Original subtitles

Heaven, if you're in it, listen to her howl, girl.

Metal and detention, big immune detection, girl.

Highway to the danger zone.

I am the danger zone.

Heaven.

Jumping off the deck.

Shoving in the ocean.

Hey. What is it?

What?

We've been ordered to stand down.

There's crap in the program.

They say we fell short.

The contract threshold is Mach 10.

Mach 10 is supposed to be in two months.

Today's test point is Mach 9.

Well, that's not good enough.

Says who?

Admiral Kane.

The drone ranger.

He wants our budget for his unmanned program.

He's on his way to kill the test and shut us down personally.

Billy isn't here yet.

About ten.

Let's give him Mach 10.

Now remember, the contract threshold is Mach 10.

Not 10 .1, not 10 .2, Mach 10.

That should keep the program alive.

I don't like that look, Lance.

It's the only one I got.

Control, this is Dark Star. How do you read?

Dark Star Control loud and clear. How me?

Loud and clear. Takeoff projects complete.

Ready for APU start.

Ready left engine start.

Ready right engine start.

Tell us for taxi.

We are ready for taxi.

Tower, this is Darkstar. We are taxiing with information alpha. Darkstar, you're

clear to taxi.

Runway 2 -1.

Winds 2 -1 -0 -10.

Okay, fuel temps are looking good.

Control concurrence. Batteries holding at 95%. Camera pressure looks good.

Control concurrence. Tower, this is Darkstar. We're ready for takeoff.

Requesting an unrestricted climb to 50 -0 -0 above.

Darkstar, the runway and skies are yours.

Rear Admiral Chester Kane.

Maverick, Kane just pulled up to the gate.

It's not too late to stop, buddy.

You know what happens to you if you go through with this.

I know what happens to everyone else if I don't.

Dark Throne is ready for takeoff.

Everyone, go for takeoff.

Starting with engine. Engine, go.

Thermals, go.

Fuel, go.

Electric, go.

Control surfaces, go.

Dark star, control.

You're cleared for takeoff.

Ah, Trian.

One last ride.

Admiral, uh, just in time, sir. I'm early. So are you.

Care to explain?

Transitioning to scramjet.

Admiral Kane is asking... Ordering. Ordering that we bring her down.

This is where we've had trouble with comms, sir.

It's the Earth's curvature.

It's called Earth Bulge. Did anyone offer you a coffee?

Pushing 8. Flight data? Steven, data's good.

Temperature's climbing.

Response is still stable.

We're feeling good.

Mark 8 .8.

8 .9.

Mark 9.

Talk to me, Goose.

Lock 9 -1.

9 -2.

Lock 9 -3.

9 -4.

Approaching high hypersonic.

Windshield hot caution.

Surface temp rising.

It's on budget.

You got some balls, Dick Chucky.

I'll give you that.

Maverick. 30 plus years of service.

Combat medals.

Citations.

Only man to shoot down three enemy planes in the last 40 years.

Distinguished.

Distinguished.

Distinguished.

Yet you can't get a promotion.

You won't retire.

And despite your best efforts, you refuse to die.

You should be at least a two -star admiral by now, if not a senator.

Yet here you are.

Captain.

Why is that?

It's one of life's mysteries, sir. This isn't a joke.

I asked you a question.

I'm where I belong, sir.

Well, the Navy doesn't see it that way.

Not anymore.

These planes you've been testing, Captain, one day, sooner than later,

won't need pilots at all.

Pilots that need to sleep, eat, take a piss.

Pilots that disobey orders.

All you did was buy some time for those men out there.

The future is coming, and you're not in it.

Escort this man off the base.

Take him to his quarters.

Wait with him while he packs his gear.

I want him on the road to North Island within the hour.

North Island, sir?

Call came in with impeccable timing, right as I was driving here to ground

ass once and for all.

It galls me to say, but...

For reasons known only to the Almighty and your guardian angel, you have been

called back to Top Gun.

Sir, you are dismissed, Captain.

The end is inevitable, Maverick.

Your kind is headed for extinction.

Maybe so, sir.

But not today.

Captain Pete Maverick Mitchell.

Your reputation precedes you.

Thank you, sir.

Wasn't a compliment.

I'm Admiral Bo Simpson.

I'm the air boss.

Believe me, you'll have no baits.

Well, I, sir, must admit I wasn't expecting an invitation back.

They're called orders, Maverick.

You two have something in common.

Cyclone here was first in his class back in 88.

Actually, sir, I...

Finish second.

Just want to manage the expectations.

The target is an unsanctioned uranium enrichment plant built in

violation of a multilateral NATO treaty.

The uranium produced there represents a direct threat to our allies in the

region. The Pentagon has tasked us with assembling a strike team and taking it

out before it becomes fully operational.

The plant said... in an underground bunker at the end of this valley.

That valley is GPS jammed and defended by an extensive surface -to -air missile

array, serving a limited number of fifth -generation fighters, which in turn are

backed up by a plentiful reserve of surplus aircraft, even a few old F -14s.

Seems like we're not the only ones holding on to old relics.

What's your read, Captain?

Well, sir, normally...

This would be a cakewalk for the F -35 stealth, but the GPS jamming negates

that.

Surface air threat necessitates a low -level laser -guided strike.

Tailor -made for the F -18, I figure.

Two precision bombs, minimum. Makes it four aircraft, flying in pairs.

