U.S. Naval Institute
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An independent forum for those who dare to read, think, speak, and write to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of seapower.
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We remember Tom Skerritt, who has died at 93. As Commander Mike “Viper” Metcalf in Top Gun (1986), he brought quiet authority and humanity to an enduring portrayal of naval aviation. He later returned to a naval role as Captain Bill Rhodes in Tears of the Sun (2003).
An Air Force veteran, Skerritt’s commitment to those who served extended beyond the screen. He co-founded the Red Badge Project, helping veterans find their voices and share their experiences through storytelling.
Our condolences to his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.
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Marines Deploy Iron Dome Air Defense Systems to the Western Pacific — USNI News
U.S., Partners Wrap Exercise Valiant Shield — USNI News
Tall ships in the harbor. Naval vessels at the pier. Blue Angels overhead.
Sail250 Maryland is a rare chance to see maritime heritage and modern sea power side by side in Baltimore. For more than 150 years, the U.S. Naval Institute has preserved and shared the stories behind the ships, sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and naval aviators who shape history at sea and in the air.
Keep the momentum going after Sail250—read more at
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