All language subtitles for JAG S06E20 To Walk on Wings

Two miles out.

Clear looks clear.

Drop zone is off the nose.

There's the sun.

Rain cells coming back.

Rain cells passing 45 degrees.

Airspeed flowing for 120 knots.

Starting descent.

Let's go Marines! Move! Move!

What do you think now, Congresswoman?

I think little boys never outgrow their
toys!

20 feet at 15 knots.

Guts picking up.

Let's get in and out.

Ramp clear.

Deploy jumpers, Sergeant.

Jumpers away.

Hold. What's going on back there,
Sergeant?

Two to go, Major.

It's a stretch to even call it a mishap.

Corporal, a headache.

Sergeant with a sprained ankle.

Congressman with whiplash.

National Security Subcommittee wanted to
observe a training exercise. You ever

try saying no to Congresswoman Latham?

Not when she's got my budget in her
hands. The aircraft was pissed by a

then immediately powered up and got out
of there.

But it's an Osprey, so it made the front
page.

We're getting a bum rap, A .J.

Pilot would understand that. Commander,
you flew F -14s. Yes, sir.

Then you're aware of the checkered
history of that aircraft.

Eight of the first 11 crashed. One shot
itself down with its own Sparrow

missile. There are bugs to be ironed
out, new systems to learn. Does that

it was defective or dangerous?

Any aircraft is potentially dangerous,
sir. Exactly.

Leonard, I think you'll find that
Colonel McKenzie and Commander Rabb are

aware of the marine stake in the OSPI
program.

Don't worry.

I will keep my nose out of your
investigation.

And I look forward to your report.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

You have 3 ,000 hours, 46 of the 53s
with no mishaps. One osprey's worth of

squadron of those old birds, Commander.
I just wish we'd had them in Mogadishu

and Sierra Leone.

But even though you personally have had
two mishaps in the osprey. One was a

gyro -wired wrong. Never happened again.
And this time?

No excuses, sir.

I was a ham fist.

Pretty damn embarrassing with the whole
world watching.

No mechanical problems, no system
failures. No failures, sir. Mine.

He fell below drop altitude.

I was trying to maintain 10 to 15 feet
for the helocasting. The wind was

gusting, jumpers were a little slow
getting out.

I just didn't see that big swell coming,
Commander.

Yeah, you're damn lucky you didn't drop
that bird on some of those Marines

treading water.

Yes, sir. You're going to have to appear
before a human factor or possibly a

phenom. You could be grounded.

I know, sir.

Major, a lot of people blame their
aircraft, their ground crew. Hell, their

school French teacher.

Not marine pilots, Commander.

Commander Daniel Barron.

Was there any additional piping?

Negative.

Hunter?

Start in your own law library?

Uh, no, ma 'am. Just trawling for essay
ideas for my intro to admiralty law

class. You wouldn't be trawling through
the file U .S. v.

Ballard, the one that Lieutenant
Singer's been demanding ASAP?

Sorry, ma 'am.

Careful, Tyner. There's a phrase that
the admiral is very fond of using.

On your own time.

Yes, ma 'am.

Tyner! In here yesterday. Bring a pad of
paper. A thick one.

Aye, sir.

Max Asher is the best pilot in the
squadron, ma 'am. But maintaining low

altitude and gusty winds over water,
whether it's a helo or an osprey, it's

standing on a bowling ball juggling a
dozen eggs blindfolded. So you're saying

it wasn't pilot error?

Pilot and co -pilot error, ma 'am.

It's my job to monitor distance above
the water.

If the winds were gusting, why didn't
Major Asher scrub the mission?

Conditions were sea state three within
our capability.

Anything else affect pilot performance?

Glare from the sun, but there frequently
is when it's low on the horizon.

Any mechanical failures?

No, ma 'am.

Hydraulics, avionics, anything?

No excuses, ma 'am. We just put it in
the water.

Ma 'am, I hope no one knocks the
airframe for our foul -up.

This isn't about the Osprey, Captain.

Well, respectfully, ma 'am, it sure as
hell is.

Hope that congressman's doing okay, sir.
His neck's a little sore, but his mouth

still works.

We need all the friends in Congress we
can get, sir.

Wouldn't worry about it, Sergeant.
Congressman Fetzer's never met a weapon

system he didn't like.

Well, what about that other one, the
woman?

