by Ricky Burke,
Navy Office
of Community Outreach
(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) – A 2004
North Ceadar High School graduate and Clarence, Iowa native is playing a key role in
the lengthy and rigorous training process that transforms U.S. Navy officers
into Navy pilots.
Lt. Jeremy Anderson
is an instructor pilot with the “Wise
Owls” Training Squadron (VT-31), based in Corpus, Christi, Texas, that operates
the T-44A Pegasus aircraft. As an instructor,
Anderson is responsible for training pilots.
“It ‘s rewarding to see
students learn and accomplish becoming a pilot,” said Anderson.
The T-44A 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 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, Anderson said he and other VT-31 sailors are proud to be part
of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“The cameraderie is one of the
best things about this command,” said Anderson. “People really care about each
other here, it's definitely a tight-knit family atmosphere.”
Jobs are highly varied at VT-31, according to Navy officials.
Approximately 69 officers and 19 enlisted
men and women make up and keep all parts of the squadron running smoothly -this includes everything from maintaining airframes and engines, to processing
paperwork, handling weaponry, and flying the aircraft.
“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, Anderson
is learning about being a more responsible leader, Sailor and person through
handling numerous responsibilities.
“Being in the Navy has allowed
me to better not only myself but help better other people,” said Anderson. “ I
enjoy making a difference not just here in the U.S. but everywhere in the world
that I have the opportunity to go to.”