KINGSVILLE, Texas - A 2013 Paso Robles High School graduate and Paso Robles, 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 |
Ensign Aidan Farrell is a student pilot with the “Redhawks” of Training Squadron (VT) 21, based in Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas. The squadron flies T-45C Goshawk aircraft.
A Navy student pilot is responsible for becoming proficient in flying the T-45C jet trainer in order to one day successfully fly tactical jets for the Navy.
“The fact that the things that I am learning right now will directly translate into skills flying fighter jets in the future, is an amazing feeling” Farrell said.
Farrell credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Paso Robles.
“The biggest thing that has assisted me over the years in accomplishing my goals has been visualizing the outcome,” Farrell said. “Daily reminders of the end goal are what keeps me motivated and excited for what the future may have in store for me.”
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-21’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.
Farrell 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, Farrell is most proud of graduating from the Naval Academy and being selected to pursue a career in flying jets for the Navy.
“It’s exactly what I said what I was going to do 10 years ago when I discovered the opportunity of serving in the Navy as a fighter pilot,” Farrell said.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Farrell, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Farrell is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My father served in the Navy aboard the USS Nimitz for four years working as a troubleshooter on the flight deck,” Farrell said. “The thought of operating in the same environment that my dad worked in brings me a lot of excitement. Additionally, my grandfather retired from the Air Force and my uncle served in the Navy aboard USS Kitty Hawk. Continuing my family's legacy serving in the military is a tremendous honor and one that I take very seriously.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Farrell 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 goes beyond the pure joy of flying aircraft,” Farrell said. “I joined the Navy for the opportunity to serve while learning how to fly jets, but I also look forward to the day when I am tasked to lead the men and women of our great U.S. Navy.”
A Navy student pilot is responsible for becoming proficient in flying the T-45C jet trainer in order to one day successfully fly tactical jets for the Navy.
“The fact that the things that I am learning right now will directly translate into skills flying fighter jets in the future, is an amazing feeling” Farrell said.
Farrell credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Paso Robles.
“The biggest thing that has assisted me over the years in accomplishing my goals has been visualizing the outcome,” Farrell said. “Daily reminders of the end goal are what keeps me motivated and excited for what the future may have in store for me.”
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-21’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.
Farrell 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, Farrell is most proud of graduating from the Naval Academy and being selected to pursue a career in flying jets for the Navy.
“It’s exactly what I said what I was going to do 10 years ago when I discovered the opportunity of serving in the Navy as a fighter pilot,” Farrell said.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Farrell, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Farrell is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My father served in the Navy aboard the USS Nimitz for four years working as a troubleshooter on the flight deck,” Farrell said. “The thought of operating in the same environment that my dad worked in brings me a lot of excitement. Additionally, my grandfather retired from the Air Force and my uncle served in the Navy aboard USS Kitty Hawk. Continuing my family's legacy serving in the military is a tremendous honor and one that I take very seriously.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Farrell 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 goes beyond the pure joy of flying aircraft,” Farrell said. “I joined the Navy for the opportunity to serve while learning how to fly jets, but I also look forward to the day when I am tasked to lead the men and women of our great U.S. Navy.”