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Good timing, admiral.
The COD's within minutes.
No, no.
Lose the propriety, Harm.
I'm retired.
For good this time.
All right, we'll see.
Fleet JAG's cool with the new Atlantic command structure? Hmm, they'll adjust.
How did you make out? It was quite an impressive presentation.
Thank you, CAG.
Let me walk you out.
I've had my quarrels with Beltway bandits, sir, but you bring a level of battle experience that encourages confidence.
Oh, thank you, CAG.
I'll pass your kind words on to the CEO of my company.
I regret never having flown with you.
Well, your regrets should be saved for this man's father, who I flew with.
If you want a taste of what that was like, you can fly with Commander Rabb yourself.
I'm familiar with the commander.
It was a pleasure, sir.
That man doesn't like you.
Yeah, after knowing me for one minute.
Well, that's all the time I needed.
Let's get out of here.
So will this be your first Christmas Eve aboard ship? You were right.
The last C-2 of the day.
Looks like we'll be hanging our stockings from our racks.
I have to get back, sir.
Bud and Harriet are hosting a Christmas Eve party.
So is my sister, but that doesn't make it possible.
Well, there is a Plan B.
And what is that, a design for a raft? Well, it's today's flight schedule.
And an F-14 is to be returned to Lakehurst, New Jersey.
Hmm.
I so appreciate this opportunity, sir.
The opportunity is ours, petty officer.
We appreciate what you did for Bud.
Ma'am, sir, I didn't do anything anyone in this office wouldn't have done.
The colonel didn't waste time letting you know you were up for orders.
- You belong here.
- Yes, sir.
The staff's been informed.
Introduce yourself around.
I believe everyone is here except for, uh, Manetti and Rabb who are TAD on assignment.
Let's see, uh, Tiner has your security ID, and your presence is expected at the Roberts' house for dinner this evening.
Aye, aye, sir.
- When shall I assume my duties, sir? - Consider them assumed.
Hate to dump this on you on your first day back from sea duty, but we have a little bit of a crisis.
I serve at your pleasure, admiral.
Actually, in this case, it would be the colonel's.
- Sir? - SECNAV approved a visit by three Kuwaiti attorneys wanting to observe our military justice system.
I was told February, they heard something else.
They're arriving early? Their plane just landed.
Sir, it's Christmas Eve.
They don't observe the holiday, colonel.
I'm a drummer, sir, practise at night.
Have you had complaints from your neighbours? We thought they were resolved.
Then this morning a crew arrives without warning starts loading our belongings onto a truck.
So where's the truck now? At base security, sir.
Did you report your eviction to base legal assistance? They closed yesterday for the holiday.
I didn't know where else to turn, sir.
We'll work it out, corporal.
So how far along are you? I'm due tomorrow.
Why, sir, would we want to give up Christmas in the States? We have 12 reasons, all of them named Jack.
Alcohol ain't gonna cut it, admiral.
Throw in Wizards tickets and we're having a conversation.
- Can't do.
- Then enjoy Miracle on 34th Street.
The galley's serving red and green popcorn, sir.
Do either of you have friends and family to visit? We're West Coast boys, commander.
Then how about a simple good deed? Yeah, we take your seats and you take the spirit of Christmas to heart.
So tempting, sir.
And I'll introduce you to Jennifer Lopez.
Is this something you can do, commander? I've known her since '96.
I see her twice a year.
We'd hold you to it, sir.
As soon as you get in port I'll set it up.
All right, sir.
Take your request to the CAG.
- Got him.
He said Jennifer Lopez? Yeah.
- You see Jennifer Lopez twice a year? Every time I get my teeth cleaned.
She's my dental hygienist.
I'm sorry.
I did not understand what you said.
Please repeat your account number.
Three-1-5-6-3-7-9-0-2.
Your balance is $ 16.
11.
What are you talking about? To return to the main menu, say "main menu.
" There should be over $1,500 in here.
Invalid command.
- No.
Goodbye.
Oh! What's going on? I just thought that they were late crediting our pay, but there's gotta be something hinky with the direct-deposit system.
Well, that's three weeks now.
We don't have food for tonight.
We hit our limit on our credit cards yesterday.
