All language subtitles for JAG S05E10 Mishap

Emergency pull forward.

Prepare a ready deck for emergency
recovery.

Prepare a deck for emergency landing.
Prepare a deck for emergency landing.

We've got emergency 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 the 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.

LSO, come in.

Get it off!

Skates, don't take anybody. Send them
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.

Damage Control Team, stand by on 2JF.

Damage Control Team. Shooter 1 -0 -2,
this is Paddles. Do you copy?

This is Shooter 1 -0 -2.

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... We'll
bring you in. Do you copy? Do you copy?

Battles, he's in the groove and we have
a clear deck. Are you ready?

Yes, sir.

Last night, there was a mishap aboard
the Patrick Henry.

Air Wing was conducting a training
exercise when an aircraft lost its

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. The
busted knee, Rio ended up in the water

and was recovered with minor injuries.

Do you know their names, sir?

Uh, pilot was Lieutenant Dalton Jonas,
and his Rio was Lieutenant Frank Grady.

You know them?

Yeah, we serve 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 Henry and conduct the

Jagman investigation?

Yes, sir. Aye, sir.

Ship's commanding officer is Captain
Tobias Ingalls.

Expect you know him, Commander.

We have nodding acquaintance, sir.

Don't expect a red carpet.

Make your investigation thorough, but
make it quick.

Aye, sir. That'll be all.

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 Hawks.

Commander Stone, as the air boss, you
supervise all shipboard air operations,

correct? Yes, including plane handling
and fueling on deck.

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?

Turned off the optical landing system,
indicating a foul deck.

That way no planes could land.

The crewmen could cross the flight deck
safely.

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 Katze 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

its own.

I asked Lieutenant Hawks to bring it in.

Were you aware the supervising LSO told
Lieutenant Hawks to send the aircraft

around? I was not.

Lieutenant Hawks is a qualified LSO.

He said she was ready.

I believed him.

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 Hawks 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 Skate did

best she could.

You ever landed an emergency aircraft
before, Lieutenant?

Yes, ma 'am, in the 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 Skate say was,
Boomer, take it easy, we'll bring you

in.

I believed her.

She was right not to send him around
again.

He might have had to ditch the aircraft.

Well, the pilot thinks you should have
waved him off sooner when he came in

That's a judgment call, Mac. Have you
spoken to Skate yet?

We'll see her later this afternoon.

How's it look?

It's still wide open.

Look.

Keep me informed, will you?

Will do.

To get their boot, 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?

Of course I was.

Among other things, 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 stand by my
decision, ma 'am.

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 a plane in.

Safely. She second -guessed her
supervising LSO.

Why are you defending her?

The air boss told her to bring him 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. I'll start.

Enjoy your run.

Meg, I don't think Chase is culpable.

I know you don't, Meg.

But she said it herself.

She blew it.

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 Hawks placed the
welfare of the flight crew above that of

ship. Do you agree, Command?

No, sir, I do not agree.

I see it as a combination of pilot error
and LSO misreckoning.

I also believe all parties perform their
duties as well as they could under the

circumstances, and there is no
culpability.

Send him in.

Sir? Commander, have you read the
Colonel's report on the Patrick Henry

Yes, sir, I did, and I must say I am
surprised by her conclusions.

Well, be that as it may, Captain Ingalls
agrees. He's convening a court -martial

to trial it, then it talks.

Colonel, you'll prosecute Commander
Brumby, second chair. You'll defend,

Commander. Article 92, sir?

Dereliction of duty due to couple bull
inefficiency.

He's right.

Boy's derelict. 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 approach?

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
would tell you should have been foremost

in your mind's case.

Right, sir.

Something you want to tell me?

This is between us, right?

Well, we're 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
because 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 plot page.

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.

Please state your name and duty, Stacey.

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 the 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.

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'd gotten the wave off a second or
two sooner, could you have avoided that

wrap string? Jackson, 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 Hawks is also an aviator. Is
it possible that 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

Hawks' 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 Hawks did a fairly poor job
of guiding you in there, didn't she?

Jackson 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 her guidance.

You crashed, didn't you?

Yes, sir, we crashed.

These are just the opening rounds.

They're hitting their target pretty
well, sir.

We'll get our shot.

You okay?

I visited Seaman O 'Brien last night.

Epitheta.

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?

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
shark.

I didn't drop you then, and I am not
going to drop you now.

Commander Bates, you are the supervising
landing signal officer aboard the

Patrick Henry, correct?

That is correct, ma 'am. Did you
communicate with Lieutenant Hawks during

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 out of the flight deck, the
plane had already crashed.

In your opinion, Commander Bates, did
Lieutenant Hawks perform her duties that

night? In my opinion?

By ignoring my order, Lieutenant Hawks
was derelict in her duties, Colonel.

Thank you, Commander.

Commander, isn't it possible Lieutenant
Hawks 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 Hawks to send the

aircraft around, Commander?

She'd 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 Hawks, prior to the mishap,
had five hours sleep in the past 48

hours. Is that not a violation of OPNAV
instructions?

Her replacement had appendicitis.

We were in Battleflex deck ops. We were
all overextended, 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

Hawks 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 Ingalls.
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.

I mean, you're the one that wanted to go
after Lieutenant Hawks 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, Mick.

I'll present Harm's proposal to Captain
Ingalls. 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.

So you go.

I'd be glad to show you this.

Tuna! Pappy!

Or should I say Hammer?

Congratulations on your promotion.

Hey, you too. I understand you made
Squadron XL.

So, how are they?

Eh, you know, a bunch of loudmouthed
fighter jacks trying to be the best and

bravest. Are you Mipha? You know I do.

So what brings you here?

Patrick Henry's on post -deployment
stand -on at Norfolk. I decided I'd pay

old roommate a visit.

