All language subtitles for JAG.S05E10.Mishap.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.DDP2.0.H.264-pawel2006_track3_[eng]

AIR BOSS:
On the flight deck--
emergency pull forward.

Prepare a ready deck
for emergency recovery.

[ over P.A.]:
Prepare a deck
for emergency landing.

Prepare deck for emergency
landing. We've got... inbound.

Tower, paddles!
I'm up and ready!

What's your situation?

It's Boomer.

His radio's intermittent,

his hydraulics are fluctuating.

Anyone up there with you,
Skates?

Negative, sir.
The other LSOs

went back to their ready rooms.

Boomer's on final.
Can you take him?

-Yes, sir!
-Good.

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

Roger that!

BATES:
LSO, come in.

Lieutenant Hawkes.

Skates, don't take anybody!
Send him around!

Sir, I'd like to bring him in!

No, no, no. Wait for me.
I'll be there

by the time the deck's clear.

AIR BOSS:
Damage control team,

stand by on approach...

Shooter one-zero-two,
this is Paddles.

Do you copy?

PILOT:
This is Shooter one-zero-two.

Paddles, you're breaking up.

I'm having a little problem
here, Paddles.

We may have to ditch.

Take it easy.

Just fly a straight,
normal approach.

We'll bring you in.

Do you copy?

[ distorted]:
Do you read me, Paddles?

Boomer...
do you copy?

PILOT:
You're breaking up, Paddles.

Paddles, he's in the groove,
and we

have a clear deck.
Are you ready?

Yes, sir.

We're manned and ready.

Boomer?

Boomer, I got you.

Watch the ball.

You're a little low.

A little altitude.

Come on, Boomer.

Power.

Power.

Power! Wave-off!

Wave-off!

Eject!
Eject!

Eject!

[ opening theme music playing]

CHEGWIDDEN:
Last night, there was a mishap

aboard the Patrick Henry.

Air wing was conducting
a training exercise

when an aircraft lost
its hydraulics and radio

and attempted
an emergency landing.

This is what happened.

Aircraft came in low,

hit the ramp.

Pilot and RIO ejected.

Pilot ended up
on the flight deck

with a busted knee.
RIO ended up in the water,

and was recovered
with minor injures.

Do you know their names, sir?

Uh... pilot was
Lieutenant Dalton Jonas

and his RIO was
Lieutenant Frank Grady.

You know them?

Yeah, we served
in the same squadron.

Good men.

Lucky men.

Unfortunately,
one of the flight deck crewmen

wasn't as lucky.

Piece of flying debris
severed his leg.

Colonel, you and
Commander Brumby

will go to the Patrick
Henryand conduct

the JAGman investigation.

-Aye, sir.
-Yes, sir.

Ship's commanding officer
is Captain Tobias Ingles.

I expect you know
him, Commander?

We have a nodding
acquaintance, sir.

Don't expect a red carpet.

Make your investigation
thorough, but make it quick.

-BOTH: Aye, sir.
-That'll be all.

[ door closes]

All right, let's hear it.

Sir, I served
aboard the Patrick Henry.

I understand flight ops,
I know people on board.

That's exactly
why you shouldn't go.

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

Well put, Commander.

No, I don't.

Sir...

The landing signal officer

on duty during the mishap
was your former RIO,

Lieutenant
Elizabeth Hawkes.

MacKENZIE:
Commander Stone,
as the air boss

you supervise
all shipboard air operations.

Correct?

Yes, including
plane handling

and fueling on deck.

Can you tell us
what occurred

the night
of the mishap?

We had just
recovered 18 aircraft.

It was a high-tempo operation.

Everyone was pretty beat.

I had just set
the deck red condition...

Excuse me, sir. Deck red?

STONE: Turned off the
optical landing

system, indicating
a fouled deck.

That way, no planes could land.

The crewmen could cross
the flight deck safely.

I understand. Please continue.

Six Tomcats were still up there.

They weren't due back
for 45 minutes.

Which should have
given you enough time

-to clear the deck. Correct?
-Plenty.

Then CATCC notified me

they had an aircraft approaching
on their radar.

It was Boomer.

Lieutenant Jonas.

His hydraulic
pump was failing.

