Flight of the Intruder

Flight of the Intruder

Year: 1991

Runtime: 115 mins

Language: English

Director: John Milius

Budget: $35M

ActionWarWar and historical adventureBravery in WarMilitary combat and heroic soldiers

U.S. Navy pilot Lt. Jake Grafton and his bombardier, Lt. Cmdr. Virgil Cole, grow frustrated by the limits placed on their Vietnam‑War missions. When their commanding officer, Cmdr. Frank Camparelli, tries to pull them back into the fold, the disillusioned pair devise a risky, unauthorized attack plan that could land them in a court‑martial.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Flight of the Intruder (1991)

Trace every key event in Flight of the Intruder (1991) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Tonkin Gulf mission ends in a tree-target

Jake Grafton and Morg fly an A-6 Intruder over North Vietnam and strike what they believe is a truck park. They quickly realize the target is just trees. Morg is shot in the neck by a ground-based weapon as they return to the USS Independence, leaving Jake to land the damaged plane with Morg dead.

During the Vietnam War, after the strike run Gulf of Tonkin / USS Independence
2

Debrief and orders to move on

Back on deck, Commander Camparelli and Commander Parker debrief Jake and urge him to put Morg's death behind him. They order him to write a letter to Morg's wife. The mood is heavy as the Navy prepares Jake for the next steps.

Immediately after landing USS Independence
3

Unwind plan: Subic Bay relief trip

Camparelli tells Jake's roommate Sammy Lundeen to fly Jake into Subic Bay with Bob Walkawitz and Mad Jack to help him unwind. The mission is framed as a temporary, unofficial break from combat. Jake struggles with the idea but agrees to the diversion.

Shortly after debrief Subic Bay
4

Sharon and Callie: tense homefront moment

Jake attempts to see Sharon, but she has already departed. He then faces a tense encounter with Callie Troy, who is packing Sharon's belongings. The human cost of war begins to gnaw at him.

Between missions Naval base; Tailhook Bar
5

Tailhook Bar altercation and Callie’s revelation

An altercation with civilian sailors at the Tailhook Bar leads to further strain with the crew. Jake runs into Callie again, and she reveals that her husband, a Navy pilot, was killed on a solo mission over Vietnam. The admission deepens Jake's guilt.

After the altercation Tailhook Bar
6

Discipline clash: Cole backs Jake

Camparelli confronts Jake about the bar incident. Cole supports Jake, signaling a frayed but functional bond within the squadron. The rift tests their ability to operate under stringent ROE.

Shortly after the bar incident Carrier command deck
7

Iron Hand mission: suppress SAMs and dodge MiGs

The crew conducts a daylight Iron Hand mission to suppress enemy surface-to-air missiles. They manage to evade a North Vietnamese MiG-17 and complete the objective, helping other aircraft operate with less risk. The operation demonstrates the growing intensity of the air war.

During Iron Hand mission Over Vietnam
8

Hanoi bombing proposal and Cole’s caution

Jake privately suggests bombing Hanoi, risking a severe breach of ROE. Cole rejects the idea, warning it could end their careers and trigger harsher retaliation. The debate reveals a clash of judgment under mounting pressure.

After Iron Hand Over Vietnam
9

Boxman dies; TV gloats; SAM City targeted

On the next mission Boxman is shot down by a SAM, and North Vietnamese television gloats about the loss. In response, Cole agrees to attack SAM City, a depot believed to threaten future operations.

Following Boxman's death Over North Vietnam near Hanoi
10

Intel brief and grim odds

The Squadron Intelligence Officer is coerced to back the plan and warns Jake and Cole that success is unlikely. The ominous briefing foreshadows the challenges of attacking a well-defended missile complex.

Before the power plant raid Command center
11

Power plant raid and missile depot hit

During the mission near Hanoi, they initially drop only two bombs, then reallocate munitions to hit the missile depot. They struggle with a malfunctioning armament computer on the first pass and are nearly downed by heavy fire. On the second pass they destroy the SAM City depot.

During mission Near Hanoi
12

Court-martial and cover-up begins

Camparelli chastises Jake and Cole for the unauthorized mission, and they are court-martialed at Subic Bay. The hearings are harsh and their careers appear over, as the operation is treated as a failure under ROE.

Post-mission Subic Bay Naval Base
13

Linebacker II orders and charges dropped

Operation Linebacker II is ordered by President Nixon, and charges against Jake and Cole are dropped as the raid is retrospectively sanctioned. The mission is framed as part of a larger strategic operation.

After Linebacker II order Subic Bay / Washington
14

Final assault: pursuit, sacrifice, and escape

Razor disobeys Camparelli's order to disengage and Jake and Cole launch one final attack to destroy a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. Their Intruder sustains heavy damage and they eject, with Jake landing near Camparelli's wrecked plane and Cole mortally wounded in hand-to-hand combat. Skyraiders appear overhead to provide cover.

Final offensive Over Vietnam / ground near action
15

Aftermath: rescue and reconciliation

The survivors are retrieved by a rescue helicopter as Skyraiders napalm the area for cover. Recovered and patched up, Jake reconciles with Camparelli as the carrier returns to port, closing this chapter of the conflict for them.

Post-mission Carrier vicinity / port

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:02

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Flight of the Intruder

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