CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 2010 Southern Senior High School graduate and Harwood, Maryland, native is participating in a rigorous training process that transforms officers into U.S. naval aviators.
Ensign Parker King 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 to fly naval aircraft both effectively and efficiently to execute missions for the fleet.
“I love feeling the power of being behind the controls of a high-powered aircraft,” King said.
King credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Harwood.
“My father served in the Navy and he instilled in me the diligence and discipline needed to succeed in life,” King 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.
King 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, King is most proud of graduating from Officer Candidate School and receiving his commission to become a naval officer.
“I proved to myself that I can do anything I set my mind to,” King said. “When the chips are down, rise to the occasion.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for King, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. King is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“Both my dad and uncle served in the military as aviators,” King said. “My dad served for 22 years in the Navy and he is the reason why I joined.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, King 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 is much more to me than just a job,” King said. “Personally, it’s about being a part of something in life greater than myself.”
A Navy student pilot is responsible for learning to fly naval aircraft both effectively and efficiently to execute missions for the fleet.
“I love feeling the power of being behind the controls of a high-powered aircraft,” King said.
King credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Harwood.
“My father served in the Navy and he instilled in me the diligence and discipline needed to succeed in life,” King 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.
King 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, King is most proud of graduating from Officer Candidate School and receiving his commission to become a naval officer.
“I proved to myself that I can do anything I set my mind to,” King said. “When the chips are down, rise to the occasion.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for King, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. King is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“Both my dad and uncle served in the military as aviators,” King said. “My dad served for 22 years in the Navy and he is the reason why I joined.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, King 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 is much more to me than just a job,” King said. “Personally, it’s about being a part of something in life greater than myself.”