His radio transmissions
were garbled.

Sounds serious enough.

Critical.

With fluctuating hydraulics

that aircraft takes on
a definite life of its own.

I asked Lieutenant Hawkes
to bring it in.

Were you aware the supervising
LSO told Lieutenant Hawkes

to send the aircraft around?

I was not.

Lieutenant Hawkes
is a qualified LSO

She said she was ready.

I believed her.

JONAS:
I did my best
to bring her down.

It was a pitch-black night.

Radio was coming in and out.

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

So what happened
during the approach?

I was a little low,
and I tried to correct.

And that's when
Lieutenant Hawkes waved you off?

Yes, ma'am, but it was too late.

Are you saying
the accident was her fault?

No. No, sir.

No.

I mean, sure, maybe another LSO
could have brought me in,

but Skates did
the best she could.

You ever landed an emergency
aircraft before, Lieutenant?

Yes, ma'am, in a simulator.

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

And you assumed
you could do it again?

Yes, sir.

Also, last thing
I heard Skates say

was, "Boomer, take it easy.
We'll bring you in."

I believed her.

RABB:
She was right
not to send him around again.

He might have had
to ditch the aircraft.

MacKENZIE:
Well, the pilot thinks she
should have waved him off sooner

when he came in low.

That's a judgment call, Mac.

Have you spoken to Skates yet?

No. We'll see her
later this afternoon.

How's it look?

It's still wide open.

Look...

keep me informed, will you?

Will do.

[ sighs]

MacKENZIE:
Tell us what happened,
Lieutenant?

SKATES:
I guess I blew it, ma'am.

Lieutenant,
let me caution you

this is a JAG
investigation.

Anything you say
can be used

against you
in a court-martial.

Only if we suspect
you committed an offense.

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

So start with what you did

when you saw
the Tomcat approach.

I did what
I was trained to do.

I tried to bring him in.

Commander Bates,
the supervising LSO,

told you to wave
the aircraft off.

Why didn't you?

When he gave that order,
the deck was fouled.

Once the deck was cleared

it was a different situation,
sir.

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

So why decide as you did?

Were you concerned
for the safety

of the pilot
and the radar intercept officer?

SKATES:
Of course I was,
among other things.

I-I don't
know for sure.

It was a split-second decision.

And if you had to do it over?

Hindsight's a wonderful luxury,
Colonel.

I regret the outcome,

but I stand by my decision,
ma'am.

BRUMBY:
Mac, she wasn't sure the plane
could handle a go-around.

Yeah, but better
the uncertainty

of a go-around
than a ramp strike.

Her job was to
bring the plane in.

Safely.

She second-guessed
her supervising LSO.

Why are you defending her?

The air boss told
her to bring them in.

Why are you
prosecuting her?

No, I'm just trying
to get a handle

on what happened.

Let's continue this
tomorrow, okay?

I want to get a run around the
deck before night ops start.

Enjoy your run.

Mac?

I don't think Skates
is culpable.

I know you don't, Mic,

but she said it herself--
she blew it.

CHEGWIDDEN:
I read your report.
My compliments

on a damn fine job.

Thank you, sir.

Your conclusion,
"poor judgment

"and misplaced
priorities
on the part

"of the landing signal officer

substantially contributed
to the mishap."

Yes, sir, I believe

Lieutenant Hawkes
placed the welfare

of the flight crew
above that of the ship.

You agree, Commander?

No, sir, I do not agree.

I see it as
a combination
of pilot error

and LSO misreckoning.

I also believe all parties
performed their duties

as well as they could
under the circumstances

and there is no culpability.

[ intercom buzzes]

TINER:
Excuse me, sir.

Commander Rabb is here.

Send him in.

Sir?

Commander, have you read
the colonel's report

on the Patrick Henrymishap?

Yes, sir, I did,

and I must say I am surprised
by her conclusions.

CHEGWIDDEN: Well,
be that as it may,
Captain Ingles agrees.

He's convening a court-martial

to try
Lieutenant Hawkes.

Colonel, you'll prosecute.

Commander Brumby,
second chair.

-You'll defend, Commander.
-Article 92, sir?

Dereliction of duty
due to culpable inefficiency.

