Glamorized during the ‘80s movie ‘Top Gun,’ the concept of a wingman was to always keep the lead pilot safe, even at the cost of veering off to fight the enemy. For the past few years, “wingman” has become a pledge, promise and commitment between Airmen to take care of themselves and those around them.
Today, at the Air Force’s only basic military training unit at Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland, Texas, the term is taking on an even different meaning. A Wingman leads by example and takes action when needed, and the term is also used here as a way to take a stand against sexual assault.