Estacada’s Hoover Helps Train Navy’s Best Pilots at TOPGUN

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Sunday, February 25, 2018

GoLocalPDX News Team

Estacada, Oregon native Lt. William Hoover is helping to train the Navy’s best pilots at the tactical air warfare training center in Nevada and its Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program, known as TOPGUN.

Hoover is a 2006 graduate of Estacada High school.

He is a pilot working with the NAS Fallon Search and Rescue stationed aboard Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada.

“It was a childhood dream to fly. During college I decided to explore new opportunities and decided to pursue the pilot program,” said Hoover.

As a Navy pilot working in search and rescue, Hoover is responsible for providing high altitude technical search and rescue capabilities for Naval Aviation Warfighter Development Center, NAS Fallon and the surrounding area. 

TOPGUN

TOPGUN began 48 years ago with the determination of nine pilots, the skepticism of the government and almost no budget as history would recall.

In the early years it turned the tide of a losing air war in Vietnam, revolutionized military doctrine, inspired a Hollywood blockbuster and attracted and trained the best allied pilots and air crew from all over the world.

Hoover plays a crucial role in the overall mission that flies over 5,000 adversary sorties per year in support of the Navy and Marine Corp Active and Reserve fleet and replacement squadrons, carrier air wings and marine aircraft groups including the United States Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National guard and Canadian Forces. 

“I take great pride in serving my country and our constitution,” added Hoover.

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