matter of being tough.
It's the way they do things.
Too many people making decisions.
I've seen them operate.
They take too long.
You've seen them plan one of these?
A bunch of times.
But they usually lose
more lives than they save.
Your dad is a lot better off,
probably, if they negotiate.
With the right plan, would it
be simple to go and get him?
Not simple, but it's possible.
Could you plan it?
Why?
I want to know.
Probably.
What do you think it would take?
A hell of a lot more than you got, kid.
Wait a minute.
Dad's got a lot of people
on the base that love him.
Being friends with someone's
a lot different...
...than risking your life for them.
Let me ask you this.
Do you think an F-16, fully armed
with all its firepower...
...could fly in there and pull it off?
Stop wasting your time!
The Air Force won't do anything!
They'll do a hell of a lot more
than you think.
They just won't know they're doing it.
I'm telling you, I bet you
can get a plane...
...all the firepower it can carry,
aerial recon, intelligence.
I got the whole goddamn base wired.
Anything you need... I can get you.
You wired enough to get me pilots?
I can get you one.
I know this is the toughest thing
you've ever been through.
But hanging onto these crazy ideas...
...isn't going to make it any easier.
Take it easy.
You don't think I can fly?
Don't talk stupid.
You think flying an F-16 in combat
is the same as flying the Snake?
- Would you listen?
- I'm listening.
I've got three times as many
hours on that simulator...
...as most pilots flying Falcons
on the base.
As for combat,
you know that's bullshit.
How many guys here have been in
dogfights? Four, five tops?
The simulator trains them, and they
defend the whole country.
You think because they're...
...3 or 4 years older
it makes any difference?
I've missed my simulator time. I won't
miss my flight time. I got to go.
Let me go with you.
I've been up a a bunch of times
with Dad.
At least let me show you what I can do.
I'm tired of talking about it.
I'm going.
You know he ain't got a chance!
But you don't give a shit enough
to help him!
You're no different than anyone else!
You really believe that nonsense
you're saying?
Look at me when I talk to you!
Let me clue you in on something
right now.
I've given this country 22 damn fucking
years of my life!
22 years!
I've seen young boys blown out of
the air over the Pacific!
I've seen their guts spread all over.
So every time somebody dies for this
country, 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.
Stay right here!
I'm pleased to present...
...this year's valedictorian,
Edward Thatcher.
Students, faculty and parents:
Each year, we as students
have the luxury of our dreams...
...without the responsibilities
of our sustenance.
Therefore, our gratitude must be to
those who give us that freedom...
...so that we can grow. To our parents,
I dedicate this ceremony.
What were those loops and rolls,
Colonel?
I thought we were supposed to keep
strict formation during training.
I had a malfunction
in my throttle sensor, Major.
I was trying to sort out the problem.
I thought you were going
to do some skywriting.
I may have a problem with my receiver.
I heard music up there.
I must have picked up
a radio station or something.
I'll have it checked out.
These are training maneuvers,
not auditions for the Thunderbirds!
It's not a rock concert.
Get over there!
What the hell were you thinking?
Do you know what could happen if
you got caught in that plane?
I'm sorry. It won't happen again.
You bet it won't. That's the last
time you go up with me.
- Come on, Dad.
- I don't want to hear it!
You're graduating. When will you show
some responsibility?
When I'm gone, I'd like to
have a little confidence...
...that I know you can handle things.
At some point you've got