airspace, one of the Soviet fighters (actually F-4 Phantoms because MiG-29s were unavailable) locks onto Doug, resulting in a dogfight where Matt loses control of his plane and is too late to save Doug, who is shot down by the Soviets. As they are being escorted back into U.S. Their antics get them carried away, and they stray over Soviet airspace. While on a routine patrol in United States airspace west of Alaska, pilots Doug "Thumper" Masters and Matt "Cobra" Cooper test the g-forces of their F-16C fighter aircraft. Despite this, it was nominated for three Genie Awards ( Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Sound Editing, and Best Overall Sound). It also did not fare well at the box-office, with earnings of $10,497,324. Like its predecessor, Iron Eagle II received negative reviews. The film's story is loosely based on Operation Opera, a surprise airstrike carried out by the Israeli Air Force on a nuclear reactor near Baghdad, Iraq on June 7, 1981. An uncredited Jason Gedrick also returns as ace pilot Doug Masters in the film's opening scene. reprising his role as Charles "Chappy" Sinclair, alongside newcomers Mark Humphrey, Stuart Margolin, Maury Chaykin, Alan Scarfe, Colm Feore, and Clark Johnson. It is the first sequel to the 1986 film Iron Eagle, with Louis Gossett Jr. Furie and written by Furie and Kevin Alyn Elders. Iron Eagle II (also titled Iron Eagle II: The Battle Beyond the Flag) is a 1988 military action film directed by Sidney J.