A Dark Day for Naval Aviation

Naval Aviator Wings of Gold

Or, “The Day Naval Aviation Died.”

The history of Navy Flight has been one of sacrifice, heroic deeds, honor, and above all dignity. The standards to become a Navy Flyer are purposely high, the training is grueling both physically and mentally, and qualifications must be maintained for one’s entire career or be grounded, the nightmare of everyone wearing wings of gold.

Something has occurred to besmirch that fine tradition. A travesty so egregious as to be beyond belief. The worst part? It is self-inflicted, an assassins knife wielded by none other than the Commander, Naval Air Forces Vice Adm. DeWolfe H. Miller III. With the wave of a pen he has committed what was thought to be impossible.

What could be so dire? He has crushed the dignity of generations of Navy Pilots, and by association Naval Flight Officers and Enlisted Air Crew. What was the evil act he committed?

ninja sends.

Tom Cruise, Jerry Bruckheimer made honorary Navy aviators ahead of ‘Top Gun’ release

J.D. Simkins

The long-awaited sequel to “Top Gun” is just one of hundreds of films to delay its release due to the ongoing pandemic, but that hasn’t kept its star actor Tom Cruise or film producer Jerry Bruckheimer from basking in the naval aviation spotlight.

Prior to a screening last month at Paramount Studios of the upcoming “Top Gun: Maverick,” Vice Adm. DeWolfe Miller III, commander of Naval Air Forces, designated Cruise and Bruckheimer as honorary naval aviators, meaning they are officially authorized to wear the Navy’s “wings of gold,” according to a Navy release.

“In the history of motion pictures, there is not a more iconic aviation movie than the 1986 Paramount Pictures film Top Gun,” the citation read. “Its characters, dialogue and imagery are ingrained in the minds of an entire generation of Americans. The movie captured the hearts of millions, making a profound positive impact on recruiting for Naval Aviation” and “significantly promoted and supported Naval Aviation and put aircraft carriers and naval aircraft into popular culture.”

I may be ill. True, the first film was a recruiter’s wet dream, and many enlisted because if it. Those of us more familiar with real Navy aviation were deeply insulted by the egregious errors portrayed, from ribbon racks to flight violations, the contrived story line and bullshit interactions between characters.

After the initial shock, I regarded the film as low comedy and pointed out every flaw and error, to the point my own family would leave the room if the movie was being shown. My coping mechanism, perhaps.

In a single fell swoop, and or reasons known only to himself, Vice Admiral Miller has sullied Naval Aviation. It will take a very long time to overcome this act, but overcome it will be.

*sigh* Read the entire article here: Military Times

Thanks, ninja. I appreciate the opportunity to post this myself.

Category: "The Floggings Will Continue Until Morale Improves", Blue Falcons, Navy