That is one hell of a steep climb out of there.

Exposing it all to surface -to -air missiles.

Will you survive that?

It's a dogfight all the way home.

All requirements for what you have real -world experience.

Not the same mission, sir.

Well... Well, someone's not coming back from this.

Can it be done or not?

How soon before the plant becomes operational?

Three weeks, maybe less.

Well, it's been a while since I've flown an F -18, and... I'm not sure who I

trust to fly the other three, but I'll find a way to make it work. I think you

misunderstand, Captain.

Sir? We don't want you to fly it.

We want you to teach it.

Teach, sir?

We recalled 12 Top Gun graduates from their squadrons.

We want you to narrow that pool down to six.

They'll fly the mission.

Is there a problem, Captain?

You know there is, sir.

Yeah.

Bradley Bradshaw.

A .K .A. Rooster.

I understand he used to fly with his old man.

What was his call sign?

Goose, sir.

Tragic what happened.

Captain Mitchell was cleared of any wrongdoing. Goose's death was an

Is that how you see it, Captain?

Is that how Goose's son sees it?

With all due respect, sir, I'm not a teacher.

You were a Top Gun instructor before.

That was almost 30 years ago. I lasted two months.

It's not where I belong.

Well, then let me be perfectly blunt.

You are not my first choice. In fact, you aren't even on a list.

You were here at the request of Admiral Kazansky.

Now, Iceman happens to be a man I deeply admire, and he seems to think that you

have something left to offer the Navy.

What that is, I can't imagine.

You don't have to take this job.

But let me be clear.

This will be your last post, Captain.

You fly for Top Gun or you don't fly for the Navy ever again.

20 bucks you can't hit three in a row.

Oh, you've got to be kidding me.

Pete.

Penny?

What are you doing here?

Yeah, I should ask you the same thing.

That is a long story.

I doubt that.

Yeah. Who'd you piss off this time?

Another admiral.

Exactly.

Are you mad at me?

Oh, Pete.

I can never stay mad at you.

That's the problem.

I gotta say, North Island's the one place I thought for sure I'd never run

you.

How long you been here?

Bought this place about three years ago.

Three years? Mm -hmm. Yeah.

Not long after you got shipped off to the desert for pissing off that other

admiral.

That was three years ago?

You must be in a lot of trouble.

No way you'd come back here willingly.

They'll start it out.

No, I think, uh... I think this is it.

Come on, Pete.

You've been saying that as long as I've known you.

You said it after they busted you for taking me on a joyride in that F -18.

And the next thing I know, you're off to Bosnia.

Then Iraq.

Both times.

You get yourself in trouble.

Iceman makes a call, and you're back in the air.

Honey, this is different.

Pete, trust me.

As improbable as it seems right now, somehow you'll be back in a fighter

with your tail on fire.

Penny. Too late.

What? You were about to ask me what time I get off.

Don't give me that look.

I'm not giving you any look. I swear.

It always ends the same with us, Pete.

Let's not start this time.

You look good.

Much appreciated, pal.

What am I missing?

Disrespect a lady that maybe puts your cell phone on my bar. And you buy her

out.

For everyone?

I'm afraid rules are rules.

You're lucky it's early.

Oh, come on.

What do we have here?

If it ain't Phoenix.

Here I thought we were special, Coyote.

Turns out, the invite went to anyone.

Fellas, this here's Bagman.

Hangman. Oh, whatever.

You're looking at the only naval aviator on active duty with a confirmed air -to

-air killer.

Mind you, the other guy was in a museum piece from the Korean War.

Cold War. Different war.

Same century.

Not this one.

Boy, your friend?

Payback. Fanboy.

Hey, Coyote.

Hey. Who's he?

Who's who?

When did you get in?

Oh, I've been here the whole time.

You made the stealth pilot?

Literally.

Weapon systems officer, actually.

With no sense of humor.

What do they call you?

Bob. No, your call sign.

Uh... Bob.

Bob Floyd.

You're my new backseater.

From L 'Amour.

Looks like it, yeah.

Hi, Bob -Bob.

Rock 'em.

Okay.

Penny Medeir.

Yeah. I'll have four more on the old timer.

This is how I find out you're safe, then?

Yeah, I just thought I'd surprise you.

I guess I surprised you back.

It's good to see you.

Good to see you, too.

Here you go.

Thank you.

Much appreciated, Pops.

How about ringing me up before the evening rush?

Bradshaw, as I live and breathe.

Hangman, you look good.

Well, I am good, Rooster.

I'm very good. In fact, I am too good to be true.

So, you might know what this special detachment is all about?

No, a mission's a mission.

They don't confront me.

What I want to know, who's going to be team leader?

And which one of y 'all has what it takes to follow me?

Hangman, the only place you'll eat anyone is an early grave.

How

anyone

who follows you is just going to run out of fuel.

That's just a few hands, rooster.

You're snug on that perch, waiting for just...

The right moment that never comes.

I love this song.

Well, he hasn't changed.

Nope. Sure hasn't.

Check it out.

More patches.

That's Harvard, Yale, Omaha.

Shit, that's Fritz. What kind of mission is this?

That's not the question we should be asking.

Everyone here is the best there is.

Who the hell are they going to get to teach us?

It's been declined.

You're kidding.

Come by tomorrow and bring in cash.

I'm afraid rules are rules, Pete.

