Gallery 1

F-14 Tomcat zooms in a vertical climb

A Navy F-14 Tomcat fighter pulls into a pure vertical climb as its pilot and radar intercept officer (RIO) enjoy the power of their machine. This photo, taken during a Cold War deployment to the Indian Ocean, captures the spirit of Topgun Days.

Flight student

The author as a student RIO at NAS Pensacola, in front of the TA-4 Skyhawk trainer. When this photo was taken, he had one more flight to complete before earning his Wings of Gold as a Naval Flight Officer.

F-14 squadron, NAS Miramar

As a new member of an F-14 squadron the author was expected to apply his training as well as adapt to changing situations. These are his squadron's jets at Naval Air Station Miramar, also known as Fightertown USA, in San Diego

Flight briefing

Topgun Days is a very personal account of operating one of the world's most impressive fighters. The author recounts his expectations and fears as he trained for combat operations with Fighter Squadron 24 (VF-24), whose nickname was "The Fighting Renegades."

F-14 above USS Ranger

Navy squadrons routinely conducted very challenging flying operations. Here a VF-24 F-14 flies above the carrier USS Ranger (CV-61), awaiting its turn to land. During one routine flight, Bio and VF-24's commanding officer had to eject from their plane during a carrier landing end ended up struggling for their lives.

Zone 5 afterburner

Carrier operations routinely provided incredible experiences: maneuvering a 60,000-pound aircraft in extremely tight quarters, brain-jarring catapult launch, stressful thrill of a night carrier landing. This shot of an F-14 in full afterburner, known as Zone 5, seconds before its catapult launch captures one of those sights.

F-14 refueling from KA-6 Intruder

Navy aircrews conducting demanding operations, but were rewarded with incredible views. Here striking clouds form a dramatic backdrop for a Tomcat taking fuel from an Intruder.

Plane captains

Every organization in the Navy - fighter squadron, aircraft carrier, admiral's staff - relies on the well-trained and dedicated sailor for its success. These three guys worked hard in difficult conditions. Sometimes it was hot, sometimes cold, always noisy and dangerous, yet they were always ready to smile for a photo.

Overnight alert

During deployments on aircraft carriers in the Cold War, squadrons kept a few aircrews ready for immediate launch, day or night. Here VF-24 pilot Gordo tries to sleep on a cot in the ready room - while wearing his flight gear.

Fighter escort

When an Il-38 "May" patrol plane from the Soviet Union probed the carrier's defenses, it was met and escorted by a fully-armed VF-24 F-14 Tomcat. This was a regular occurrence.

Topgun adversaries

Once Bio met the experience requirements, he and Jaws went through the five-week Topgun class as students and faced some of the most demanding training anywhere. Of course they loved it! Later, both were selected to return as Topgun instructors.

Commuters

These three Topgun F-5 Tiger IIs give a different meaning to the term "commuter jet" as they fly above San Diego and return to their home base after a training mission.

Boa and Circus make notes

Topgun instructors set high standards for themselves, including thoroughly and accurately debriefing training flights. Here, Boa and Circus use the nose of an F-5F to fill in some notes after a flight at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC.

F-5 cockpit and wingman

Bio took this self-photo between engagements as the wingman joined up to prepare for another run. He was in an F-5F Tiger II, and the wingman is in an F-5E.

Action!

Two black F-5E Tiger IIs join-up, seconds after takeoff from NAS Miramar. The aircraft were on their way to film scenes for the Paramount motion picture "Top Gun."

Learjet and F-5s

Topgun F-5s, painted black for the movie, join the camera-carrying Learjet flown by Clay Lacy to fly out to their operating area and film scenes for the Paramount motion picture "Top Gun."

Goose and fans

Actor Anthony Edwards (left), who played the character "Goose" in "Top Gun," at the cast and crew party following the completion of shooting. Bio's wife Laura is in the middle. Photo © Russ Novak, used with permission.

Light 'Em Up

At the end of a full day of dogfighting above the desert near Yuma, AZ, , Topgun instructors and students flew back to their home base of Miramar. Here a student pulls alongside a Topgun F-5 and gives the instructors a good look at the full afterburner power of his F-14. Although his tour as an instructor was extremely rewarding, Bio looked forward to returning to an F-14 squadron.