By Mass
Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jamal McNeill,
Navy Office of
Community Outreach
(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) – A 2011 Cheboygan Area High School
graduate and Jackson, Michigan native is participating in the lengthy and
rigorous training process that transforms U.S. Navy officers into Navy pilots.
Ensign Tori Hurd 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, Hurd is responsible for learning
how to prepare aircraft for flight and flying under extreme circumstances, such
as bad weather and aircraft malfunctions.
“I love being a pilot because of the view,” said Hurd. "Looking down on the water and city while in flight is absolutely breath-taking.”
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, Hurd said she and other VT-31 sailors are proud to
be part of a war-fighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“I enjoy this squadron because all of the instructors here are
invested in each student's progress and learning,” said Hurd. “It inspires me to
be the best because I have the utmost respect for the instructors here at VT-31 and I don’t want to let them
down.”
Jobs are highly varied at VT-31, according to Navy officials.
Approximately 69 men and women officers
and 15 civilian employees 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, Hurd is learning about being a more
responsible leader, Sailor and person through handling numerous
responsibilities.
“The Navy has taught me how to appreciate those around me,” said Hurd. “I've established friendships from all around the world and learned how to cherish the "now" in each moment.”