Actual Marine aircraft were used in this film. KC 130 R and F models from Marine Aerial Refueling Squadron VMGR 352 were filmed taxiing on runways and having coffins removed from them. Active duty Marines from the base were also used to depict Marines marching in columns that were returning from Vietnam. The F model aircraft used in the film actually flew many missions during the Vietnam conflict.
The name of the movie and book is paraphrased from the Bible passage Matthew 24:6 "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come."