The Delta Force

The curtain opens on a scene of chaos and failure as Operation Eagle Claw, the American mission to rescue hostages from Tehran's U.S. embassy, is abruptly aborted after a devastating helicopter crash. Major Scott McCoy (Chuck Norris), a man of principle and conviction, defies orders to rescue his wounded comrade Pete Peterson (William Wallace) from the burning wreckage, before the team finally evacuates the scene. As he watches his comrades flee, McCoy's disgust with the politicians and military hierarchy that prioritized politics over human life boils over, leading him to announce his resignation from active duty.

Five years later, a group of ruthless Lebanese terrorists, armed to the teeth with an arsenal of weapons including Colts, machine pistols, and AK-47s, seize control of American Travelways Boeing 707 (ATW) Flight 282. The plane, en route from Cairo to Athens, Rome, and finally New York City, is hijacked by the pro-Khomeini New World Revolutionary Organization, led by the cunning Abdul Rifi (Robert Forster) and Mustafa (David Menachem). The terrorists, fueled by a fanatical ideology, demand that Captain Roger Campbell (Bo Svenson) and his crew fly them to Beirut, where they will make impossible demands of the United States government. The stakes are higher than ever before: if their demands are not met, the hostages will meet a gruesome fate.

As the crisis unfolds, the terrorists separate Israeli passengers from Americans by forcing the flight attendant to identify them. She hesitates, torn between her duty and her moral compass, which is German. When the plane lands in Algiers for refueling, the hijackers bring a dozen additional henchmen on board and surrender the female hostages and children. Meanwhile, Delta Force, led by Colonel Nick Alexander (Lee Marvin) and McCoy, are deployed to resolve the crisis. With the female hostages safely evacuated, they launch their assault, only to discover too late that there are additional hijackers waiting in ambush, unwittingly alerting the terrorists. Abdul takes the life of a US Navy diver named Tom, taking two more divers and dozens of Jewish male passengers with them as they flee to Beirut. Delta Force gives chase, determined to rescue the remaining hostages.

As the plane lands in Beirut, the terrorists gather their hostages and transport them to a militant-controlled area of the city. Israeli Army Intelligence, working through a sympathetic Greek Orthodox priest, prepares an operation to free the hostages. In a prolonged campaign against the terrorists, Delta Force bides its time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. They must identify the terrorist leaders and locate the hostages before launching their assault, a challenge that will test their mettle and resolve.

As the situation unfolds, the Delta Force springs into action, launching a daring assault on the terrorist stronghold to liberate the captives and swiftly evacuate them to the airport. Amidst the intense firefight, McCoy (played by), Peterson, and their comrades relentlessly pursue Abdul and his cohorts, taking down the majority of the militants before Abdul delivers a devastating blow, gravely wounding Peterson. Undeterred, McCoy tracks down his adversary to an abandoned dwelling, engaging him in a brutal hand-to-hand combat that culminates with Abdul's arm being brutally broken. As the terrorist leader prepares to deliver a fatal shot, McCoy seizes the initiative, launching a rocket into his getaway car, silencing the enemy once and for all.

With the hostages and rescue teams secure, the Delta Force team executes a masterful operation to seize control of Flight 282 by covertly infiltrating the airfield through a cotton field. Utilizing silenced weapons, Alexander and his comrades eliminate the terrorist guards, including the final hijacker, ensuring the safe evacuation of the crew and passengers. As orders are given to pilot the plane to Israel, the team boards the aircraft alongside the freed hostages, taking off mere moments before McCoy, still reeling from his intense battle, is the last to board the plane after having annihilated several terrorist jeeps on the runway with his motorcycle's armament.

On board, the team attends to the wounded passengers and Peterson, who is now slipping away due to his mortal wounds. After confirming that all hostages are safe and en route home, a somber Pete says his goodbyes to McCoy before succumbing to his injuries. In the main cabin, the ex-hostages and Delta commandos unite in a rousing performance of "America the Beautiful", oblivious to Pete's passing. As the plane touches down safely in Israel, the hostages are reunited with their families, while the Delta Force team disembarks with Pete's lifeless body, marking the conclusion of their operation. The team departs for the United States amidst celebrations by the people, a testament to their bravery and selflessness.