Between the Navy and the Marine Corps, the country needs 1,800 aerial warriors every year to protect truth, justice and the American way of life. Pilots, naval flight officers and enlisted aircrew are trained in the technical points of operating aircraft and imbued with the traditions of Naval Aviation success in combat; traditions that are almost a century old.
There has been one large and important change in the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATra) recently — alignment under the umbrella of Commander, Naval Air Forces. This alignment supports the Naval Aviation Enterprise vision to deliver combat capable forces to deter America’s enemies from challenging our way of life and winning the fight, if fight we must. This generation of combat power is produced with the proper amount of resources: people, aircraft, money and time.
The alignment of CNATra under CNAF provides the ability to align the training continuum under one hat from “Street to Fleet.” Operating under the direction of CNAF allows for economies of scale in the Naval Aviation business: human resources, aircraft procurement, supply, contracts and flight hour management from a common framework, helping maximize both efficiency and effectiveness. Additionally, a common set of rules, processes and values now governs the entire Naval Aviation domain.
Piling on the initiative started by RDML Don Quinn [Ed. Note: RDML Guadagnini’s predecessor], we are in the process of applying science to exactly what it takes to be a Naval Aviation professional — a combination of knowledge, skills and experience that makes a successful aerial combat warrior. Once these competencies are identified and quantified completely, a “string” can be drawn from the first days of Aviation Preflight Indoctrination to the final day of the Fleet Readiness Squadron, with coherent and efficient instruction along the entire continuum. Additionally, by linking aviation requirements to Joint and Naval Mission Essential Tasks, it will be simple to integrate the training received during an aviation professional’s time in CNATra to readiness levels and training in the fleet.
We train warriors to fight and win in combat. Within two years, every aviator winged in the Navy and Marine Corps will be flying in combat or a combat support role. Mission accomplishment, discipline, flexible decision making, teamwork and courage in addition to technical flying excellence are attributes desired in the men and women wearing Wings of Gold. This defines operational excellence — the gold standard of Naval Aviation. The byproduct of this commitment to operational excellence is safety. Operating and training safely ensures that the people and airplanes in the Naval Air Forces continue to be used for their intended purpose: to win in combat.
The Training Command is a great place to start a career in aviation and to continue a career of excellence as an instructor. I guarantee that officers and Sailors who serve in the training continuum as instructors, will be challenged, fly hard, professionally enhanced, and you will have the chance to compete favorably in selection boards.
For those who have not decided what to do with your lives — join the Navy or Marine Corps and come learn the secrets of aerial combat in CNATra. For those who wear the Golden Wings, come on down and teach a new generation to be as good as you. And for our retired aerial warriors, come visit, tell a story or two, and get recharged by the talent, energy and patriotism of the newest in the distinguished line. CNATra — aerial combat warriors trained here!