Col. Raynor Sarnac is a pilot with the right stuff—he's flown missions in two wars and has risen to command a reconnaissance wing at Laughlin AFB, Texas, where he pilots his fliers and his family through the turbulent Cold War of the early 1960s. In October 1962 Sarnac's wing is ordered to fly continuous U-2 missions over Cuba—to obtain conclusive evidence that the Russians are installing offensive missiles. Meanwhile, Sarnac's wife Vanessa, who lives in constant dread of 'the knock at the door,' is baffled by her youngest son who won't speak to anyone but his sister; and has difficulty coping with a headstrong 16-year-old daughter who's taking flying lessons from her grandfather against her mother's orders.
The entire Sarnac family is thrown into turmoil when Raynor receives a lucrative job offer in the private sector.
Raynor faces one of his toughest missions as he tries to prevent a bitter ex-pilot from exposing the details of a top secret mission.
The violence spawned by the Civil Rights Movement hits home when Wesley and a black friend are beaten by teenage racists.
A dangerous top-secret mission takes Raynor over Red China to see if the Chinese have developed an Atomic Bomb.
On a mission into the heart of Saigon, Raynor bears personal witness to the horrifying brutality of the government.
Raynor's involvement in a bitter political controversy could cost him a valued friendship...and ruin his military career.
Forced to bail out of a crippled plane, Raynor and a Japanese Air Force officer struggle to survive in a dangerous wilderness.
Raynor is torn between duty and friendship when an Air Force buddy suddenly develops a crippling fear of flying.
While testing a new flight system, Sarnec is hounded by an investigative reporter probing for revelations about defense spending.
Raynor and Vanessa are so involved in their friends' marital problems, they don't notice Carl is facing a crisis of his own.
Tension mounts in the Sarnac household as Raynor prepares for a mission that has already claimed the life of one of his best test pilots.
Raynor is forced to face the harsh truth that an old friend is really a spy for the KGB.
A flight over Vietnam turns into a journey of terror when Raynor is shot down and captured by the North Vietnamese.
Stiff penalties await a pilot who disobeys orders and brings a Russian defector back to America.
The news that a child is on the way puts a wedge in the Sarnacs' marriage as they both try to cope with feelings of doubt and guilt.
Col. Sarnac is sent to Vietnam a third time with the knowledge that a coup is planned that will end the rule of Pres. Diem and his family. He hopes to adopt the orphan son of Quan and spends a night on the town in Saigon with Clayton Jones. His adoption plans are thwarted when the boy is kidnapped by the Viet Cong.
Raynor has to fly this top secret mission and go to Washington DC
Raymor meets with President Kennedy. The family goes with him.
This episode mainly concentrates on the relationship between Raynor and Jackie. Jackie is growing into womanhood and Raynor is comming to grips with it.
In Feb. 1973, the North Vietnamese release all their American POWs, including Raynor Sarnac who has been a captive for three years. He is accused by the Air Force of having murdered two CIA agents while in captivity. He also finds America and his family have changed much in his absence. His oldest daughter Jackie (Shue) is now a college student and single mother. Son Wesley (Hollander) has gone to Canada to avoid the draft. Jackie’s former boyfriend Patrick is now an Air Force officer, but lost a leg in Vietnam. (unaired until the series was syndicated)