But we have Rice Krispies.
Thanks, buddy.
Hey, uh, stop playing with that.
You'll shoot your eye out.
How many people are you guys having? Eleven.
I could pitch in, like, 20 bucks or so.
Thanks, Mikey, but that wouldn't even cover the wine.
How about asking Dad? He could help.
He's worse off than we are.
Look, Harriet, I think you and I, we'll have to go down to the disbursing office.
And we're gonna have to leave now.
Oh, honey.
No, no, no.
Don't eat any of that.
It's five days old.
Uh, Mikey, could you watch little A.
J.
For us? Yeah, of course.
Go.
Admiral Boone will be my RIO, sir.
Gaudino and Suttles are already scheduled, commander.
Uh, they've agreed to give up the flight, captain.
They're not in a position to do so.
The plane is loaded with a thousand extra pounds of upgraded electronics.
She's test complete on our CATs to determine minimum end speed.
Is she airworthy, CAG? Yes, sir.
But I prefer she be manned by somebody familiar with her eccentricities.
Well, between us we've logged more flight time than anyone on this air wing.
And if the commander hadn't dumped a $40-million aircraft in the Atlantic last year, I would be satisfied with that answer, sir.
A mishap.
Review board cleared me of pilot error, CAG.
I read the report.
Don't agree.
The aircraft had taken a hard landing, CAG.
And she was in flying condition at the time she left the deck.
Well, you weren't sitting in his seat at the time, CAG.
I was a week earlier, sir.
That plane was my ride.
I was waiting for her at Pax River at the time.
I checked with the car-rental company, ma'am.
The Kuwaitis just picked up their vehicle.
- They should be here in half an hour.
- Great.
- Am I disturbing you, ma'am? - No, no.
It's fine.
Uh, Commander Rabb gave me this gift before he left.
I just opened it.
It was taken in Afghanistan.
That's a great photo, ma'am.
Yeah, the thing is, I gave him a picture frame the exact same size.
Excuse me, colonel.
- I've got your ID, petty officer.
- Thank you.
If you come with me, I can show you how to use it.
I think I got it.
I present it to the guard.
He lets me in.
Very good.
You enjoy your day.
I will.
Colonel.
Welcome aboard, petty officer.
Good to be here, sir.
Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie, this is Corporal Joseph Tenney and his wife, Mary.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Mrs.
Tenney is a bit uncomfortable.
I was wondering if we could set them up while I deal with their situation.
- Absolutely, sir.
Thank you.
Where might that be, ma'am? My office.
Got a, uh, fire in the fireplace and a nice soft chair.
- Well, thank you, admiral.
- That's very kind of you, sir.
My pleasure.
- Right this way, Coates.
Yes, sir.
Follow me, please.
Thank you, sir.
You sure that won't be an imposition, sir? Uh, no, I'm not.
The inspector general is on his way to the ship for a surprise visit.
Wants to question my pilots, see if they're battle ready.
That makes you eligible for the Lakehurst run, commander.
Yes, sir.
- Heh.
- I'd prefer you, admiral.
But you're no longer cleared to fly front seat.
You have nothing to worry about, CAG.
Enjoy your holidays.
CAG, about your aircraft.
No soft-focus moments, commander.
I will not allow you to undermine a perfectly valid level of resentment.
- You get her up and bring her down.
- Yes, sir.
And if you do anything other than fly to your established destination, I will personally see to it that your wings are yanked.
Understood, sir.
Must be a hiccup at DFAS.
But neither of us have been paid.
Uh, it's freezing in here.
Heat's been off for two days.
So, Roberts, your story is simple.
The more you transfer, the more you increase your chances of getting lost in the system.
I didn't plan it that way.
So this is it for you, huh? What do you mean? - I assume you're not returning to duty.
You assume wrong.
I'm waiting for a hearing date from the Physical Evaluation Board.
Why would they take you back when they can fill both your shoes? This is beside the point.
We have no money in our account.
Oh! You have $14.
I thought we had 16.
I'll cover the 2 if it means that much to you.
Please, put that away.
Lieutenant, this is not our glitch.