Was Major Asher's aircraft equipped with
a flight data recorder?

Two of them, in fact, ma 'am. An engine
diagnostics unit and a crash survival

memory unit.

The TSMU would have been overridden.

Yes, sir. It's on a seven and a half
minute loop.

Did you download the performance data
from the EDU? No, sir. They all flew

box, too. But they were only 30 minutes
from New River.

Well, Major Asher flew Corporal O'Dell
to the Naval Hospital at Portsmouth for

medical test. What were his injuries?

It turned out he was okay, sir.

Hey.

Hi. I thought you were in court today. I
was.

It's 1730.

Gosh. What you doing in here?

Oh, I couldn't concentrate out there.
Tyner's doing his post -it note

When did the conviction become final?

Well, it depends. Was there a general
court -martial where a discharge was

awarded?

Uh, sure.

Well, then after the appellate review is
either waived or completed and the

punitive discharge is executed.

Why? Senior Chief Luttrell was convicted
of stealing $3 ,000 from the commissary

at Norfolk.

He spent two years in the brig, and he
lost all of his retirement benefits.

Too bad. Somebody you know?

No, the court -martial was 1976.

But doesn't that seem a little weird to
you?

I mean, look at this guy's career.

Achievement medal, Navy comm, he made
chief in less than 12 years.

So?

So, why'd he do it?

For the money?

For $3 ,000?

He was going to make Master Chief in two
months. He had no financial problems.

Why would he throw his career away for
something so stupid?

What, you have to be a seaman recruit to
do something stupid?

In 93, there was an acting Secretary of
the Army who got caught shoplifting at a

PX.

I happen to think that Senior Chief
Luttrell was innocent.

And what's your proof?

Well, for one, look at that.

A member of the Volunteer Fire Brigade?
Mm -hmm.

That makes no sense.

Look, Harriet.

you've discovered a criminal who has
acted out of character.

Big surprise.

What are you going to do, reopen up the
case?

Come on, Harriet, you're no Erin
Brockovich.

It didn't come out the way that I wanted
it to.

Well, Lieutenant, I'm sure you'd like to
have your office back.

Harriet.

How'd you find out? It's supposed to be
a secret. In this office?

Timer's in charge of security.

Gunny's in charge of planning. And I'll
alert a bail bondsman.

Don't tell Mick.

Isn't a bachelor party kind of retro?

What kind of retro?

Colonel, Commander, the Admiral's
waiting.

Coming.

Hit her.

Congresswoman Latham. Congresswoman,
Colonel, Commander.

Congresswoman Latham is interested in
your investigation and not just because

she got her feet wet.

You want to kill the Osprey? Put it out
of its misery.

Vice President Cheney had the right idea
two administrations ago.

And now you and your committee are going
to try to do it. The pilots admit

error. There's no evidence the Osprey
failed in any respect.

The Marines want that aircraft so much
they might be, how should I put it,

to the Osprey's defects.

Conditions were difficult.

I was there. It wasn't particularly
hazardous.

Ma 'am, Major Asher was flying into the
sun. The wind was gusting.

Are you suggesting the Osprey can only
operate in the shade on a day without a

breeze? I play golf in tougher
conditions.

Congresswoman Latham, I'm suggesting
that the aircraft be judged by people

understand the fundamentals of flight.

What Commander Rabb meant was that we
are confident Congresswoman Latham will

fair in judging all the evidence.

Good. And you shouldn't have a problem
turning over your files.

No problem at all.

Easier than I thought.

Congressman Fetzer's already asked for
our file. At the same time, he asked

Colonel McKenzie to assist the
committee.

The MV -22 Osprey combines the speed and
range of a fixed -wing cargo plane with

the vertical lift of a helicopter.

It can do everything a CH -46 does and
do it better. Amphibious assault, combat

search and rescue, medevac, special ops.

It flies higher, faster, and farther
than the 46 and carries three times the

payload. If we had the Osprey in
Vietnam, there'd be fewer names on the

If we had it 20 years ago, we could have
rescued every hostage in Tehran without

refueling. No disaster in the desert.

General Onitsha Muskie, the Osprey has
managed to have plenty of disasters

here. That's an overstatement, Madam
Chairman. There have been four Class A

mishaps. Mishaps seems like such a
euphemism for 30 fatalities. Over 10

ma 'am.

