CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 2010 President Theodore Roosevelt High School graduate and Honolulu native is participating in a rigorous training process that transforms officers into U.S. naval aviators.
Ensign Lindsey Nelson 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 ins and outs of new multi-million dollar naval aircraft.
“It's the most exciting thing that I've done in my life to date, and I was lucky enough to be selected to do so,” Nelson said.
Nelson credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Honolulu.
“Growing up in Honolulu was tough, especially after high school,” Nelson said. “I've learned no matter how hard it gets, I will always have to try my best.”
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.
Nelson 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, Nelson is most proud of receiving his National Defense Ribbon.
“It's the only ribbon that I’ve received in my short military career so I wear it with pride,” Nelson said.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Nelson, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Nelson is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My uncle served in both the Navy and Air National Guard,” Nelson said. “He was also a naval aviator, so I hope one day to become an aviator like him so I can make him proud,” Nelson said.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Nelson 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 protecting the ones I love at home,” Nelson said.
A Navy student pilot is responsible for learning the ins and outs of new multi-million dollar naval aircraft.
“It's the most exciting thing that I've done in my life to date, and I was lucky enough to be selected to do so,” Nelson said.
Nelson credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Honolulu.
“Growing up in Honolulu was tough, especially after high school,” Nelson said. “I've learned no matter how hard it gets, I will always have to try my best.”
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.
Nelson 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, Nelson is most proud of receiving his National Defense Ribbon.
“It's the only ribbon that I’ve received in my short military career so I wear it with pride,” Nelson said.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Nelson, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Nelson is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My uncle served in both the Navy and Air National Guard,” Nelson said. “He was also a naval aviator, so I hope one day to become an aviator like him so I can make him proud,” Nelson said.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Nelson 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 protecting the ones I love at home,” Nelson said.