Then why haven't I been paid? You made out a mortgage allotment? The disbursing clerk handling this could've entered it wrong and stopped the money from leaving your account.
- What? The good news is there's probably a tidy sum spinning around in there.
Can we access that? No.
Cleveland is snowbound.
Office didn't even open today.
Look, um, we need to shop for food.
- We have 11 guests coming tonight.
- Sorry.
We came to you for help, warrant officer.
I don't understand your attitude.
Then let me clarify.
If you were enlisted and this were about survival, I'd get into it.
But excuse me for not feeling sorry for you because you're worried about looking like bad hosts.
And if you cared so much about your guests, why did you wait till the last minute to pull it together? Shut up! I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm not feeling well.
Look, let's just forget about all this, okay? Tell me how I can get an emergency advance on our back pay.
You'll have to go to Navy and Marine Corps Relief for that.
I assume they're still in the building? Moved to Bethesda.
Well, what do you think, Harriet? Harriet? Corporal Tenney's CO ordered him to cease practising the drums in his quarters.
When he received another complaint, he warned him again.
Third time, he initiated the eviction order.
The corporal misunderstood, sir.
He tells me his neighbours accepted a late-afternoon practise schedule.
And he must have assumed the CO was aware of this.
That would be two incorrect assumptions, commander.
General, Corporal Tenney doesn't strike me as irresponsible or stupid.
I think this was just a mix-up, sir.
Does the corporal have a family? Oh, the birth of his first child is imminent, sir.
All right.
I'll take care of it.
I'll put a call in to The Hostess House.
They can provide temporary shelter.
Excellent.
Thank you, sir.
And give the corporal this phone number: That another agency, sir? My son's apartment.
Perhaps the corporal can teach his band how to hold a beat.
Are you okay? Don't ever mention the words "chow foon" to me again.
You're still nauseous, huh? Okay, uh, let's sit you down right here.
Okay, honey? What is the matter with him? Why won't he help us? I hope the ghost of Jacob Marley drops chains on your foot.
Whoa, whoa, hey, hey.
Stay calm.
Honey, I think you have food poisoning.
We need to go to the hospital.
I can't drive.
And you're gonna have to wait till I'm up to it.
Not necessarily.
Everything okay? Mrs.
Tenney went into labour.
Excuse me, sir.
Well, is she all right? She's going to be fine, commander.
Well, I assume someone called an ambulance.
It's on its way.
Does anyone here know how to do this? The admiral.
He delivered little A.
J.
In this room.
- Well, where is he? - Commander.
- Meet, uh, Jason? - Jason.
Jason Tenney.
Radar standby.
Roll SAS off.
- Pitch trim set for catapult.
- Pitch trim set.
- Wing sweep auto.
- Check.
- Engine instruments normal.
Check.
List complete.
The last time we were in a 14 together, admiral, I was in the back seat.
Damn it, Harm.
I'm a civilian.
Just so you know, the CAG's aircraft was a bucket of bolts.
Well, we'll stay away from weather in any case.
My breaststroke sucks.
Honey, please slow down.
I'm sorry, lead foot.
Actually, a composite-plastic foot.
Is this dangerous? You know what? It doesn't really feel that much different.
The sensation is just a bit higher up in my leg.
- Careful, this intersection up here.
- I see it.
I'll shut up now.
It must feel good to be in control for a change.
How are you feeling? Sick.
But safe.
MAN Kohler, fax this over to Where is everyone? We have never secured early for the Christmas holiday! Who authorised this? Marley? Your vitals are fine.
I don't feel fine.
Whatever it is, it doesn't seem critical.
There's a lot going on right now.
It may be a while.
Uh, please, she's been like this for hours.
All right.
Let me see if I can grab someone to take a quick look.
Thank you.
This whole year has been a disaster.
Hey, year's not over.
Oh, great.
Maybe it could get worse.
Harriet, hey, it's Christmas Eve.
Have some faith.
- In what? You can start with me.
Ho-ho-ho.
Cloud deck moving up from the south.
- Looks solid.
- We'll beat it.
This is Patuxent Approach Control on guard.
Requesting that all military aircraft in the vicinity of this station contact us immediately.
Patuxent Approach, this is Navy jet 4386.