SKATES:
He's right. I was derelict.

RABB:
I don't want to hear you
say that ever again.

It was my job to
get that Tomcat
down. I failed.

Well, that's very noble

but don't fall
on your sword just yet.

What was your primary focus

when you saw
the aircraft approaching?

Getting it down
in one piece.

Not the safety
of the ship?

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

Well, that is
something the prosecutor

will tell you should
have been foremost
in your mind, Skates.

-Right, sir.
-Something you want
to tell me?

This is between us, right?

Lawyer-client privilege.

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

Why don't you remind me?

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

Go on.

I didn't want to send
him around again

'cause I didn't think
he'd keep it together.

Then, on final approach

he eased gun and made
a play for the deck.

You don't see it
on the plat tape.

You wouldn't,

but I heard his
engines unwind.

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

which I don't...

but he panicked, Harm.

MacKENZIE:
Please state your name
and duty station.

Lieutenant Dalton Jonas,
attached to fighter squadron 218

embarked on
the USS Patrick Henry.

Lieutenant Jonas,
please tell the court

what happened
the night of the mishap.

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

I was vectoring
with a tanker

for refueling when I got
hydraulic warning lights.

Did you experience
any other equipment failure?

Yes, ma'am, the radio
started acting up,

so we headed back
to the ship.

MacKENZIE: What happened
during your approach?

I was too low.

I saw the green
light blink.

I gave it some power.

At that point,
I still didn't think

there was that
much trouble.

Then the ball turned red,

I saw the wave-off signal,
but by then it was too late.

And you struck the ramp.

Yes, ma'am.

If you had gotten the wave-off
a second or two sooner,

could you have
avoided that ramp strike?

Objection. Speculation.

Overruled.

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

Thank you.

Your witness.

Lieutenant, in your statement
to the flight surgeon

you said you experienced vertigo
during your approach.

Yes, sir.
It's not that rare

for pilots to experience
disorientation or dizziness

especially
in the pitch-dark

as I'm sure
the commander

is well aware.

I've had it a few times.

It's a frightening experience.
Were you frightened, Lieutenant?

-A little.
-Panicked?

-No, sir.
-Did you keep your eye
on the ball, Lieutenant?

Yes, sir, at all times.

Maybe the vertigo caused you
to misjudge your approach.

If you had to go
around again

in the dark
with vertigo,

you think you'd
have made it?

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

That's a fair answer, Boomer.

Lieutenant Hawkes
is also an aviator.

Is it possible
she wasn't sure
if you could have made it

and she didn't want you to try?

Objection.
That's two questions

both calling for speculation.

If Lieutenant Hawkes'
thoughts are important

let her take the stand

-and tell us firsthand.
-Sustained.

No further questions.

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

Lieutenant, you stated
that vertigo

may have caused you
to misjudge your approach.

-Correct?
-Yes, sir.

But isn't that why you have

landing signal officers?

To help guide you in
when you do misjudge?

Yes, sir, it is.

Lieutenant Hawkes did
a fairly poor job

of guiding you in then,
didn't she?

Objection. Calls for an opinion.

I'd like to hear his opinion.

Overruled.

Lieutenant?

She did the best she could.

Undoubtedly.

But the fact remains,

under herguidance,

you crashed, didn't you?

Yes, sir, we crashed.

RABB:
These are
just the opening rounds.

They're hitting their
target pretty well, sir.

We'll get our shot.

[ sighs]

You okay?

I visited Seaman O'Brien
last night at Bethesda.

He doesn't blame me
for losing his leg.

He said we were
both doing our duty.

He's right.

Will the members see it
that way?

[ sighs]

That time on the Seahawk

when I grabbed
your parachute...

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

Wouldn't have been enough
left for the sharks.

I didn't drop you then

and I am not going
to drop you now.

MacKENZIE:
Commander Bates,
you are the supervising

landing signal officer

aboard the Patrick Henry,
correct?

That is correct, ma'am.

Did you communicate
with Lieutenant Hawkes

-during the mishap incident?
-I did.

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

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

I never reached
the LSO platform, ma'am.

When I came onto
the flight deck,

the plane had already crashed.

