In the Airwolf II episode, the secretive government organization known as The Firm has developed a new prototype attack helicopter, codenamed “Redwolf”, intended to be an improved counterpart to the original Airwolf. The design and piloting of Redwolf are overseen by Harlan “Tex” Jenkins, an arrogant test pilot who seeks to prove himself superior to Stringfellow Hawke. Jenkins sees Redwolf as not just a technological rival, but also a way to settle personal scores, or at least to challenge Hawke’s reputation.

Early in the episode, tensions arise within The Firm when Archangel, who acts as a liaison between Hawke and The Firm, is removed from his position. Zeus, the head of The Firm, fires him, suspecting that Archangel has grown too protective of Hawke and possibly disloyal. Meanwhile, Jenkins prepares Redwolf for demonstration — showcasing its power, speed, and weapons capabilities. Jenkins’ arrogance and rivalry with Hawke form the emotional core of the conflict, and Hawke becomes aware that The Firm may prefer Redwolf to Airwolf.

The stakes rise sharply when Jenkins steals Redwolf and plans to sell it to South American revolutionaries. He doesn’t just want to hand it over; first, he wants to force Hawke into a direct aerial showdown, a duel in the skies. The motive is both professional one‑upmanship and personal vindication: he wants to prove that he and Redwolf are better than Airwolf and its pilot.

Hawke, understanding the danger that Redwolf poses if it falls into rebel hands, must act both to stop Jenkins and to protect Airwolf’s legacy. The conflict becomes as much about protecting technological power as about protecting honor, reputation, and loyalty. The action sequences include aerial maneuvers, combat between the two helicopters, and tension over whether Jenkins’ betrayal will destabilize The Firm or enable misuse of Redwolf’s destructive potential.

The episode also explores themes of trust, rivalry, and the question of what makes one pilot superior: is it the machine or the person who pilots it? Jenkins insists that Redwolf’s new features give him the advantage; Hawke must rely not only on Airwolf’s capabilities but also his experience, judgement, and moral compass. There is also internal tension in The Firm over leadership and loyalty when they see Jenkins’ betrayal as a serious threat.

In the end, Airwolf II dramatizes that technological superiority is empty without integrity, and that true strength comes from character and commitment. Though Redwolf is powerful, The Firm’s misuse of it, and Jenkins’ hubris, bring about consequences that underscore the series’ recurring message: machines may be weapons, but people decide how they are used, and those decisions define who wins.