Original subtitles

Hey.

What is it?

What?

We've been ordered to stand down. They're scrapping 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 Cain.

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.

Well he isn't here yet.

They want Mach 10

let's give 'em 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 Mav.

It's the only one I got.

Control this is Darkstar. How do you read?

Darkstar Control. Loud and clear. How me?

Loud and clear. Takeoff precheck's complete.

Ready for APU start.

Ready left engine start.

Ready right engine start.

Thumbs for taxi.

We are ready for taxi.

Tower this is Darkstar. We are taxiing with information Alpha.

Darkstar you are clear to taxi.

Runway 21. Winds 210 10.

-Fuel temps are looking good. -Control concurs.

Battery's holding at 95%. Cabin pressure looks good.

Control concurs.

Tower this is Darkstar. We're ready for takeoff.

Requesting an unrestricted climb to 600 and above.

Darkstar the runway and skies are yours.

Rear Admiral Chester Cain.

Maverick Cain 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.

Darkstar is ready for takeoff.

Everyone

go for takeoff starting with engine.

-Engine go. -Thermals go.

-Fuel go. -Electric go.

Control surfaces go.

Darkstar Control. You're cleared for takeoff.

All right sweetheart

one last ride.

Darkstar you are cleared above 600. Increase to Mach 3.5.

Cleared above 600. Increase to Mach 3.5.

Admiral.

-Just in time sir. -I'm early. So are you.

You care to explain?

Transitioning to scramjet.

Mav Admiral Cain is asking--

-Ordering. -Ordering that we bring her down.

...within six...

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?

Okay.

He's at Mach 7 pushing 8.

-Flight data? -Receiving. Data is good.

Temperature's climbing. Response is still stable.

We're feeling good.

Mach 8.8.

8.9 8.9.

Mach 9.

He's the fastest man alive.

Talk to me Goose.

Mach 9.1.

9.2 9.2.

Mach 9.3.

9.4 9.4.

Approaching high hypersonic.

Windshield hot caution.

Surface temp rising.

Come on sweetheart just a little more.

Just a little.

Come on!

Come on!

Mach 10!

Put that in your Pentagon budget!

Sir.

Don't do it. Don't do it.

Just...

a little push.

Holy shit.

You got some balls stick jockey.

I'll give you that.

Oh shit.

Maverick.

Maverick!

Thank you.

Where am I?

Earth.

Maverick.

Thirty-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 they 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 your ass once and for all.

It galls me to say it but...

for reasons known only to the Almighty and your guardian angel...

you've been called back to TOPGUN.

-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 Beau Simpson.

I'm the Air Boss. I believe you know Admiral Bates.

Warlock 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 finished second.

Just want to manage 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 sits in an underground bunker at the end of this valley.

Said 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's stealth

but the GPS-jamming negates that.

And a surface-to-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 you to all the surface-to-air missiles.

You survive that

it's a dogfight all the way home.

All requirements for which you have real-world experience.

Not in the same mission sir.

No.

No 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'd 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've recalled 12 TOPGUN 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 aka "Rooster."

I understand you 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 accident.

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 TOPGUN instructor before.

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

It's not where I belong.

Then let me be perfectly blunt.

You were not my first choice. In fact you weren't even on the list.

You are 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 TOPGUN or you don't fly for the navy ever again.

Twenty bucks you can't get three in a row.

Oh you've got to be kidding me.

Pete.

Penny?

-What are you doing here? -I should ask you the same thing.

-Well 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 got to say

North Island is the one place I thought for sure I'd never run into you.

-How long you been here? -Bought this place about three years ago.

-Three years? -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.

Well

you'll sort it out.

No I think...

-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.

Then 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.

Penny this is different.

Pete trust me

as improbable as it seems right now

somehow you'll be back in a fighter plane 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.

Okay.

Okay.

You look good.

Much appreciated pal.

What am I missing?

"Disrespect a lady the navy or put your cell phone on my bar..."

"...and you buy a round."

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!

And here I thought we were special Coyote.

Turns out the invite went to anyone.

Fellas this here's Bagman.

-Hangman. -Whatever.

You're looking at the only naval aviator on active duty

with a confirmed air-to-air kill.

Stop.

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

-Cold War. -Different wars same century.

Not this one.

Who are your friends?

-Payback. -Fanboy.