Attention on deck!

Morning.

Welcome to your special training detachment.

Be seated.

I'm Admiral Bates, Nautic Commander.

You're all Top Gun graduates.

The elite.

The best of the band.

That was yesterday.

The enemy's new fifth -generation fighter has leveled the playing field.

Details are few, but you can be sure we no longer possess the technological

advantage. Success, now more than ever, comes down to the man or woman in the

box.

Half of you will make the cut.

One of you will be named mission leader.

The other half will remain in reserve.

Your instructor is a Top Gun graduate with real -world experience in every

mission aspect you will be expected to master.

His exploits are legendary.

And he's considered to be one of the finest pilots this program has ever

produced.

What he has to teach you may very well mean the difference between life and

death.

I give you Captain Pete Mitchell.

Call sign, Maverick.

The F -18 NATOC contains everything they want you to know about your aircraft.

I'm assuming you know the book inside and out.

Damn right. Damn straight. You got it.

So does your enemy.

And we're off.

But what the enemy doesn't know is your limits.

I intend to find them, test them, look beyond.

Today we'll start with what you only think you know.

Show me what you're made of.

Brewster.

Bradley.

Lieutenant Bradshaw.

Yes, sir.

Let's not do it like that.

You gonna wash me out?

That'll be up to you, not me.

Am I dismissed?

Good morning, aviators. This is your captain speaking.

Welcome to basic fighter maneuvers.

As briefed, today's exercise is dogfighting. Guns only. No missiles.

We do not go below the hard deck of 5 ,000 feet.

Working as a team, you have to shoot me down or else.

Or else what, sir?

Or else I shoot back.

If I shoot either one of you down, you both lose.

This guy needs an ego check.

Worked into that.

So, what say we put some skin in the game?

What do you have in mind?

Whoever gets tied down first has to do 200 push -ups.

Guys, that's a lot of push -ups. Well, they don't call it an exercise for

nothing, sir. You got yourself a deal, gentlemen.

Lights on.

Let's turn and burn.

Fanboy, you see him?

Nothing on the radar up ahead.

He must be somewhere behind us.

We don't get fooled again.

Easy, Maverick. But I'll not get fired on the first date.

Tally, tally, tally. Maverick's coming in. Break up.

Wake him up.

Hey, man. Where's your wingman?

Where are you? I got you, man. I'm coming. Hang in there. Hang in there.

up, man. Hurry up.

Wake him up. Break away.

Wake him up.

Rooster just seemed your life, fella.

But it's gonna cost him.

Not this time, old man.

Don't let him get you, Maverick.

Rooster, you're too low. Pull up. You're hitting the hard deck.

Oh, shit.

That's a kill.

Should be up down there.

But it's not.

And now you know a little something about rooster.

Whoa! Hey, hold that tarmac down until we get back, brother, all right? Hey,

up there, boy. Get down.

That's a kill.

Smoke. Damn it.

It was all fun and games, that selfie, wasn't it? Damn!

Hey, Phoenix.

How's about we tell everybody Bob danced or something? Other than Robert, I

mean. Don't take the bait, Bob.

Want to know why we call him Hangman? All right, I got it. Baby on board.

Shit!

Wait, Xavier, this might not... All right, Phoenix, let's take this guy out.

Watch your back, Phoenix.

Break right!

Breaking right!

Where's he going?

That's why we call him Hangman. He'll always hang you out to dry.

There's a strategy I haven't seen in a while. He called you a man, Phoenix. You

gonna take that?

So long as he doesn't call you a man.

Trust me, Bob. Where's Maverick? Jesus, his nose is already coming around.

Get off me, Hangman.

For all you folks at home, this is how you bury a fossil.

All right, Hangman. Time to teach you a lesson.

You're out, Phoenix.

Son of a bitch.

Let's go,

Mav. Let's see what you got.

Come get me.

Eve will be gone.

Hangman's coming.

Yeah, you're good. I'll give you that.

Phoenix,

I can't see him. How close am I?

Phoenix! I'm dead, dickhead.

See you in the afterlife, Bagman.

Where is he? Where is he?

That's a kill.

Let's go. Who's next?

I got you, Omaha.

Do it.

Lights out, Coyote.

Cop to kill.

Yeah! Yeah!

Yeah!

Hey, Rooster.

Mind if I ask you a personal question?

Would it matter if I did?

So what's the story with you and Maverick? It seems like he's got you a

rattled. It's none of your business.

Now, where the hell is he?

Been here the whole time.

You see me now?

Come on, let's get it over with.

Lights on!

What is with these two?

All right, you put it here.

How are you going to get yourself out?

You can bail out any time.

How low do you want to go, rooster? I can go as low as you, sir, and that's

saying something.

What's past is past for both of us. You'd like to believe that, wouldn't

-Dex 5000 feet, Fallak, you are running out of room.

Your strategy is about to run us into the ground. What's your move?

You got it. Don't sink. Just do.

Come on, Rooster. You got him. Drop down and take the shot.

It's too low.

Too late. Had your chance.

That's a kill.

Not enough.

Damn it.

Same old Rooster.

Go see Hondo about your push -ups.

All right, that's enough.

Brewster, that's enough, man.

Breaking the hard deck?

Insubordination? Are you trying to get kicked out? Don't worry about it.

Look, I'm going on this mission.

But if you get kicked out, you leave us flying with Hangman.

