Film opens with views of the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) radar installation at Thule, Greenland. View of two airmen walking underneath one of the huge antennas. Scene shifts to the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command (SAC) Command Post at Offutt Air Force Base, in Nebraska, where data from the BMEWS system is displayed on its monitors. The SAC Senior Controller, a Colonel, is seen on the "gray phone," via which he can communicate directly with various SAC entities. More views of BMEWS radar facilities. Back at the SAC Command Post, the camera focuses on the Operations Officer Controller, a Major, occupying number 4 controller position. He is seen talking on the gray phone. He presses a button labeled "Pease" (for Pease Air Force Force Base). View of his assistant (A master Sergeant). Next a flight of F-105 Thunderchief aircraft are seen closeup in formation with a SAC KC-135 tanker, from which one is receiving inflight refueling. View further away of the four F-105s and their tanker. Back at the Command Post, a Captain and a master Sergeant are keeping track of logistics affecting SAC worldwide. View of ordnance being transported on a SAC flightline. An officer and NCO on phones, and airmen on duty at switchboards of the SAC worldwide communications network encompassing ground lines of telephone, teletype, plus low frequency, high frequency, and ultra high frequency radio links. Switch board operator plugging in lines on the board. Camera pans over the controllers' positions at the command post. The Senior Controller (Colonel) asks the Operations Officer Controller (Major) to do a maintenance test of the primary alert system, whereupon, the Major lifts the red phone, and announces a test of all stations. Aerial view of SAC B-52 bombers parked on hardstands at an alert facility. Inside the alert area, SAC crew members are seen in their billets, where they stand 15 minute ground alert. One is playing a guitar, while the other is reading a manual. A partially open Minuteman missile silo, and a Titan II Intercontinental Ballistic missile (ICBM) silo opening with its missile being raised. A missile control crew inside the complex. More views of the SAC command and control center, at Offutt Air Force Base.
Operation Somerset Plain of 101st Air Cavalry Dv. U.S. Soldier removing bullets from his M-16 rifle and putting them in a can. He is also seen cleaning his rifle with a shaving brush and a toothbrush. August 1968. (Vietnam War period).
101st Air Cavalry Dv. of Operation Somerset Plain. Military people serving food to the U.S. soldiers in paper plates. August 1968. (Vietnam War period).
101st Air Cavalry Dv. of Operation Somerset Plain. U.S. Soldiers inside the ditch, filling sandbags with shovels for making bunkers. African American soldier digging sand. Soldiers seen adjusting and standing near the hows. Supplies hanging on copter CH-47 which is flying. August 1968. (Vietnam War period).
101st Air Cavalry Dv. of Operation Somerset Plain. U.S. Soldier speaks on the telephone. August 1968. (Vietnam War period).
101st Air Cavalry Dv. of Operation Somerset Plain. UH-1H flying and landing. U.S. Soldiers unloading the cartons from UH-1H helicopter. African American soldier hoisting a box. Aerial view of fire support base from a mountain can be seen. August 1968. (Vietnam War period).
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