KINGSVILLE, Texas - A 2010 San Benito High School graduate and Hollister, California, 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. j.g. Mark Starritt 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 learning how to fly airplanes and integrating into the naval aviation culture.
“I get to learn from the best pilots in the Navy to fly aircraft," Starritt said. "This is beyond anything I could be doing in the civilian world and it's a cool opportunity to be part of such a rich history.”
Starritt credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Hollister.
“I learned how to balance a high level of expectation for myself while still enjoying the process,” Starritt 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.
Starritt 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, Starritt is most proud of earning his commission in the U.S. Navy.
“It was a big deal for me and the first step in achieving my dream of becoming a pilot,” Starritt said.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Starritt, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Starritt is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandfather was an aviator during WWII and he has always been a hero to me,” Starritt said. “I admire everything he has accomplished and to have the opportunity to train in the same places as he did, is a dream come true.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Starritt and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I am proud to serve in the Navy and accomplish my goals to better myself,” Starritt said.
A Navy student pilot is responsible for learning how to fly airplanes and integrating into the naval aviation culture.
“I get to learn from the best pilots in the Navy to fly aircraft," Starritt said. "This is beyond anything I could be doing in the civilian world and it's a cool opportunity to be part of such a rich history.”
Starritt credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Hollister.
“I learned how to balance a high level of expectation for myself while still enjoying the process,” Starritt 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.
Starritt 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, Starritt is most proud of earning his commission in the U.S. Navy.
“It was a big deal for me and the first step in achieving my dream of becoming a pilot,” Starritt said.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Starritt, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Starritt is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandfather was an aviator during WWII and he has always been a hero to me,” Starritt said. “I admire everything he has accomplished and to have the opportunity to train in the same places as he did, is a dream come true.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Starritt and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I am proud to serve in the Navy and accomplish my goals to better myself,” Starritt said.