The grueling, yet suddenly thrilling, life aboard the USS Independence. "Montana," "Crash," "Rat" and "Conan"--they're four of the "top guns" aboard the USS Independence, a floating airport with 5,000 men and one mission: to provide a safe home base for American fighter planes during the Gulf War. By coincidence, NOVA cameras happened to be on board when the Independence was called to military action. What you'll see in this special film captures the intensity, anger and adrenaline of battle like no cameras have ever before.

"The Navy is a lot like prison, except you have a greater chance of drowning," cites one lieutenant. Aboard ship, you'll get an exclusive view of life: the cramped quarters, round-the-clock tension and relentless training, plus an awesome look at the dangerous highspeed take-offs and landings of the Navy's top fighter pilots and their powerful jets during actual war missions.