by Ricky Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach
(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) – A 2008
Bishop Fenwick High School graduate and Salem, Massachusetts
is participating in the lengthy and rigorous training process that
transforms U.S. Navy officers into Navy pilots.
Lt. Michael Francis
is a student pilot with the “Wise Owls”
Training Squadron (VT-31), based in Corpus, Christi, Texas, that operates the
T-44A Pegasus aircraft. As a student, Francis is responsible for learning how to fly multi-engine land based aircraft
which will be instrumental in receiving his naval aviation wings.
“I really enjoy overcoming the constant challenges that come from learning to fly our aircraft both
effectively and efficiently,” said Francis. “Additionally, I enjoy the
cohesiveness I share amongst my fellow aviators both in the cockpit and
preparing for flight operations.”
The T-44A is a twin-engine,
pressurized, fixed-wing monoplane used for advanced turboprop radar aircraft
training using two 550 shaft horsepowered engines, with a cruising
airspeed of 281 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 F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter
jet, the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft or the SH-60 Seahawk helicopter.
They are later assigned to a ship or land-based squadron.
Many of the pilots will fly aircraft which take off from and
land aboard aircraft carriers, a unique capability which allows the Navy to
operate anywhere on the world’s oceans. Recently, Navy attack aircraft
operating from aircraft carriers sailing in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and
from Middle East waters have launched hundreds of strike missions against
terrorist targets in Iraq and Syria.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s squadrons with the
newest aircraft platforms, Francis said he and other VT-31 sailors are proud to be part
of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“VT-31 has an excellent chain
of command,” said Francis. “They are very supportive, goal-oriented and
definitely focused in training the best pilots in the world.”
“Every day I feel an extraordinary amount of
pride to serve alongside our great Nation’s most inspiring men and women,” said
Cmdr. Samuel D. Gage, commanding officer of VT-31. “Our team is filled with
hardworking and highly qualified professionals who hold uncommon levels of
responsibility and accountability in support of our mission: to maintain, fly,
and train future naval aviators. Their work ethic, commitment, enthusiasm, and
esprit de corps are second to none!"
Serving in the Navy, Francis
is learning about being a more responsible leader, Sailor and person through
handling numerous responsibilities.
“The Navy has provided me with
extensive training, it's improved my character development and the opportunity
to travel around the world and experience different cultures,” said Francis.
“But most importantly, the morals and values instilled in me from the Navy has
made me a better individual, father and American.”