KINGSVILLE, Texas - A 2013 Star Valley High School graduate and Alpine, Wyoming, native is participating in a rigorous training process that transforms officers into U.S. naval aviators.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd David Finley |
Ensign Rebecca Ryan is a student pilot with the “Golden Eagles” of Training Squadron (VT) 22, based in Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas. The squadron flies T-45C Goshawk aircraft.
A Navy student pilot is responsible for knowing the procedures needed to fly naval aircraft both effectively and efficiently for the fleet.
“This is my dream job,” Ryan said. “Actually being here and going through the process is really rewarding.”
Ryan credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Alpine.
“I've always lived in small towns and growing up in this type of environment, taught me that persistence and hard work will take you where you want to go in life," Ryan said.
The T-45C Goshawk is a tandem-seat, jet trainer aircraft powered by a twin-spool non-afterburn turbofan engine with 5,527 pounds of thrust and airspeed of 645 mph.
VT-22’s primary mission is to train future naval aviators to fly as well as instill leadership and officer values, Navy officials explained. Students must complete many phases of flight training in order to graduate, including aviation pre-flight indoctrination, primary flight training, and advanced flight training. After successfully completing the rigorous program, naval aviators earn their coveted “Wings of Gold.”
After graduation, pilots continue their training to learn how to fly a specific aircraft, such as the Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet fighter attack jet aircraft or the F-35 Lightning joint strike fighter jet. They are later assigned to a ship or land-based squadron.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
Ryan plays an important role in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Ryan is most proud of getting selected to fly jets after primary flight training.
“It is a very competitive field and knowing all my hard work paid off to get me here is very fulfilling,” Ryan said. “This is the biggest milestone in my career so far.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Ryan, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Ryan is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandfather previously served in the military and I am proud to carry the torch,” Ryan said.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Ryan and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to give back and make a difference,” Ryan said. “I am honored to defend our freedoms and be there to support the guys on the ground.”
A Navy student pilot is responsible for knowing the procedures needed to fly naval aircraft both effectively and efficiently for the fleet.
“This is my dream job,” Ryan said. “Actually being here and going through the process is really rewarding.”
Ryan credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Alpine.
“I've always lived in small towns and growing up in this type of environment, taught me that persistence and hard work will take you where you want to go in life," Ryan said.
The T-45C Goshawk is a tandem-seat, jet trainer aircraft powered by a twin-spool non-afterburn turbofan engine with 5,527 pounds of thrust and airspeed of 645 mph.
VT-22’s primary mission is to train future naval aviators to fly as well as instill leadership and officer values, Navy officials explained. Students must complete many phases of flight training in order to graduate, including aviation pre-flight indoctrination, primary flight training, and advanced flight training. After successfully completing the rigorous program, naval aviators earn their coveted “Wings of Gold.”
After graduation, pilots continue their training to learn how to fly a specific aircraft, such as the Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet fighter attack jet aircraft or the F-35 Lightning joint strike fighter jet. They are later assigned to a ship or land-based squadron.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
Ryan plays an important role in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of National Defense Strategy.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Ryan is most proud of getting selected to fly jets after primary flight training.
“It is a very competitive field and knowing all my hard work paid off to get me here is very fulfilling,” Ryan said. “This is the biggest milestone in my career so far.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Ryan, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Ryan is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandfather previously served in the military and I am proud to carry the torch,” Ryan said.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Ryan and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to give back and make a difference,” Ryan said. “I am honored to defend our freedoms and be there to support the guys on the ground.”