Uh, fifty miles east, en route Coral Sea to Lakehurst.
Got you on my scope, 4386.
We have a Marine C- 130 inbound to us.
They're caught in the soup with a navigation-system failure.
Looking for someone to render airborne assistance.
Patuxent Approach, we're on a priority schedule.
Additional aircraft in the area? No other takers.
Currently scrambling aircraft from Dover.
Patuxent Approach, how far away are your jets? You're a lot closer, 4386.
Understood.
I take it you're not concerned about the CAG's warning? You think he meant it? I do.
You're suggesting we defer to the Dover jets? You're in command.
But they're too far away.
I would concur.
So we're on the same page, then? Just make it one worthy of your biography.
What are the vectors, Patuxent Approach? We're your lead bird.
Patuxent Approach to 4386.
The aircraft in distress is 2592.
Last known position was holding at the initial approach fix.
Patuxent Approach, this is 4386 at your service.
4386 come left to a heading of 273.
Descend to 3,000.
Out of flight level 330 for 3,000.
Screen defrost.
Set and ready.
What makes you think it's food poisoning? I ate leftover Chinese food this morning and I've been throwing up ever since.
Well, you don't have a fever.
Are you experiencing any diarrhoea? I'm sorry, heh.
I've just never had Santa Claus ask me that question before.
Dr.
Kubota.
I was on my way up to the Paediatric Ward for our Christmas party.
We really appreciate your looking in on us, doctor.
And the answer to that question is no.
Then it isn't food poisoning.
You sure? Sorry, just checking it twice.
Ahem, I had a urinary tract infection and I got sick like this.
The nurse took a sample.
We do that routinely with nauseous patients.
No, l No, I'd rule that out.
Are you saying that you don't know what it is? Oh, I know what it is.
I just don't know whether you're prepared to hear it.
Well, is it serious? Coates, the hospital called.
Their ambulance is disabled.
Skidded on an icy patch.
You're kidding.
What do they expect us to do? Wait until they dispatch another one.
- Have you seen the admiral? - No.
- Mrs.
Tenney needs some privacy.
- Yes, ma'am.
Colonel? I picked up an e-mail from Commander Rabb.
He wants you to tell Lieutenant Roberts that he's landing in Lakehurst, New Jersey and may be late.
Why not Pax River? The commander and Admiral Boone are bringing in a Tomcat, ma'am.
Is this a problem, ma'am? It is if we don't have aspirin.
Admiral, the Kuwaitis are on the phone, sir.
They're lost.
Line 2, sir.
A.
J.
Chegwidden.
Well, sir, if you, uh, calm down I can help you and get you out of there.
Women? What kind of women? Solicitous? Oh.
Well, sir, they have the right to wear as little clothing as they want.
Uh, if you get out a pencil, I can get you out of there and pointed in the right direction.
Patuxent Approach, this is 4386.
Contact 25 miles, bearing 271.
That's your contact, 4386.
Over.
Got it.
Twenty degrees left, 20 miles.
Marine 2592, this is 4386 on guard.
We read you loud and clear.
At 2,000 feet.
Our heading is 130, speed 190.
We're joining up from your port quarter.
- Maintain present course and speed.
- Wilco.
- One hundred knots overtake.
- Roger.
What does it say? I can't hear you.
You have to speak up.
That's it.
Take that exit.
Corporal, ma'am, maybe these will help.
I was going to give them to my brother's twins, - but I can always pick up two more.
- That's very sweet of you.
What? No.
No, uh, no, you're very close.
Yeah, we're the large brick building on the right-hand side.
- There's, uh, a guard gate out there.
- Shh.
Shh, shh.
Yeah No, the right side.
Look for a radio tower on the roof.
There it is.
Finally.
I see it.
Patuxent Approach, this is 4386.
Two and a half miles in trail, Do you have them in sight, 4386? No joy, Patuxent Approach.
Check your TCS display.
But we do have IR contact along with our radar lock-on.
Permission to descend to 2,200.
Unable to clear you to that altitude without visual contact, 4386.
Uh, this is 2592.
We can turn the porch lights on for our visitors.
Appreciate the hospitality, 2592.
All exterior lights full bright.
