Culture, particularly through movies and television, could be considered the United States’ most influential export. Our movies and shows find their way into just about every market and go on to shape the perceptions the world has of our nation and of themselves. It would seem that, at least in the case of one Chinese fighter pilot, “Top Gun” was among his films of choice.

Two Chinese Su-30 fighters intercepted a radiation detection plane employed by the U.S. Air Force over the East China Sea last May, before one of them executed a maneuver made famous by Maverick in the 1986 film, “Top Gun.” As the two fighters intercepted the unarmed aircraft, one of them went inverted, flying above the U.S. plane upside down, in a move the U.S. crew referred to as “unprofessional.”

“While we are still investigating the incident, initial reports from the U.S. aircrew characterized the intercept as unprofessional. The issue is being addressed with China through appropriate diplomatic and military channels,” Air Force Lt. Col. Hodge said in a statement to the press.

The Chinese fighter reportedly came to within 150 feet of the surveillance plane, all the while flying inverted above the American’s heads.

“We would rather discuss it privately with China,” Hodge said in an email to The Associated Press. “This will allow us to continue building confidence with our Chinese counterparts on expected maneuvering to avoid mishaps.”

The four-engine WC-135, referred to as the “Constant Pheonix,” is used to search for the distinctive elements released by a nuclear test or explosion and is based on a modified Boeing C-135.  It collects samples from the air to be analyzed to make assessments about nuclear activity, something of increased importance in the region due to recent developments in North Korea’s nuclear weapons arsenal. 

All of the aircraft involved were flying in international airspace at the time of the encounter, though in 2013 China declared the vast majority of the East China Seato be part of their “air defense identification zone.”  As a result, China has demanded that all foreign aircraft operating over the region declare their intentions to the Chinese military and follow their instructions. 

Like China’s claims over the majority of the South China Sea, a shipping lane of incredible import for international commerce, most other nations do not recognize China’s increasing claims over the air and water in the area, instead maintaining that these regions are international airspace and waters.

Feature image courtesy of Paramount Pictures