Suisun City,
Calif. native trains to be a U.S. Navy pilot
By Mass
Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jamal McNeill,
Navy Office of
Community Outreach
(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) – A 2004 Armijo High School graduate
and Suisun City, California native is participating in the lengthy and
rigorous training process that transforms U.S. Navy officers into Navy pilots.
Ensign Richard Hoffmann 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, Hoffmann is responsible for
learning how to lead a crew on an aircraft to perform various missions in
support of our country and our allies.
“The challenge of mastering the aircraft and flying for a
good cause is what I like most about being a pilot,” said Hoffmann.
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, Hoffmann said he and other VT-31 sailors are proud
to be part of a war-fighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“The command climate at VT-31 encourages proffessionalism
between instructors and students,” said Hoffmann.
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, Hoffmann is learning about being a more responsible
leader, Sailor and person through handling numerous responsibilities.
The Navy has taught me how to work well with
people from various backgrounds, nationalities and come together for a common
goal,” said Hoffmann.