One flies them. The other keeps them flying. Nothing in their job descriptions says they must like each other. Ever since a run-in during the Korean War, grizzled airplane mechanic Sgt. Chuck Brennan (Karl Malden) has disliked hotshot pilot Col. Jim Herlihy (Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.). Now Brennan has a new reason to be ticked off: Herlihy is romancing Brennan's daughter (Natalie Wood). Professional and domestic conflicts of men charged with maintaining war readiness during an uncertain peace give wing to this suspenseful aerial saga. Central to that Cold War-era preparedness is the new airship they're putting through a key test run: the 200-ton B-52 Stratofortress. There's no room on board this huge ship for animosity. Because on this flight, danger rides the skies. And teamwork is essential.