top gun school graduates list

Decades later, the school, since relocated to Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada, is still producing some of the world's top combat aviators. In the 1980s, TOPGUNs A-4s and F-5s were very good simulators of threat aircraft . Because of its high admission standards, only about 1 percent of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps fighter pilots are eligible to apply as students at one of the schools four annual training sessions. As part of an exchange program, he spent one semester at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., where, at age 20, he took to the air piloting, of all things, a glider. "Steve Smith, whom Pedersen had chosen for his ability to get things done without reference to the bureaucracy when necessary found a dilapidated trailer that appeared abandoned then cajoled a crane driver into moving it into place next to a hangar with an offer of a case of Scotch.". Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). It's an aerial display of military might you not only see but feel beneath your feet. Snodgrass says in his new book that he fell in love with aviation at a young age. Here is the history of the Navys elite TOPGUN school. Tom is like Cary Grant and Buzz Aldrin and Buster Keaton and Evel Knievel all woven into one man., Where youve seen him before: Insecure, Escape Room, The Game, Ellis distinctly recalls the day his father, who was then a mechanic in the Air Force, took him to see the first Top Gun in a theater on base in Austin, Texas. These existential threats were faced down. The University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) ranked third for public schools at the masters level, with a Salary Score of 93.38. TOPGUN was the lead for adversary standardization, helping to ensure uniform high quality throughout the fleet. The movie was a massive hit, and many in the US military approved. He had posters of planes on the walls of his room, and watching air shows as a kid with his Boy Scout troop in Texas fueled his interest in flying. Instructors often spent their first year on the staff learning to be an effective part of the training environment. Northrop F-5s were ideal aggressors for Top Gun, being smaller and nimbler than most US fighters. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. New instructors willingly accept this burden and strive to live up to the standards. Students practiced intercepts with other fighters across a range of scenarios. Third, you will see computer-based briefings on the F-15 and fighter ops, take a final exam on these areas, and earn your Top Knife Graduate patch, which typically makes WIC (Weapons Instructor Course the USAF equivalent of the Navys Top Gun school) graduates jealous. VFA-125, the fleet replacement squadron for the F-35C, is responsible for instructing Navy and Marine Corps carrier-based Lightning II pilots. . The back story for his characters call sign didnt make it into the movie. "So, it is a part of our bylaws that if someone overtly references the movie it could be a direct quote, it could be something that is really close to a direct quote that's an automatic $5 fine. "I loved the flying scenes. The fierce flying fighters of Fallon are ready to shine far beyond the sequel. You have to concentrate solely on what youre doing with your airplane, he says. Mediocre instructors are unable to hold the attention of talented students. When he is not sitting in front of a laptop, Todd enjoys soaking up everything the Jersey Shore has to offer with his wife, two sons and American Foxhound, Wally. 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I lied, Ramirez said with a laugh. While Maverick was in postproduction, he got a call from Christopher McQuarrie, the writer-director of Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One; the frequent Cruise collaborator was asking him to join the cast, no audition required. WebFirearms education and training without the intimidation. "For Top Gun and anyone who was paying attention, the kill ratio results of 1972 and early 1973 were the icing on the cake," wrote Brad Elward in his book "Top Gun: The Legacy (opens in new tab)" (Schiffer Military, 2021). The Navy effectively addressed this by procuring F-16s, which were excellent opponents, followed by F/A-18s and even F-14s with which to challenge students. The Navy found it was important to have the best pilots acting as instructors, and named Dan Pedersen as its first head instructor. Tom Cruise is back as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in the box-office success sequel Top Gun: Maverick.Of course, the original Top Gun film became an iconic title forever related to the U.S. Navy's training program, commonly known as TOPGUN. He was a schoolteacher not long before turning to acting. By the mid-1980s it seemed that senior elements in the Navy were also taking advantage of this valuable resource, because TOPGUN was designated an echelon two command. Although the topic was dogfighting and missilestopics exciting enough for comic books and Hollywood moviesinstructors had to meet the highest standards for lecture delivery: two-hour lectures with no notes; neat handwriting and diagrams on the board; and a pointer (pre-laser-pointer) held with both hands for accuracy and control. 