TOPGUN Weekend Brings VIP Visitors to Fallon

It was a weekend to remember in Fallon as high-profile visitors touched down at Naval Air Station Fallon, home of the Navy’s elite TOPGUN program.

Among them was U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who paid a visit to NAS Fallon on Sunday to experience a flight with the Navy’s fighter training school. In a short video shared on his X account, Hegseth grinned from the tarmac and shouted the pilot’s rallying cry, “TURN AND BURN!”  teasing that a full-length version of his flight, complete with cockpit footage, will be released soon.

Local residents may have noticed heightened activity around the base over the weekend, including reports of government aircraft in the area. While official details about visiting dignitaries were not released, speculation circulated online about additional high-level guests, including possible Department of Defense and Navy officials.

Cranberry Cottage shared that it had been closed Saturday evening for a last-minute private function hosting John C. Phelan, the 79th Secretary of the Navy, along with members of his staff and security team. “It was definitely an evening we will never forget,” the post read. “What an incredible honor!”

Between the sounds of jets overhead and the sudden appearance of VIP security details, Fallon residents caught a glimpse of the unique intersection of small-town life and national defense that comes with hosting the Navy’s premier aviation training command.