to Ramada, but she is haunted by her past with Gregory. On the carrier S.S. Essess, Benson reveals the mission to be an attack of an Iraqi nuclear plant and Block assigns Topper to lead the mission, much to Gregory's protest. Wilson, who is also on board, instructs a crew member to sabotage the planes, putting the pilots' lives at risk. In the midst of the mission, Block mentions Buzz Harley to Topper, who has a panic attack and is unable to lead. Block just starts to call out for the mission to be aborted when Iraqi fighters attack the squadron. All the planes' weapons fail, and Block, realizing what has happened, tells Topper that he saw what really happened with Buzz and Mailman: That Buzz tried to do everything possible to save Mailman, but ended up falling out of the plane, failing in his attempts. With his self-confidence restored, Topper single-handedly beats the Iraqi fighters and bombs the nuclear plant, dropping a bomb directly on Saddam Hussein. Back aboard the ship, Wilson's plan is revealed, and his standing with the military is lost. Back in port, Gregory hails Topper as a great pilot and gives his blessing to Ramada to be with Topper. The end credits show Dead Meat and Mailman in spirit with Dead Meat saluting and Mailman giving a thumbs up with Elvis Presley (who was mentioned earlier in the film). Cast Charlie Sheen as LT Sean "Topper" Harley Cary Elwes as LT Kent "Pirate" Gregory Valeria Golino as Ramada Thompson Lloyd Bridges as RADM Thomas "Tug" Benson Kevin Dunn as LCDR James "Eyewitness" Block Jon Cryer as LT Jim "Wash Out" Pfaffenbach William O'Leary as LTJG Pete "Dead Meat" Thompson Kristy Swanson as LTJG Janet "Bio" Kowalski Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. as Mr Wilson Bill Irwin as LCDR Leland "Buzz" Harley Ryan Stiles as LT Dominic "Mailman" Farnham Heidi Swedberg as Mary Thompson Rino Thunder as Owatonna 'The Old One' Charles Barkley as himself Don Lake as Roy Cylk Cozart as Drill Sergeant Bill Laimbeer as himself Jerry Haleva as Saddam Hussein Gene Greytak as Pope John Paul II Mark Arnott as Rosener Production Principal photography was filmed throughout California in locations such as Hollywood Forever Cemetery and San Diego. Critical reception The film debuted at number one in the United States, and grossed $180 million worldwide. The film holds an 81% approval rating at Rotten Tomatoes