Opening scene shows a C-130 aircraft on final approach, and about to land on an airfield, at dusk. Next, a MAC Lockheed C-141 Starlifter aircraft is seen flying over a body of water. Its tail number is 63-8075. (Nicknamed "Petunia Pig," it was flown in accelerated operations beginning in 1964, and eventually logging about 15 hours a day in regular service, to provide the Air Force advance information about the operational capabilities of this type aircraft.) The next airplane shown is a MAC Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, about to land. Its unique 28-wheel landing gear is clearly visible as it approaches and touches down. Scene shifts to the MAC Command and Control Center, at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, where Air Force controllers are monitoring MAC worldwide operations. The wall in the background is covered by a map of the world showing numerous MAC air routes. A civilian narrator speaks about the Military Airlift Command. Camera pans over the Command Center wall map, showing North and South America and associated MAC routes and then across the Atlantic to Europe and Africa. Bucolic scenes of farmland and fields in the vicinity of Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Next, three large jet transport aircraft are seen on an airfield ramp. Suddenly, one explodes and is destroyed in fire and smoke. Rescuers carry and injured person on a stretcher. Another scene shows a bus and cars consumed in flames.
Formation of Israel in May 1948 and events leading up to it. October 1947: Jewish refugees from Europe aboard two ships arriving in Palestine, only to be turned away by British authorities and sent to internment in Cyprus. They get off from the ship Cyprus. A Jewish woman with her child at the dock. A sign reads 'United Nations Palestine Commission'. Delegates seated in a hall debating about the partition of Palestine between the Jews and the Arabs. Destroyed houses and buildings in Haifa after fighting between Israeli and Arab forces. Jewish troops holding guns walk on the ruins of building. The dead Jewish people on street. The troops stand in a group. Captured Arab prisoners in the Negev desert area, being directed by Israeli Defense Forces soldiers (IDF). The prisoners with their hands up enter a vehicle. Cars and people on a street with a traffic circle in Tel Aviv. Prime Minister of Israel, David Ben Gurion, enters a building on May 14, 1948, to be installed as leader of the new government. The Jewish soldiers stand holding guns. A flag of Israel flutters in the air on a flag pole. United Nations soldiers stand holding a white flag and join Israeli troops in recovering bodies of Israeli soldiers killed in ongoing skirmishes with Arab forces. The troops stand on a border. President of Israel Chaim Weizmann, a Jewish patriot, walks with officials. Soldiers stand on the side. The Israel delegates go to the United Nations and seek for Israel to be admitted to the United Nations. Delegates seated in hall. Middle Eastern Arab country representatives of the UN walk out of the hall in protest after Israeli receives the vote admitting it to the UN. The empty seats of the Arab countries. The new state of Israel is born. Flags are raised at the UN including the flag of Israel. People cheer and celebrate. From a July 2, 1964 newsreel of "Yesterday's Big Story".
A cycle race in Europe. Bicyclists pass by the crowded roads while several cars and men escort the riders. Cheering people on the road sides. The winner, a German, reaches the finish line. In Spain, men stand in a line on the roadsides during the motocross International Race of Barcelona. Motorcyclists ride over bumpy, rough and curved roads. Spectators cheers wildly.
White-Water race during spring season in Europe. River channel between houses. Kayak racers compete in the rapid waters of the river channel in the Eifel Mountain region. Participants press hard the rapid river water. Spectators watch the race standing on the banks of the river. Kayaks turn around in water, again regain position and compete.
President of Italy Antonio Segni visits United States. Soldiers march on road. Car comes. Building of White House. Italian President meets the United States President Lyndon B Johnson. They with other officials sit and talk. Segni emphasizes in his statement about closer ties between unified Europe, including Great Britain and United States. Snow around President Kennedy's grave. Italian President comes with guards and places a wreath over the grave.
View from behind the pilot in cockpit of a U.S.Air Force C-130 transport aircraft of the 322nd Air Division, U.S. Air Forces Europe, approaching Stanleyville, Congo, on a mercy mission to save lives of Belgian hostages held by Congolese rebels who threaten to kill them. View from tarmac on the airport, as Belgian paratroopers exit the aircraft while its engines are still running. They secure the airfield, unload supplies and ammunition, and start moving toward the center of Stanleyville. View from moving vehicle traveling along deserted street in Stanleyville. After hearing shots, the paratroopers come upon a courtyard where they find numerous Belgian dead. View of courtyard and bodies covered with cloth. Another dozen, or so, bodies are seen lying in another group. One dead seen lying in the roadway. Bullet-riddled car at side of road. Local Congolese residents (non-rebels) board trucks for transport to the airport. Hundreds of rescued Belgian people are gathered at the airport. A C-46 transport aircraft is parked in the background. A Belgian trooper walks past. Next, a view, again, from behind the pilot in a USAF C-130 aircraft, this time, approaching Leopoldville. Ground crewman guides the aircraft to a parking place on the Leopoldville airport ramp. Rescued people walk across the ramp. U.S. Air Force airmen carry body of a victim,on a stretcher, down the rear ramp of a C-130. Bodies of those killed, are laid out across the entrance of a hangar at the airport. Two U.S. Marines place American flags on the bodies of medical missionary, Dr. Paul Earle Carlson, and missionary, Phyllis Rine. More views of rescued persons walking with some belongings, across the tarmac and gathered around the open rear door of a C-130. Tail number of the C-130 is 40499. A USAF C-119 aircraft; a C-97 (of the Military Airlift Command); and a C-54 aircraft are parked in the background.