Based on a real-life rescue carried out under extremely difficult conditions. On Dec. 19, 1986, in the Shelikof Straits, a USCG HH-3F helicopter based at Air Station Kodiak, Alaska, made repeated attempts to rescue two men in the water. The waves topped 35 feet and winds gusted to 80 knots. After the hoist cable parted the second time, and with the helicopter dangerously low on fuel, the aircrew took extreme action: the aircraft set down on the surface of the water and, following a difficult struggle, rescued the victims directly from the sea.