Capt. Dan Pedersen, USN (Ret.), the first Officer in Charge of the U.S. Navy’s Fighter Weaspons School, which became recognized and respected worldwide as TOPGUN, and which he and eight other young Naval Aviators and Naval Flgiht Officer established in May 1969, is joining the Distinguished International Air & Space Hall of Fame Class of 2022, the San Diego Air & Space Museum announced today.

“The International Air & Space Hall of Fame Class of 2022 was already world class -- adding Capt. Pedersen makes even more special,” said Jim Kidrick, President & CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. “These men and women are amongst the most talented figures in the history of air and space. They represents the human pioneering and exploring spirit. This is a can’t miss event and something every guest will remember for the rest of their lives! Guests come from all over the globe just to be in the room with the Honorees and join in this momentous celebration.”

Tickets are available on the Museum’s website at: http://sandiegoairandspace.org/calendar/event/2022-international-air-space-hall-of-fame-celebration

Capt. Pedersen flew combat missions during the Vietnam War before becoming squadron commander of VF-143 onboard USS America. In 1976, he was promoted to Captain, later commanding the tanker USS Wichita before becoming Captain of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger in 1980. After relinquishing command of Ranger, he became Deputy Chief of Staff for the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. Today he is known as the “Godfather of TOPGUN.”

Capt. Pedersen joins an already elite class of leaders in aviation and space exploration and expertise, including Army Aviation, leading the way in the skies above America’s battlefields wherever needed for over 115 years; Will Cutter and Cutter Aviation, Founder of one of the first and most successful Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) in the country; the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), the aviation industry’s largest global aircraft association; Michael Herman, FAA Master Pilot and Philanthropist associated with the aviation business for more than 58 years; Brian Keating, Ph.D., Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of Physics (UCSD); and Textron Aviation, the leader in airborne solutions for government, military and commercial customers; to be inducted at this year’s International Air & Space Hall of Fame Celebration, the San Diego Air & Space Museum announced today.

The International Air & Space Hall of Fame is the most prestigious induction of its kind in the world and is composed of hundreds of air and space pioneers, engineers, inventors and innovators, along with adventurers, scientists and industry leaders. NASA Mercury, Gemini and Apollo astronauts and Russian cosmonauts are honored in the Hall, as well as famous legends such as the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh, Neil Armstrong and Amelia Earhart. Notable inductees also include Buzz Aldrin, Chuck Yeager, Igor Sikorsky, Wernher von Braun, Jack Northrop, Jackie Cochran, William Boeing, Sr., Reuben H. Fleet, Glenn Curtiss, Walter Zable Sr., Fran Bera, Wally Schirra, Bill Anders, Jim Lovell, T. Claude Ryan, Jimmy Doolittle, Bob Hoover, Ellen Ochoa, Peggy Whitson, Linden Blue, Jeff Bezos, Patty Wagstaff, and many more. See the following link: http://sandiegoairandspace.org/exhibits/online-exhibit-page/international-air-space-hall-of-fame.

Proceeds from the prestigious International Air & Space Hall of Fame celebration benefit the Museum’s youth education programs.

“Inspiring kids to undertake tough science and engineering challenges is a critical first step for our future,” Kidrick said. “We must also give them the resources and impetus they need to pursue science education degrees.”

More than 500 national and international business, aviation and space leaders are anticipated to attend the 2022 International Air & Space Hall of Fame Celebration, including prominent representatives and Hall of Fame members from prior years. Tickets are available on the Museum’s website at http://sandiegoairandspace.org/calendar/event/2022-international-air-space-hall-of-fame-celebration