A Navy P-3 spy plane is rammed by a Chinese MIG and is forced to land at a Chinese Air Base. (The second such incident; the first being the actual incident that occurred early 2001)

The SecNav requests Adm. Boone re-activated to active duty, in order to travel with Harm to the Air Base to negotiate with the Chinese for the release of the plane & crew.

After the Chinese Commander is presented with photographic evidence that the MIG & its pilot that rammed the P-3 is alive & well (contrary to claims by the Chinese that the pilot was killed), the Chinese immediately release the P-3 crew; however, they would ship the P-3 back, piece by piece.

Lt. Barrett flying out to escort the plane from Chinese Air Space back to the USS Thomas Jefferson. After telling his wingman a lie to leave the escort, Lt. Barrett disobeys orders, flies into Chinese airspace & destroys the P-3 on the ground.

Harm defends Lt. Barrett who readily claims he disobeyed orders and destroyed the P-3 spy plane held hostage by the Chinese because he believed it was the right thing to do. Harm and Sturgis go head to head at the lieutenant's court-martial as Harm tries to keep him out of Leavenworth, where he could be sentenced to 25 years for his actions. Meanwhile, Mac investigates a charge of sexual harassment when a female officer charges a Marine colonel with humiliating her publicly when her training tape is shown on the television show "Military Bloopers." As part of her investigation, Mac takes the Colonel up on her offer to complete her regular physical training evaluation with the Colonel. Mac recommends that the Colonel get a letter of reprimand, which could jeopardize his chance for a command.