Talk to me. What the hell was that? He pulled my papers.

What?

Who?

Maverick.

He pulled my application to the Naval Academy.

Set me back four years.

Why would he do that?

The hard deck is 5 ,000 feet above ground level. A parameter set not just

the safety of our pilots, but for the safety of their aircraft.

5 ,000 feet is not just a rule. It is a law, as immutable as gravity.

The hard deck will be much lower for the mission, sir. And it will not change

without my approval.

Especially not in the middle of an exercise.

And that cobra maneuver of yours? That could have got all three of you killed.

never want to see that shit again.

What exactly do you suppose you were teaching, Captain?

But as good as they are, sir, they still have something to learn. You are

talking about the best fighter pilots on the planet, Captain. And they've been

told that their entire career, while they've been dropping bombs from a high

altitude with little to no dogfighting.

The parameters of this mission call for something they have never encountered.

Okay, you have less than three weeks to teach them how to fight as a team and

how to strike the target.

And how to come home.

And how to come home, sir.

Every mission has its risks.

These pilots accept that.

I don't, sir.

Every morning from this day forward, you will brief us on your instructional

plans in writing. And nothing will change without my express approval.

Including the hard deck, sir? Especially the hard deck, Captain.

Sir.

What is this?

It's a request to lower the hard deck, sir. To practice a low -level bombing

per the mission parameters.

You could learn a thing or two about timing, Captain.

Yo, Coyote.

Take a look at this.

The man, the legend.

There he is. No, no, no.

Next to him.

He look familiar to you?

What have we here?

Bradshaw.

As I live and breathe.

Hey, Theo.

You got big.

Hey, Mav.

Amelia? I know. I got big.

Yes.

Bar opens at five.

No, I just came by to pay off for dad.

Mom!

Hey, how's your dad?

With his wife in Hawaii.

Mom!

Mav says he owes you money.

Oh, don't worry about it. I insist.

Thank you, Captain.

Consider your tab closed.

Captain? Still?

A highly decorated captain.

Finish up. We have to get the boat to the yard.

I can't go.

What do you mean you can't go?

Test tomorrow. I have to study.

They only told us today.

I can't tell her alone.

Just use the engine.

Why are we taking her to the yard?

To fix the engine.

I can help.

What does that mean?

You're supposed to be in the Navy.

I don't sail boats, Penny.

I land on them.

It's sort of like raising the flaps on an airplane.

So how do I do that?

You pull on that green line up there.

Green line?

afterburner

Thanks for helping out today.

Not exactly sure I helped.

Don't give me that look.

What look?

That one.

Good night, Pete.

Night, honey.

Time is your greatest enemy.

Phase one of the mission will be a low -level ingress attacking in two plane

teams. You'll fly along this narrow canyon to your target.

Radar -guided surface -to -air missiles defend the area.

These SAMs are lethal.

But they were designed to protect the skies above, not the canyon below.

That's because the enemy knows no one is insane enough to try and fly below

them.

That's exactly what I'm going to train you to do.

On the day, your altitude will be 100 feet maximum.

You exceed this altitude, radar will spot you, and you're dead.

Your airspeed will be 660 knots minimum.

Time to target, two and a half minutes.

That's because fifth -generation fighters wait at an airbase nearby.

And head -to -head with these planes and your F -18s, you're dead.

That's why you need to get in.

Hit your target and be gone before these planes even have a chance at catching

you.

This makes time your greatest adversary.

You'll fly a route in your nav system that simulates the canyon.

The faster you navigate this canyon, the harder it will be to stay under the

radar of these enemy SAMs.

The tighter the turn, the more intensely the force of gravity in your body

multiplies, compressing your lungs.

forcing the blood from your brain, impairing your judgment and reaction

So for today's lesson, we're going to take it easy on you. Matt, feeling 300

feet, time to target three minutes.

Good luck.

Time to target is one minute 30. We are three seconds behind, increased to 489.

We've got to move, Coyote.

Copy. Increase the speed.

Oh, shit.

Why are they dead? We broke the 300 -foot ceiling.

The fam took us out.

No. Why are they dead? I slowed down and I didn't give her a warning. It's my

fault. Was there a reason you didn't communicate with your team? I was

on... One that their family will accept at the funeral.

None, sir.

Why didn't you anticipate the turn? You were briefed on the terrain.

Don't tell me.

Tell their family.

Hey, man, ease up. The canyon's inside us.

Negative payback.

Decrease your speed.

You're going too fast, man.

Well, no harm in being ahead of schedule.

Damn it, slow down.

I can't stay on the course.

Ah, you're gonna hit the wall. Watch out, watch out, watch out.

What happened?

Well, I flew as fast as I could.

Kind of like my ass depended on it.

And you put your team in danger and your wingman dead.

They couldn't keep up.

Rooster, we're 20 seconds behind and dropping.

We're fine. Speed is good.

Increase to 500 knots.

Negative, Yale. Hold your speed. Rooster, we're late.

We're alive. We'll make up time in the straightaway.

We are not going to make it. Just trust me.

Maintain your speed.

We can make it.

Why are you dead?

You're team leader up there.

Why are you, why is your team dead?

He's the only one who made it to the target. A minute late.

He gave enemy aircraft time to shoot him down. He is dead.

You don't know that. You're not flying fast enough.

