Apparently, NFWS now bears little resemblance to the original NKX NFWS, also known as unit III, Top Gun, and later TOPGUN.
Way back in the day:
- Only four F-4 crews went through as a class, and no others. … Two crews from the East Coast, two from the West Coast and only one from each squadron.
- Each squadron CO solely determined who the two individuals went whether they were already crewed together or not.
- The two guys the squadron sent always flew together during the course. Each squadron provided a dedicated aircraft and maintenance crew.
- While the GS subjects were as diverse as public speaking and Soviet history, the flying was strictly ACM (mostly BFM) and section, "loose deuce" tactics.
- Although F-4s were very good bombers, there was no Air-to-Ground training whatsoever.
- Nobody ever failed the course that I know of.
Remember that TOPGUN was established for a very specific and narrow purpose: To correct the dismal kill ratio F-4s had in the air war over North Vietnam against Soviet MiGs. Indeed the school accomplished that mission superbly and made history!