Quotes

Dialogue

Admiral Reigart: Are you gonna fly commercial jets? Troll the friendly skies in a bus? You've had an interesting career, Lieutenant. I remember when you came on board. Smart as a whip, tons of potential. Chris Burnett: Thank you, sir. Reigart: And then, on September 23rd, you received a non-punitive letter of caution for disorderly behavior at the China Fleet Club in Hong Kong. Another letter a month later for something involving Chinese New Year at Pattaya Beach in Thailand. One can only imagine what that was. Just out of curiosity, Lieutenant, what happened to you? Burnett: Sir, I signed up to be a fighter pilot. I didn't wanna be a cop. I certainly didn't wanna be a cop walkin' the beat in a neighborhood no one cares about. That and the routine on the ship kinda wore me out. Reigart: The routine? Burnett: The routine. Reigart: What you don't know from experience is that the routine, the systems checks, the drills, the maintaining of discipline, that's what you do to prepare for war.

Dialogue

Burnett: Son of a bitch! Did you see this? He puts us on a holiday mission, god damn it! Stackhouse: Yeah, but look at the bright side, at least we get to fly, right? Burnett: Yeah, during the one good meal of the year, it's almost as if he doesn't like us. Stackhouse: No, no. You! Not me. You!

Dialogue

Rodway: Don't you forget what you are doing. Burnett: What are we doing here? Are you kidding me? Well, I am eating Jello, and he is wiping his hands. Rodway: You don't get to pick a fight. It comes to you. Burnett: Yeah, I get it. But at least give me a fight that I can understand.

Dialogue

Babic: It's not safe here. We keep moving. Burnett: No, you go. They killed my pilot because we took pictures of the graves, and I know where they are. And I am gonna get them, so he didn't die for no reason. Don't follow me, it's safer here.

Dialogue

Admiral Reigart: Our man is down behind enemy lines, now what the fuck is the problem? Admiral Piquet: Do you have any idea how much damage this incident may cause to the peace process??!? Admiral Reigart: All I know, Admiral, is that the American people want their pilot back. Admiral Piquet: Exactly! Americans, all you care about is your own damn pilots! What happens when the fighting starts again? Will America recommit its forces to stop a major war? No, you don't have any control over that little detail, do you? You might have helped save your man today, Reigart, and I emphasize 'might', but you risk the lives of thousands tomorrow.

Dialogue

O'Malley: You will lose your command for this. Admiral Reigart: So be it! I'm not gonna let that kid die out there while we sit around on this ship!