Well, let's talk about this past year,
General.

What caused last December's fatal crash?
The investigation is not complete, but

it would appear as a hydraulics failure.

And the fatal crash last April in
Arizona?

Human factors, ma 'am. The pilot
descended too rapidly and lost lift.

could have happened in the conventional
helicopter had the pilot made the same

mistake. I guess that explains the
expression, aircraft manuals are written

blood.

I'm an aviator, ma 'am.

I've flown sea knights, sea stallions,
just about every helo in marine

So I know from experience how well the
Osprey stacks up against any of them.

Overall, General, how would you
characterize the Osprey safety record?

Good, sir.

Particularly for a new aircraft.

Despite the crashes?

Military aviation will never be risk
-free, ma 'am, no matter what the

Two months ago, two Black Hawk
helicopters collided in Hawaii.

Six soldiers were killed.

Last month... A C -23 Sherpa crashed in
Georgia, killing 21 National Guardsmen,

and no one is suggesting grounding those
aircraft.

Blackhawks and Sherpas are tried and
proven. The Osprey isn't. Never will be

it's not given the chance.

The investigation has cleared the
aircraft in the most recent mishap, as

McKenzie can attest. The pilot signed a
statement taking full responsibility.

Does he also assume responsibility for
taking the long way home, overriding the

engine diagnostics unit?

An injured Marine needed assistance.

Did he?

I usually have a client pegged inside of
15 minutes.

But when I defended Senior Chief
Luttrell, I couldn't figure him out at

How do you mean, sir?

The prosecution's case was thin.

Some nearsighted mechanic spots him
leaving the commissary at 3 a .m. from a

distance in the dark.

I was a pretty green jag lawyer, but I
thought I could win that one.

All Senior Chief Luttrell had to do was
step up and defend himself.

But he didn't.

Did he actually confess? I mean, to you?

Whoops. Looks like someone's forgotten
about attorney -client privilege.

I never did ask the reason for your
interest in this case.

After reviewing the case file, I came to
the conclusion that Senior Chief

Luttrell was completely innocent.

Completely innocent?

You're not wearing the mill rind.

You're not an attorney, are you?

No, sir. I work in office admin.

Well, thanks for the input.

Nothing like criticism from a secretary
to keep you on your toes.

I didn't mean to mislead you, sir.

I'm sure you didn't.

Mr. Slater, do you think he did it?

No.

Then why wouldn't he defend himself?

The only thing I could think of was he
was protecting someone.

Who? Why?

He had a boot camp buddy, Petty Officer
Graff.

They were tight.

Graff worked part -time at the
commissary, and he had a juvenile record

burglary. I looked it up.

Luttrell wouldn't let me go there.

The senior chief had an exemplary
record. It still doesn't make sense that

was convicted.

There was one other thing.

He was supposed to be honchoing delivery
of supplies to the amphib base that

night, but he never showed.

He refused to tell anyone where he was.

Even his attorney.

You still here?

Probably late and doesn't like to be
kept waiting.

Do you know who you're calling as an
impartial weapons analyst?

William Markey.

Whoa. Mm -hmm.

Naysayer of the FX fighter.

Player of the A -12.

If he had his way, we'd still be arming
our troops with crossbows.

They'd come in under budget.

What kind of a person becomes a civilian
defense analyst, anyway?

The kind of guy who wants to make a name
for himself by killing weapons.

So how impartial is he?

He does his homework, Mac.

Scores solid points.

So do I.

The hydraulics are problematic.

There's a documented risk of vortex ring
state.

And the tilt -rotor technology raises
many unanswered questions.

In sum, Mr. Markey?

Given the high cost and the uncertainty
over safety, the OSPRI program should be

deferred in favor of updating the CH -46
for the Marines' medium -lift assault

requirements. Mr. Markey, do you know
why the aircraft is called the OSPRI?

Because Edsel was taken?

Because, like the bird, it has a
spectacular ability to fly, to hover,

dive. Well, there are a lot less
expensive ways to accomplish these

with proven technology.

Madam Chairman, I'm not sure I have the
knowledge to debate a GAO weapons

analyst. Since when did lack of
expertise silence you, Harold? So I've

Colonel McKenzie to inquire in my
behalf.

The CH -46 dates from the Vietnam War,
doesn't it, Mr. Markey?

