Lt. Rusty Naille (callsign Baggy Zero Four) is a Forward Air Controller. From the cockpit of his propeller-driven plane, he experiences the terror and futility of war in Vietnam. After dodging bullets for months, he faces almost certain death when a patrol is surrounded and only he can save them.

Lt. Rusty Naille (callsign Baggy Zero Four) is a Forward Air Controller. From the cockpit of his propeller-driven plane, he experiences the terror and futility of war in Vietnam. After dodging bullets for months, he faces almost certain death when a patrol is surrounded and only he can save them.

In Mike Five Eight, Lieutenant Rusty Naille returns to Vietnam to complete his interrupted combat tour as a Forward Air Controller. Once again, he "volunteers" to fly a highly dangerous and even more secret mission than before – this time, over Cambodia. His Cessna O-2 plane is unmarked, he carries no identification, his existence is disavowed by his own government, and his right-seater is an NVA defector.