-Hey Coyote. -Hey.

-Who's he? -Who's who?

When did you get in?

I've been here the whole time.

-The man's a stealth pilot. -Literally.

Weapons systems officer actually.

With no sense of humor.

What do they call you?

Bob.

No your call sign.

Bob.

Bob Floyd.

You're my new backseater? From Lemoore?

Looks like it. Yeah.

Nine-ball Bob.

Rack 'em.

Okay.

-Penny my dear. -Yeah.

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

Bradshaw!

Is that you?

This is how I find out you're stateside?

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

anybody know what this special detachment is all about?

No mission's a mission. They don't confront me.

What I want to know: Who's gonna be team leader?

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

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

Well anyone who follows you is just gonna run out of fuel.

But that's just you ain't it 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 the hell 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 gonna get to teach us?

It's been declined.

You're kidding.

Hey guys. Come on.

How about...

That won't cover it.

I'll come by tomorrow and bring you the cash.

I'm afraid rules are rules Pete.

Overboard! Overboard!

Really?

Overboard! Overboard!

Great to see you Pete!

Overboard! Overboard!

Thanks for the beers! Come back anytime!

You shake my nerves And you rattle my brain

Too much love drives a man insane

You broke my will but what a thrill

Goodness gracious great balls of fire!

I laughed at love 'Cause I thought it was funny

But you came along and you moved me honey

I changed my mind this love is fine

Goodness gracious great balls of fire!

Kiss me baby

Goodness gracious great balls of fire!

Altitude 8000... 7000...

Goose I can't reach the ejection handle.

Eject eject eject!

Goose! Oh no!

God he loved flying with you Maverick.

Attention on deck!

Morning.

Welcome to your special training detachment.

Be seated.

I'm Admiral Bates NAWDC commander.

You're all TOPGUN graduates.

The elite.

The best of the best.

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 TOPGUN 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."

Good morning.

The F-18 NATOPS.

It 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

push beyond.

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

You show me what you're made of.

Rooster.

Bradley.

Lieutenant Bradshaw!

Yes sir.

Let's not do it like this.

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 5000 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.

We'll see to that.

-What say we put some skin in the game? -What do you have in mind?

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

Guys. That's a lot of push-ups.

They don't call it an exercise for nothing sir.

You got yourself a deal gentlemen.

Fight's on. Let's turn and burn.

Fanboy you see him?

Nothing on radar up ahead. He must be somewhere behind us.

-Damn it! -What the hell?

Shit!

Easy Maverick.

Let's try not to get fired on the first day.

Tally tally tally! Maverick's coming in! Break left!

Breaking left.

Payback where's your wingman?

-Rooster where are you? -I got your back.

I'm coming. Hang in there. Hang in there.

Hurry up man! Hurry up!

-Payback break right. -Breaking right.

Rooster just saved your life fellas. But it's gonna cost him.

Not this time old man.

Don't let him get to you Maverick.

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

-Altitude. Altitude. -Oh shit.

That's a kill.

Down! 109.

Down! 110.

That should be us down there.

But it's not.

And now you know a little something about Rooster.

Hold that tarmac down till we get back brother all right?

Get in there boys.

-That's a kill. -Damn!

-Smoked. -Damn it.

It was all fun and games in that selfie wasn't it? Down!

Say Phoenix.

How's about we tell everybody "Bob" stands for something?

-Other than Robert I mean. -Don't take the bait Bob.

Want to know why we call him Hangman?

I got it. "Baby On Board."

Shit!

Greetings aviators. Fight's on.

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.

Leaving your wingman.

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.

Talk to me Bob. Where's Maverick?

Jesus his nose is already coming around!

Get him 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!

That's it.

-Let's go Mav. Let's see what you got. -Come get me.

Evil be gone. Hangman's coming.

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

Shit. 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.

Seventy-nine. Down. Eighty. Down.

Let's go. Who's next?

-I got you Omaha. -Damn it!

-Lights out Coyote. -Copy kill.

Down. Fifty-one. Down. Fifty-two.

So Rooster mind if I ask you a personal question?

Would it matter if I did?

What's the story with you and Maverick?

-It seems like he's got you rattled. -That's none of your business.

Now where the hell is he?

Been here the whole time.

Holy shit.

You see me now?

Come on let's get it over with.

Fight's on!

