by Ricky Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach
(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) – A 2006
Moorfield High School graduate and Moorefield, West
Virginia native is playing a key role in the lengthy and rigorous
training process that transforms U.S. Navy officers into Navy pilots.
Lt.. Adam Judy 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, Judy is responsible for teaching student
pilots to fly multi-engine and land based aircraft both effectively and
efficiently to become one of the finest aviators in the Navy.
“I really enjoy the moment
when everything I teach the students starts to “click” and they begin
successfully flying our aircraft with little to no mistakes,” said Judy. “It’s really
fulfilling to watch everything start to make sense to them.”
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, Judy said he and other VT-31 sailors are proud to be part
of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“I enjoy training the student pilots here because I really care about them on both a professional and personal level," said Judy. "I love being a mentor and giving each and everyone of them sound advice to help them achieve their goals both in the Navy and in life,” said Judy.
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, Judy
is learning about being a more responsible leader, Sailor and person through
handling numerous responsibilities.
“The Navy has instilled in me an understanding to put myself in other peoples' "shoes” and learn from different backgrounds and situations,” said Judy.