In your opinion,
Commander Bates,

did Lieutenant Hawkes
perform her duties that night?

In my opinion,
by ignoring my order,

Lieutenant Hawkes was
derelict in her duties, Colonel.

Thank you, Commander.

Commander, isn't it possible

Lieutenant Hawkes thought
you issued the order

because the deck was fouled,

and once it had cleared,
the order no longer pertained?

Objection. It's irrelevant
why Commander Bates

-issued the order.
-It goes to intent, Your Honor.

If she thought
the order was issued

because the deck was fouled,

then she exercised
assertive initiative

once it had cleared,
and this entire case is

based on miscommunication.

There was no
miscommunication.

Why did you order
Lieutenant Hawkes

to send the aircraft around,
Commander?

She had never handled

an emergency
like this before, sir.

Also, I knew she was exhausted.

Thank you.

Continue, Commander.

Thank you, sir.

Well, let's talk
about exhaustion, Commander.

Lieutenant Hawkes,
prior to the mishap had

had five hours sleep

in the past 48 hours.

Is that not a violation
of OPNAV instructions?

Her replacement had

appendicitis.
We were in battle flex deck ops.

We were alloverextended

and we were shorthanded.

So there were many

contributing factors
to the mishap:

Faulty radio, vertigo,
exhaustion, appendicitis,

lack of supervision.

I was on my way to the deck.

Yeah, but you weren't there,
Commander, were you?

Look, a landing signal officer's
primary obligation

is to the safety of the ship
and crew.

Lieutenant Hawkes ignored
my order and failed to wave-off.

She was derelict.

Non-judicial punishment,
letter of admonition.

I'd advise against
a plea bargain

at this time, Colonel.

Who do I talk to here?

You talk to me.

I'll propose it
to Captain Ingles.

That's the most
I'm willing to do.

Mac, we're winning.
Why give up anything?

You seem to have trouble

accepting my decisions,
Commander.

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

You're the one that wanted

to go after Lieutenant Hawkes
in the first place.

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

And we're in trial now.
I never let my personal feelings

come in the way of winning.

It's not our job
to decide punishment, Mic.

I'll present Harm's proposal
to Captain Ingles--

Present...
not endorse.

As you wish, Colonel.

I broke Harm of the notion
that, because I'm a woman,

I'm driven
by my feelings.

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

Sure, you will.

I'd be glad to show you
there, sometime.

Tuna.

Pappy!

Or should I say Hammer?

Congratulations
on your promotion.

You, too-- I understand
you made squadron XO.

So how are they?

You know, bunch of
loudmouth fighter jocks

trying to be the best
and bravest.

You miss us?

You know I do.

So what brings you here?

Patrick Henry's
on post-deployment

stand-down at Norfolk.

I decided I'd pay
my old roommate a visit.

[ chuckles]

Really?

It's about Skates.

Let's go into my office.

So, what about Skates?

She's getting
shafted, Harm.

Shafted how?

The mishap wasn't her fault.

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

Whose fault was it?

Before I answer that,
I have to know something.

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

Are you willing
to do the same?

RABB:
I never let fear for career
influence my actions.

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

I don't need to tell you

what an outstanding
RIO Skates is.

No, you don't.
Have a seat.

Well, she's a good LSO, too.

She might have made a bad call.

Who hasn't
at one time or another?

But dereliction of duty?
No way.

What does Captain
Pike have to say about this?

The CAG was on emergency leave
when the mishap took place.

He talked
to the skipper by phone,

but the skipper won't budge.

He's wrong
to blame Skates.

Who should he blame?

Remember the pod
that fell off Buxton's aircraft?

-Yeah.
-That was not
an isolated incident.

When you go out
to sea without
a full crew

and there's no time
for emergency training

and people are overworked
and exhausted,

mistakes are made.

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

When you
were on board,

you were busy
with all that legal stuff,

so you weren't aware,
but I was the squadron

maintenance officer.

Aware of what?
I knew there were shortages.

Systems malfunctioning,
insufficient spare parts,

gun deck maintenance reports...

You have documents
to back all this up?

All the evidence you want
is aboard ship.

I can tell you what to look for

but you'll have
to find it yourself.

All right.

Gunny...

