My neighbor was a Top Gun instructor at the end of the F4 era

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Jun 26, 2022
10:29:42pm

bluelands Truly Addicted User

and beginning of Tomcat. Great stories. Great guy.

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bluelands

Bio page: bluelands
Joined: Aug 16, 2002
Last login: May 5, 2023
Total posts: 52,694 (564 FO)

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Messages

Author

Time

Top Gun question. Do only Navy planes and pilots fly from Aircraft Carriers? Wouldn’t logically the AF have the best

Hank Rearden All-American

6/26/22 9:54pm

Why would flying off an aircraft carrier make them less of a pilot? If anything it takes more skill.

Busting Coveys

6/26/22 9:56pm

I guess I didn’t explain that very well. It had nothing to do with skill needed, and everything to do with AF doesn’t

Hank Rearden

6/26/22 10:13pm

Why does that even matter? I’m still not following.

Busting Coveys

6/26/22 10:21pm

Since the carriers are the first line of defense their pilots see more action

novacoug1

6/26/22 9:57pm

Not true. AF can (and have) launched B-2s or B-52s and send them to the other

BleedCougarBlue2

6/29/22 10:00am

B 52s don't do a lot of dog fighting

novacoug1

6/29/22 11:04am

True, but you didn't say "dog fighting", you said "action".

BleedCougarBlue2

6/29/22 7:16pm

Marine pilots fly from carriers.

ArcticKat

6/26/22 9:57pm

Why do you think naval aviators are worse than AF pilots? Is there any reason to think that?

Clark Addison

6/26/22 9:57pm

One group is called “The Air Force”

DiamondMo

6/26/22 10:03pm

Well, the terms “Air Force” v “Navy” for starter. But ultimately my thinking is that there are a many times the number

Hank Rearden

6/26/22 10:05pm

Becoming a fighter pilot is extremely competitive in any branch. They all

califcougar

6/26/22 10:13pm

My answers to those points would be:

Clark Addison

6/26/22 10:21pm

I have no doubt that they attract top caliber talent,

MojosDojo

6/26/22 11:09pm

My dad, a retired Marine pilot, would argue the Marines have the best pilots

letthewookieewin

6/26/22 10:00pm

But Top Gun proves that incorrect.

IGotGoodGifs

6/26/22 10:01pm

The Actual Top Gun instructor consultant for the film was a Marine, Dave Berke:

NewMexiCoug

6/26/22 10:10pm

<< Deleted >>

letthewookieewin

6/26/22 10:28pm

Your dad sounds like a cool guy but Marines also say they're the best everything

vagabonder

6/26/22 10:04pm

That's because Marines are honest.

Les IsMore

6/26/22 11:22pm

I remember when Marine told me with a straight face that USMC infantry have the

vagabonder

6/27/22 6:10am

He did mention he knows very little, which doesn't imply any of them are less.

S-rizzle

6/26/22 10:01pm

Navy pilots existed before the USAF was formed.

WJCougar

6/26/22 10:01pm

Doesn't make them better...

MojosDojo

6/26/22 11:12pm

Doesn't make them worse.

WJCougar

6/27/22 7:55am

It's been a weird evolution that at times makes sense, and at others can't be

Corn Pop

6/26/22 10:04pm

The Navy does manage their own soldiers, Navy Seals

icecougar

6/26/22 11:45pm

Aren't the Marines part of the Navy?

NC CougarBear

6/27/22 9:36am

Technically, yes. But I'll tell you they sure HATE to admit that. 😉

BleedCougarBlue2

6/29/22 10:04am

All 4 branches have great pilots. One isn’t necessarily better than the other.

califcougar

6/26/22 10:05pm

Do Drone flyers belong to one of the 4 branches?

Crowgar

6/26/22 10:08pm

All branches have aerial drones

califcougar

6/26/22 10:16pm

Which branch did buster fly for?

The_Cuss

6/26/22 11:45pm

My home teaching companion in the 90s was at top gun in San Diego

zephyr

6/26/22 10:05pm

My neighbor was a Top Gun instructor at the end of the F4 era

bluelands

6/26/22 10:29pm

The Navy operated an air station in Adak, Alaska until 1997. It was a Cold War..

icecougar

6/27/22 12:09am

I'm guessing all pilots have similar training - regardless of military arm.

Eddie

6/26/22 10:07pm

Navy pilots wear brown shoes, and somehow that makes them better.

kcca

6/26/22 10:17pm

A family friend was an air force pilot in Korea and flew off the USS Hancock in

CanuckUte

6/26/22 10:21pm

Lots of good answers but some seem to think Im an idiot for asking. Let me simplify. The movie implies the VERY best

Hank Rearden

6/26/22 10:26pm

The Navy Has thousands of aircraft. It’s not hundreds vs. thousands. Not to

califcougar

6/26/22 10:47pm

The US Air Force is the largest Air Force in the world

Hotlanta

6/27/22 4:52am

RE: Lots of good answers but some seem to think Im an idiot for asking. Let me simplify. The movie implies the VERY best

zephyr

6/26/22 10:47pm

The Air Force evidently has their own school, called Weapons School

kirty

6/27/22 12:51am

Probably a moot point. Drones are the future of military air warfare.

Blueto

6/26/22 10:29pm

They'll continue to play a role,

MojosDojo

6/26/22 11:25pm

Similar question: why do 3 (or more) branches have fighter jets?

Great38

6/26/22 10:44pm

More tactical than anything.

Les IsMore

6/26/22 11:39pm

My opinion:

MojosDojo

6/26/22 11:24pm

Add my two cents to your thoughts

NavyCougar

6/27/22 7:49am

I can’t speak for all fighter pilots from the branches of the military, but i

Idacoug

6/27/22 12:21am

Yes , they fly different planes.

Mot

6/27/22 12:36am

A friend who is an AF pilot told me that navy pilots are more limited in what

Thrill

6/27/22 12:53am

I don’t think USAF pilots (I am one) are any better or worse than the USN/USMC.

pilot17

6/27/22 5:19am

35th Fighter Squadron, Itazuke AFB, Japan

Kunsi

6/27/22 7:02am

The F 35 is used by the Navy Air Force and Marines.

chazen

6/27/22 10:53am

Yes, only Navy and Marine Corps pilots fly from carriers. Everyone thinks

Mitty

6/27/22 12:08pm

Not true. "Most" pilots who operate from carriers are Navy or Marines, but not

BleedCougarBlue2

6/29/22 10:17am

I am just amazed at what any of you pilots can do. It is so cool and humbling to

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