by Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community
Outreach Public Affairs
A Brookwood High School graduate and
Snellville, Georgia native recently completed naval flight school to receive the flight officer insignia known as “wings" during a Winging Ceremony held at Naval Air
Station (NAS) Whiting Field in Milton, Florida.
Lt. j.g. Christopher Joseph received his
“wings” serving with Helicopter Training
(HT) Squadron 18, the “Vigilant Eagles.” This insignia is awarded to naval aviators who have qualified as naval flight officers based on successful flight training.
HT-18`s primary mission is to transition student aviators through basic and advanced rotary wing pilot training. Basic training introduces and develops student skills in helicopter flight maneuvers as well as training in visual navigation and tactics. Advanced training completes an intensive curriculum of basic and radio instruments, advanced tactics, and shipboard landings.
HT-18`s primary mission is to transition student aviators through basic and advanced rotary wing pilot training. Basic training introduces and develops student skills in helicopter flight maneuvers as well as training in visual navigation and tactics. Advanced training completes an intensive curriculum of basic and radio instruments, advanced tactics, and shipboard landings.
NAS Whiting Field is where the future
of Naval Aviation begins. Their mission is to train the military’s
best “Aviation Warfighter.” As the host of 21 tenant activities, they produce
1,200 pilots a year.