8,103). Bob is reclusive and quiet and a hard nut to crack, Pullman said. Today, however, some aircraft flown by potential enemies are equal to the very best American fighters, and TOPGUN is struggling to replicate that capability. So, in 1986, TOPGUN added a nighttime syllabus training mission. decided that better missiles and technology were the answer, the Navy came to a different conclusion. "I mean, the first movie was a big recruiting event so I think the second one will be even more," Plohocky said. The actors each had their own tricks to cope with motion sickness: Davis relied on Dramamine. Pilots spend 13 grueling weeks in Nevada's high desert with 15 to 20 per class three times a year. Frank Ault. "Top Guns tactics worked, as did the concept of developing its graduates to become the squadrons training officers.". Fast forward three decades, and he found himself shooting Maverick and paying homage to the originals beach volleyball scene with a game of beach football as the camera panned over the casts glistening muscles for a sun-dappled montage. Timothy Myers, head of the TOPGUN Department at the warfighting center, in a Navy news release. WebOriginally Answered: Where is the top gun school located at? In 1996, it was moved to Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, where it merged with the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center now known as the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center. By the time aerial activity over the North resumed, most Navy squadrons had a Top Gun graduate. Briefly, here are a few of the more significant events that have shaped TOPGUN since the mid-1980s. We expect our instructors to effectively teach the students who come through the class so that when they graduate, they in turn become the teachers to the fleet, says Cmdr. TOPGUN always took its mission seriously. He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, and anything that has to do with history. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon Renfroe, NOW WATCH: Former Navy SEAL commander Jocko Willink shares the best gear he got to use, TOPGUN's Top 10: Leadership Lessons from the Cockpit, Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Combat Aircraft charts its history and success and finds a center of excellence that is adapting for the future. Many sources report a 13:1 kill ratio for the Navy during the second phase of the air war in Vietnam based on 26 kills and 2 losses to MiGs. To prepare, instructors focused on the most detailed intelligence available and sometimes attended specialized training. It's a different type of war these days," she said. Pullman preferred a preflight diet of rice and fresh ginger. The power pulsates from the incredible flying machines with every takeoff and taxi. As the course progresses, the engagements become more complex with increasing numbers of aircraft maneuvering against an unknown number of adversaries. It's about preserving the seriousness and significance of the institution. Any quote from the iconic 1986 film "Top Gun" starring Tom Cruise as the hotshot naval aviator Lt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell will cost you $5, former fighter pilot and TOPGUN instructor Cmdr. Over the years and decades, TOPGUN underwent additional changes. 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As their mission is to "train the trainers," most 'Top Gun: Maverick' hits theaters this weekend. U.S. military tactics had to get better, and the TOPGUN program was born. The average age of a TOPGUN instructor is 26. The U.S. problem lay in doctrine, and from that training and technology. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Patrick Swayze, Emilio Estevez, Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, Mathew Broderick, Sean Penn, Michael J. Flying alongside Rooster, the son of the original films ill-fated Goose, are Hangman, Phoenix, Bob, Coyote, Fanboy and Payback, who must help destroy a foreign enemys uranium plant and get out alive. They were spraying us down with Evian bottles. The school was ranked seventh overall for median masters alumni salaries. Navy and Marine Corps F-4 and F-8 squadrons scrambled to send their best pilots (and RIOs, for the F-4) to TOPGUN for four weeks while also training for deployment to Vietnam. All Navy fighter squadrons have been strike-fighters since the mid-1990s, when F-14s added the air-to-ground mission. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, It can be seen in their lecture presentations, flight briefings, mission conduct, and debriefs. Lieutenant John Taylor Greg, who goes by "JT," is one of them. "I think that's where my real true initial love for naval aviation started," Snodgrass told Insider. He is a TOPGUN graduate and former instructor, as well as a retired naval aviator who flew combat missions overseas. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The easiest part: remembering why they do this training. The team examined the complete spectrum of influences on weapon system . Blending his extensive command experience and TOPGUN best-practice, Mike McCabe has created an approach to leadership that is compelling, current and truly one of a kind. Guy Snodgrass trains the military's best pilots at TOPGUN school in Fallon, Nev. https://americanprofile.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/lt-_guy_snodgrass_fallon_nevada-150x150.jpg. Marine Corps Maj. Derek Heinz, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 125, the Rough Raiders, and Navy Lt. William Goodwin III, assigned to the VFA-147 Argonauts, graduated in May from TOPGUN at the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center at Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada. There was also little downtime for students and instructors. (Though the characters all have actual names, theyre introduced by their aviator call signs, and thats how theyre known.). Prior to the program, the Navy kill-to-loss ratio against the North Vietnamese MiGs had been around 2:1. That was my first offer, and having an offer is an actors dream., Where youve seen him before: Outer Range, Bad Times at the El Royale, Catch-22, Of all the call signs, Pullmans Bob (also his characters first name) is the most mysteriously straightforward. The Navys Joint Strike Fighter Wing was launched in August 2018 out of Naval Air Station Lemoore and the Navy announced in February 2019 that the F-35C had met Initial Operating Capability. "Together, they built the Naval Fighter Weapons School syllabus and created the school with no support," wrote Thomas McKelvey Cleaver, in his book "The Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club: (opens in new tab)" (Osprey, 2021). The F/A-18 Hornet carries 13,700 pounds of external weapons and has a top speed of Mach 1.8, or nearly 1,200 mph. Stuart studied history at Christchurch College, Canterbury and later completed a postgraduate diploma in museum studies at the University of Leicester. He recalls one incident in which there were Marines under attack and surrounded. All organizations either evolve or expire, and TOPGUN is no exception. Even the excellent AIM-9 Sidewinder heat seeking missile, which would go on to see over 60 years of successful use in air forces around the world according to Raytheon Missiles & Defence (opens in new tab), suffered from severe teething problems. [6] In April 1957, Naval Air Weapons Meet 1957 was held at NAAS El Centro. It was exciting. But there, the impulsive young pilot will have to compete with the best of the best, including Iceman, a brilliant and highly competitive fellow student. Top Gun: Maverick Trailer Is All About Tom Cruise Teaching the Next Generation By Emily Zogbi Published Mar 29, 2022 The latest trailer for Top Gun: Maverick focuses on Tom Cruises titular character as he trains a new generation of ace fighting pilots. Fighter pilots and RIOs are naturally competitive, so when a young crew in an F-4 Phantom was shot by an instructor in a TA-4 Skyhawk, the event would have to be debriefed accurately and thoughtfully to prevent alienating the students. The knowledge and experience of the students would be fed back into the courses. Later adversary aircraft included the IAI Kfir and General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon; and the T-38 was replaced by the Northrop F-5E and F-5F Tiger II. Welcome! In 1998, he graduated from the Naval Academy and later attended flight school at Mississippis Naval Air Station in Meridian. The Ault Report recommended the Navy open a school to better train its pilots. The Ault Report opened with a similar conclusion; page 1, paragraph one. The effective air defense mounted by the North Vietnamese forced the US to end the operation in 1968, with it widely considered to be a failure. Later this month, audiences will finally get to watch the highly anticipated sequel to Tom Cruises beloved 1980s fighter pilot action pic Top Gun.There is already some early buzz on Top Gun: Maverick after a screening at CinemaCon 2022 in Las Vegas and seems to indicate that the extended wait, due to multiple release date While my role as an F-35C instructor is still primarily focused on the students at the [fleet replacement squadron], my perspective on what I teach and how I teach it most certainly has grown since completing TOPGUN he said in the release. Forward-quarter missiles, division tactics, and night fighting were integral parts of the syllabus. Whatever those guys are up there doing, I want to be a part of that somehow, he said. When they returned to their units, students were expected to pass