Yes, sir.

I'm looking for somebody

to assist me
in the Hawkes court-martial--

someone who's worked
on a carrier and knows

their way around ship's records;
who's good with a computer,

who's diligent...

Detail-oriented?

Gets along with others,
Commander?

-Exactly.
-Uh, Commander...

Bud, hey, how's your caseload?

Ample, sir.

You can refuse, but...

I would really appreciate
your help.

He said I could refuse.

Yes, sir.

He surely did.

Excuse me, Commander.

Got a second?

What can I do for you,
Lieutenant?

I couldn't help overhearing
you're looking

for someone to assist you
in the Hawkes case?

Boring paperwork
on a carrier.

I'm no stranger
to carriers, sir,

or boring paperwork.

What is it that
interests you

about this detail,
Lieutenant?

When I came to JAG,

all people talked about
was the legendary Harmon Rabb.

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

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

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

You find that disconcerting,
Commander?

No, I find it refreshing.

Then you'll let me assist you.

I've offered the detail
to Lieutenant Roberts.

We'll see how it plays out.

Well, if not this time, sir,
maybe another.

Next time...

leave the door open, Lieutenant.

Yes, sir.

-You smoke, Commander?
-No, sir, I gave it up.

What for, a woman?

I didn't like
being addicted, Captain.

Hmm.

Well, it's too bad
we never had a chance

to get better acquainted while
you were on board, Commander.

Captain Pike speaks
very highly of you.

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

Why?

Sir?

Why do you respect the CAG?

The CAG
is an excellent leader, sir.

He's fair, he's courageous--

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

Why do you ask?

Well, I just want to know
what a commanding officer

must do to earn
your respect, Mr. Rabb.

'Cause, obviously, I haven't.

Well, that is not true, sir.

You come aboard my ship,
demand to examine my records?

I'd say that's disrespect.
Wouldn't you, XO?

It certainly smacks of it,
skipper.

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

[ raspy laugh]

You got sand, Commander.
I'll give you that.

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

Captain Ingles, each party
to a court-martial is entitled

to the production
of evidence

relevant to that
court-martial, sir.

You are aware that I am
the convening authority

for said court-martial.

Yes, sir.

You are also the custodian
of the evidence.

Now, I've prepared a list

of the items
we'll require, sir.

Have you?

Sir, if you
refuse access

to this evidence,
I will get a court order.

You're threatening me
with a court order

aboard my own ship
for a court-martial I convened?

Well, sir, as
convening authority,

you have the right
to drop all charges,

in which case,
no further investigation

would be
warranted.

Is he blackmailing me?

Would seem so, skipper.

I am simply stating
alternatives, sir.

Captain Cameron.

Sir?

Please alert the master at arms

to have these two gentlemen

escorted off
my ship.

Aye, aye, sir.

You may have won a few
courtroom skirmishes, Commander,

but tangle
with me

and I'll hand you
your gonads in a jar.

Now get the hell off my boat.

Aye, aye, sir.

CHEGWIDDEN:
You threatened Captain Ingles?

I feel it was
the other way around, sir.

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

Well, sir, that wasn't
exactly the tone

but, uh, that's
basically correct.

Well, he's filed
a complaint, Commander,

accusing you of insolence

and disdain
for authority.

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

securing evidence
in the government's possession

that I feel will aid
in my client's defense.

Won't be long, Commander,

before Captain Ingles
gets his star.

He's destined for the Pentagon.

CNO is not
out of the question someday.

You better start
thinking about the future.

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

Do I have your permission, sir,

to secure
a court order?

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

Thank you, sir.
Admiral, about the complaint...

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

Dismissed.

Aye, aye, sir.

SEBRING:
Operational
readiness evaluations,

personnel
qualifications standards

casualty reports,

maintenance and material
management reports.

Commander...

what does all this have to do

with an aircraft
striking a ramp?

Sir, these documents
comprise evidence

that go to ship
and crew readiness.

Sir, this is
a smoke screen

plain and simple.

Your Honor, he's on
a fishing expedition.

-One at a time, please.
-BRUMBY: Sorry, sir.

-Colonel...
-Your Honor, I fail to see

how the qualification
standards

of a machinist's mate
in engineering

has a bearing
on this case.

