Elward, Brad TOPGUN. The US Navy Fighter Weapons School: Fifty Years of Excellence

This book provides a unique, illustrated history of the US Navy Fighter Weapons Schools 50-year history. Currently located at Naval Air Station, Fallon, Nevada, TOPGUN was formed in late 1968 at Naval Air Station Miramar, California, to create a graduate-level course in fighter tactics for Navy pilots deploying to Vietnam. Before TOPGUN, Navy F-4 Phantom II fighter crews managed only a 2.5:1 kill ratio versus Soviet-built MiG-17 and MiG-21 fighters: after TOPGUN formed, the community tallied a 12.5:1 kill ratio. Since then, TOPGUN has become the standard-bearer of Navy fighter and strike fighter tactics and training and is recognized worldwide as a center of excellence. TOPGUNs tactics and pilot training are explained, as well as changes and developments throughout the years to the present day. All aircraft flown at TOPGUN since its founding are also shown, including A-4 Skyhawk, T-38A/B Talon, F-5E/F Tiger II, F-16N Viper, F-14A Tomcat, F/A-18 Hornet, F-16A/B Falcon, and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

Before TOPGUN, the F-4 "Phantom II" crews only achieved a kill ratio of 2.5:1 against the Soviet-built MiG-17 and MiG-21 fighters; after TOPGUN was founded, they achieved a kill ratio of 12.5:1. Since then, TOPGUN has developed into the most important air combat school for U.S. Navy aircrews and is recognised worldwide as a centre of excellence. The tactics and pilot training of TOPGUN as well as changes and developments over the years up to the present day are explained. All of the aircraft flown at TOPGUN since the founding of the training facility are also on display, including the A-4 "Skyhawk", T-38A/B "Talon", F-5E/F "Tiger II", F-16N "Viper", F-14A "Tomcat", F/A-18 "Hornet", F-16A/B "Falcon" and F/A-18E/F "Super Hornet".