You don't have a second to waste. We made it to the target. And superior

aircraft intercepted you on your way out. Then it's a dogfight. Against fifth

generation fighters.

Yeah, we'd still have a chance.

In an F -18.

It's not the plane, sir.

It's the pilot.

Exactly.

There's more than one way to fly this mission.

You really don't get it.

On this mission, a man flies like Maverick here, or a man does not come

No offense intended.

Yet somehow, you always manage.

Look, I don't mean to criticize.

You're conservative, that's all.

Lieutenant. We're going into combat, son. On a level no living pilot's ever

seen.

Not even him.

That's no time to be thinking about the past.

What's that supposed to mean, rooster?

I can't be the only one that knows that Maverick flew with his old man.

Lieutenant, that's enough. Or that Maverick was flying with his old man.

Lieutenant, that's enough.

That's enough!

You son of a bitch! Come on!

I'm cool, I'm cool. Hey, hey, hey, hey.

That's enough.

He's not cut out for this mission.

That's enough.

You know it.

You know I'm right.

You're all dismissed.

It's come back.

No one knows.

There's nothing else they can do.

Even speaking is painful now.

Sarah, I'm so sorry.

Admiral? That's my wingman.

Please, don't worry about me.

What can I do for you?

Well, Rooster's still angry with me about what I did.

I thought eventually he would understand why.

I hoped he'd forgive me.

The mission is less than three weeks away.

The kid's not ready.

He doesn't want what I have to give.

I said, please, don't ask me to send someone else to die. Please don't.

Don't ask me to send him.

Send me.

I'm a fighter pilot.

A naval aviator.

It's not what I am.

It's who I am.

How do I teach that?

Even if I could teach it, it's not what Rooster wants.

It's not what the Navy wants.

That's why they canned me the last time.

The only reason I'm here is you.

If I send him on this mission, he might never come home.

And if I don't send him, he'll never forgive me.

Either way, I could lose him forever.

Need Maverick.

That's why I fought for you.

That's why you're still here.

Thank you, Ice.

For everything.

One last thing.

Who's the better pilot?

You or me?

This is a nice moment. Let's not ruin it.

I should be scared.

Offense and defense at the same time.

Who's winning?

I think they stopped keeping score a while ago.

This detachment still has some training to complete, Captain.

Every available minute matters.

Yes, sir. So why are we out here playing games?

We've had to create a team.

Sir.

There's your team.

Should I go before Amelia gets back? She'll be at a friend's house tonight.

Good.

And you and Amelia, you seem... a lot closer now that I've found

you. Yeah.

And you manage.

Well... You know, she always wanted more freedom than I thought she was ready

for.

Where'd she get that from? I wonder.

I guess I realized I also had to trust her.

Let her make some of her own mistakes sometimes.

Not an easy choice.

Is that what happened with Rooster?

I pulled his papers from the Naval Academy.

Took years off his career.

Why?

His mother never wanted him to fly, not after what happened to Goose.

She made me promise before she died, so... It's good to know that.

He will always resent me for what I did.

Why should he resent her too?

Not an easy choice.

I was trying to be the father he loved.

I just... I wish I would have done it better.

The truth is, I didn't think he was ready.

Is he ready now?

Mom and Mom!

I thought you were staying at Karen's tonight.

guys home on a first date.

This is not a first date.

You know what I mean.

Okay.

Fine.

But this is the last time I go out your window.

We'll see.

No. No, I mean it.

I'm never gonna leave you again.

Don't break her heart again.

Good morning.

The uranium enrichment plant that is your target will be operational earlier

than expected.

Raw uranium will be delivered to the plant in ten days' time.

As a result, your mission has been moved up one week.

in order to avoid contaminating the target valley with radiation.

Sir, no one here has successfully flown a low -level course.

Nevertheless, you've been ordered to move on.

Captain.

We have one week left to focus on phase two. It's the most difficult stage of

the mission. It's a pop -up strike with a steep dive requiring nothing less than

two consecutive miracles.

Two pairs of F -18s are flying a welded -wing formation.

Teamwork. Precise coordination of these aircraft is essential to both the

mission's success and your survival. As you know, the plant rests between two

mountains. On final approach, you'll invert directly into a steep dive.

This allows you to maintain the lowest possible altitude and the only possible

attack angle.

Your target is an impact point less than three meters wide.

The two -feet aircraft will paint the target with the laser bullseye.

The first pair will breach the reactor by dropping the laser -guided bomb on an

exposed ventilation hatch.

This will create an opening for the second pair.

That's miracle number one.

The second team will deliver the kill shot and destroy the target.

That's miracle number two.

If either team misses the target,

That's a miss. The mission is a failure. Damn it.

Egress the steep high G climb out to avoid hitting this mountain.

A steep climb at that speed? You're pulling the least AGs.

Nine. Minimum. The stress limit of the F -18's airframe is 7 .5.

That's the accepted limit. To survive this mission, you'll pull beyond that.

Even if it means bending your airframe.

You'll be pulling so hard you'll weigh close to 2 ,000 pounds.

Your skull crushing your spine.

Your lungs imploding like an elephant sitting on your chest.

Fighting with everything you have just to keep from lacking out.

And this is where you'll be at your most vulnerable.

This is Gotham Corner.

Assuming you avoid crashing into this mountain, you'll climb straight up into

enemy radar while losing all of your airspeed.