Sir, I intend
to show there was

widespread operational
vulnerability

aboard the Patrick Henry

at the time of the mishap.

Wait a minute.
You're saying that the carrier

was in poor readiness

and that's
why the aircraft crashed?

Is that your defense?

Yes, sir.

You can't be serious.

My thoughts exactly.

Sir, this defense
is legally cognizable

and I need
these documents, sir,

to support it.

I respectfully urge you
to approve the request.

Some of this stuff
is classified, you know.

Well, sir, per
military rules

of evidence 505,
should it become necessary

to introduce classified
information as evidence,

Your Honor may conduct
the proceedings in camera.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

I read the manual
for courts-martial.

Yes, Your Honor,
of course.

In the interests of justice,
I am going to approve this.

-Sir...
-But if you are

on a fishing
expedition, Commander,

be damned careful
you don't hook one so big

it pulls you under.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, sir.

Sir, the defense

requests
a continuance

in order to afford time
to gather the evidence.

MAN [ over P.A. ]:
Liberty call, liberty call

for duty sections two and six.

Liberty call for
sections two and six.

Sir.

Sir.

I think I found
something interesting.

According to the operational
readiness eval,

the ship was in
a complete ready state

when she deployed.

But it says here
that the O2 plant

and the inertial
navigation systems
were both down.

Did they repair them at sea?

Affirmative, sir.

Navigation system
was repaired two days out.

The oxygen plant
was back on-line within a week.

Hell of a job
for an ex-fighter pilot.

Going through
other people's
dirty laundry.

Yes, sir.

Captain Ingles
is the finest officer

I've ever had the privilege
of serving under.

If you think we'll let you
hurt his reputation

with some courtroom flimflam

you have badly misjudged

the caliber of officers
aboard this ship.

And if you think that you
can intimidate me, Captain,

then you have badly
misjudged, period.

Sir.

He was way out of line, sir.

There's nothing out of line

about being loyal
to your CO, Lieutenant.

MacKENZIE:
I talked to Captain Ingles
about your plea offer.

He turned it down.
However, he will consider

dereliction of duty
through negligence,

forfeiture of half
pay for one month,

15 days
confinement.

Any chance you have

for a career in civilian
aviation will be shot.

I recommend
declining the offer.

What are the odds
of an acquittal?

70-30 in our favor.

70-30 against.

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

Lieutenant,
I don't have to tell you,

Captain Ingles is not a man

to back away
from a fight.

I'd consider his
offer carefully.

We have, Colonel,

and we decline.
Thank you.

Can I talk to you outside,
please?

Just a second.

You're turning this case
into a personal battle

between you
and Captain Ingles.

Not true.

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

He threw you off his ship.

You have no personal grudge?

None that affects my judgment
as defense counsel.

You saw the members' faces.

They'll hold Skates accountable.

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

RABB:
The defense calls Aviation
Electronics Technician

Harry Watkins to the stand.

Petty Officer Watkins,
you repaired the radio

aboard the mishap aircraft
before its flight, correct?

That is correct, sir.

Defense exhibit "C," Your Honor.

The maintenance
action report

for the radio repair.

Did you follow
proper procedure

in repairing this radio,
Petty Officer?

Not exactly, sir.

I had to cannibalize parts
from another radio,

but the whole unit
should have been replaced.

This was the third time
that it went down.

So why not replace
the entire unit?

Because there were
no spare radios available, sir.

RABB:
Chief Cansino, you
nearly lost an aircraft

during flight operations

in your first week
of deployment,

isn't that correct?

Well, there was a pressure drop

in the catapult
steam system, sir.

Luckily the aircraft
had enough power

to get airborne.

What caused
the pressure drop?

It turned out to
be a faulty valve, sir.

Well, this preventative
maintenance report

states that all the valves
in the high pressure steam line

were checked
before the ship embarked.

You signed off
on it yourself.

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

Defense exhibit "E," Your Honor.

Did your crew
gun-deck this report?

No, sir, the guys probably
checked all the old valves

and assumed
the new ones were working.

Why? Are your people lazy,
Chief?

