KINGSVILLE, Texas - A 2012 Spotsylvania High School graduate and Mineral, Virginia, 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. Maggie Suhling 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 the procedures and skills needed to fly naval aircraft both effectively and efficiently for the fleet.
“The best part is being allowed to go out and apply what you've learned on solo flights,” Suhling said.
Suhling credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Mineral.
“I learned how to be responsible and handle many time commitments which has been crucial in dealing with an ever changing flight schedule,” Suhling 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.
Suhling 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, Suhling is most proud of graduating from the University of Virginia and commissioning from the ROTC program in 2016, becoming a naval officer.
“Everything I did in college lead me to where I am in flight school,” Suhling said. “ROTC gave me the opportunity to grow and learn, and how to be a leader.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Suhling, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Suhling is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“Both of my grandfathers served in the military and my dad was a Navy jet pilot,” Suhling said. “I grew up with three sisters and it felt important to continue this tradition, especially following in my dad's footsteps in becoming a naval aviator."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Suhling and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“It's a very humbling and rewarding experience to be able to serve our country and live out my childhood dream of being a Navy pilot,” Suhling said.
A Navy student pilot is responsible for learning the procedures and skills needed to fly naval aircraft both effectively and efficiently for the fleet.
“The best part is being allowed to go out and apply what you've learned on solo flights,” Suhling said.
Suhling credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Mineral.
“I learned how to be responsible and handle many time commitments which has been crucial in dealing with an ever changing flight schedule,” Suhling 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.
Suhling 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, Suhling is most proud of graduating from the University of Virginia and commissioning from the ROTC program in 2016, becoming a naval officer.
“Everything I did in college lead me to where I am in flight school,” Suhling said. “ROTC gave me the opportunity to grow and learn, and how to be a leader.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Suhling, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Suhling is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“Both of my grandfathers served in the military and my dad was a Navy jet pilot,” Suhling said. “I grew up with three sisters and it felt important to continue this tradition, especially following in my dad's footsteps in becoming a naval aviator."
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Suhling and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“It's a very humbling and rewarding experience to be able to serve our country and live out my childhood dream of being a Navy pilot,” Suhling said.