Within seconds, you'll be fired upon by enemy SAMs.

You've all faced.

sustained you before, but this is going to take you and your aircraft to the

breaking point.

Sir, is this even achievable?

The answer to that question will come down to the pilot in the box.

Talk to me, Bob. We are 12 seconds late on target. We got to move. We got to

move. Copy. Try to stay with me.

Wait, who's that?

Blue Team, you've been spotted.

Shit, it's Maverick. What the hell is he doing here?

I'm abandoned on course to intercept.

Blue Team, what are you going to do? He's 20 miles left. 10 o 'clock. 700

closure. Your call. What do you want to do?

Continue. We're close.

Stay on target.

He's swinging around to the north.

Stand by for pop -up. Be ready on that laser, Bob. Copy. I'm on it.

Blue Team, bandit is still closing.

Popping now.

Talk to me, Bob.

Where's Manfreak? He's five miles out. He's coming fast.

Target's in sight.

Where's my laser, Bob?

Did I? Did I?

It's no good. Sorry, I can't get it locked.

We're out of time. I'm dropping blind.

Damn it.

Missed.

That's drone.

Have it come into lock on us. Shit, we're dead.

Blue team, that's a fail.

Level out, Coyote.

Coyote, copy.

Coyote, come in.

Coyote, level wings.

Oh my God, he's in G -lock.

Coyote?

Coyote? He's gonna burn in.

I'm going after him.

Come on, give me tone, give me tone, give me tone.

Step out of it, Coyote. Come on, come on.

Come on, Coyote, come on. Come on!

Coyote! Coyote!

Coyote! Coyote!

Coyote!

Coyote,

you okay? You okay?

I'm okay.

I'm good.

Good.

That's enough for today.

That was close.

Too close.

First strike. First strike.

First strike.

Phoenix, left engine's on fire.

Climbing.

Throttling back.

Shutting off the old left engine.

Extinguishing fire.

Right engine is out. It's still spinning. Try to restart it.

Phoenix, it's on fire. Don't start. Traveling up.

Oh, my God.

We're on fire.

We're on fire.

Damn it. Engine, fire, right.

It's still looking right, engine.

Phoenix, Bob, punch out. Punch out.

Warning lights everywhere.

Hydraulic failure. Light control.

I can't control it. We're going down, Phoenix.

We're going in. We're going in.

You can't save it. Eject. Eject.

He jumped, he jumped, he jumped!

That's good.

I've never lost a wingman.

You're lucky.

Fly long enough, it'll happen.

There will be others.

Easy for you to say.

No wife.

No kids.

Nobody to mourn you when you burn in.

Sleep.

Why'd you pull my papers at the academy?

Why did you stand in my way?

You weren't ready.

Ready for what?

Huh? Ready to fly like a human?

No. Ready to forget the book. Trust your instinct.

Don't think. Just do.

You think up there, you're dead. Believe me.

My dad believed in you.

I'm not gonna make the same mistake.

I can only imagine what you must be feeling right now.

Take some time.

Whatever you need.

I appreciate that, sir, but there's no time. The mission... I'll be taking over

the training from here.

Sir?

We both know you didn't want this job, Captain. Sir, they're not ready. Well,

was your job to get them ready. Sir, they have to believe that this mission

be flown.

And all you've managed to do is teach them that it can't.

Sir... You're grounded, Captain.

Permanently.

Sir, that is all.

I heard.

I'm sorry.

What are you going to do?

Ice is gone.

What's yours to have?

You'll have to find a way back on your own.

Well, Penny, I'm out.

It is over.

Pete, if you lost your wingman up there, you'd keep fighting.

You wouldn't just give up.

Those are your pilots.

If anything happens to them,

you'll never forgive yourself.

Captain Mitchell is no longer your instructor.

And as of today, there are new mission parameters.

Time to target is now four minutes.

You'll be entering the valley level at reduced speed, not to exceed 420 knots.

Sir, won't we be given their planes time to intercept?

Well, Lieutenant, you have a fighting chance against enemy aircraft.

What are the odds of surviving a head -on collision with a mountain?

You'll be attacking the target from a higher altitude.

Level with the north wall. It's going to be a little harder to keep your laser

on target, but you will avoid the high G climb out. I'll be seeing that for

enemy missiles.

What the hell is that?

Maverick to range control.

Entering point alpha.

Confirmed green range.

Maverick, range control.

Green range is confirmed. I don't see an event scheduled for you, sir.

Well... I'm going anyway.

Nice.

Setting time to target. Two minutes, 15 seconds.

2 .15, that's impossible.

File attack point.

Mavericks inbound.

Bombs away.

You have put me in a difficult position, Captain.

On the one hand, you have demonstrated that this mission can be flown.

Perhaps the only way it can be survived.

On the other hand, you did it by stealing a multi -million dollar

aircraft and flying it in such a manner that it may never be airworthy again.

Iceman is no longer here to protect you.

I have everything I need to have you court -martialed and dishonorably

discharged.

So what do I do?

Risk the lives of my pilots and perhaps the success of this mission.

Or risk my career by appointing you team leader.

Sir, I think the Admiral's asking a rhetorical question, Captain.

Talk to me, Goof.

Captain Nixon.

You're where you belong.

Make us proud.

It's been an honor flying with you.

Each one of you represents the best of the best.

This is a very specific mission.

My choice is a reflection of that and nothing more.

