The Texas Commandery of the Naval Order of the United States is proud to sponsor this celebration the 50th anniversary of the Navy Fighter Weapons School with CAPT Dan Pedersen, USN (ret), first Officer-in-Charge of TOPGUN.
When American fighter jets were being downed at an unprecedented rate during the Vietnam War, the U.S. Navy turned to a young Lieutenant Commander, Dan Pedersen, to figure out a way to reverse their dark fortune. On a shoestring budget and with little support, Pedersen picked eight of the finest pilots to help train a new generation to bend jets like the F-4 Phantom to their will and learn how to dogfight all over again.
What resulted was nothing short of a revolution -- one that took young American pilots from the crucible of combat training in the California desert to the blistering skies of Vietnam, in the process raising America's Navy combat kill ratio from two enemy planes downed for every American plane lost to more than 22 to 1. TOPGUN emerged not only as an icon of America's military dominance immortalized by Hollywood but as a vital institution that would shape the nation's military strategy for generations to come.
The Americans of TOPGUN – where the sky is our calling and our calling makes us the best of the best – CAPT Dan Pedersen
HMAC meetings are held at the Westchase Marriott, 2900 Briarpark Drive, Houston, Texas 77042
Reservations are necessary. The cost of the meal is $30 and there is ample free parking. Payment may be made at the door by cash or check. To make payment in advance by credit card or Paypal please go to www.hmac.us and go to Ticket Purchase.
We will also have some challenge coins for sales and they are $10.00 each. It is a coin that was designed by the Coast Guard for our HMAC Armed Forces Day Ball on May 18, 2019.
Make reservations with Colonel Jimmy Mitchell
There will be BOOKS available for purchase and you can purchase one or more.