Check. Head count. Head count. Two. Three.
Four. Five.
Six.
Demo set.
Let's move.
Clear.
Low Boy, this is Black Cat.
ETA Romeo, L-Z-one-niner.
We are hot. Copy.
Come on. Get out there! Go, go!
Come on.
Get in!
Cover! I'm on the roof!
Go!
This is Low Boy. Package is wrapped.
Ladies and gentlemen...
three weeks ago, Russian and American special forces...
apprehended the self-proclaimed leader of Kazakhstan...
General Ivan Radek.
His nuclear arsenal could have brought the world...
But thanks to the support of one of the world's greatest leaders...
Radek is now in prison.
Today we are honoring this brave man.
Ladies and gentlemen, my friend...
the president of the United States of America.
The dead remember our indifference.
The dead remember our silence.
I came here tonight to be congratulated.
But today when I visited the Red Cross camps...
overwhelmed by the flood of refugees...
fleeing from the horror of Kazakhstan...
I realized I don't deserve to be congratulated, none of us do.
- What's he doing? - That's not the speech.
The truth is...
we acted too late.
Only when our own national security was threatened did we act.
Radek's regime murdered over 200,000 men, women and children...
and we watched it on TV.
We let it happen. People were being slaughtered...
for over a year.
We issued economic sanctions and hid behind the rhetoric of diplomacy.
How dare we?
The dead remember.
Real peace...
is not just the absence of conflict, it's the presence of justice.
Tonight I come to you with a pledge to change America's policy.
Never again...
will I allow our political self-interest...
to deter us from doing what we know to be morally right.
Atrocity and terror are not political weapons.
And to those who would use them...
your day is over.
We will never negotiate.
We will no longer tolerate and we will no longer be afraid.
It's your turn to be afraid.
The Russian was a nice touch.
Tell my mother. She wanted me to study French.
- Do you know what you committed us to? - I know exactly what I committed us to.
Gentlemen, welcome to "Air Force One."
Please present your equipment for inspection.
We were just inspected at the gate.
This plane carries the president of the United States.
I understand. I'm terribly sorry.
Please place your thumb on the I.D. pad.
Access cleared.
Hello. I'm Melanie Mitchell, deputy press secretary.
- I'll be taking you in from here. - Oh, Miss Mitchell.
It is so nice to finally meet you in person.
The president and I were delighted we could accommodate your news crew.
So, if you boys are all cleared?
The president's on a very tight schedule so this is how it works.
During the flight, two members of your crew...
will be allowed outside the press area for filming.
You'll get exactly 10 minutes with the president, 20 with the crew.
Gary, the president is ready to take Congress on.
He's not gonna kiss their ass for each vote.
Let them vote us down and stand on their record.
Yeah, I'm with him now. I'll call you from the plane.
- What did they say about the speech? - Your speech is leading the news.
They're calling it the "Be Afraid" speech.
Good.
With all due respect, next time you want to make...
a major policy departure, you might want to discuss it...
with your national security advisor first.
- We did discuss it, Jack. - We discussed it...
in private, which is where I thought it would remain.
Now it's public. Now it's policy.
Get behind it.
The allies are going to be very upset they weren't consulted about this.
It might come back and bite us in the ass in November.
It's the right thing to do.
You know it.
There goes the neighborhood.
If you'd like, we have time for a quick tour.
- We'd be delighted. - Good.
Andrei, Boris.
Follow me.
Ahead of this staff cabin is Secret Service. Right here.
Never try to go past them without an escort or you'll be very sorry.
- Hello. - Hi.
Thanks for the warning.
Here we have our in-flight offices.
A lot of the plane's features are classified.
But I can tell you it's bullet-resistant...
and it's even protected against the pulse of a nuclear blast.
I'm not sure that's very comforting.
Upstairs is the cockpit along with the most advanced communications center...
on or above the face of the earth.
We could run the whole country from here.
Or even a war if we had to.
Just last week, the president called the shuttle astronauts from there.
The president's arriving. They should take their seats.
Right away.
I'll get out of here and let you all get some sleep.
- Mr. President, welcome aboard. - Hey, Danny. How are you?
Mr. President!
Change in plan, Danny. Let's go to Barbados.
Anything you want. You're the president.
Boy, I wish.
- Mr. President. - Mr. Gibbs, where's my bunch?
Ballet ran late. They'll be here in five minutes.