Nothing.
Can you get me within 200 feet? Not without violating FAA regs.
We're on separate flight plans.
Trust me? How many people do you plan to *** off today? Ha! Everyone but you.
It's a bit musty, but it'll help keep our new mother warm.
Thanks, Tiner.
I'm sure she'll appreciate it.
Good.
Oh, and, uh And I found this in my desk.
For the baby.
Thought it would be good for teething.
It's wrapped so it's sanitary.
Tiner, have you ever been around a newborn before? No.
And my sister-in-law wouldn't let me get near hers.
Uh, they have a hard time seeing, and they're about six months old before teething is even an issue.
Good to know.
Patuxent Approach, am able to make safe rendezvous.
Will accept full responsibility.
Out.
Come left two degrees.
Slow to 190 and ease down to 2,200.
Keep her steady, 2592.
We're coming in.
Admiral, commander, please say hello to Mr.
Ghazzawi, - Hoshan, Touban.
- It's nice to meet you.
- Good to meet you.
- Hello.
- Pleasure.
- Hello.
Sorry for your difficulties getting here.
I'm glad you made it.
We thank you for your able assistance.
I understand you're here to observe our system.
- With great anticipation.
- Welcome.
Well, we have a, uh, full itinerary planned.
We'll start on Thursday.
We're looking forward to it.
We advise our military on legal matters.
And with everything going on, and so close to us, we believe this visit to be of great importance.
Yes.
Not only to the interests of our country, but to the future of our region in general.
We're not normally a natal unit, but we seem to do okay.
The, uh, corporal and his wife had a housing problem - and then had a baby, ha, ha.
- Oh! What a blessing has come upon you.
Congratulations.
- We appreciate it.
- Thank you.
Will you accept gifts for your new child? I don't know, l Well, we weren't prepared, but we would like to offer something.
We'll be honoured.
This is very generous.
I bought this incense at the airport, But it smells heavenly.
Bless you.
I own 16 apartment buildings in the metro area.
Is a view important to you? - Please.
- That would be amazing.
We could not have been welcomed in a better way.
The birth of a child is a great omen, a sign that peace on earth rests with those who rest peacefully.
Overtake, 4 knots.
Range, a mile and a half.
Pulling back on the power.
Thirty-five knots.
One mile.
Thirty, 1,500 feet.
- What the? - Collision.
Elevator's been hit.
Do you have control? I repeat, do you have control? The nose is still oscillating.
- I'll shut down the STAB system.
- Wait.
She's dampening down.
Everything's normal up front.
Okay back here.
Better call them.
I have a bit of a cold, 4386.
Didn't know you cared.
Are you damaged, 2592? Uh, from what? We're under the impression we hit you.
That would be a negative, 4386.
This is Patuxent Approach.
You're both on my screen.
No collision observed.
Then what the hell was that? Aerology informs us that they lost contact with a weather balloon four and a half minutes ago.
I think you found it for them, 4386.
Well, tell them we apologise.
Yeah, and that it's still partly cloudy.
I'm sure they'll appreciate it, 4386.
- Well, where are we, Tom? Two hundred feet and closing.
I still don't see them.
You can't descend any further.
Wait a minute.
Now I know how the Three Wise Men felt.
Hey, why didn't you tell me this before, son? I didn't wanna get you involved.
I thought maybe, at the last minute, we could pull it off in the nick of time.
The day didn't go exactly as it was planned.
Yeah, well, let's do it at a restaurant.
We'll put it on my card and you can pay me when you get the money.
- Do you have room on your card? - Let's hope.
Are you sure we can even get reservations at this hour? At Kosherama.
Deli food on Christmas Eve? - Roberts.
- Warrant Officer Scoggins.
You know I'm divorced, right? Not that I expected to surprise you.
Please come in.
Thanks.
My son chose to be with his mother in Buffalo, where it's four degrees above zero, rather than spend Christmas with me.
I'm sorry, I don't understand.
That's why I was such a jerk today.
So you drove all the way over here to tell us that? I drove here to drop off some dinners and appetisers I ordered from my favourite restaurant.
Are you serious? They're in my back seat.
You still need them? Yes.
If you join us.
