The 5,000-strong crew of nuclear aircraft carrier the USS Nimitz bid farewell to loved ones before setting sail from Coronado, California.
The crew members of the USS Nimitz develop strong bonds in order to cope with the carrier's dangerous and demanding environment.
Two crew members become embroiled in a scandal during the Nimitz's four-day port call in Hong Kong, and the captain announces a change of course.
Mentoring and camaraderie hit a low point as friction grows between enlisted personnel and their superiors.
The USS Nimitz arrives in the Persian Gulf to temperatures hovering around 120 degrees, and pilots undertake gruelling six-hour missions over Iraq.
A port call in Bahrain sees some sailors relax by the pool, while others visit a mosque and learn about Muslim culture.
Chris Altice
Self
Randy Brock
Kevin McLaughlin
Mel Gibson
Producer
Mitchell Block