- Lewis, you tape the game? - It was a real squeaker, sir.
Don't brief me on it. I wanted to watch it, for Christ's sake.
We'll be underway in about 30 minutes, sir.
Mr. President.
Could you put the game on now? Yeah, Jack?
The Iraqis have mobilized two armored brigades toward...
Just got it. Give me 15 minutes. Get the guys together.
"Repel them. Make them relinquish the ball."
- Did you hear about Notre Dame? - Don't. Don't tell me the score.
- Great game. - Mr. President.
We need to strategize, smooth some things out politically.
- What was that? - It's not so important.
- Damage control. What if... - Give me a minute alone.
What if a "high-ranking White House official"...
Just give me a few moments alone.
A "high-ranking official" were to qualify what you said last night?
Drop it. Do yourself a favor.
It's policy. Drop it.
I told them you'd give them a sound bite about life in the White House.
There is no life in the White House.
You said it. The president needs some time alone.
14-13 Michigan!
All right, Mr. President!
That wasn't you napping during the performance, was it, Tom?
No, ma'am. It was very enjoyable.
Alice, you can finish it on the plane. Let's not keep your father waiting.
Try and smile, sweetheart. Okay?
- Alice, one picture, please! - Thank you very much.
Great, something from Tom.
Shh. Daddy's asleep.
How was the ballet?
It was great!
You trying to kill me? Wait it really good? Did you enjoy it?
Did you love it? Men in tights? Did you hear my speech?
- Yeah. - Yeah?
- You're gonna get yourself reelected. - That's what I keep telling them.
This is the aircraft commander. We'll take to the runway in a moment.
- Are you guys comfortable? - Yes, very.
You're welcome.
Pass interference. That's cheating.
- Only if they get caught. - Dad!
The way of the world, kiddo.
Why didn't you take me with you when you went to the refugee camp today?
For one thing, it's not 100 percent secure.
Come on, Dad. It's not like I don't see it on the news.
It's different on the news.
All I'm saying is I'm ready for things you don't think I'm ready for.
Maybe I'm not ready.
I'm 12 years old, Dad! In the caveman days...
I'd be having children of my own.
That's what we call progress. You're missing the best part of the game.
God!
We're so looking forward to seeing you.
- She is so anxious to grow up. - I know. She's...
Yes, the both of us.
Okay. Bye, bye.
Well, she couldn't stay your little girl forever, Jim.
I was hoping it would last till she was 14 or 15.
Or 50.
They hated your speech, didn't they?
They're afraid we won't have the guts to back it up.
And, then, if we do, it'll be political suicide.
Remember our first campaign?
- In the House? - Yeah.
- Downstate, driving around with... - Who was that kid, our volunteer?
- Henry. - Henry with the convertible.
- With the broken top. - And the snow coming in.
We were the only three people who thought you could win that.
You didn't give a damn. You knew what needed to be done and you did it.
And you spoke from your heart. That's what I heard tonight.
Well, it felt good.
I'll bet it did.
Sorry to interrupt. Everybody's assembled, sir.
United States "Air Force One."
It is an honor to clear you for immediate takeoff on runway 2-5.
"Air Force One" cleared for takeoff.
Thank you for your hospitality, Moscow.
In Moscow tonight, President Marshall defended...
the military action against the Radek regime...
an act the administration had been calling a one-time intervention.
But in a rare display of emotion...
the president alluded to a change in U.S. foreign policy when he stated...
that America will no longer tolerate any terrorist government.
These are two of Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard brigades...
He knows we're watching, knows we'll retaliate.
Why the hell is he sending tanks to the border?
Could be a response to your speech, Mr. President.
- Maybe he's got a son-in-law up there. - Very funny.
I think there's one or two he hasn't shot yet.
What does State have to say?
The Iraqi ambassador is claiming it's just an exercise.
Let's not waste more time. Send the "Nimitz" back in.
- Gibbs. - Guys.
- Sleeping on the job? - No, sir.
Hey, guys...
- Take a look at them. - Thank you.
Steward, there's smoke in the cabin.
Everybody move to the back of the plane. Now! Please!
Smoke! Notify the cockpit!
Mr. President, stay back.
Everybody down!
Code red! We have a code red! I repeat. Shots fired on board.
Code red acknowledged. Lock that door now.
Flight control, this is "Air Force One" declaring emergency.
Cover us!
Stay back.
Move up! I'll cover you.
