Opening scene shows two U.S. Air Force F-105 Thunderchief aircraft taking off in pre-dawn from Vietnam on a bombing mission, in 1966, during the Vietnam War. Next, the F-105s are seen diving and dropping bombs that explode into fire and smoke on the ground. Closeup of a Strategic Air Command (SAC) KC-135 aircraft in flight. It has been modified to serve as as a "Combat Lightning" aircraft that serves as a communication link between the Tactical Air Reporting Center at Monkey Mountain, near Danang, Vietnam and ground radar, airborne radar and any U.S. aircraft operating over North Vietnam. KC-135 "Combat Lightning" crew members are seated in a briefing room at the U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield, in Thailand. A briefing officer explains their mission, using charts and a map labeled SECRET Noforn (no foreign access) showing Vietnam and the Gulf of Tonkin. The briefer points to an area in the Gulf, and sketches a figure eight, showing where and how the KC-135 should maneuver in a holding pattern during its mission. Crew members rise and leave at the end of the briefing. View of a Strategic Air Command EC-135L that arrived on May 29, 1967, along with another, to support 24 hour "Combat Lightning" operations. Ground crewman directs the EC-135L as it taxis out and then takes off, past a C-130 aircraft holding short of the active runway. (Narrator notes that by the end of July, 1967, there were four "Combat Lightning" C-135 aircraft operating at U-Tapao airfield.) View from above of EC-135L aircraft in flight above clouds, en route to its assigned location over the Gulf of Tonkin. View of radio operator inside the aircraft, who is in radio contact with U-Tapao and the aircraft they are going to relieve. View of map showing their destination figure-eight holding pattern. Radio operator establishes the same contacts used by the aircraft they are relieving, to assure continuity of communications. Remainder of the film contains extended views of the radio operator at his station and of the EC-135 aircraft in flight. Near the end, the crew's Armaments and Electronics Technician is seen pulling a piece of malfunctioning electronic gear from a rack and replacing it with a spare, stored nearby.
Richard Nixon-Spiro Agnew election campaign for the office of Presidency in United States. Two United States helicopters in flight, Vietnam. U.S. troops fire during Vietnam War. Men sit in front of wrecked buildings in Vietnam. Dead Vietnamese and United States soldiers. Vietnamese civilians. A view of United States soldiers posted in Vietnam. Richard Nixon promises the end of Vietnam War during presidential campaign.
Seven nation summit conference on Vietnam in Manila, Philippines. U.S. President Lyndon B Johnson, North and South Vietnamese leaders during the meeting sign resolutions. President Johnson visits American soldiers and GIs in Vietnam. He reviews honor guards standing in a jeep. President also presents gallantry awards and medals to soldiers in Vietnam. (Vietnam War period).
B-52 D planes in revetments at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base. B-52 D planes taxiing out from revetments. Various views of B-52 Ds taxiing out.
Anti-war groups hold a moratorium march in Washington D.C., United States. Peace activists and peace demonstrators outside Department of Justice building in Washington D.C. A boy on a pedestal. Policemen lined up during the rally. A number of people on a platform as they take pictures. A girl sits on the pedestal. People outside an official building. People with banners bearing names around their neck. A banner reads 'Free all political prisoners'. People walk towards the U.S. Capitol.
Views from U.S. held defense fortifications at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. Interior view of living quarter of United States personnel. Old tunnel of French Defense area. Sign reads 'CPO quarters'. Man stands over radio shack in operation tower. Soldier talks over phone in the operation room. Lt. J .W. Allen, Operations Officer, in his office. (Vietnam War period).