By Mass
Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jamal McNeill, Navy Office of
Community Outreach
(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) – A 2010 Benson High School graduate
and Omaha, Nebraska native is participating in the lengthy and rigorous
training process that transforms U.S. Navy officers into Navy pilots.
Ensign Michael Austerberry 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 pilot, Austerberry is responsible for
learning the aircraft and caring out missions that support the nations goals at
home and abroad.
“Being a pilot gives me the combination of responsibility and
freedom,” said Austerberry.
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, Austerberry said he and other VT-31 sailors are
proud to be part of a war-fighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“I like the culture at this command,” said Austerberry. “I
really enjoy the knowledge and experience that everyone here is willing to
share.”
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, Austerberry is learning about being a
more responsible leader, Sailor and person through handling numerous
responsibilities.
“The Navy has helped me develop personal and proffesional
skills in a way that few people get to experience,” said Austerberry.