Jasper finds an enormous eagle in his front yard, which leaves him feeling a mix of awe and urgency. As he approaches the bird, he realizes why it’s there and feels a sense of danger.
Jasper can’t find his phone to call the police, so he goes back inside and grabs raw chicken to keep the eagle calm until help arrives. The neighbors gather and take pictures, and the police and Animal Control eventually arrive to assess the situation. Jasper continues to feed the eagle chicken to keep it calm while the authorities determine the best course of action.
Animal Control successfully captures an eagle with a worn tag, prompting Jasper to call the authorities out of concern. Jasper then embarks on a research journey to uncover the origins of the tag, which leads him to suspect military use. He visits the library and discovers Operation Skywatch, a defunct military project that used eagles for surveillance tasks. Jasper visits a military base to seek further clarification and learns that the tag belongs to an eagle named Thunder, a key part of Operation Skywatch known for its remarkable abilities. Despite this discovery, Jasper remains determined to uncover why Thunder was in his front yard.
Jasper and Captain Reynolds delve deeper into the mystery of the eagle’s appearance in Jasper’s yard. They visit the archives to uncover information about Thunder, a military-trained eagle from Operation Skywatch, whose disappearance and reappearance added a new layer to their investigation. Thunder’s files revealed that he went MIA during a mission, and Jasper speculated that he might have returned to a familiar location. To confirm Thunder’s identity, Jasper contacted Dr. Morgan, an expert in military-trained eagles, who verified that the eagle was indeed Thunder. Dr. Morgan shared stories about Thunder’s extensive military training and unique bond with its handlers. She hinted that Thunder’s strong homing instincts might have led him to Jasper’s yard. Jasper and Captain Reynolds brainstormed possible reasons for the blood found on Thunder’s tag and decided to investigate the woods, where they discovered a nearby abandoned cabin that seemed to be a potential sight of interest.
Reynolds and Jasper discover an old cabin in the man’s front yard with a collapsed roof. Inside, they find old supplies and papers that reveal a recent training exercise for soldiers, and they realize that Thunder, the eagle, had likely been trying to get help for an injured soldier. The men contact the authorities, leading to a rescue mission that locates and aids the wounded individual. The older handler of Thunder is found nearby and had been waiting for help for days. Both injured soldiers are rescued and reunited with their unit. Jasper is hailed as a local hero for his role in uncovering the mystery and aiding in the rescue mission. Thunder is returned to the military, and Jasper is given the opportunity to visit and learn more about the eagle’s training. The experience deepens his appreciation for Thunder and the bond they had formed, leaving Jasper feeling grateful for the unexpected adventure and new connections made.
