by Ricky Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach
(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) – A 1980
Bowie High School graduate and El Paso, Texas
native is supporting the training of U.S. Navy officers into Navy pilots.
Mr. Jose Acosta is a government employee working as a support service supervisor with the “Wise Owls”
Training Squadron (VT-31), based in Corpus, Christi, Texas, that operates the
T-44A Pegasus aircraft. As a support service supervisor,
Acosta is the head supervisor for other
department of defense personnel within the command and is also responsible for the overall administration of various defense travel
programs that ensures VT-31 runs effectively and efficiently on a daily basis.
“What I enjoy most about my job is supporting the civil population to succeed and promote in their career,”
said Acosta. “I also like knowing that I have the commanding officer’s complete
trust to successfully complete all tasks at hand.”
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, Acosta said he and other VT-31 government employees are
proud to be part of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all
times.
“What I enjoy most about this command is the camaraderie I share with the Navy and civilian personnel,”
said Acosta. “The morale is absolutely
exceptional here, it makes everyone want to go that extra mile for each other.”
Jobs are highly varied at VT-31, according to Navy
officials. Approximately 69 men and women officers
and 15 civilian personnel 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!"
Acosta served for 20 years
in the Navy and retired as a Petty Officer 1st Class. As a yeoman,
Acosta provided administrative support to both officers and enlisted
personnel, the civilian equivalent to an office manager or
administrative assistant.
During his Navy service, he learned to be a leader, mentor,
and better person through handling numerous responsibilities.
“The Navy taught me leadership skills and a strong work ethic
that helped me be the productive government employee that I am today,” said
Acosta. “Additionally, the morals and values instilled in me from serving in
the Navy has and continues to make me a better person, father, husband and
American.”