J.J. Cummings, a Bates College graduate and Navy pilot, flies an F-18 Super Hornet off the coast of Virginia during air to air training in this undated photo.

Capt. J.J. Cummings and his daughter, Mackenzie, attend the May premier of "Top Gun: Maverick" in San Diego. The movie has already grossed more than $1 billion worldwide.

Bates College graduate and career naval aviator Capt. J.J. Cummings, left, collaborated with writer Shaun Gray, screenwriter Eric Singer, and director Joseph Kosinski on the new "Top Gun: Maverick" movie.

J.J. Cummings, a Bates College graduate and career Navy pilot, climbs into an F-14 Tomcat in this undated photo.

"Top Gun: Maverick" broke the record for highest Memorial Day weekend debut since "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" in 2007.