CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 2014 Broken Arrow High School graduate and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, native is participating in a rigorous training process that transforms officers into U.S. naval aviators.
Ensign Daniel Fulton is a student pilot with the “Rangers” of Training Squadron (VT) 28, based in Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. The squadron flies the T-6B Texan II aircraft.
A Navy student pilot is responsible for learning the skills and techniques needed to fly the T6-B aircraft and to become a proficient naval aviator.
“Flying everyday for work is an exciting and unique experience,” Fulton said. “I like the thrill of the speed and manuevering multi-million dollar aircraft.”
Fulton credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Broken Arrow.
“I was taught hard work and perseverance from my parents and from participating in cross country for my high school track team,” Fulton said.
The T-6B Texan II is a training aircraft that is powered by a 1,100 shaft horsepower, free-turbine, turboprop single-engine, four-bladed propeller, with a cruising speed of 320 mph.
VT-28’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 four 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, the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft or the SH-60 Seahawk helicopter. 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.
Fulton 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, Fulton is most proud of receiving his commissioning from the Naval Academy.
“It's something that I always dreamt about and it was a goal that I worked hard at,” Fulton said. “It gave me a great sense of pride and accomplishment achieving this milestone.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Fulton, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Fulton is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My dad served in the Coast Gaurd so I was honored to follow in his footsteps and carry on the family name serving our country,” Fulton said.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Fulton and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Doing my part in protecting the freedom and rights for the people of this great country is both gratifying and fulfilling,” Fulton said.
A Navy student pilot is responsible for learning the skills and techniques needed to fly the T6-B aircraft and to become a proficient naval aviator.
“Flying everyday for work is an exciting and unique experience,” Fulton said. “I like the thrill of the speed and manuevering multi-million dollar aircraft.”
Fulton credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Broken Arrow.
“I was taught hard work and perseverance from my parents and from participating in cross country for my high school track team,” Fulton said.
The T-6B Texan II is a training aircraft that is powered by a 1,100 shaft horsepower, free-turbine, turboprop single-engine, four-bladed propeller, with a cruising speed of 320 mph.
VT-28’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 four 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, the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft or the SH-60 Seahawk helicopter. 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.
Fulton 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, Fulton is most proud of receiving his commissioning from the Naval Academy.
“It's something that I always dreamt about and it was a goal that I worked hard at,” Fulton said. “It gave me a great sense of pride and accomplishment achieving this milestone.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Fulton, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Fulton is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My dad served in the Coast Gaurd so I was honored to follow in his footsteps and carry on the family name serving our country,” Fulton said.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Fulton and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Doing my part in protecting the freedom and rights for the people of this great country is both gratifying and fulfilling,” Fulton said.