Choose your two Foxtrot teams.

Payback and fanboy.

Phoenix and Bob.

And your wingman.

The rest of you will stand by on the carrier for any reserve role that's

required.

Dismissed.

Your target is a clear and present threat.

Secret uranium enrichment site on probe state patrol.

With an underground bubble tucked between these two mountains.

Your route of interest is heavily defended by services wearing missiles

up by fifth -generation fighters.

Once your F -18 strike team crosses the border, Tomahawk missiles from the U .S.

Escalated Gulf will launch a synchronized strike on the enemy's

This will knock out their runway.

But you'll have to contend with any planes already in the air.

The moment those Tomahawks hit, the enemy will know you're coming.

Your time to talk will be two minutes and 30 seconds.

Any longer than that and you will be exposed to any aircraft the Tomahawks

have missed.

This is what you've all been training for.

Come home safe.

I just want to say...

We'll

talk.

We'll get back.

Hey, Bradley!

Bradley!

Hey.

You got this.

You with me?

I don't like that look, man.

It's the only one I got.

Thank you.

If I don't see you again, Hondo, thank you.

It's been an honor, Captain.

Dagger 1, up and ready at catapult 1.

Dagger spare.

Standing by.

Dagger 4.

Up and ready.

Dagger 3, up and ready.

Dagger 2, up and ready.

Support access airborne.

Strike package ready.

Standing by for launch decision.

7.

Dagger 2 away.

Dagger 3 away.

Dagger 4 away.

Comanche. Dagger 1, standby check in.

Comanche 1 -1 set.

Pitcher clean. Recommend dagger continue.

Copy. Dagger's descending below radar.

Daggers now below radar.

Switching to E2 picture.

Here we go. Enemy territory up ahead.

Feet dry in 60 seconds.

Comanche, Dagger 1, picture.

Comanche, picture clean.

Decision is yours.

Copy.

Dagger attack.

Tomahawk to Airborne.

No turning back now.

Daggers, resume attack formation.

Dagger is set, proceeding to target.

Two minutes and 30 seconds in 3, 2, 1, mark.

Two mark. Three mark. Four mark.

First SAM site overhead.

Looks like we're clear on radar, Matt.

Let's not take it for granted.

More SAM.

Three o 'clock high.

We've got two minutes to target.

Copy. We're a few seconds behind, Wooster. We've got to move.

Thirty seconds to Tomahawk impact on enemy aircraft.

We're picking up two bandits. Think of them as two contacts.

Where the hell did they come from?

Long Range Patrol.

Commander, what's their heading?

Bullseye, 09050.

Attack southwest.

They're headed away from us. They don't know we're here.

Let's think of those tomahawks hit the airbase. Those bandits are going to move

to defend the target. We have to get there before they do.

Increase speed.

We got you, Matt. Don't wait for me.

are behind schedule.

Time to target, 1 minute 20.

Tomahawk impact in 3, 2... Impact!

Enemy runway is destroyed.

They know we're coming now.

Bandits are switching course to defend the target.

Rooster, where are you?

Come on, Rooster!

Bandits inbound! We gotta make up time now! Let's turn and burn!

Sir, bandits are two minutes from target.

Daggers are one minute from target. Come on, rooster. Move it or lose it.

Guys, we're falling behind!

If we don't increase our speed right now, those bandits are going to be

for us when we reach the target.

Talk to me, Dad.

Come on, kid, you can do it. Don't think.

Just do it.

Jesus,

Moose, they're not that fast.

That's it, kid, that's it. All right, let's go.

Tiger 2 is re -engaging.

All right, now hit your target and come home.

30 seconds to target. Bob, check your laser.

Here to brow check. Complete laser code verified.

1 -6 -8 -8. Laser is a go.

Watch your heads.

Holy shit!

Payback. You with me? Right behind you.

Phoenix, stand by to pop up strike. Dagger 3 in position.

Popping in 3, 2, 1.

Get me eyes on that target, Bob.

Target three.

Stand by, Matt.

Come on, Bob. Come on.

Stand by.

I've got it captured.

Target acquired.

Bomb's awake.

Jack, direct hit!

That's miracle number one.

Tracker two, status.

Almost there, man, almost there.

Stand point, where's my laser?

Rooster, there's something wrong with his laser!

Shit! Dead eye, dead eye, dead eye! Come on, guys, we're running out of time.

Miracle number two. Now they're in Coffin Corner.

We're not out of this yet!

Here it comes.

Radar warning. Smoke in the air. Phoenix break right. Emergency jettison. Dagger

3 defending.

Here comes another one.

Dagger 1 defending.

Rooster status.

Deploying countermeasures.

Negative contact.

Dagger one defending.

Talk to me, Pop.

Break wave, Phoenix. Break wave.

Nine o 'clock. Nine o 'clock.

Rooster, two more on your six.

Dagger two defending.

Payback. Stand under your nose. Dagger four defending.

Rooster, tally, tally. Talk to me, Pop.

I can't shake him.

Top to circle back.

Command Chief. Bandits inbound. Single group hot.

Recommend dagger flow south.

One minute to intercept.

Get him back to the carrier, now. All daggers flow to ECP. You have bandits

headed for you. What about Maverick?

Tell him there's nothing he can do for Maverick. Not in a goddamn FAT.

Dagger spare. Request permission to launch and fly air cover.

Negative, spare.

