The navy whisks Boyington and other squadron leaders away and tells them to pick five men for a top secret mission where five men from each will have fly until out of gas and ditch in the ocean, hoping to be picked up. Angered, Boyington comes up with an alternate plan and enlists the help of his flying meatball circus. But Boyington isn't sure what is more dangerous, flying a mission over multiple Japanese carriers, or his men butting heads with professionally dressed, by-the-book Navy men.