KINGSVILLE, Texas - A 2008 Pensacola Christian Academy graduate and Pensacola, Florida, 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. Joel Heindel 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 studying hard for each written test, to accept criticism with a teachable attitude and most importantly, enjoy the process of learning to fly naval aircraft.
“As a pilot, I’m expected to live a healthy lifestyle, maintain peak physical fitness and constantly pursue excellence throughout training into the fleet,” Heindel said. “Flight school has provided me the opportunity to work alongside and learn from some of the best leaders and most knowledgeable instructors and students. The people are the most enjoyable part of learning to fly aircraft for the Navy.”
Heindel credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Pensacola.
“Growing up in Pensacola, gave me the opportunity to interact with military personnel of all branches, ranks and jobs,” Heindel said. “This taught me to value each individual's perspective and role in accomplishing our overall mission.”
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.
Heindel 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, Heindel is most proud of receiving a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal in January of 2017, for exemplary service as an air traffic control facility watch supervisor serving at Naval Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base.
“This position allowed me to teach junior and senior sailors the operational procedures of air traffic control and watch them excel in their careers,” Heindel said.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Heindel, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Heindel is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My father was drafted into the Army during Vietnam,” Heindel said. “From a young age, he taught me respect and appreciation for our country and servicemen and servicewomen. It’s also a privilege to follow in my dad's footsteps serving this great nation.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Heindel 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 is my way of ensuring the freedom that I enjoy as an American is protected for my family and for generations to come,” Heindel said.
A Navy student pilot is responsible for studying hard for each written test, to accept criticism with a teachable attitude and most importantly, enjoy the process of learning to fly naval aircraft.
“As a pilot, I’m expected to live a healthy lifestyle, maintain peak physical fitness and constantly pursue excellence throughout training into the fleet,” Heindel said. “Flight school has provided me the opportunity to work alongside and learn from some of the best leaders and most knowledgeable instructors and students. The people are the most enjoyable part of learning to fly aircraft for the Navy.”
Heindel credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Pensacola.
“Growing up in Pensacola, gave me the opportunity to interact with military personnel of all branches, ranks and jobs,” Heindel said. “This taught me to value each individual's perspective and role in accomplishing our overall mission.”
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.
Heindel 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, Heindel is most proud of receiving a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal in January of 2017, for exemplary service as an air traffic control facility watch supervisor serving at Naval Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base.
“This position allowed me to teach junior and senior sailors the operational procedures of air traffic control and watch them excel in their careers,” Heindel said.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Heindel, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Heindel is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My father was drafted into the Army during Vietnam,” Heindel said. “From a young age, he taught me respect and appreciation for our country and servicemen and servicewomen. It’s also a privilege to follow in my dad's footsteps serving this great nation.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon assets, Heindel 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 is my way of ensuring the freedom that I enjoy as an American is protected for my family and for generations to come,” Heindel said.