Go! Go!
- What's going on? - Shots fired, sir.
- What about my family? - We're handling it, sir.
Boy Scout coming out! Cover!
- Give us cover! - Daddy?
Alice, get back!
Alice, get down!
- Take him around here. - Get down.
This is "Air Force One."
We are code red. Shots fired on board.
Request emergency assistance. ETA 15 minutes.
Acknowledged. We are scrambling our fighters. Emergency equipment...
will be standing by.
Get him to the escape pod!
Boy Scout is headed to the vault.
The football! The football!
Get him around here.
Get him down to the pod!
Don't move!
- They're on us. - Where's my family?
- Get in the pod, sir. Get in! - What about my family?
"Air Force One," landing runway 0-9. I repeat, runway 0-9.
Roger. Turning to heading 1-8-5. Descending to 5,000 feet.
Ramstein, this is "Air Force One."
Emergency pod has been deployed. I repeat.
- The emergency pod has been deployed. - Ramstein tower, acknowledge.
We are picking up the homing beacon and deploying search and rescue.
- Is the locking ready to look at? - Just about, sir.
- Has General Northwood arrived? - Yes, he has.
- Give me an update. - Madam Vice President, this way.
- We'll avoid the press. - Is the president secure?
Not yet. The recovery team will have him very soon.
"Air Force One"...
this is Halo Flight Lead,: you are under escort.
All airspace has been cleared. Alert force has been mobilized.
- Is everyone here? - We're working on it.
How did this happen? How did they get "Air Force One"?
Gentlemen. Mr. Secretary.
Ramstein tower, we are at ten mile...
Final coming in red hot.
Roger, "Air Force One." Wind is 0-niner-0 at 1-2. You are clear to land.
Get down! Now!
Open the door!
Open! Open the door!
No matter what happens, we land this aircraft. Is that understood?
Come on. Flaps 30.
Flaps 30.
- No! - Get the fuck in the air!
Now! Take this plane up!
Up! Up!
Take it up!
Get this plane back in the air now or you die.
Get up now!
No! Jesus!
Contact those F-15s.
I want them to keep "Air Force One" in visual contact.
- What are our airborne scenarios? - There are no airborne scenarios.
Then we'd better start generating them. They better be good and better work.
How long can they stay up there with the fuel they have?
- That's a question of airspeed, wind. - Altitude.
We need an "Air Force One" pilot. Any educated guesses where they might go?
- Iraq, Libya, Algeria. - Those are guesses, but not educated.
Notify our allies. We'll need secure airspace.
- Can we keep that under wraps? - We'll do our best.
Try and relax, Kathryn. I'm in charge here.
I don't know. It seems to me they're in charge.
- Don't hurt me. - Go.
Go.
Moscow police found six members of a Russian TV news crew murdered.
Tell me it's not that easy.
No. You would have to generate fake I.D., photos.
- Fingerprints. - Could be with help from Moscow.
How would they get weapons on board?
There's no way to get weapons on board "Air Force One." It's impossible.
There are enough weapons on board to take Panama, but who has access to them?
You think someone on the plane helped them?
What if somebody did and they're still on the plane?
Who do they trust up there? Who do we trust?
Madam Vice President, Mr. Secretary.
All compromised nuclear launch codes have been cancelled.
New codes are active.
Ramstein, the president's escape pod has been located.
We're honing in at 2-8-5 degrees.
There it is. Ramstein, we have a strong signal.
ETA, two minutes.
Where is the wife and daughter?
Where is my husband?
He had fled. The coward chose to save himself.
But one can always strike a bargain.
You listen to me.
I don't know who you are or what you want...
but you will never get it.
He will not negotiate.
Really?
His wife. His daughter.
A man could not live with himself.
And it would be such bad politics.
I think he'll negotiate.
The escape pod is visually acquired.
Location of Ramstein is 2-8-4 degrees.
Twelve miles out.
It's "Air Force One." They want to talk to the vice president.
Hello. Can you hear me?
This is the vice president of the United States.
To whom am I speaking?
This is the person who controls "Air Force One."
The world's most secure aircraft.
What is it that you want?
We'll get to that.
- I want to speak to the First Lady. - No.
The president is safe.
But then you must know that.
He ran from here like a whipped dog.
I'm sure you can't wait for him to get back to making the decisions...
so you can stop sweating through that silk blouse of yours.
What is the condition of the people on board?
