We decided to make the best fictional fighter squadron ever

The fighter squadron has long been a staple of the military in the real world – as well as in fiction. When you think "Star Wars," you think Red Squadron making the trench run. "Robotech" had Skull Squadron. "Baa Baa Black Sheep" had a very fictionalized version of VMF-214, the "Black Sheep."

There are real squadrons with legendary track records as well. VMF-211 is the famous "Wake Island Avengers," there are the "Jolly Rogers" from the U.S. Navy, as well as the "Black Aces" of VF-41. The Air Force has the 555th Fighter Squadron (the "Triple Nickel"), as well as the "Juvats" from the 80th Fighter Squadron.

Fighter squadrons can have anywhere from 12 to 24 planes. In this case, we will go with four flights of four planes each. We'll also add the CO, XO, and Ops Officer slots as well in what we will call All-Star Squadron.

Commanding Officer – Greg "Pappy" Boyington from "Baa Baa Black Sheep"

The real Pappy Boyington was the top Marine Corps ace – and he had a good run as the commander of VMF-214. The fictionalized version played by Robert Conrad was a superb tactician – cooking up a version of "Operation Bolo" in the pilot of the series, then pulling off several other operations. Also, his experience riding herd on the motley crew of VMF-214 will help with this unit as well.

Executive Officer - Wilma Deering from "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century"

A good pilot in her own right, Wilma also can backstop Boyington's weaknesses. Notably the paperwork and all the other mundane details that Boyington either got bored with, or may be too hung over to deal with.

Operations Officer – Chappy Sinclair from "Iron Eagle"

Chappy Sinclair is here as a superb operational planner. In all four "Iron Eagle" movies, he is a mover and shaker — often able to accomplish missions despite long odds and being outnumbered and outgunned. Who else could you pick as the Ops O?

First Flight

All-Star One-One – Jeffrey Sinclair from "Babylon 5"

With a long family tradition of fighter pilots, Sinclair was no slouch himself, being one of the few survivors from the Battle of the Line. However, in more even fights, he held his own.

All-Star One-Two – Luke Skywalker from "Star Wars"

This farm kid has been lucky and has a few kills, but he is clearly a raw talent who could learn from being on the wing of a more experienced fighter pilot. This kid will get his own squadron – someday.

All-Star One-Three – David Campbell from "The Longest Day"

One of "The Few" who had fought off the Nazis in the Battle of Britain, he can be an excellent element lead. Tends to be up for a sortie – unless he's drinking a beer.

All Star One-Four – Christopher Blair from "Wing Commander"

He is fresh out of flight training but clearly has some natural ability. Like Skywalker, he is best suited as a wingman for now, but has the ability to rise through the ranks.

Second Flight

All-Star Two-One – Roy Fokker from "Robotech"

He has seen a lot of combat, and has been a father figure to younger pilots. Given his extensive combat experience, he can lead a flight, no problem.

All-Star Two-Two – Lieutenant Starbuck from the original "Battlestar Galactica"

A sharp pilot who can sometimes get himself in too deep (he's crashed his fighter a number of times), Starbuck is not quite yet flight or element lead material.

All-Star Two-Three – Wedge Antilles from "Star Wars"

This guy has plenty of experience, and he has managed to survive two Death Star runs. That said, his units have taken heavy casualties in the past. Good enough to command an element, but flight lead may be a stretch for now.

All-Star Two-Four – Doug Masters from "Iron Eagle"

Another natural stick with a high kill count. Still, there is a distinct need for more seasoning. Though Masters does seem to enjoy playing tunes while flying.

Third Flight

All-Star Three-One – Tyrus Cassius McQueen from "Space: Above and Beyond"

He's taken on an enemy ace and lived, plus he has a track record of being a mentor to younger pilots. McQueen'll be able to handle the other pilots in this flight.

All-Star Three-Two – Steven Hiller from "Independence Day"

He's a good pilot – scoring a maneuver kill against an enemy that had a means to neutralize other weapons. Then he readily adapted to flying an alien craft. While he may get his own squadron some day, right now, he needs someone more experienced to get him to settle down and get over his obsession with the Fat Lady.

All-Star Three-Three – Cameron Mitchell from "Stargate: SG-1"

He's had combat experience on Earth and against the Gou'ald, as well as some small-unit leadership experience. Mitchell also received the Medal of Honor for heroism.

All-Star Three-Four – Pete Mitchell from "Top Gun"

No relation to Cameron Mitchell, Pete is a very good pilot with three kills in one engagement over the Indian Ocean. That said, some view his unorthodox style as "dangerous," and he has made high-speed passes on various towers.

Fourth Flight

All-Star Four-One – Brad Little from "Fire Birds"

Okay, he mostly flew rotary-wing aircraft, but he has extensive experience as an instructor, and did score a kill on a fighter with an Apache.

All-Star Four-Two – Harmon Rabb, Jr. from "JAG"

Rabb's shown some skill, but had a lengthy layoff due to his assignment to the Judge Advocate General corps for an extended period. He'll catch on quick, but let's season him under Little.

All-Star Four-Three – Blaine Rawlings from "Flyboys"

The combat experience Rawlings has is substantial, and he did down a pair of German aces. He was also awarded the Croix de Guerre for a daring rescue.

All-Star Four-Four – Tom Kazanski from "Top Gun"

The man flies by the book, and has very rarely made a mistake (over the Indian Ocean, he got target-fixated and a MiG-28 damaged his bird). We figure he's best suited to flying as someone's wingman until he can loosen up a little.

Who do you think we should add? Let us know in the comments below.