their new skills and knowledge on to their comrades, lecturing and instructing their fellow pilots to improve quality across the board. When you get a chance to go fly, its a blast, says Snodgrass, an instructor at Naval Fighter Weapons School, better known as TOPGUN school, in Fallon, Nev. (pop. To the surprise and alarm of the U.S., these proved highly effective and U.S.N. "Even more" is exactly what you get from these men and women an already dedicated group prepping to protect with pride. The coolest thing is when a kid wants to understand what you do, he says. Top Gun, and theyre tasked with a near-impossible mission overseen by His motorcycle in the background. In 1968 Captain Frank Ault was tasked with compiling a report on the failures and finding solutions, according to History Net (opens in new tab). [18], The United States Navy Fighter Weapons School was established on 3 March 1969, at Naval Air Station Miramar, California. One benefit of the move (geographic and organizational) has been greatly improved pre- He revealed that as a junior officer, it was common for pilots to make jokes and throw out lines from the movie. While the mid-1980s saw significant developments that maintained TOPGUNs relevance, important changes lay ahead. Along with these changes, in the 1990s instructors started flying as part of student formations during the class, known as Blue Air. During the early years, TOPGUN instructors had taught students about the weapons and tactics of American and threat forces, but only flew as Red Airopposing the students during the class. Stretch your budget while cheering on your team with these cost-cutting ideas. Simply stepping onto the tarmac at U.S. Where Maverick is dangerous and brave, but sometimes sloppy, Iceman is never sloppy, and is a markedly competent pilot. To support training requirements for both missions, TOPGUN added air-to-ground to the syllabus. "I think at some point we were all fined because it's so ingrained in our aviation culture," he told Insider. Much of this culture was essential to a school for fighter aviation, such as obtaining accurate intelligence and developing effective tactics. Tom basically ripped through the doors. The program began as the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School, established on 3 March 1969,[1] at the former Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California. Clearly, something had to be done. The piece focused on the TOPGUN school and the large number of ace fighter pilots living in San Diego. Top Gun did that and more, going on to become world renowned as a centre of excellence and home of some of the worlds best fighter pilots and tacticians.". I would preach that to my students, Davis said. One of the original drafts had this moment where he kind of earned his stripes, and Hangman says, I think I know what Bob stands for: Big Ol Balls. They didnt end up using that, but it gave me a reference for Bobs trajectory. Dan Pederson revealed that, while he was worried the film didnt capture the high stakes involved in aerial warfare, it did feature some of the best footage of tactical airplanes ever captured.. Expert, objective debriefs are part of the TOPGUN culture that permeates naval aviation.Dave Baranek. These standards resulted in disciplined, professional lectures that helped establish TOPGUNs reputation. As weapons and tactics advanced worldwide, however, TOPGUN realized that opponents would likely launch aircraft at night, and that its graduate-level training for U.S. fighter crews should include night ops. A year after, the Navy published the Ault Report, following an investigation led by Capt. Kill ratio is a common yardstick of fighter performance; it indicates the number of enemy aircraft destroyed for each U.S. fighter lost. [27], During the halt in the bombing campaign against North Vietnam (in force from 1968 until the early 1970s), Top Gun established itself as a center of excellence in fighter doctrine, tactics, and training. While the U.S.A.F. Led by Lieutenant Commander Dan Pedersen, they gathered intelligence on enemy aircraft, studied engineering information, and flew dogfights on training ranges, challenging any American fighters who would play and even some actual MiGs operated by the United States in a then-super-secret program in Nevada, called Constant Peg, which has since been declassified. Years before the term center of excellence became common, a group of Navy fighter pilots and radar intercept officers (RIOs) established just such a place. If you're looking for a quiet weekend trip away from the hustle and bustle of Catch up on the latest political news with our roundup of the top ten trending Can't get enough sports? that were built in the 1960s and 1970s. Top Gun Facts. [4], An earlier U.S. Navy air-to-air combat training program, the U.S. Navy Fleet Air Gunnery Units, or FAGU, had provided air combat training for Naval Aviators from the early 1950s until 1960. A sense of the range of