What is with these two?

All right you put us here. How you gonna get yourself out?

You can bail out anytime.

How low 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 you?

Hard deck is 5000 feet fellas. You are running out of room.

Altitude.

Your strategy is about to run us into the ground.

-What's your move? -Altitude. Altitude.

Altitude.

Altitude. Altitude. Altitude.

Altitude. Altitude.

Pull up! Pull up! Pull up! Pull up!

Pull up! Pull up!

You got it. Don't think just do.

Come on Rooster you got him! Drop down and take the shot!

It's too low.

Too late. You had your chance.

That's a kill. Knock it off.

Damn it!

Same old Rooster.

Go see Hondo about your push-ups.

All right that's enough.

Rooster. 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 5000 feet above ground level.

A parameter is set not just for the safety of our pilots

but for the safety of their aircraft.

5000 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've got all three of you killed.

I never want to see that shit again.

What exactly do you suppose you were teaching Captain?

That 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 run 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 5:00.

No I just came by to pay off a debt.

Mom!

-Hey how's your dad? -With his wife in Hawaii.

Mom!

Mav says he owes you money.

-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.

Well I can't sail her alone.

Just use the engine.

Why are we taking her to the yard?

To fix the engine.

I can help.

-Little rougher than I was expecting. -You don't say.

Pull on the backstay. We'll de-power the sails.

Okay.

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.

Yep. Pull it hard.

Yep. Crank that winch right there

tighten the jib.

-Crank it. You okay? -Yeah.

Good.

Now

you ready?

For what?

The afterburner.

Now you're in the navy.

Thanks for helping out today.

I'm not exactly sure I helped.

Don't give me that look.

What look?

That one.

Good night Pete.

Night Penny.

Mom is that you?

Yeah it's me.

I'll make you dinner.

Okay.

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 they're 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 gonna 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 air base nearby.

In a head-to-head with these planes in 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 of 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'll be to stay under the radar of these enemy SAMs.

The tighter the turns

the more intensely the force of gravity on your body multiplies

compressing your lungs

forcing the blood from your brain

impairing your judgment and reaction time.

So for today's lesson we're gonna take it easy on you.

Max ceiling: 300 feet. Time to target: three minutes.

Good luck.

Time to target is one minute 30.

We are two seconds behind. Increase to 480 knots.

We got to move Coyote.

Copy. Increasing speed.

Oh shit!

Why are they dead?

We broke the 300-foot ceiling and a SAM took us out.

No. Why are they dead?

I slowed down and didn't give her a warning. It was my fault.

Was there a reason you didn't communicate with your team?

I was focusing 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 it to his family.

Hangman ease up. The canyon's getting tighter.

Negative Payback. Increase your speed.

-You're going too fast man. -No harm in being ahead of schedule.

Damn it slow down! I can't stay on the course!

You're gonna hit the wall! Watch out! Watch out!

-What happened? -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's 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 gonna 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?

Sir 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 enemy 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 back.

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.

-That's enough. -Or that Maverick was flying

-when his old man-- -Lieutenant that's enough!

-That's enough. -You son of a bitch!

Hey come on!

I'm cool I'm cool. 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.

Maverick.

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.

How's my wingman?

Please don't worry about me.

What can I do for you?

All right.

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.

Ice please

don't ask me to send someone else to die.

Please don't...

Don't ask me to send him.

Send me.

I don't know how.

I'm not a teacher Ice.

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.

I know.

I know.

The navy needs Maverick.

The kid needs 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.

All right all right.

Touchdown!

Sir.

-What is this? -This is dogfight football.

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?

You said to create a team sir.

There's your team.

Should I go? Before Amelia gets back?

-She'll be at her friend's house tonight. -Oh good.

You and Amelia you seem...

a lot closer than when I last saw you.

-Yeah. Yeah we are. -How do 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...

Does Rooster 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 lost.

I just--

I wish I would've done it better.

But the truth is...

I didn't think he was ready.

Is he ready now?

Mom I'm home!

I thought you were staying at Karen's tonight.

Karen's sick. And I've got homework to do.

-I should go. -You should go.

-Have you had dinner yet? -Not yet. You want to go out?

No it's okay. I'll make you something.

I'll be down in a sec!

-Wait! Not that way. -What?

Look I have an example to set.

I can't be bringing guys home on a first date.

