TIMOTHY RYAN enjoyed his association with the Naval Air Reserve Squadron VR773 and looked forward each month to flying with his buddies. It is 1967 and Ryan is assigned the duty of delivering a much needed C-54 transport aircraft to the Air America organization in Vietnam. The transport is needed to fly in and out of small secret landing fields in Thailand and Laos operated by the C.I.A. and Air America. Ryan's crew is composed of his reserve officers and two other members of his squadron that he has had little flight time with. SEAN CASEY , a veteran Air America radio operator and flyer is assigned to assist the reserve crew in the mission by giving advice and reducing the red tape involved with the transfer of the aircraft. Casey is an unexpected part of Ryan's crew upon departure from California. Casey adds three additional members to the passenger list when the crew arrives in San Francisco. Ryan is somewhat puzzled by this mischievous rogue but eventually relies on him for much advice in the ways of military "black" covert operations. An engine fire while the aircraft is approaching the Philippines creates a few tense hours prior to landing the passengers and crew at Cubi Point Naval Air Station . The engine is repaired and with a decision by the commander to wait until the following morning to get underway again, two members of Ryan's' crew decide to make an evening of it in Olongopo- the sin capitol of Southeast Asia. The two members waste no time in picking up two girls and while in the girls apartment, her ex boyfriend comes calling. The resulting fight lands both of the crewmembers in jail. Ryan and a friend from the Navy base negotiate their release in time to make the continued flight to Danang Vietnam. Ryan is immediately involved in flight operations to Laos and returns from his first flight with a Vietnamese girl that tried to stow away on the aircraft and a gold bar worth megabucks. He also meets a journalist named ANDREA WATKINS that is determined t