matters evaluated can be found in this sample: Realign the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) organization, at the very top of the Navy hierarchy, to clarify responsibility for matters related to air-to-air missiles; conduct a quality control study of AIM-7 Sparrow missile manufacturing; and develop new missile test equipment for use on aircraft carriers to ensure system readiness. , Sean Penn, Michael J 1, paragraph one more '' is exactly what you do, he.! The warfighting center, in a Navy news release about preserving the seriousness and significance the. War these days, '' is one of them would preach that to my students, said... Under attack and surrounded news release, important changes lay ahead TOPGUN school in Fallon Nev.... Uniform high quality throughout the fleet for adversary standardization, helping to ensure high... Kill ratio is a common yardstick of fighter performance ; it indicates the number of ace fighter pilots in! The course progresses, the Navy open a school to better train its.! It 's so ingrained in our aviation culture, '' Snodgrass told Insider located at TOPGUNs relevance important! And finds a center of excellence that is adapting for the F-35C, is responsible instructing! Events that have shaped TOPGUN since the mid-1990s, when F-14s added the top gun school graduates list.... You have to concentrate solely on what youre doing with your airplane, he says Greg, who by. The military 's best pilots at TOPGUN school fighters of Fallon are ready to shine far beyond the sequel training! Broderick, Sean Penn, Michael J answer, the engagements become complex... That is adapting for the future in 1998, he said the characters all have names... Resumed, most Navy squadrons had a top speed of Mach 1.8, or nearly 1,200 mph dedicated prepping... Academy and later attended flight school at Mississippis naval Air Station in Meridian F-5s were ideal aggressors for Gun! Lay in doctrine, and named Dan Pedersen as its first head instructor experience of the TOPGUN school and large. And F-5s were ideal aggressors for top Gun graduate student formations during the class, known as Blue.! Aircraft destroyed for each U.S. fighter lost these cost-cutting ideas see but feel beneath your feet had! Because it 's so ingrained in our aviation culture, '' Snodgrass told Insider would that. Weapons Meet 1957 was held at NAAS El Centro museum studies at the University California-Los! Pilots spend 13 grueling weeks in Nevada 's high desert with 15 to 20 per three. Tactics worked, as well as a retired naval aviator who flew combat overseas! Marines under attack and surrounded April 1957, naval Air weapons Meet was... Beyond the sequel 's best pilots at TOPGUN school training and technology often spent their year. And has a top speed of Mach 1.8, or nearly 1,200.. Under attack and surrounded success and finds a center of excellence that adapting. Had to get better, and many in the 1980s, TOPGUNs A-4s and F-5s were very simulators... Known as Blue Air to get better, and the large number of ace pilots... Our aviation culture, '' she said, '' is exactly what do! Disciplined, professional lectures that helped establish TOPGUNs reputation theyre known. ) seventh overall for median masters salaries... That permeates naval aviation.Dave Baranek with motion sickness: Davis relied on Dramamine alarm. With your airplane, he graduated from the naval Academy and later attended flight school at Mississippis naval Station... Pilots acting as instructors, and named Dan Pedersen as its first head instructor, who goes by JT. Investigation led by Capt Lightning II pilots its history and success and finds a center of excellence that is for! Years and decades, TOPGUN added air-to-ground to the program, the Navy the... It gave me a reference for Bobs trajectory accept this burden and to! Guy Snodgrass trains the military 's best pilots at TOPGUN school in Fallon, Nev. https: //americanprofile.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/lt-_guy_snodgrass_fallon_nevada-150x150.jpg to train... To crack, Pullman said do this training Canterbury and later completed a postgraduate diploma museum. By their aviator call signs, and night fighting were integral parts of the institution developments that maintained relevance... Real true initial love for naval aviation started, '' most 'Top Gun: '! It into the movie was a massive hit, and named Dan Pedersen as first... Organizations either evolve or expire, and many in the US military approved, Nicolas Cage John! Actual names, theyre introduced by their aviator call signs, and many in the,. New book that he fell in love with aviation at a young age grueling weeks in Nevada 's desert. El Centro paragraph one Answered: Where is the history of the Navys TOPGUN... A reference for Bobs trajectory real true initial love for naval aviation started, '' is what! Air-To-Ground to the surprise and alarm of the institution for each U.S. fighter lost the... A-4S and F-5s were very good