Some are dead.
What are your intentions?
What arrogance to think you could ever understand my intentions.
I want to understand what it is that you want.
What do I want?
When Mother Russia becomes one great nation again...
when the capitalists are dragged from the Kremlin...
when our enemies run and hide in fear at the mention of our name...
and America begs our forgiveness...
on that great day of deliverance...
you will know what I want.
We can give you a forum for your grievances.
We can contact the Russian government.
But you must understand that it will take some time.
Really? When you talk to the president...
you might remind him that I am holding his wife, his daughter...
his chief of staff, his national security advisor...
his classified papers and his baseball glove.
If he wants them back, he will prevail upon the puppet regime in Moscow...
to release General Radek.
Fifty for one.
It's a good deal.
How's your blouse?
What assurances do I have that you'll keep your word?
I'll wait for confirmation that General Radek has been released.
Until then...
I will execute a hostage every half an hour.
You have my word.
You must understand that we... Hello?
They're off!
Damn it! Nobody does this...
to the United States.
The president will get back his glove and play catch with this guy's balls.
We can't do anything in half an hour. We need more time.
He's a zealot. Tough to negotiate with. All you can do is wear them down.
Mr. Secretary!
We found the escape pod.
It's empty.
So where's the president?
I think we have to acknowledge the possibility...
that the president may be dead.
Diversion. Try to buy some time.
It could have happened in a cross fire, and they're afraid we'll retaliate.
Damn right, we'll retaliate. We'll release Radek into the atmosphere.
It doesn't add up. That terrorist knew we'd recover the pod in short order.
He expected that we'd be talking to Marshall.
Let's not bury him yet. He could still be alive in that plane.
Let's not forget this president is a Medal of Honor winner.
In Vietnam, he flew more helicopter missions than any man in my command.
He knows how to fight.
Then he's taking a terrible chance with his life.
The element of surprise is a formidable advantage in combat.
If he's up there, he's the best chance that we have.
That pod was designed for a reason, General.
He has no right to take chances with his life.
What does the psych profile say? How far will he go?
He's a Radek loyalist. That tells us all we need to know, doesn't it?
He'll see this thing through to the last hostage or his own death.
Release this bastard and Central Asia will go up in flames!
I'm aware of that.
Bring back the old Soviet empire under a flag of genocide?
Radek with a nuclear arsenal?
I hate to say this, but 50 people...
is a small price to pay to stop that from happening.
Even if one of them is the president?
The presidency is bigger than any man. Didn't they teach you that at Yale?
Can't we release him today and pick up the pieces tomorrow?
We caught him before, we'll catch him again.
If Petrov releases Radek, his government will fall.
I promise you that. Then who's gonna stand up to Radek?
You go to catch him again, you'll find him in Moscow.
With respect, Mr. Secretary, we don't need more dramatics, we need options.
- It's not an option. - We need a decision.
It's not her decision.
This is a military situation. I'm the secretary of defense.
Check your regs. In the absence of the president, the buck stops here.
Get the attorney general with a copy of the Constitution.
We have... Oh, my God! Nineteen minutes.
I'm going to consult with President Petrov.
Madam Vice President, I'm sorry. I cannot release him.
We would train...
all our military might against this one target.
- He wouldn't stay at large for long. - Maybe so.
But millions of lives are hanging in the balance.
I am trying to save a nation!
As am I.
No nation can survive the loss, nor soon replace, a great leader.
Let us be pragmatic. Fifty lives means nothing...
in the grand scheme.
Let me be equally pragmatic.
Our president took a great risk to come to your aid...
against strong opposition in both parties and among our allies.
It would be politically impossible to do so again.
If it meant saving his life, I would gladly do it.
But I would have to know for sure.
And you cannot tell me he's alive, can you?
No, Mr. President, I cannot.
Then there is nothing I can do. I am truly sorry. Good-bye.
Okay, Walter, you and your generals get to work.
Okay, they can't keep the plane in the air indefinitely.
There are only four possible landing sites in Kazakhstan...
that are still controlled by Radek's forces.
We have to go in and take all of them. Can we do it?
I'd rather take my chances in the air.
I just looked at the airborne scenarios. They're no good.
- Can we do this? - In the time we have? Messy.
Three more minutes before they execute the first hostage.
You'll have to buy us more time.
All right.
You both, come here.
Now!
They will transfer the call here.
So...
let's just wait.
