by Ricky Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach
(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) – A 2009
Boone High School graduate and Orlando, Florida
native is participating in the lengthy and rigorous training process that
transforms U.S. Navy officers into Navy pilots.
Ensign Matthew Girgenti 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,
Girgenti is responsible for learning to become a naval aviator. A naval aviator is
trained to handle difficult situations such as emergencies and
mission-oriented tasks.
“What I enjoy most about my job is not only the daily grind
of learning to become the best naval aviator I can be but it’s the camaraderie that I share amongst my fellow pilots aviators,”
said Girgenti.
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, Girgenti 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 the professionalism and the learning environment here at VT-31, it promotes both character and
officer development,” said Girgenti.
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!"
Serving in the Navy, Girgenti
is learning about being a more responsible leader, Sailor and person through
handling numerous responsibilities.
“The Navy has developed both
my leadership and people skills and has given me the structure needed to strive
both professionally and personally,” said Girgenti.