Really?

It's about skates.

It's going to my office.

So what about skates?

She's getting shafted, Harm.

Shafted how?

I think that 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?

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. I don't see.

Well, she's a good LSO, too.

She might have made a bad call.

Who hasn't at one time or another?

A dereliction of duty?

No way.

What does Captain Pike have to say about
all 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?

You 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're 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

aware.

But I was a squadron maintenance
officer.

Aware of what?

I knew there were shortages.

Systems malfunctioning, insufficient
spare parts, gun deck maintenance

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.

Kenny.

Sir. I'm looking for somebody to assist
me in the Hawks' court -martial. Someone

who's worked on a carrier, knows the way
around ship's records, who's good with

a computer, who's diligent, detail
-oriented, gets along with others,

Exactly. Commander.

Bud.

Hey, how's your case look?

Ample, sir.

You can refuse, but I would really
appreciate your help.

He said I could refuse.

Yes, sir. You 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

Hawks 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 rap.

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.

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, that's too bad. We never had a
chance to get better acquainted while

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?

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?

Oh, I just want to know what a
commanding officer must do to earn your

Mr. Rabb.

Because, obviously, I haven't.

Well, that is not true, sir.

You come aboard my ship and demand to
examine my records? I'd say that's

disrespect. Wouldn't you, XO?

Certainly smacks of it, Skipper.

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

Well, you got sin, Commander. I'll give
you that.

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

Dismissed. Captain Ingalls, 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

custodian of the evidence. Now prepare 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

charges, in which case no further
investigation would be warranted.

Is he blackmailing me?

Would seem so, Skipper. I am simply
stating an alternative, 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

I'll hand you your gonads in a jar.

Now get the hell off my boat.

You threatened Captain England.

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 it's basically correct.

Well, he's filed a complaint, Commander,
accusing you of influence 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 my client's defense.

Won't be long, Commander, before Captain
Ingalls 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 Hawk's 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.

Operational readiness evaluations,
personnel qualification standards,

reports, maintenance and material
management reports. Commander, what does

this have to do with an aircraft
striking a ramp?

Sir, these documents comprise evidence
to go to ship and crew readiness.

Sir, this is... Your Honor, he's clearly
on a fishing expedition.

One at a time, please. Sorry, sir.

Colonel. Your Honor, I fail to see how
the qualification standards of a

machinist made in engineering has a
bearing on this case.

Sir, I intend to show there was
widespread operational vulnerability

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, Marshal.

Yes, Your Honor.

Of course.

In the interest of justice,

I am going to approve this.

Sir. But if you are on a fishing
expedition, Commander, be damn careful

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.

Liberty call. Liberty call for duty
sections two and six.

Liberty call. Liberty call for duty
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

down.

Did they repair them at sea?

Affirmative, sir.

The navigation system was repaired two
days out.

The oxygen plant was back online within
a week. A hell of a job for an ex

-fighter pilot.

Going through other people's dirty
laundry?

Yes, sir.

Captain Ingalls 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 flim

-flam, 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.

I talked to Captain Ingalls 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 again.

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

Lieutenant, I don't have to tell you
Captain Ingalls is not a man to back

from a fight. I'd consider his offer
carefully.

We have, Colonel, and we declined. Thank
you.

Can I talk to you outside, please?

You're turning this case into a personal
battle between you and Captain Ingalls.

Not true.

Oh, 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.

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

went down. So why not replace the entire
unit?

Because there were no spare radios
available, sir.

Chief Consino, you nearly lost an
aircraft during flight operations in

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?

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 you 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, the Council 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

everyone else for his client's wrong
collection.

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 operational vulnerability.

I know.

Sir, he's already blamed the supervising
LSO, crew, division heads, and air

boss. Who's he going after next?

Bobby Latham, Congresswoman from the
state of Michigan.

Congresswoman Latham, you are the
chairperson for the House National

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?

After the Cold War ended, we downsized
the military.

But there have been unanticipated
operations, the Gulf War and Kosovo,

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

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, Miss Latham. You may step
down.

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

If necessary.

Well, your steamroller tactics aren't
working, mate. I'd rethink my strategy

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 the defense have any more
witnesses?

Yes, sir. The defense calls Captain
Tobias Ingalls, commanding officer of

USS Patrick Henry.

Captain Ingalls?

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 Ingalls, 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 % under man. 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

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?

Objection completely irrelevant, Your
Honor.

Stop it.

Move on.

Yes, sir.

Captain Ingalls, do you believe that a
commanding officer is responsible for

failures as well as 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 have
established standards of performance

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

crew, not less.

I'm screwed, aren't I?

No. Come on, Harm.

You saw their faces.

After hearing Captain Ingalls, I'd
convict 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 them 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 handle, 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 the 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

my duties.

No further questions.

Fact.

Lieutenant Hawk's duty is LSO.

is to safely direct the pilot in landing
the plane.

Fact.

Lieutenant Hawks ignored her
supervisor's order to signal a go

Fact.

There was a crash.

Conclusion?

Lieutenant Hawks 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.

the 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.

then you regard Lieutenant Elizabeth
Hawks as one of them and show her the

consideration.

Please don't accept her resignation.

Thank you.

Mr. President, have the members reached
a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

Lieutenant Hawks, will you and your
counsel please rise?

Mr. President, you may announce your
findings.

Lieutenant Elizabeth Hawks, this court
-martial finds you not guilty of all

charges and specifications.

This court is adjourned.

Must remember this new legal strategy
skates tell the members to go to hell

only works if you're innocent Mick
Congratulations the tenant this is one

I don't mind losing. Thank you Colonel.

I hope you weren't serious about getting
out I'll think about

Yeah Lieutenant

You're 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.

If the opportunity ever arise, sir, I
would be proud to serve under your

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