Yes, but it's reliable.

Well, when it was new, it had numerous
mishaps, didn't it?

Some. More than 40 in its first five
years.

Yes. And what about the UH -1 Hilo, the
Huey?

About the same number.

In fact, Mr. Markey, aren't mishaps
common with new aircraft?

Unfortunately, yes. And that's been an
accepted risk of new technology for as

long as there's been military aviation.

Yes. So when the first B -17 and the
first B -29 crashed, the programs

shut down, Boeing made improvements,
correct? Yes. Enough for the planes to

carry out thousands of bombing missions
over Germany and Japan and to help win

World War II.

That was wartime, Colonel.

In peacetime, our society has much less
tolerance for the loss of life.

When should we prepare for war, Mr.
Markey?

I'm not sure I follow you.

If we wait for the shooting to start,
won't it be too late?

How did it feel, Gunny? Really?

It hurt, Tyner. Really?

Commander, you were shot once, weren't
you, sir?

It hurts.

See?

How's the planning going? Well, I think
we should do something very special for

Mr. Brumby, sir.

Like deport him?

Well, what do they do in Australia when
a bastard takes a fall? I don't know,

but I'm sure mass quantities of alcohol
are consumed.

Get him drunk and watch him box a
kangaroo.

I don't think Brumby would find that too
humorous.

He wouldn't find what too humorous?

Nothing.

There's a Marine waiting in your office,
ma 'am.

Thank you, Tyner.

At ease, Corporal.

Odell, ma 'am.

I was one of the jumpers on Major
Asher's flight.

This morning I got a subpoena to testify
before Congresswoman Latham's

committee. Odell, you were one of the
casualties.

I wouldn't call it a casualty, ma 'am. I
just saw stars for a few seconds when

the plane hit the water. My head smacked
the bulkhead.

You weren't injured?

Not really, ma 'am. But Major Asher
insisted on flying me to the Naval

at Portsmouth.

He just wanted to be sure you were all
right.

Well, ma 'am, I told the Major.

I've been hit harder playing touch
football.

You put the Inspector General's
quarterly report in the May tickler

April, causing the IG to call
personally, asking where the hell it

You forgot to reserve the conference
room for a meeting with the Czech

delegation, so we had to meet in Mess
Hall.

They were crazy about the tater tot
casserole. I forget anything.

I confused the costume party with
Senator Hatch's reception, sir. Let's

about the costume party, okay?

Let's talk about something important.

Something important enough, sir, for me
to screw up absolutely everything for

this past week?

Sir, I ran across a file involving a
senior chief Luttrell.

He was convicted of stealing $3 ,000
from the commissary at Norfolk in 1976.

I don't think he did it, sir.

Lieutenant, your job is not to second
-guess a, what, 25 -year -old court

-martial. Your job is to make sure that
everything runs smoothly between this

office and the Pentagon.

Starting right now, you will dedicate
100 % of your time and effort to your

Is that understood?

Yes, sir. Good.

Aye,

sir.

Lieutenant.

Sir.

Of course, if you want to pursue the
inquiry on your own time.

Thank you, sir.

Major Asher, you have the right to an
attorney.

I don't need to hide behind a
mouthpiece, ma 'am.

No offense.

Untaken.

You want to tell me about that wild
goose chase to Portsmouth?

I had casualties on board, ma 'am.

Any reason why Sergeant Greco's sprained
ankle couldn't be treated in Thick Bay

at New River?

I'm sure it could have been, ma 'am.

Congressman Fetzer didn't even complain
about his neck, did he?

I guess it started hurting the next day,
ma 'am.

Then why the detour to the hospital in
Portsmouth? Why not go to the nearest

medical facility?

Corporal O'Dell had a possible
concussion. Portsmouth is better

that. I'm on your side, Major, but I
gotta have the truth. You've got it,

Colonel. I put that bird in the water, I
hurt that Marine. They train us to

treat head injuries seriously.

Corporal O'Dell says he wasn't injured.

He was trying to hang tough, ma 'am. He
was definitely woozy. I thought it

prudent for him to get a CAT scan.

According to the corporal, all he needed
was a candy striper with a bottle of

aspirin. He's a good Marine, ma 'am, but
he's not a board -certified

neurologist. Let me ask you directly,
Major.