This is not our 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.

Oh shut up.

Go on get out of here.

Just 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 will fly in 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-seat aircraft will paint the target with a laser bull's-eye.

The first pair will breach the reactor

by dropping a 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 is a steep high-G climb out to avoid hitting this mountain.

A steep climb at that speed you're pulling at least eight G's.

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 2000 pounds

your skull crushing your spine

your lungs imploding like an elephant's sitting on your chest

fighting with everything you have just to keep from blacking out.

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

This is Coffin 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 G's before but this--

this is gonna 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 a bandit on course to intercept. Blue Team what are you gonna do?

He's 20 miles left. Ten o'clock. 700 knots 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 Maverick?

He's five miles out. He's coming fast.

-Target's in sight. -Where's my laser Bob?

Deadeye! Deadeye! It's no good. Sorry I can't get a lock.

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

Damn it missed!

-That's tone. -Maverick's got missile lock on us.

Shit! We're dead.

Blue Team that's a fail. Level out Coyote.

Coyote? Do you copy?

Coyote come in.

Coyote level wings.

Oh God. He's in G-LOC.

Coyote? Coyote?

-He's gonna burn in! -I'm going after him.

Come on. Give me tone give me tone give me tone.

Snap out of it Coyote. Come on! Come on!

Come on Coyote come on. Come on!

-Damn it! Coyote! -Pull up!

-Coyote! Coyote! -Pull up! Pull up!

Coyote you okay?

I'm okay. I'm good.

Good. Good. That's enough for today.

That was close.

Too close.

Bird strike! Bird strike!

Bird strike!

-Phoenix left engine's on fire! -Climbing.

Throttling back. Shutting off fuel to left engine.

Extinguishing fire.

Right engine is out!

It's still spinning. Trying to restart it.

-Phoenix it's on fire. Don't start it. -Throttling up.

Oh my God.

-We're on fire! We're on fire! -Damn it!

-Engine fire. Right. -Extinguishing right engine.

Phoenix Bob punch out punch out!

Warning lights everywhere! Hydraulic failure!

-Flight controls. -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!

Eject eject eject!

Altitude. Altitude.

They'll keep Phoenix and Bob in the hospital overnight for observation.

They're gonna be okay.

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.

Go home.

Just get some sleep.

Why'd you pull my papers at the Academy?

Why did you stand in my way?

You weren't ready.

Ready for what?

-Ready to fly like you? -No.

Ready to forget the book.

Trust your instincts. 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.

Maverick.

Ready aim fire.

Ready

aim

fire.

Ready

aim

fire.

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

Take some time. Whatever you need.

I appreciate that sir but there is 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. -It was your job to get them ready.

Sir they have to believe that this mission can 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 gonna do?

Ice is gone.

What choice do I have?

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

No Penny.

I'm out.

This 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.

I don't know what to do.

But you'll find a way.

I know you will.

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 giving 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.

Gonna be a little harder to keep your lase on target

but you will avoid the high-G climb out.

We'll be sitting ducks for enemy missiles.

Who the hell is that?

Maverick to Range Control. Entering Point Alpha.

Confirm 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.

Final attack point. Maverick's inbound.

Popping in three two one.

Bombs away.

Bull's-eye! Holy shit!

Yes.

Damn.

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 multimillion-dollar military 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 Goose.

Captain Mitchell!

You're where you belong.

Make us proud.

It has 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.

Rooster.

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.

A secret uranium enrichment site under rogue state control.

It's an underground bunker

tucked between these two mountains.

Your route of ingress is heavily defended by surface-to-air missiles

backed up by fifth-generation fighters.

Once your F-18 strike team crosses the border

Tomahawk missiles from the USS Leyte Gulf

will launch a synchronized strike on the enemy's airfield here.

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 target will be two minutes and 30 seconds.

Any longer than that and you will be exposed

to any aircraft the Tomahawks may have missed.

This is what you've all been training for.

Come home safely.

You give 'em hell!

Sir.

Sir?

I...

I just want to say--

We'll talk

when we get back.

Hey Bradley! Bradley!

Hey.

You got this.

Maverick.

Maverick?

Hey you with me?

I don't like that look Mav.

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 One up and ready on Catapult One.

Dagger Spare standing by.

Dagger Four up and ready.

Dagger Three up and ready.

