Maverick is finally back in San Diego County.

Fans of 1986’s “Top Gun” have waited for the day Tom Cruise would return to uniform and revive his Pete Mitchell character for a second film. It finally happened on Thursday when Cruise was spotted at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, filming the sequel to one of the best movies ever shot or set in San Diego, if not the best, according to a 2013 U-T readers poll.

NBC reporter Joe Little confirmed with the Navy that the “Mission Impossible” series actor was indeed on base, and TMZ shared footage of him riding a motorcycle there.

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On Wednesday, Cruise himself gave fans a heads up that filming had begun when he shared a photo on social media that appears to show Point Loma in the background. It included a shortened version of the famous line uttered by his character who famously went by “Maverick” — “I feel the need. The need for speed.”

Locals will either remember, or have heard, that Cruise and other cast members filmed around San Diego County at many locations for the original film. They include a house in Oceanside, Kansas City Barbeque in downtown San Diego and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

Top Gun 2 is expected to hit theaters on July 12, 2019. “Tron: Legacy” director Joseph Kosinski will direct and Jerry Bruckheimer is set to return as a producer.

Do you have fond memories of the movie or seeing the filming take place around San Diego County? Let me know via email at abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com or on Twitter at @sdutideas.

Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @abbyhamblin