Did you fly to Portsmouth out of concern
for Corporal O'Dell or because you

wanted to override the EDU?

Why would I do that, ma 'am?

To erase data that might reveal a
system's failure to protect the OSPRI

Is that what Congresswoman Latham's
going to say, ma 'am? She's going to say

whatever it takes to kill the OSPRI.

I just hope you haven't helped her.

The long, tortured flight of the OSPRI
may be nearing its end.

Not only are there safety and
reliability questions, but now there are

of a possible cover -up.

Of mishap data.

Congresswoman, what's the evidence of
that?

A mishap occurred on a recent flight in
which I was a passenger.

The pilot apparently went to great
lengths to make the flight data recorder

unavailable to investigators.

Do you expect criminal charges?

My committee will subpoena the pilot to
testify, though I wouldn't be surprised

if he took the fifth.

It would surprise me.

There's no proof that Major Asher
intentionally overwrote the flight data.

Well, now that she's taken it to the
press, she's going to have to prove it.

Osprey can survive a mishap, but
tampering with data?

Assume that Major Asher did what she
claims he did. What was his motive?

To save the Osprey? Because he believes
that it's a valuable aircraft.

Sounds like a defense lawyer's closing
argument.

Are you?

He wanted a lawyer with knowledge of
aerodynamics.

Hi, Mr. Mattrell?

Yes. I'm Lieutenant J .G. Harriet Sims,
and I was wondering if I could talk to

you for just a second.

Uh -oh.

Am I being drafted?

No, sir. I'm from JAG.

And if you don't mind, I'd like to talk
to you about what happened at Norfolk.

In or out, folks. A .C. is running.

Honey, this is Lieutenant Harriet Sims.

She's here to talk about Norfolk.

Well, where are your manners, David?
Invite the lieutenant in.

Come in.

Thank you, sir.

We were just sitting down to lunch. Have
you eaten? I'm sorry. I could come

back. Oh, no, please, honey. It's at
another place.

I'll go put another burger on the grill.

You have a lovely home.

Thank you.

When you're a Navy wife, you learn to
make do with a little.

I'll be right back.

He said you wanted to talk about
Norfolk.

I assume you don't mean the Harbor
Festival.

No, sir.

I recently came across your case file,
and I don't believe you took the money.

I'm afraid the judge believed
differently, Lieutenant.

Well, sir, reading your file, it seems
that you were a little less than

about your whereabouts that evening.

I was never anything but truthful.

They asked if I stole the money, I said
no.

They asked if I knew who stole the
money, I said no. They asked me about my

whereabouts, I said I couldn't say, and
I couldn't, and I can't.

Major Slater, your attorney seems to
think you were protecting your friend,

Petty Officer Graff.

Slater's a moron.

Tom Graff didn't take that money.

He was a completely honest man.

What are you planning on talking to him
next?

You better keep that conversation in the
planning stages, Lieutenant.

Tom died 12 years ago.

We truly appreciate your concern, but
you're talking about something that

happened when your bike still had a
banana seat.

It's over.

Sir. Have a seat, Major.

Report from the December Osprey mishap.

A hydraulic line on the left knee cell
ruptured.

The pilot pressed the reset button
exactly the way it was supposed to.

Produced a software anomaly which sent
the aircraft into an uncontrollable

roll and yawn. Software did that, sir?
Marine Corps ordered a review of the

entire system.

It's really piling up, isn't it, sir?

I'm sure if Congresswoman Latham's heard
about it, she's already making her

stiletto even sharper.

What do you suggest I do, sir?

Listen to him.

Don't try to outthink him, yes sirs and
no sirs. Don't be defensive. You're not

on trial.

Not yet.

Major, I can ask for limited immunity
before you testimony.

It's the prudent thing to do.

And then it would look like I'm hiding
something.

Without it, anything you say can be used
against you by the phenom or a court

-martial.

They'd really try to ground me, sir?

Up to you, Major.

You want me to ask for immunity?

No, sir.

Major Asher, you've been given the oath,
which means that any false statement

could be subject to criminal penalties.

My client is a Marine officer and does
not need to be told the meaning of an

oath, ma 'am. Good.

Major Asher will fully and truthfully
explain the cause of the mishap and why

acted the way he did, ma 'am. Candor
from the military.

How refreshing.

