KINGSVILLE, Texas - A 2013 Palmer Ridge High School graduate and Colorado Springs, Colorado, 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 Class David Finley |
Ensign John Kochanski is a student pilot with the “Redhawks” of Training Squadron (VT) 21, based in Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas. The squadron flies T-45C Goshawk aircraft.
A Navy student pilot is responsible for learning how to fly the Goshawk aircraft in different regimes of flight, including formation and strike events in order to prepare for future missions in Super Hornet jets.
“The Navy fighter jet mission is unique, this is the only place where this type of flight occurs," Kochanski said. "It truly is a thrilling job.”
A Navy student pilot is responsible for learning how to fly the Goshawk aircraft in different regimes of flight, including formation and strike events in order to prepare for future missions in Super Hornet jets.
“The Navy fighter jet mission is unique, this is the only place where this type of flight occurs," Kochanski said. "It truly is a thrilling job.”
Kochanski credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Colorado Springs.
“Palmer Ridge is an outstanding school and taught me that hard work is always worth the effort ,” Kochanski 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-21’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.
Kochanski 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, Kochanski is most proud of completing flight training in the T6B Texan II aircraft and making the commodore's list.
“Primary flight training is the first exposure of the Navy flight environment,” Kochanski said. “It was very challenging but also a lot of fun.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Kochanski, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Kochanski is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“Both my mother and father served in the Air Force as pilots,” Kochanski said. "There is a bit of friendly rivalry being in the Navy but it’s an honor to continue our family service in the armed forces.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Kochanski and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“When you get to fly almost everyday it doesn't feel like serving,” Kochanski said. “This is an awesome job and I'm happy to be in the Navy.”