Dave Berke's career in aviation began after watching 'Top Gun' at age 13, inspiring his path.
Berke, a Marine Corps fighter pilot, flew top jets, including the F-22 Raptor and F-35B Lightning II.
The F-22 Raptor's maneuverability and stealth impressed Berke more than any other aircraft.
At 13, Dave Berke watched "Top Gun" and decided he wanted to become a fighter pilot. Decades later, he was teaching at the real TOPGUN school and had flown in the **** pits of four of the most capable fighters ever fielded by the US military.
He flew combat missions from aircraft carriers, served as a forward air controller in Iraq, taught strike-fighter tactics at TOPGUN, and eventually became the first operational commander to fly the Marine Corps' F-35B.
Berke, a Marine Corps fighter pilot, flew top jets, including the F-22 Raptor and F-35B Lightning II.
The F-22 Raptor's maneuverability and stealth impressed Berke more than any other aircraft.
At 13, Dave Berke watched "Top Gun" and decided he wanted to become a fighter pilot. Decades later, he was teaching at the real TOPGUN school and had flown in the **** pits of four of the most capable fighters ever fielded by the US military.
He flew combat missions from aircraft carriers, served as a forward air controller in Iraq, taught strike-fighter tactics at TOPGUN, and eventually became the first operational commander to fly the Marine Corps' F-35B.
3 months ago
