BRAD ELWARD

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 in Vietnam 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. 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.

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This book provides a good overview of the School, from its founding to today, and features a number of photographs to give you a real feel for how TOPGUN works.

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Please see the write-up on my book at The Aviation Geek Club - 

All you need to know about today’s TOPGUN: why the US Navy Fighter Weapons School is recognized worldwide as the center of excellence for fighter tactics training - The Aviation Geek Club

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Also, see this review: TOPGUN – Brad Elward – Flight Line Book Review (home.blog)