Indian Ocean: US F-14s encounter Soviet "MiG-28" fighters of a new design that are disturbingly similar to US F-5s. After fancy flying during the stand-off encounter, a celebratory LT "Maverick" Mitchell violates ATC directions and buzzes the flight deck in total violation of safety of life protocols.
Six weeks later
Ensign Mitchell enters into Lieutenant Commander Jim Wallace's office at the Naval Supply office at NAS Oceana. "Here's you coffee, sir. Had to go to the Chief's Mess to get it, so it's a bit strong." "Thank you, Ensign. Could you get me that report on the Solvent shipment?" "Yes, sir."
"Maverick" walks along the corridor. He hears the unmistakable sound of Tomcats taking off in afterburner. He feels an ache in his heart and instinctively reaches for the blank spot above his shirt pocket where a pair of gold wings once hung.
Meanwhile over the Indian Ocean one Lt. Tom "Iceman" Kazansky, a by-the-book yet aggressive and skilled pilot, is involved in an incident with Soviet "MiG-28s". His RIO shoots down two at long range using the Tomcat's Phoenix missiles. Both Kazansky and his RIO are awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the incident is quietly covered up. One of several "regrettable" incidents to occur during the Cold War.
The US and Soviet ambassadors agree to pretend the incident never happened, though for the coming months both sides will be on higher alert.
History proceeds as OTL from there.