Ex-U.S. General Sandower, an extremist, has established a launch pad and support facility at an abandoned desert mining complex. He plans to launch his own personal nuclear missile toward Moscow, with the help of a small private army and launch crew he has organized. As Sandower begins his brief countdown to lift-off, Hawke must use Airwolf to abort the start of World War III. Unfortunately, Hawke's sole aide is a fumbling drunk with a fear of flying. They roar toward the site in Airwolf, hoping desperately to destroy the missile before it gets too far away to be stopped.