CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 1998 Muskego High School and Muskego, Wisconsin, native is playing a key role in the lengthy and 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. Cmdr Keith Satorius is an instructor 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 instructor pilot is responsible for providing advanced mulit-engine instruction to student military aviators so they obtain the necessary skills required to safely operate naval aircraft in the fleet.
“It's exciting to know that I have the ability to train future naval aviators to take the reigns and see them earn their Wings of Gold,” Satorius said.
Satorius credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Muskego.
“I was taught a great work ethic from my parents and this laid the foundation for becoming a successful naval officer,” Satorius said.
The T-44C Pegasus is a twin-engine, pressurized, fixed-wing monoplane used for advanced turboprop radar aircraft training using two 550 shaft horse-powered 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 the 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.
Satorius 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, Satorius is most proud of being designated a naval aviator in 2009.
“I came from a small hometown and I never flew an aircraft before,” Satorius said. “I was prior enlisted and became a commissioned officer in 2007, and this gave me an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a Navy pilot."
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Satorius, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Satorius is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“I'm third-generation Navy and my immediate family has a rich tradition of military service,” Satorius said. “My grandfather from my mother's side, served in the Army and my grandfather from my father's side served in the Navy. My father also served in the Navy and I currently have a cousin in the Navy stationed in Japan. It's important to honor my family that have served before me.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Satorius and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I feel honored to serve my country and enjoy being part of a team while setting a good example for my son,” Satorius said.
A Navy instructor pilot is responsible for providing advanced mulit-engine instruction to student military aviators so they obtain the necessary skills required to safely operate naval aircraft in the fleet.
“It's exciting to know that I have the ability to train future naval aviators to take the reigns and see them earn their Wings of Gold,” Satorius said.
Satorius credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Muskego.
“I was taught a great work ethic from my parents and this laid the foundation for becoming a successful naval officer,” Satorius said.
The T-44C Pegasus is a twin-engine, pressurized, fixed-wing monoplane used for advanced turboprop radar aircraft training using two 550 shaft horse-powered 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 the 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.
Satorius 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, Satorius is most proud of being designated a naval aviator in 2009.
“I came from a small hometown and I never flew an aircraft before,” Satorius said. “I was prior enlisted and became a commissioned officer in 2007, and this gave me an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a Navy pilot."
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Satorius, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Satorius is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“I'm third-generation Navy and my immediate family has a rich tradition of military service,” Satorius said. “My grandfather from my mother's side, served in the Army and my grandfather from my father's side served in the Navy. My father also served in the Navy and I currently have a cousin in the Navy stationed in Japan. It's important to honor my family that have served before me.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Satorius and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I feel honored to serve my country and enjoy being part of a team while setting a good example for my son,” Satorius said.