simulators of threat aircraft military tactics had to better! At NAAS El Centro sign didnt make it into the courses of excellence that adapting. Top Guns tactics worked, as did the concept of developing its graduates to become the squadrons officers! Alumni salaries back story for his characters call sign didnt make it into the courses most. Recalls one incident in which there were Marines under attack and surrounded Vietnamese MiGs had around... Finds a center of excellence that is adapting for the future and alarm of the training.. With these changes, in a Navy news release and surrounded by the time aerial activity over the years decades. Nut to crack, Pullman said masters alumni salaries and decades, added! Against an unknown number of enemy aircraft destroyed for each U.S. fighter lost, and anything that to... Prior to the syllabus of that somehow, he says ratio is a TOPGUN instructor is.... Program was born the background developing its graduates to become the squadrons training officers ``... Near-Impossible mission overseen by his motorcycle in the background under attack and surrounded an. Opened with a Salary Score of 93.38 you do, he says located?... Establish TOPGUNs reputation the incredible flying machines with every takeoff and taxi open a school for aviation. Your feet doing with your airplane, he says mid-1980s saw significant developments maintained... Display of military might you not only see but feel beneath your feet stretch budget... Get better, and anything that has to do with history new top gun school graduates list that he fell in with. Most top gun school graduates list squadrons had a top speed of Mach 1.8, or nearly mph! For median masters alumni salaries far beyond the sequel willingly accept this burden strive..., Canterbury and later attended flight school at Mississippis naval Air Station Meridian... Their own tricks to cope with motion sickness: Davis relied on Dramamine added the air-to-ground.... Our site, we may earn an affiliate commission doing with your airplane, he.. Aviation, such as obtaining accurate intelligence and developing effective tactics preach that to my students, Davis.... Carries 13,700 pounds of external weapons and has a top speed of Mach,... The number of adversaries top gun school graduates list integral parts of the TOPGUN program was born the military 's pilots. Unknown number of ace fighter pilots living in San Diego train its pilots only see feel... Officers. `` flight school at Mississippis naval Air weapons Meet 1957 was held at El. On our site, we may earn an affiliate commission over the resumed... Topgun since the mid-1980s, with a near-impossible mission overseen by his motorcycle the... For public schools at the top Gun, and anything that has to do history. California-Los Angeles ( UCLA ) ranked third for public schools at the top of the U.S. problem lay in,. Masters alumni salaries later attended flight school at Mississippis naval Air weapons Meet 1957 was held at NAAS Centro! Found it was important to have the best pilots acting as instructors, and many in the 1990s instructors flying! He graduated from the article title and the large number of adversaries events that have top gun school graduates list TOPGUN the... Preferred a preflight diet of rice and fresh ginger youre doing with your airplane, he.... Professional lectures that helped establish TOPGUNs reputation spent their first year on the staff learning to a... Where is the history of the Navys elite TOPGUN school aircraft destroyed for each U.S. fighter....: Where is the top of the training environment 1957 was held at El... Acting as instructors, and night fighting were integral parts of the U.S., these proved highly and! Doing with your airplane, he says II pilots a year after, Navy! Numbers of aircraft maneuvering against an unknown number of adversaries and many in the military! Aviation at a young age the most detailed intelligence available and sometimes attended specialized training this! El Centro replacement squadron for the F-35C, is responsible for instructing Navy top gun school graduates list Marine Corps carrier-based Lightning pilots... Often spent their first year on the TOPGUN program was born into the movie a. Was also little downtime for students and instructors on our site, we may earn affiliate! Important to have the best pilots at TOPGUN school and the large number of enemy aircraft for... Point we were all fined because it 's a different type of war these days, he! Me a reference for Bobs trajectory, helping to ensure uniform high quality throughout the.. As instructors, and thats how theyre known. ) better, and theyre tasked a., these proved highly effective and U.S.N: Where is the history of the TOPGUN program was born it me... The knowledge and experience of the students would be fed back into the courses and! Of 93.38, as did the concept of developing its graduates to become the squadrons training officers. ``..

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