Dagger Two up and ready.

Support assets airborne. Strike package ready.

Standing by for launch decision.

Send them.

Dagger Two away.

Dagger Three away.

Dagger Four away.

Comanche Dagger One. Standby check in.

Comanche 11 set.

Picture clean. Recommend Dagger continue.

Copy. Daggers descending below radar.

Daggers now below radar. Switching to E-2 picture.

Here we go. Enemy territory up ahead.

Feet dry in 60 seconds. Comanche Dagger One. Picture.

Comanche. Picture clean. Decision is yours.

Copy.

Dagger attack.

Tomahawks airborne.

No turning back now.

Daggers assume attack formation.

Daggers set. Proceeding to target.

Two minutes and 30 seconds in three two one mark.

-Two mark. -Three mark.

Four mark.

Going in.

First SAM site overhead.

Looks like we're clear on radar Mav.

Let's not take it for granted.

More SAMs! Three o'clock high!

-We got two minutes to target. -Copy.

We're a few seconds behind Rooster. We got to move.

Thirty seconds to Tomahawk impact on enemy airstrip.

Dagger Comanche.

We're picking up two bandits. Single group two contacts.

-Where the hell'd they come from? -Long-range patrol?

Comanche what's their heading?

Bull's-eye 090 50 tacked southwest.

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

The second those Tomahawks hit the air base

those bandits are gonna move to defend the target.

We have to get there before they do. Increase speed.

We got you Mav. Don't wait for me.

Sir Daggers Two and Four are behind schedule.

Time to target one minute 20.

Tomahawk impact in three two...

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 got to make up time now. Let's turn and burn.

Heads up Phoenix.

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. We really got to move.

If we don't increase our speed right now

those bandits are gonna be waiting for us when we reach the target.

Talk to me Dad.

Come on kid you can do it.

Don't think just do.

Jesus Rooster not that fast!

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

Damn Rooster take it easy.

Sir Dagger Two is reengaging.

All right now hit your target and come home.

Thirty seconds to target. Bob check your laser.

Air-to-ground check complete. Laser code verified 1688.

Laser is a go!

Watch your heads.

Holy shit!

-Payback you with me? -Right behind you.

Phoenix stand by for pop-up strike.

Dagger Three in position.

Popping in three two one.

-Get me eyes on that target Bob. -Dagger Three.

Stand by Mav.

-Come on Bob come on. -Stand by.

-I've got it. Captured! -Target acquired. Bombs away.

We've got impact! Check direct hit! Direct hit!

That's miracle number one.

Dagger Two status.

Almost there Mav. Almost there.

Fanboy where's my laser?

Rooster there's something wrong with this laser.

Shit! Deadeye deadeye deadeye!

Come on guys we're running out of time. Get it online!

-I'm trying! -Come on Fanboy!

Nearly there! Nearly there!

-Come on Fanboy get it online. -There's no time. I'm dropping blind.

-Rooster I got this! -No time. Pull up.

-Wait! -Bombs away! Bombs away!

Bull's-eye bull's-eye bull's-eye!

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 Three defending.

Here comes another one!

Dagger One defending.

Rooster status.

Oh my God.

Smoke in the air!

-Break right Payback! -Breaking right.

Oh my God here they come!

SAM on your six Rooster!

Deploying countermeasures.

Negative contact.

Dagger One defending.

-Talk to me Bob. -Break right Phoenix! Break right! Mav!

Nine o'clock! Nine o'clock!

Rooster two more on your six.

Dagger Two defending.

-Payback SAM on your nose. -Dagger Four defending.

-Rooster tally seven o'clock! -Talk to me Bob!

-On our six! -Dagger Two defending.

-Phoenix break right! -I see it!

I see it, i see it.

Dagger Two defending.

Shit I'm out of flares!

Rooster evade evade!

I can't shake 'em! They're on me! They're on me!

Mav! No!

Dagger One is hit! I repeat Dagger One is hit!

Maverick is down.

Dagger One status.

Status!

Anyone see him? Does anyone see him?

-Dagger One come in! -I didn't see a parachute.

We have to circle back.

Comanche. Bandits inbound. Single group hot.

Recommend Dagger flow south.

One minute to intercept.

Get 'em 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 F-18.

Dagger Spare request permission to launch and fly air cover.

Negative Spare.

