Mizzou Football Honors the TOPGUN Program With Saturday's Veteran's Day Uniform
11/15/2019 9:48:00 AM | Football
Tigers helmets don a TOPGUN patch and a logo that pays homage to the world's most advanced flight training school
Mizzou Football will honor our nation's veteran's with a special tribute to the TOPGUN program.
The United States Navy Fighter Weapons School, commonly known as TOPGUN, was established in early 1969 to overcome inadequate aircrew training in air combat during the Vietnam War. At the time, the Navy lost 1 aircraft for every 3 enemy aircraft shot down. Aircrew selected for TOPGUN training were specifically chosen from combat units in Vietnam. Upon graduating, they returned to combat duty and trained their fellow aviators with the tactics learned during their time at TOPGUN. The increase in performance was dramatic towards the end of the Vietnam War, as Navy aircrew shot down 13 enemy aircraft for every 1 friendly aircraft lost.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of TOPGUN, currently located in Fallon, Nevada. TOPGUN continues to be the center of excellence for Naval Aviation, continually refining graduate-level tactics, training, and procedures for Navy and Marine Corps fighter aircrew. TOPGUN operates with a staff of the world's finest instructors who skillfully train students in the employment of the FA-18 Super Hornet and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The patch on the back of every Mizzou helmet is an exact replica of the patch worn by every TOPGUN graduate.
Every Mizzou helmet is adorned with a Mizzou-colored version of the national insignia still found on every US military aircraft today.
US Military Aircraft Roundel/National Insignia
The first national insignia used by US military aircraft was a red star in 1916, before America joined the Allies in WWI. The insignia was painted on the vertical tail.
After entering into WWI, the insignia changed to a tricolor roundel which was similar in design to the other allies.
Following WWI, the roundel changed again to a white star on a blue circular background with a red circle in the middle. This would remain in use until midway through WWII when experiments showed that shapes were easier to distinguish than colors.
In 1943, bars were added to the roundel to help distinguish friendly aircraft from greater distances.
Two red bars were added to the insignia in 1947.
Most tactical aircraft do not use color and a low visibility version of the insignia is used instead.
Every Mizzou helmet is adorned with a Mizzou-colored version of the national insignia still found on every US military aircraft today.
Area Code on Helmet
The numbers on each Mizzou helmet represent the area code of each player. It honors the numbering system of all US Navy ships that has been in use since the late 1800's. Below is the USS Harrison (DD-573), a WWII destroyer. 573 is the area code for Columbia, home of the Mizzou Tigers.
More Military Appreciation Scheduled for Saturday
In conjunction with Monday's national Veteran's Day holiday, the University of Missouri has planned numerous tributes that will take place Saturday when the Mizzou Football team hosts the 11th-ranked Florida Gators in an 11 a.m. kickoff at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium. Here's a quick rundown of just a few of the day's planned tributes:
- Fans will be treated to a rare B2 Stealth Bomber flyover from nearby Whiteman Air Force Base during the pre-game ceremonies…
- Over 2,500 area veterans will be in attendance as guests, thanks to the generosity of game sponsor Veteran's United, and Mizzou fans, who purchased and donated tickets that have been distributed…
- The Mizzou team will be wearing special helmets that honor the Navy, and the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (more famously known as Top Gun)…
- Pre-game ceremonies will include a wreath presentation on the field, in addition to a special color guard arrangement and national anthem performance…
- Eight Mizzou Navy ROTC Flight School students will lead the team runout before kickoff, with a special song planned for the occasion…
- Colonel Jeff Schreiner, an Independence, Mo., native, and the new commander of Whiteman AFB, will start the game by hitting the Big Mo drum on the North Concourse…
Tickets remain available for Saturday's game against Florida and the home finale against Tennessee on Nov. 23rd. Visit MUTigers.com for details, or contact the Mizzou Ticket Office at 1-800-CAT-PAWS (884-PAWS locally) with questions.
For all the latest on Mizzou Football, stay tuned to www.MUTigers.com and follow the team on Twitter (@MizzouFootball) and like the team on Facebook and Instagram.
