The Reno Aces entered the danger zone Saturday night, celebrating 40 years of the hit movie "Top Gun."
Two jets flew over Greater Nevada Field, and five pilots from the U.S. Navy-Fighter Weapons School (better known as Top Gun) received a standing ovation.
For fans, there was a lot to love - limited-edition shirts, a rope hat giveaway, and special jerseys.
But for the former commander of Top Gun in Fallon, it means so much more.
"I was lucky enough to graduate from Naval academy, and I went into the Naval flight program," Gallop said. "I was able to fly fighters off carriers for 20 years. I flew the F-4, the F-14, the F-18, the fleet. And I did two tours as a Top Gun instructor and second one as a commander of Navy-Fighter Weapons School."
As a student, Gallop was at Naval Air Station Miramar when screenwriters were gathering intel for the movie.
After a tour in Japan, he saw the final product.
"The first couple minutes of that movie are some of the best representations of Naval aviation on the carrier that you would ever want to see," Gallop said. "It shows real sailors doing real work on real launches and recoveries."
But the film did take some liberties.
Gallop said the jets in real life often fly over a mile apart, much too far to get two in the same shot as we saw on the silver screen.
Perhaps fittingly, the Aces squared off against the Las Vegas Aviators.
Even though Reno lost 11-5 thanks to a six-run outburst in the ninth inning, both active and former Top Gun pilots like Gallop got a night they'll never forget.
"It's going to be great anytime that we have an opportunity to really recognize the folks who are on active duty that are out there doing it," Gallop said.
Alin Beane got the chance to sit down with a former top gun commander.