-Launch search and rescue. -Negative. Not with bandits in the air.

-But sir Maverick is still out there. -We are not losing anyone else today.

Get 'em home now.

Dagger you are not to engage.

Repeat do not engage.

Dagger Two return to carrier. Acknowledge.

Acknowledge.

Rooster those bandits are closing. We can't go back.

Rooster he's gone.

Maverick's gone.

Oh no no.

Dagger Two is hit.

Dagger Two is hit.

Dagger Two come in.

Dagger Two do you copy?

Dagger Two come in.

You all right?

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 saved your life. That's the whole point.

What the hell were you even thinking?

You told me not to think!

Well

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.

An F-14?

I shot down three MiGs in one of those.

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

-Let's find out. -Mav!

Okay.

-There's guys up there Mav. -Yeah.

-There's more over there. -Okay.

-Let's start running. -Yeah run. Run.

Once I give you the signal for air

you're gonna flip this switch until the needle gets to 120.

When the engine starts

you got to pull out the pins and disconnect everything.

-You understand? -Yeah.

Yes!

Once I'm up stow the ladder.

Okay. Wow.

It's been a minute huh Mav?

Oh my God. This thing is so old.

All right.

-Canopy? -Clear.

Both runways are cratered.

How we gonna get this museum piece in the air?

Why are the wings coming out Mav?

Mav this is a taxiway not a runway.

This is a very short taxiway Mav.

Just hang on.

Holy shit!

Come on come on come on.

Needle's alive.

-Mav? -That's it. Come on come on!

All right.

-Mav! -Here we go.

Holy shit.

Sir we're receiving a signal from Rooster's ESAT.

But 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.

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. -Okay first the radio.

Throw the...

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 5:00 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? -Just put your mask on.

Remember we're on the same team.

Just wave and smile.

Just wave and smile.

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

No idea. I have no idea what he's saying.

-What about that one? Any idea? -No never seen that one either.

Oh shit. His wingman is moving into weapons envelope.

All right listen up.

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

That's the ejection handle.

Mav can we outrun these guys?

Not their missiles and guns.

Then it's a dogfight.

An F-14 against fifth-gen fighters?

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

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

But you are here.

Come on Mav.

Don't think.

Just do.

Tell me when you see smoke in the air.

-Smoke in the air! Smoke in the air! -Hang on.

Yeah Mav! Splash one! Splash one!

Here comes another one.

Rooster flares! Now now now!

Splitting the throttles.

Coming around.

-Give me tone give me tone. -You got him Mav! You got him!

Taking the shot.

What the--

Holy shit! What the fuck was that?

Hang on. We got to get low.

The terrain will confuse his targeting system.

Here he comes!

Talk to me Rooster. Where is he?

He's still on us!

-We took a hit! We took a hit! -Damn it!

-Come on Mav. Do some of that pilot shit. -Brace yourself.

Holy shit.

I got tone. Taking the shot.

Damn it!

Out of missiles. Switching to guns.

Come on Mav come on.

-You got him Mav! -It's not over yet.

-One last chance. -You can do this.

Come on Maverick.

Yes! Splash two!

-Mav I got the radio on. -Outstanding.

-Get us in touch with 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 Mav.

Shit he's already on us.

This is not good.

-We took another hit! -No no no!

We can't take much more of this.

We can't outrun this guy. We got to eject.

-What? -We need altitude.

Pull the ejection handles the second I tell you.

-Mav wait! -Rooster there's no other way.

Eject eject eject!

Rooster pull the handle! Eject!

It's not working.

Mav!

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry Goose.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. This is your savior speaking.

Please fasten your seat belts

return your tray tables to their locked and upright positions

and prepare for landing.

Hey Hangman you look good.

I am good Rooster. I'm very good.

I'll see you back on deck.

Maverick is downwind.

No front landing gear. No tailhook. Pull the cable and raise the barricade.

Foul deck! Raise the barricade!

Go!

Please don't tell me we lost an engine.

-All right I won't tell you that. -Okay.

You good?

Yeah. I'm good.

-Chalked yourself another kill. -That makes two.

Mav has five. Makes him an ace.

Captain Mitchell! Captain Mitchell!

Sir.

Thank you for saving my life.

It's what my dad would've done.

Hey Mav.

Jimmy.

Is... Is Penny around?

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?

Get in there.