When U.S. Air Force aerial warfare expert Major General Patrick McLanahan notices that Russia's heavy bomber and tactical bomber bases are busier than ever, he tries to get his superiors to pay attention, but they ignore him. Then Russian president General Anatoliy Gryzlov launches an all-out sneak attack on America that devastates U.S. strategic air forces.

McLanahan has not only foretold the Russians' daring plan, but he has plans for a counterstrike that could stop the Russian war machine dead in its tracks. But McLanahan is no longer in charge of Air Battle Force, his combat unit of the future, and the attack has left the U.S. president with few options: retaliate with every weapon in his arsenal, even if it triggers a global thermonuclear war, or agree to cease fire on Russia's terms ...

... or listen to McLanahan's long-shot plan of attack.