CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 2008 American Military Academy graduate and Fajardo, Puerto Rico, 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 |
Lt. Max Casillas is a student pilot with the “Wise Owls” of Training Squadron (VT) 31, based in Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. The squadron flies the T-44C Pegasus aircraft.
A Navy student pilot is responsible for learning how to master the fundamentals of flying multi-engine naval aircraft.
“Every flight is a new challenge that presents countless opportunities to learn more and get better,” Casillas said.
Casillas credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Fajardo.
“I was a tour guide in my hometown and this job helped me develop people skills and teamwork fundamentals that enabled me to be a team player in my naval aircrew environment,” Casillas said.
The T-44C Pegasus is a twin-engine, pressurized, fixed-wing monoplane used for advanced turboprop radar aircraft training using two 550 shaft horsepowered engines, with a cruising airspeed of 287 mph.
VT-31’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 P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft or Marine Corps’ MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. 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.
Casillas 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, Casillas is most proud of being a member of his previous squadron, VP-4, that earned the Navy Battle ‘E’ Award.
“Our performance during the squadron's work up cycle and subsequent 7th Fleet deployment earned everyone serving there this award,” Casillas said. “This award was recognition for being the best squadron on the west coast.”
Casillas is the first from his family to serve in the military and hopes to start a family tradition.
“I’m the first in my family to serve and I am honored and humbled to have accepted a commission in the U.S. Navy,” Casillas said. “I look forward to continue serving for years to come.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Casillas and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means just being ready to answer the call, by either taking care of my sailors or deploying forward operating in foreign countries,” Casillas said.
A Navy student pilot is responsible for learning how to master the fundamentals of flying multi-engine naval aircraft.
“Every flight is a new challenge that presents countless opportunities to learn more and get better,” Casillas said.
Casillas credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Fajardo.
“I was a tour guide in my hometown and this job helped me develop people skills and teamwork fundamentals that enabled me to be a team player in my naval aircrew environment,” Casillas said.
The T-44C Pegasus is a twin-engine, pressurized, fixed-wing monoplane used for advanced turboprop radar aircraft training using two 550 shaft horsepowered engines, with a cruising airspeed of 287 mph.
VT-31’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 P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft or Marine Corps’ MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. 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.
Casillas 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, Casillas is most proud of being a member of his previous squadron, VP-4, that earned the Navy Battle ‘E’ Award.
“Our performance during the squadron's work up cycle and subsequent 7th Fleet deployment earned everyone serving there this award,” Casillas said. “This award was recognition for being the best squadron on the west coast.”
Casillas is the first from his family to serve in the military and hopes to start a family tradition.
“I’m the first in my family to serve and I am honored and humbled to have accepted a commission in the U.S. Navy,” Casillas said. “I look forward to continue serving for years to come.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Casillas and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means just being ready to answer the call, by either taking care of my sailors or deploying forward operating in foreign countries,” Casillas said.