Launch search and rescue. Negative.

Not with bandits in the air. Sir, Maverick is still out there. We are not

anyone else today.

Get him home now.

Dagger, you are not to engage.

Repeat. You are not to engage.

Dagger 2, return the carrier.

Acknowledge.

Acknowledge. Rooster, those bandits are closing.

We can't go back.

Rooster, he's gone.

Maverick's gone.

Dagger 2 is hit.

Dagger 2 is hit.

Dagger 2, come in.

Dagger 2, do you copy?

Dagger 2, come in.

Yeah, I'm good. You all right?

What the hell?

What are you doing here?

What am I doing here? You think I took that missile so you could be down here

with me? You should be back on the carrier by now. I saved your life. I

your life.

That's the whole point.

What the hell were you even thinking? You told me not to think.

It's good to see you.

It's good to see you too.

So what's the plan?

You're not serious.

You've got to be shitting me.

And at 14, I shot down three mates and one of us.

We don't even know if that bag of ass can fly.

Let's find out.

Back!

Okay.

Okay.

The guy's up there, Matt.

Yep.

There's more over there. Okay.

Let's start running. Yeah, run, run.

Why don't I give you the signal for air?

You're going to flip this switch until the needle gets to 120.

When the engine starts, you're going to pull out the pin and disconnect

everything. You understand?

Yeah.

Let's come up. Let's go to the ladder.

Okay.

Wow.

It's been a minute, huh, man?

Oh, my God.

This thing is so old.

Canopy! Clear!

Both runways are cratered.

How are we going to get this museum piece in the air?

Why are the wings coming out, Matt?

Matt, this is a taxiway, not a runway.

This is a very good taxiway, Matt.

Here's the thing, right?

Holy shit!

You're alive. Come on.

Beth? Come on, come on.

Beth!

Here we go.

We're receiving a signal from Rooster's ESAT.

There seems to be a malfunction.

Have you lost him? No, sir.

He's supersonic.

He's airborne.

In what?

Sir, Overwatch reports an F -14 Tomcat is airborne and on course for our

position.

It can't be. It can't be.

Maverick.

Okay, Rooster.

Get us in touch with the boat. I'm working on it.

Radio's out.

No radar.

Everything's dead back here.

What do I do? Talk me through it. First, the radio.

Throw the UHF -2 circuit breaker. Try that.

There's 300 breakers back here. Anything more specific?

I don't know. That was your dad's department.

I'll figure it out.

Mav, tally two. Five o 'clock low.

What do we do?

Okay, listen.

Just be cool.

If they knew who we were, we'd be dead already.

Well, here they come.

What's your plan?

Scoot your mask on.

Remember, we're all the same team.

Just wave and smile.

Just wave and smile.

What's that signal? What's he saying?

Yeah, no idea.

I have no idea what he's saying.

What about that one? Any idea?

I've never seen that one either.

Shit.

This wingman is moving into a weapons envelope.

Hey, listen up.

When I tell you, you grab those rings above your head.

That's the ejection handle.

Matt, can we outrun these guys?

No, it's their missiles and guns.

Then it's a dogfight.

In an F -14?

Against fifth -gen fighters?

It's not the plane. It's the pilot.

You'd go after him if I wasn't here.

But you are here.

Come on, Math.

Don't think.

Just do.

Smoke in the air!

Smoke in the air! Smoke in the air! Hang on!

Yeah, man!

Splash one! Splash one!

Here comes another one!

Booster flares! No, no, no!

Splitting the throttles?

To be told, to be told. You got him, man. You got him. Taking his shot.

What the... Holy shit. What the fuck was that?

Hang on.

We gotta get low.

The terrain will confuse his targeting system.

Here he comes.

Touch me, Rooster! Where is he?

He's still on us!

We took it here, we took it here! Damn it!

Come on now, do something, that pilot shit!

Brace yourselves!

Taking a shot.

Damn.

Not a missile.

Switching to gun.

Come on. Come on.

You got him, man. It's not over yet.

One last chance.

Outstanding. Get it to touch the boat. Copy that.

Oh, my God.

Where the hell is this guy?

He's on our nose.

Damn it. We're out of ammo.

Smoke in the air. Rooster flares.

That was close.

We're out of flares.

Shit he's already on us

We

took

another head no no no no

much more of this we can't outrun this guy we got to eject what we need

pull the ejection handles the second i tell you there's no other way

eject eject eject pull

the handle eject it's not working

Ladies and gentlemen, this is your savior speaking.

Please pack your seatbelts, return to tray tables so they're locked in upright

position, and prepare for landing.

Hey, hangman, you look good. I am good, rooster.

I'm very good.

I'll see you back on deck.

Downwind, no front landing gear, no tail hook. Pull the cable and raise the

barricade.

Please don't tell me we lost an engine.

All right, I won't tell you that.

Okay.

You good?

I'm good.

Shot yourself another kill? That makes two.

Matt has five.

Make him an eight.

Captain Mitchell!

Captain Mitchell!

Thank you for saving my life.

That's what my dad would have done.

She took Amelia on a sailing trip.

Did she say when she'd be back?

You know, she didn't.

Can I get you anything?

Hold my hand.

Everything will be okay.

I heard from the heavens that clouds have been gray. Pull me close.

Wrap me in your aching arms.

I see that you're hurting. Why'd you take so long to tell me?