Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth soars in an F/A-18 Super Hornet at Naval Air Station Fallon, paying tribute to America’s fighter legacy and military excellence.
In a display of patriotism, strength, and cinematic flair, U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth took to the skies Sunday aboard the same fighter jet that defined a generation of American heroism — the F/A-18 Super Hornet, made legendary by Tom Cruise in TOPGUN: Maverick.
The 45-year-old defense chief joined elite U.S. Navy pilots at Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada, home of the real-life TOPGUN flight school, for a high-intensity demonstration flight. Flying in close formation nearby was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, piloting his own F-16 fighter jet, in what observers described as “a visual salute to American air superiority.”
After landing, Hegseth posted on social media:
“The Chairman and I took a ride into the danger zone with TOPGUN at Naval Air Station Fallon. Incredible Americans.”
The reference to the Kenny Loggins anthem “Danger Zone” — the theme song of the iconic 1986 film and its 2022 sequel — struck a chord with veterans and fans alike. Video footage released by Hegseth’s deputy assistant showed the secretary strapping into the Super Hornet, taxiing across the tarmac, and descending from the aircraft after an hour-long flight, grinning broadly as he saluted the crew.
Military analysts said the flight was more than symbolic — it sent a message of renewed American resolve and readiness under the Trump administration’s defense leadership. “It’s a reminder that America leads not just with diplomacy, but with strength in the skies,” one senior official said.
The event underscores Hegseth’s image as a hands-on, patriotic leader — a veteran who continues to emphasize military pride, modern readiness, and unwavering support for U.S. allies, especially Israel, in maintaining global deterrence.