Or he could simply make a statement to
his commanding officer and this

could go about its primary business of
giving press conferences.

Perhaps the major would like to make a
statement unimpeded by his counsel or

committee.

On March 17th, I was aircraft commander
of an MV -22 Osprey on a demonstration

helocast mission.

We had a crew of three, six jumpers, and
two Congress members as guests.

Other VIPs and news media were watching
from a nearby naval vessel.

And what happened, Major?

We converted from fixed wing to vertical
mode about 20 miles offshore and

descended to between 10 to 15 feet.

The jumpers started out the rear ramp.

All systems were operating properly
until the engine exhaust gas temp

going up. What would cause that, Major?

Ocean spray through the intake.

Salt coats the compressor blades and
reduces the airflow into the engine.

So your engine overheated? No, ma 'am. I
powered down a bit and the temp never

redlined. When you powered down, did it
cause you to hit the water?

Not directly, though. We descended a few
feet.

Why didn't you just pull up and get out
of there?

There were only two jumpers to go by
that time, ma 'am. I thought I could

it, but the wind was kicking up a line
of swells, and we got kissed by one of

them. Kissed?

There was no damage to the aircraft, and
the injuries were minimal, ma 'am.

What were weather conditions, Major?

Clear. The wind was out of the west
about 20 knots, swells of about 5 feet.

And we were heading west, as I recall,
into the setting sun. That's correct,

sir. Just like landing, you always try
to helocast into the wind.

Did the sun make it more difficult to
judge your distance from the water?

There was a glare, ma 'am, and when the
largest swell came at it, I didn't see

it in time.

But your engines didn't stall?

No, sir. Or suffer power loss?

None felt or indicated on instruments,
sir. But you can't confirm that, can

without the data from the engine
diagnostics unit?

No, ma 'am. Major, did you take the
scenic route home in order to overwrite

EDU? No, ma 'am. In order to obtain
medical treatment for my crew.

Couldn't they have been adequately
treated on your base?

Portsmouth's a larger hospital, ma 'am,
and I chose to err on the side of

caution. That seems to be out of
character for you, Major.

With all due respect, ma 'am, that's
uncalled for.

I apologize, Commander.

In fact, let me compliment your client.

I understand that he has a very
distinguished record as a pilot.

His CEPs are routinely the best in his
squadron, ma 'am. And yet he wasn't able

to control the Osprey during the
maneuver.

Congresswoman Latham, he allowed minimum
contact with the water. Even when he

said there were no mechanical problems?

That's correct, ma 'am.

The Osprey performed perfectly, yet the
best pilot in the squadron flew it into

the Atlantic Ocean.

Which is it, Major? Is the Osprey
mechanically unreliable, or is it

to fly?

We have an aircraft capable of mythic
feats, and we're being nibbled to death

the bean counters and the naysayers and
the news media.

Colonel, we're taking a beating over the
Osprey hearings.

I'm aware of that, sir.

Congresswoman Latham has made Major
Asher look deceptive.

The Congresswoman is good at playing to
the press, sir. The Major is good at

flying helicopters.

Today's editorial in the Times calls for
the court -martialing of Major Asher.

For what, sir? Instruction of justice,
conduct unbecoming, offending the tender

sensibilities of the editorial writers.
There's no evidence against him,

General, only allegations. Which gain
credibility with every news broadcast.

Winston Churchill said a lie travels
round the world while the truth is

on its boots.

We need to put our boots on, Colonel.

Hot chocolate?

If you're here to give me grief about my
little crusade, you can get in line.

Harriet, I take you seriously.

If it seems like I don't, I'm sorry.

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in work
here, I forget about what's important.

But I don't know why you should take me
seriously.

Even the guy that I'm trying to help
wants me to leave him alone.

I don't believe that.

But I didn't join the Navy to push
paper.

And lately it just seems like that's all
I'm good for. Harriet, listen to me.

I didn't marry a paper pusher.

I married a woman who lights up a room
just by walking into it. You're the only

person I know that can talk to anybody
on the entire planet and make them feel

good about themselves.

You shouldn't have to feel like this.

Howdy, Officer Thomas Graff. Oh, I
figured you could use a hand, so I ran a

search on your prime suspect. But please
don't get too excited. It's bad news.

Graff couldn't have anything to do with
the theft. He was training in radar

countermeasures that night at Damn Neck.

