CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 2012 Midlothian High School graduate and Ovilla, Texas, native is participating in a rigorous training process that transforms officers into U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators.
Marine Corps 1st Lt. John Toon 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 student pilot is responsible for learning the basics of flying military aircraft to execute missions and operations needed to become a successful aviator.
“I enjoy what I do because I’m learning a very particular set of skills that most people do not have the opportunity to experience,” Toon said.
Toon credits success in the military to many of the lessons learned growing up in Ovilla.
“I learned persistence and a good work ethic from my dad,” Toon said. “These traits have definitely helped set me up for success for both in life and in the military.”
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 and Marine Corps 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.
Toon 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 military service members to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Toon is most proud of his platoon commander saying that he was one of the hardest working people that he had ever met.
“His comment meant a lot to me because I have the utmost respect for him and his service as a Marine,” Toon said.
Serving in the military is a continuing tradition of service for Toon, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Toon is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandfather was an officer in the Army, my dad served in the Marines and my brother is a P-8 pilot in the Navy,” Toon said. “It’s an honor to carry on the family name serving our country.”
As a member of one of the Marine Corps’ most relied-upon assets, Toon and other military service members know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetime.
“Serving in the military means a lot to me because I am serving to a higher cause, it’s one of the noblest things that I think one can do,” Toon said.
A student pilot is responsible for learning the basics of flying military aircraft to execute missions and operations needed to become a successful aviator.
“I enjoy what I do because I’m learning a very particular set of skills that most people do not have the opportunity to experience,” Toon said.
Toon credits success in the military to many of the lessons learned growing up in Ovilla.
“I learned persistence and a good work ethic from my dad,” Toon said. “These traits have definitely helped set me up for success for both in life and in the military.”
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 and Marine Corps 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.
Toon 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 military service members to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Toon is most proud of his platoon commander saying that he was one of the hardest working people that he had ever met.
“His comment meant a lot to me because I have the utmost respect for him and his service as a Marine,” Toon said.
Serving in the military is a continuing tradition of service for Toon, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Toon is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My grandfather was an officer in the Army, my dad served in the Marines and my brother is a P-8 pilot in the Navy,” Toon said. “It’s an honor to carry on the family name serving our country.”
As a member of one of the Marine Corps’ most relied-upon assets, Toon and other military service members know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetime.
“Serving in the military means a lot to me because I am serving to a higher cause, it’s one of the noblest things that I think one can do,” Toon said.