The Hondo guy in Top Gun 2.

He is a CWO4 according to IMDB.



He was at the beginning when Maverick is testing the experimental plane.



Then when Maverick goes to train Top Gun pilots, Hondo goes with him.



Later you see him on the aircraft carrier saying goodbye to Maverick right before the Dagger strike force is launched.



He is also in the CIC of the aircraft carrier with the two Admirals watching the mission unfold.



When Maverick and Rooster had to land the stolen F-14 without front landing gear, HONDO is there on the deck yelling at the crew to hurry and get the barricade up.



I don't know what is the privilege and duties of a CW04 but what he has? A full backstage pass?

He seem to be doing duties that are not assigned to him like supervising the rigging of the barricade or have access to areas beyond his pay grade like the CIC.

He is friend with Maverick, who is a Captain and Captain Maverick says "Hondo is my buddy. Let him in the CIC to watch the Dagger Strike"

If Hondo doesn't have the rank and clearance, it doesn't matter what Captain Maverick says, I doubt in the Navy he will be able to gain entry into the CIC.

Those 2 admirals will immediately overule Captain Maverick.

CWOs are mythical creatures. Some people even doubt they exist. No one knows what they do as us mere mortals only ever catch glimpses of them. Legend has it they're really smart and if you're lucky one of them will bless you with knowledge.

Top Gun Maverick....

IS


A


MOVIE


NOT


A


DOCUMENTARY

Diversity is the new Navy order of the day and 1 scene does not qualify.

I'm sure I read somewhere he was also in the original Top Gun?

On a related note, "Top Gun" is the oldest film I know of which has Meg Ryan. I'm sure most of us here were just bedazzled when we first saw her in that movie.

Indeed. Even as a young boy I felt a stirring below for her.

I Google CWO

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warrant_officer_(United_States)

That's difficult to believe, since the original Top Gun was 1986 (36 yrs ago) and he is only 46 yrs old (according to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashir_Salahuddin )

It's just for the movie - to have some character continuity.

As was said before, it's just a movie, not a documentary.