Sorry.

You got any cup?

Uno momento.

Petty Officer Thomas died March 6, 1989,
myocardial infarction, leaving behind

his loving wife of 27 years, Amanda.

Sometimes the ends justify the means,
but never when the ends are unjustified.

Reasonable people can differ on whether
saving the osprey is justified or not.

Mac, I can't believe you're standing up
for a pilot who showed bad judgment,

flew negligently, and intentionally
destroyed evidence.

Or two out of those three. I'm surprised
you even noticed what position I was

taking when you were playing to the
press gallery all day, Congresswoman.

And you?

Grandstanding for your Marine buddies?

Did the sun make it more difficult?

Do you know why I agree with my Marine
buddies about the Osprey?

Groupthink, Colonel. The scourge of the
military.

Has it ever occurred to you that you
might be wrong about this,

No.

I think Major Asher lied about what
caused the mishap.

I don't believe that. Mac, there's
technology that can recover or erase

from the flight recorder.

If one of those engines so much as
burped, I'll see to it that the Osprey

flies again.

So much more pleasant to work on one of
these where there hasn't been a fatal

crash. What are the chances you can
restore the data? That I don't know,

Colonel. They're still trying to
recreate the missing 18 and a half

Nixon's Watergate tape.

But that's old technology.

unscrambling iron oxide particles on a
magnetic medium.

So you have a better chance.

Well, with unlimited resources and
unlimited time.

What about with what you have and a few
hours?

Let's see what I can do.

All right, the recording was compressed
on a digital signal. It was overwritten

as it assigned a different address on
the disk.

My job is to recreate the original
sequence.

So, are you on the team rooting I can or
hoping I can't?

Ah, there.

Damn, if this were an EKG, the patient
would be brain dead.

Or maybe not.

Is that it?

Well, there is something.

What is it?

Couldn't you be one of the first to
know? But now, if you'll please excuse

Mr. Luttrell?

Lieutenant Fim.

Know much about transmissions?

I know where you were, sir.

Excuse me?

The night of the robbery.

I know where you were.

I spent two years in prison.

Then I made a new life and put it behind
me. Why can't you?

Because you spent two years in prison
for something you didn't do.

It's not your business.

You couldn't have stolen the money, sir.

You were with your wife that night.

Only she wasn't your wife then.

She was the wife of your best friend,
Amanda Graff.

Her husband was out of town, and that's
why you didn't report for your scheduled

duty. What do you want?

Not what I want, sir. You need to come
forward.

No.

David.

Maybe it's time.

It'll never be time.

You can clear your name, honey.

Amanda.

We had an agreement.

For Tom.

I'll be right in.

Thank you for your concern, Lieutenant.

If this could stay between us.

Tom Graff is gone.

This can't hurt him.

And your country owes you 25 years of
back pay.

Lieutenant, you don't understand.

I'm not keeping the secret to protect
Tom.

He's not the one who had the affair.

Amanda did.

I won't have people thinking of her like
that.

Not too late, am I?

Amanda, you missed the flight, but you
can watch the playback.

We've loaded the simulator with all the
data, sir. Wind, payload, saltwater

intake. Of course, in the simulator, I
knew it was coming.

Yeah, well, you're still 10 feet above
the water.

Doesn't leave you a lot of time to
react, man. That may be the first kind

fighter jock's ever had for a helo
pilot.

I'm sure a few of them have said thank
you when you fished them out of the

water. They always said to me, what took
you so long?

Okay,

here's where the engine temp started
rising.

I powered down a bit.

Descended below 10 feet. Here comes the
big swell.

Powering up.

You avoided it.

Well, like I said, Commander, I knew it
was coming.

And the computer's not simulating the
glare from the sun.

I remember once in Capitacino, on final
approach, I had to turn into the setting

sun.

Didn't see a transmission line. Severed
it with my landing gear. Knocked out

power to half a Naples dimner. Burned
down the NATO officer's club.

You're just trying to make me feel
better.

Major, you knew the prevailing winds.
Why'd they fly you into the setting sun

anyway?

Thank you.

We didn't have a choice, Commander.

Lieutenant, where is Luke? Good morning,
Admiral.

Here are your notes from the meeting
with the Joint Chiefs. And I've

interviews with the top five yeoman
candidates for Thursday afternoon and

morning. The cleaners put a rush on your
dress whites. They'll be ready at 1330.