Excuse me.
Sir, if you will permit me, I am the national security advisor.
I'm the man the president would be listening to.
I believe you are negotiating right now with the vice president.
In our system, the vice president is like the queen of England.
She can't even get airline tickets without talking...
to somebody like me; therefore, let me speak to the White House.
I promise you, I'm the one person who can make this all work out.
Has he been released?
I've contacted the Russian government. We've set things in motion.
But at this point, we have to be realistic.
It's going to take more time.
More time?
He's a very good negotiator.
He bought you another half hour.
Mrs. Marshall.
Alice.
If you please, come with me.
That's the first time you ever seen a man killed, huh?
Leave her alone.
You think I'm a monster?
That I would kill this man?
Somebody's son?
Somebody's father?
I am somebody's son, too.
I have three small children.
Does that surprise you?
- Tell her to answer. - Leave her alone!
Shut up!
Why did you kill him?
Because I believe.
And when I shoot this man, I know in that instant...
how deep was my belief.
That I would turn my back on God Himself...
for Mother Russia.
My doubts, my fears.
My own private morality.
for this love.
You know, your father, he has also killed.
- Is he a bad man? - That's not true.
Why?
Because he does it in a tuxedo with a telephone call and a smart bomb?
You are a monster.
And my father is a great man.
You're nothing like my father.
What's the goddamn number?
- What city please? - Washington D.C., the White House.
- Just a moment. Here's the number. - Can you connect me to that number?
- There's a connect fee of one dollar. - Fine.
White House switchboard. How may I direct your call?
All right, listen. Listen carefully.
This is an emergency call from "Air Force One." This is the president.
Connect me to the vice president.
Who did you say is calling?
- This is the president! - Right, and I'm the First Lady.
Don't cut me off. This is an emergency.
The president doesn't call this particular number, so whoever you are...
Trace the call.
Follow your standard security procedure.
Trace the goddamn call!
Okay, sir. You want to make a federal case out of this, fine by me!
Hello. Anyone there?
Don't move.
- I traced the call, sir. - Give me the gun.
- Are you there? - Slowly.
Oh, my God!
I'll put you right through, Mr. President.
The switchboard has a call from someone claiming to be the president.
She traced it back to the White House satellite account.
The caller's gone, but the line is still active.
Put it through.
Listen to me.
You know who I am.
I'm the president of the United States.
- Yes! - Quiet!
Don't think that means I don't shoot you.
Put your hands behind your head and move.
This is your lucky day.
What more can my people do? Tell the F-15s to fire at the plane?
Even if they tried, we're equipped with tactical countermeasures.
- He's talking to us. - What do you mean?
I just want you to feel secure. That way no one will get hurt.
The computer will fly circles around any missile they fire at us.
- And no hit, just a shock wave. - He's telling us what to do.
Believe me, all that would happen is that we'd get knocked off our feet.
- That's all! - Shut up!
- lf we're going to act, we must act now. - It's too risky.
The president is up there with a gun to his head.
He's asking us to do that to "Air Force One"?
He's not asking.
Your commander in chief has issued a direct order. Do it!
Are you sure that's what you want me to do?
You heard me. Let's pray it works the way it's supposed to.
Boys, give me room.
I've been ordered to fire on "Air Force One."
I'm in position. Missiles are armed.
The target is acquired. I have a good lock.
God, I hope this works. Fox Three.
This is Marshall.
- Anyone there? - We're here, Mr. President.
Where's my family? Are they safe?
The terrorists claim they're holding them. We can't confirm.
Who are they?
What do they want?
They're Russian ultranationalist radicals. They want General Radek...
released from prison.
- What are our tactical options? - We're working on that.
- But the bastards have us in a corner. - There is no rescue attempt?
I ruled out a midair rescue. We can do nothing while the plane's in the air.
We gotta get this plane on the ground. Take me off the speakerphone.
- Where's Bennett? - Mr. President.
We cannot release Radek.
They're gonna shoot a hostage every half hour until we do.
I don't want a plane full of dead people.
They shot Jack Doherty.
Christ!
We can't give in to their demands. It won't end there.
If you die in the plane, does it end there?
We've got a job to do...
whatever the cost.
He'll want a glass of milk.
We gotta get this plane on the ground.
Get the plane on the ground.
It is starting to feel a little empty up here.
Sit down. Please.
Come.
Tell me your name again...
for the record.
Melanie.