Secretary of War Pete Hegseth experienced a thrilling ride this week, joining elite U.S. Navy aviators for a high-speed flight at the legendary TOPGUN training facility in Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada.

The Department of War shared a video of the event on X (formerly Twitter), showing Hegseth suited up in full flight gear before strapping into the jet’s cockpit. The post, captioned “TURN AND BURN!”, captured the excitement of the flight as the Secretary joined pilots in executing high-intensity maneuvers over the Nevada desert.

“Getting to experience what our pilots do every day gives you a whole new level of respect for their skill, precision, and courage,” Hegseth said following the ride. “These men and women are the best in the world, and it’s an honor to see firsthand how they train and fight.”

Officials confirmed that an extended version of the footage — including in-cockpit views — will be released soon, offering a closer look at the TOPGUN experience from the Secretary’s perspective.

The visit underscored Hegseth’s ongoing efforts to highlight military readiness, modernization, and morale across the U.S. armed forces, while giving the public a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into one of America’s most elite fighter pilot programs.