Absolutely not, sir,

but there's no way
we can accomplish

all the maintenance steps,

shorthanded as we are,

and still be ready
to deploy on time.

Why not take an extra day,
do the job thoroughly?

There was no extra day, sir.

Thank you, Chief.

Your witness.

Your Honor, counsel
is attempting to cloud

the issue with a myriad
of minor problems

present aboard
any naval vessel.

Step up.

Your Honor, these
minor problems comprise

a major
systemic problem.

He's blaming
everyone else

for his client's
wrongful action.

I've got this.

The charge
is dereliction of duty

with regard
to the landing mishap.

Can you stick
to that, Commander?

Your Honor,
the evidence I'm presenting

goes to operation vulnerability.

...operation vulnerability.
I know.

Sir, he's already blamed
the supervising LSO,

crew, division heads
and air boss.

Who's he going
after next?

Bobbi Latham, congresswoman
from the state of Michigan.

RABB:
Congresswoman Latham,
you are the chairperson

for the House National
Security Subcommittee,

-isn't that correct?
-That's correct.

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

Well, given the
unprecedented operations tempo

and short-time turnarounds
and stretched resources

no, I wasn't surprised,
unfortunately.

Why are we so stretched?

LATHAM:
After the Cold War ended,
we downsized the military

but there have been
unanticipated operations--

the Gulf War and Kosovo--

which left little money
for modernization.

Ma'am, didn't Congress
just approve

a large budget increase
for the military?

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

Congress insists on
buying unneeded weapons

and spending billions
keeping bases open

because they provide jobs
for the constituents.

Now, this reduces
the funds available

for training,
maintenance and recruitment.

Thank you,
Congresswoman Latham,

for putting this in perspective.

Your witness.

Congresswoman, were you
on the flight deck

of the USS Patrick Henry
when the mishap occurred?

No, I was not.

So, you did not observe
the defendant's actions

-during the incident
in question.
-No.

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

but it has
little relevance here.

I have no questions
for this witness.

Thank you, Ms. Latham.

You may
step down.

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

If necessary.

Well, your steamroller tactics
aren't working, mate.

I'd rethink my strategy,
if I were you.

I remember a certain
Lieutenant Commander,

acting JAG, who once told me:
"Present the evidence.

"Don't make it look

"like you're trying
to shift the blame

and don't mud wrestle
with two stars."

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

And I lost the case.

See you after lunch.

Does defense have
any more witnesses?

Yes, sir. The defense calls
Captain Tobias Ingles,

commanding officer
of the USS Patrick Henry.

BAILIFF:
Captain Ingles.

Raise your right hand, please.

Do you swear
the evidence you give

shall be the truth,
the whole truth

and nothing but the truth,
so help you God?

I do.

Captain Ingles, were you aware
of the gun-decking

occurring aboard
the Patrick Henry?

Not specifically.

However, I've never
been aboard a ship

where some form of expediting
didn't occur.

We stretch limits
all the time, Commander.

As an aviator,
you should know that...

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

Sir, your crew
was 12 percent undermanned.

This must have placed a burden
on everyone aboard.

Yes, and we accepted
that burden.

You didn't have time to practice

emergency training,
did you, sir?

We trained when we could.

You were often without spare
parts when you needed them.

Isn't that correct, Captain?

We made do with what we had.

Sir, time at sea
is important for a captain,

if he's to receive
his admiral's star, isn't it?

MACKENZIE:
Objection.

Completely irrelevant,
Your Honor.

Stop it.

Move on.

Yes, sir.

Captain Ingles, do you believe
that a commanding officer

is responsible for the failures
as well the successes of...

officers under
his command?

I'm accountable for everything
that goes on aboard my ship

at all times.

If our readiness drops
below acceptable limits,

I'm accountable.

If I'm sleeping
and the ship

runs aground,
I'm accountable.

If an airplane crashes,
I'm accountable.

Well, sir,
if you truly believe that,

then why are we having
this court-martial?

In order
to discharge my responsibility,

I've been given
the authority of command.

Under this authority,
I've established

standards
of performance

which I expect
everyone to meet.

When someone fails to do so,
I take remedial action

even to the point
of court-martial.

Now, I wish I could
be more lenient,

but I can't.