Well, I'm glad you asked, um, because I was prepared to insist on that.
You know what? You're okay, warrant officer.
And a little Ionely.
Thanks for the encouragement.
I couldn't remember how many guests, so, uh, I brought 13.
Well, there will be 12 including you, sir.
Actually, that'll be fine.
I'm eating for two.
I think there's something to this baby business.
What do you mean? Well, this tendency of yours to encourage pregnancy and labour.
What do you mean? Seriously, think of all the women you know who fall into that category.
Harriet, Lieutenant Singer, this woman today.
You think I should, uh, hang out, uh, a shingle? I think you're a facilitator.
You have powers in this area.
What, like some Greek deity? Oh, come on.
You've conveniently left yourself out.
You're not, are you? Heh, no, no.
But it does give one hope.
We're at your 9 o'clock.
We're cleared to make an instrument approach to Runway 24 at Pax River.
Tally ho.
Fly wing on us.
What approach speed suits you? With present cargo, What is your cargo anyway? Toys For Tots, 4386.
Annual Christmas caravan.
We're on a delivery run to East Coast bases.
Started in Bangor, on our way to Norfolk.
We'll take the left side of the runway, 2592.
Wilco.
Dirtying up now.
Gear down.
We're in the green.
And so Bud asks if it was serious.
- And Santa - Uh, the doctor.
The doctor, who was dressed like Santa Claus says: "Yes, your wife is seriously pregnant.
" We were shocked we didn't know what to say.
He says, "Well, is that good news?" Yeah, and then we just started to cry.
Then he started laughing, and he says, "Next time, I expect milk and cookies.
" You guys, dinner will be ready in half an hour, - so just make yourself comfortable.
- Uh, say, how's your piano? Uh, it's great.
We just had it tuned last week.
Oh, great.
Anybody up for carols? Uh, I can play some.
Oh, don't be silly.
You sing, I'll play.
I know most of them.
How about this one? O come all ye faithful Joyful and triumphant O come ye O come ye to Bethlehem Come and behold him Born the king of angels O come, let us adore him O come, let us adore him O come, let us adore him Christ the Lord Sing, choirs of angels Sing in exultation Hi, this is Harm.
Leave me a message after the beep.
Hey.
Not home yet, huh? Well, we're all here now, um, except for you.
Still haven't had dinner, though.
So hoping to see you soon.
Assuming everything's okay.
Regret coming here, admiral? No.
No, I appreciate your asking me.
I just never been here on the actual night that your dad went down.
Thirty-four years ago.
Not that you're counting.
Thirty-three.
Sir.
This place.
So reverent.
Never been here before.
First time in the capital, actually.
Have a good holiday.
That's not going to happen, commander, but I'm glad I'm here anyway.
Oh, I'm sorry, sir.
I didn't mean to seem disrespectful.
Lieutenant Clarence.
Just graduated from Naval Air Training Command.
Where are your wings, lieutenant? Had to take emergency leave, sir.
I'll pick them up when I get back.
Everything all right, son? An old college friend is on suicide watch, but I think he'll be okay.
Well, let me put it this way: I don't intend for it to happen any other way.
- You have a family member here? No, sir.
Just paying my respects.
This is Retired Admiral Thomas Boone.
Lieutenant.
I'm Commander Harmon Rabb.
I'm with the JAG Corps.
Sorry you missed your ceremony, lieutenant.
What can you do, sir? You know, I can do a lot more than you think.
You fly, commander? Well, that's kind of up in the air at the moment.
Winging is usually performed by an admiral, so Commander, I can't let you do this.
Attention, lieutenant.
Show these to your friend.
He'll be proud of you.
Yes, sir.
What are your goals, son? The dream is to be a Blue Angel, sir.
Before we eat, I wanted to say a few words.
I had all the words in my head before we sat down.
Take your time.
Uh, it's been an interesting year, heh.
It's okay, sweetheart.
I know what I wanna say.
First of all Merry Christmas, commander.
Sorry I'm late.
There he is.
Come have a seat, commander.
Wings? Oh.
I'll tell you later.
Carry on.
Yes, sir.
What I wanted to say was God bless us, every one.
Hear, hear.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.