The multiple stunts performed by Tom Cruise aboard his fighter plane in Top Gun: Maverick gave ideas to the French Patrol. This Friday, on the sidelines of the second edition of the Combat Aviation Congress in Le Bourget, the military organization announced that it had admitted the American actor to its ranks, on an honorary basis.
“A new honorary member has joined the French fighter pilot community,” Stéphane Mille, Air and Space Force Chief of Staff, said on Twitter.
And to add: “Thanks to Tom Cruise for having flown with the French Patrol and for sharing our values throughout the world.”
A “true privilege”
In a video broadcast by Stéphane Mille, Tom Cruise, currently in the midst of filming the upcoming Mission Impossible in South Africa, however, wanted to thank the organization for this appointment.
The 60-year-old actor said he was deeply honored and proud to receive this distinction. “It’s a real privilege for me to be a part of his team,” he says in this video.
“We all share an absolute passion for the love of flight and freedom and I admire all of you for your talent and your commitment to serving your country,” continues Tom Cruise.
In his acceptance speech, the actor also returned to his meeting with the French Patrol at the Cannes Film Festival last May. The Air Force had paid tribute to the actor during the ascent of the stairs of his film Top Gun: Maverickleaving a blue-white-red trail in the sky.
Source: BFM TV