Don't lose the ticket.

Sir?

Lieutenant.

Yes, sir?

Whatever happened about the Latrilke?

It was a dead end, sir. I guess I was
wrong.

Sorry to hear that, but taking the
initiative like you did, it was good to

Thank you, sir.

Maybe next time I'll get it right.

I affected the data recovery with
harmonic magnetoresistive microscopy,

high -resolution sensors mapped the
magnetic field, which allowed me to

the original erased signals.

So you were able to reconstruct the
engine performance data.

Among other things, yes. And what did
you find, Miss Bellotti? There were no

engine anomalies, other than a slight
rise in exhaust gas temperatures.

Not even a burp or a small loss of power
right before impact with the water? No,

ma 'am. All systems were operating
within normal parameters.

I assume you have some questions?

I don't think any are necessary, Madam
Chairman. It would seem Major Asher told

the truth. He flew his aircraft into a
rising swell.

The Osprey can't be blamed.

I think the data merely answer the
question I posed yesterday, Colonel.

The Osprey may not have been defective
in this case, but if Major Asher, the

best pilot in the squadron, can't handle
this plane, then who can?

Thank you, Miss Bellotti.

Perhaps Major Asher can speak to that,
Madam Chairwoman.

He's already had his say. Do I hear a
motion to call the question on continued

funding? Well, I'd like to hear all
relevant testimony before I vote.

Very well.

Major has a brief statement.

You're still under oath, Major.

I'm well aware of that, ma 'am.

I want you all to know that the aircraft
I was flying hit the water because I

let it go too low, and I didn't see a
swell coming.

We've heard this all before, Commander.

Major, why didn't you see the swell
coming?

Drop zone is off the nose.

There was the sun.

It was a sunny day. Old news.

Major, would you ordinarily have
scheduled a mission to fly into the

sun? No, sir. We go out of our way to
avoid it. Why didn't you this time?

We were late taking off.

And why was that?

Because Congresswoman Latham was two
hours late getting to the bay.

So now it's my fault.

Without me, you would have taken off
earlier? No, ma 'am. The mission was

scheduled for your orientation. Without
you, there would have been no point in

taking off. Well, you could have
explained the situation, Major. What

have said then, ma 'am? That the Osprey
can only fly in the shade?

That people play golf in tougher
conditions?

Well, if it's true... Ma 'am?

When Marines schedule a mission, even
during combat, they get to decide what

time they go in. Because the enemy
doesn't demand a dog and pony show to

the convenience of politicians and the
media. Commander, I thought your client

accepted responsibility for this mishap.
Well, there's plenty to go around, ma

'am. Major Asher was in a challenging
situation, hovering ten feet above the

water, looking directly into the sun,
trying to accomplish his mission and get

out of there as fast as he could. But he
was delayed.

By me.

I was excited to be there.

What do you think now, Congresswoman?

I think little boys never outgrow their
toys.

Drop zone clear.

Jeff is away.

Sergeant, how about a shot with me and
the boys?

Oh, sir, you should be out of your
harness. Come on, sir, it's just one.

to get a photo for your campaign
brochure, Harold? Sir, sit down.

What's the hurry?

Here to go, Major!

Go!

I will not shirk my responsibility, the
mishap, Major.

If I hadn't delayed you... So now he's
responsible.

Commander, is there anyone else you'd
like to blame?

Yes, ma 'am. The critics.

For demanding the military hardware,
even the newest, performed flawlessly

zero tolerance for error.

The media for sensationalism.

Exaggerating every mishap to the
dimension of tragedy.

And Congress, ma 'am, for not listening
to those who know this aircraft best,

the people who fly it. You want to kill
the Osprey program to save their lives.

They're telling you that they're willing
to risk their lives because they

believe that this aircraft is important
to the defense of our country.

I believe Congresswoman Latham wanted to
call the question.

Is that still the case?

Unless our chair wishes to hear more
testimony.

That won't be necessary.

Those in favor of continued funding for
the MV -22, please signify with a

showing of hands.

Looks like the officer lives for another
day.

Major, I want to wish you luck and
Godspeed.

And if you ever invite me for another
ride, I'll be on time.

Yes, ma 'am. And if you give it the
opportunity.

so they asked me hearing is adjourned