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OUR Sunrise Native Supports TOPGUN while serving with Naval Aviation WarfareSIGNATURE Development Center By Megan Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Sunrise, Florida, native is serving with Naval Aviation Warfare Development Center supporting TOPGUN aviators at the Navy’s premier tactical air warfare training center. “Sunrise taught me a good work ethic and to verify everything that I do,” said Patterson. These lessons have helped Patterson while serving in the Navy. Today, Patterson serves as an aviation structural mechanic on board Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon, Nevada. “I joined the Navy to learn to work on aircraft,” said Patterson. “I used to work on cars, so I wanted to go bigger.” Fifty-two years ago, TOPGUN was introduced with the mission of reducing casualties of naval aviators sustained during the Vietnam War. Within a year, this goal was reached with the United States having one casualty for every 12 enemy deaths. Since then, TOPGUN continues to train the finest naval aviators and has inspired one blockbuster movie released in May 1986, with a sequel planned for release in May of 2022.
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Today’s U.S. Naval Aviators possess the professionalism, tactical skills, innovative mindset, and understanding of advanced technologies to succeed against adversaries. They are disciplined, critical thinkers who excel in challenging environments – like those seen in the movie, according to U.S. Navy officials. “I am extremely excited about the impact this movie will have,” said Vice Adm. Kenneth Whitesell, Commander Naval Air Forces. “Much like the trend that followed the original film, I Navy’s centerpiece, our flagship, and a constant am confident that Top Gun: Maverick will have reminder to the rest of the world of our enduring a tremendous impact on our Navy recruiting maritime presence and influence,” said Rear efforts which will greatly increase the numbers Arm. James P. Downey, USN, Program Executive of brave and talented Sailors among our ranks.” Officer (PEO) Aircraft Carriers. “These ships According to Navy officials, TOPGUN is touch every part of our Navy’s mission to a prestigious program only open to the top project power, ensure sea control, and deter one percent of naval aviators. Aviators who our adversaries.” attend the course are trained in a variety of Serving in the Navy means Patterson is part areas including air combat, jet maneuverability, of a world that is taking on new importance in enemy tactics and more. America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, The mission of NAS Fallon is to support strengthening alliances and reforming business carrier air wings prior to deployment, as well practices in support of the National Defense as, other units during training and exercises. Strategy. This goal is achieved through 300 clear flight “The Navy has sea defense and protects days a year, four bombing ranges, an the seas,” said Patterson. electronic warfare range and many With more than 90 percent of all trade other training facilities. The base is traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s also home to a 14,000-foot runway, international phone and internet traffic carried which is the longest in the Navy. through underwater fiber optic, Navy officials NAS Fallon provides aviators the continue to emphasize that the prosperity and unique opportunity to train in realistic security of the United States is directly linked battle scenarios while including every to a strong and ready Navy. element of an air carrier wing. It is Patterson and the sailors they serve with have the only facility in the world with many opportunities to achieve accomplishments this ability. during their military service. The aircraft stationed at NAS “Becoming a collateral duty inspector and Fallon support aircraft carrier missions overseeing multiple programs in a work center around the world. This year, the Navy is my proudest accomplishment so far in the is celebrating the centennial of the Navy,” said Patterson. aircraft carrier and its importance to The future of U.S. aviation depends on the naval aviation. When the air wing is Navy’s ability to achieve their vision for defeating embarked on an aircraft carrier, the tomorrow’s air threats with the support of the ship contains more than 70 attack ground crews and aviators. fighter jets, helicopters and other As Patterson and other sailors continue to aircraft, all of which take off from train and perform missions, they take pride in and land aboard the’ S carrier at sea. ROB FA M I LY Btheir BQ L in Othe GO GU I DNavy. ELIN serving nation United States With more than 5,000 sailors serving “Serving in the Navy means keeping our aboard these ships, aircraft carriers country mission ready,” added Patterson. are self-contained mobile airports. “The aircraft carrier is our U.S.
16 / Our City Plantation / June 2022 / OurCityMedia.com