We are undermanned
and overworked.

There are
too few spare parts,

too little time
for training.

Recruitment is down,
op tempo is up,

and yes, Commander, I do spend
a lot of time at sea,

not because
I'm bucking for admiral,

but because the government
tells me to go out there.

And until the
government sees fit

to improve our situation,
I demand more

from my officers and crew,
not less.

I'm screwed, aren't I?

-No.
-Come on, Harm.

You saw their faces.

After hearing Captain Ingles,
I'dconvict me.

A jury is
an unpredictable animal...

Harm...

it's time for me
to take the stand.

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

I believed I
could bring him in.

I've landed
hundreds of aircraft

without a mishap.

Nevertheless, your supervisor
gave you an order.

Yes, sir, but once
the deck was cleared,

I assumed I could bring
the aircraft in

and there was no time
to check with Commander Bates.

So you acted
on your own initiative.

Yes, sir.

And, in so doing,

despite these charges
against you,

you saved the lives
of two aviators.

Objection.
Counsel has begun

closing arguments.

Sustained.

Your witness.

Lieutenant, what went through
your mind when you saw

the emergency aircraft
approaching?

So many things.

I thought--

they're losing control.

They can't hear me.

It's pitch black.

If they eject,
they may drown.

In other words,

you imagined yourself
in their place.

I didn't have to imagine it.

I was in their place once.

Meaning, you experienced
a ramp strike.

Yes, ma'am. It's something
you don't ever forget.

So, by putting yourself

in that aircraft
with the flight crew,

you were no longer functioning
as a landing officer, were you?

For that brief space of time,
you were a RIO in the backseat,

gripping the ejection handles,
scared to death.

Yes. I was scared.

You weren't thinking
of the safety of the ship

at all, were you, Lieutenant?

Your only thought
was, "get me down."

Isn't that true?

Actually, it was,
"Please, God, get me down."

But that wasn't
my only thought.

I considered the safety
of the ship and crew

and I made a decision.

I did my job as I
was trained to do it

and there was an accident.

On your watch.

Yes, ma'am, on my watch.

If you think
I've done something wrong,

then go ahead
and vote that way.

But whatever the outcome
of this court-martial,

I'm resigning my commission
in the United States Navy.

I will not be part
of an organization

that chooses to punish me
for carrying out my duties.

No further questions.

Fact: Lieutenant Hawkes' duty
as LSO

is to safely direct the pilot
in landing the plane.

Fact: Lieutenant Hawkes
ignored her supervisor's order

to signal a go-around.

Fact: there was a crash.

Conclusion?

Lieutenant Hawkes is guilty
of dereliction of duty.

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

or how Congress earmarks funds.

What is relevant
is the evidence.

Thank you.

Mr. President,
members of the court,

I was going
to try to convince you

that blame for the accident

should be shared by the pilot,
senior LSO,

the commanding officer,
the entire Navy--

but I can't do that,
because these

are all decent, honorable,
courageous people doing a job

under difficult circumstances,

and I will not diminish
their self-sacrifice

by trying to pin even a portion
of the blame on them.

All I ask of you is this:

That you regard
Lieutenant Elizabeth Hawkes

as one of them and show her
the same consideration.

Please don't accept
her resignation.

Thank you.

SEBRING:
Mr. President, have the members

reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

Lieutenant Hawkes,

will you
and your counsel please rise.

Mr. President,
you may announce your findings.

Lieutenant Elizabeth Hawkes,
this court-martial
finds you not guilty

of all charges
and specifications.

This court is adjourned.

[ laughing]:
Oh, thank you.

-Congratulations.
-Thanks.

I must remember this new
legal strategy, Skates.

Tell the members
to go to hell.

It only works
if you're innocent, Mic.

Congratulations,
Lieutenant.

This is one case
I don't mind losing.

Thank you, Colonel.

I hope you weren't serious
about getting out.

I'll think about it.

Captain?

Lieutenant.

Your closing, Commander--
was that just a lawyer's trick
or did you mean what you said?

Well, I always mean
what I say, sir.

Captain...

should the opportunity
ever arise, sir,

I would be proud to serve
under your command again.

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

[ closing theme music playing]