Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr. wrote the script for Top Gun, which was inspired by an article in the California magazine about the Navy's Fighter Weapons School.
Principal photography for Top Gun began, including many aerial sequences filmed with cooperation from the U.S. Navy.
Top Gun was released in theaters and became a major hit, significantly boosting the popularity of pilot life and the U.S. Navy.
Following the release of Top Gun, the U.S. Navy saw a notable increase in recruitment, especially for naval aviators.