.
- I don't want to hear it.
When will you show some responsibility?
When I'm gone, I'd like to know
that you can handle things.
At some point, you have to grow up, son.
- Is that an order, sir?
- Yeah, that's an order.
Understood, sir.
May I ask the colonel a question, sir?
Go ahead.
Did he like the reverse spirals
I executed at 22,000 feet?
They'd been rehearsed
all week in the simulator, sir.
I did.
Get out of here. The colonel's wife
thinks you're at school.
Today is an important day
for all of us. A turning point.
A time to realize
that we are no longer children.
A time to take charge
of our lives and destinies.
We must believe in ourselves
or leave our dreams behind.
Mom?
What's the matter?
I didn't want to tell you before.
They heard from Washington today.
Your dad's been sentenced.
Three days.
What do you mean, three days?
They're going to hang him.
In three days, they'll hang him.
I need to talk to you.
- About Dad. I think we can help him.
- How?
I think I know a way
to go in and get him out.
God... When are we going?
I need you to do something for me.
What do I do?
Tell the Eagles to