T-45s sitting on base at El Centro. (Credit: National Geographic/Lyndsi Gutierrez)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_02.jpg
Camera Charlie Laing, DOP Jon Southgate-Sayers, director Lana Salah, sound recordist Phil Bax and student LTJG Marcus Figueroa getting ready for an interview. (Credit: National Geographic/Lyndsi Gutierrez)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_01.jpg
T-45s under their covers on a foggy morning in Meridian. (Credit: National Geographic/Lyndsi Gutierrez)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_05.jpg
Student LTJG Spenser Neel posing next to a T-45. (Credit: National Geographic/Freddie Claire)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_11.jpg
Student 1st Lt Chuck Kent poses next to a T-45. (Credit: National Geographic/Freddie Claire)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_38.jpg
An F-18 in flight in El Centro, CA. (Credit: National Geographic/Freddie Claire)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_10.jpg
Sunrise on base at Meridian. (Credit: National Geographic/Lyndsi Gutierrez)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_06.jpg
Student 1st Lt Chuck Kent poses in the hallway on base. (Credit: National Geographic/Freddie Claire)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_48.jpg
Student Captain Steph Harris enjoys some downtime with a game of pickleball. (Credit: National Geographic)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_UHD_014.jpg
A jet carrying bombs flies to the target during a training exercise. (Credit: National Geographic)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_UHD_001.jpg
Student LTJG Spenser Neel gets 'in the zone' before his next test flight. (Credit: National Geographic)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_UHD_015.jpg
Student Lt Carissa Meinster with an instructor ahead of her next test. (Credit: National Geographic)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_UHD_003.jpg
Four student fighter pilots at NAS Meridian. (Credit: National Geographic)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_UHD_017.jpg
Spenser Neel and his wife Brianna pose for a special photo. (Credit: National Geographic)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_UHD_016.jpg
Commander Justin "Duster" Estrada assesses a student from the back seat of the jet. (Credit: National Geographic)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_UHD_002.jpg
Student 1st Lt Chuck Kent learns the basics of dog fighting. (Credit: National Geographic)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_UHD_012.jpg
Student Captain Micah Nissly (left) in a pre-flight briefing. (Credit: National Geographic)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_UHD_013.jpg
Naval Air Facility El Centro, California. (Credit: National Geographic)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_UHD_007.jpg
Student LTJG Marcus Figueroa in a pre-flight briefing. (Credit: National Geographic)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_UHD_011.jpg
Student LTJG Spenser Neel is briefed ahead of his low level canyon run. (Credit: National Geographic)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_UHD_005.jpg
Four jets fly in close formation. (Credit: National Geographic)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_UHD_004.jpg
Student 1st Lt Austin Claggett prepares for his next test. (Credit: National Geographic)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_UHD_010.jpg
Student 1st Lt Chuck Kent poses next to a T-45. (Credit: National Geographic/Freddie Claire)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_41.jpg
Students debrief in class at NAS Meridian. (Credit: National Geographic)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_UHD_009.jpg
Student 1st Lt Chuck Kent poses behind a T-45. (Credit: National Geographic/Freddie Claire)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_56.jpg
DOP Jon Southgate-Sayers films in front of an F-18. (Credit: National Geographic/Evan Parker)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_04.jpeg
Student 1st Lt Chuck Kent poses behind a T-45. (Credit: National Geographic/Freddie Claire)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_51.jpg
Student 1st Lt Chuck Kent poses next to a T-45. (Credit: National Geographic/Freddie Claire)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_36.jpg
Student LTJG Spenser Neel smiles in the hallway on base. (Credit: National Geographic/Freddie Claire)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_22.jpg
Student LTJG Marcus Figueroa poses behind a T-45. (Credit: National Geographic/Freddie Claire)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_23.jpg
Student LTJG Spenser Neel posing next to a T-45. (Credit: National Geographic/Freddie Claire)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_21.jpg
Sound recordist Phil Bax resting in the Shade at El Centro Naval Base. (Credit: National Geographic/Evan Parker)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_03.jpeg
Student LTJG Marcus Figueroa poses behind a T-45. (Credit: National Geographic/Freddie Claire)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_24.jpg
Student LTJG Marcus Figueroa poses next to a T-45. (Credit: National Geographic/Freddie Claire)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_30.jpg
Student LTJG Spenser Neel posing next to a T-45. (Credit: National Geographic/Freddie Claire)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_18.jpg
Student LTJG Marcus Figueroa poses next to a T-45. (Credit: National Geographic/Freddie Claire)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_31.jpg
Student LTJG Marcus Figueroa poses behind a T-45. (Credit: National Geographic/Freddie Claire)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_25.jpg
Student LTJG Marcus Figueroa poses next to a T-45. (Credit: National Geographic/Freddie Claire)Episode: #104 "Head-to-Head"Air Date 10/14/2025104_HeadToHead_TopGunsTheNextGeneration_32.jpg
