NAVY: WINGS OF GOLD

[Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] guess Navy wings of gold sparkle in the sky around the world and over the seven seas from the Mediterranean to the Pacific from the Arctic Ocean to the China Sea the Navy's flying fleet is our Vanguard in the sky for today's modern Navy is a world leader in aviation flying the newest most modern aircraft yet development they sleep carrier based Jets Swift and powerful attack bombers agile helicopters and giant flying boats all make up the Navy's mighty Air Arm and the men who pilot these planes go places fast as global fliers they truly see the world well that does it France my last flight that's one we're next lieutenant sunny it'll you that's where no kidding that's what the orders read a jet squadron operating in the Mediterranean no kidding I'll send you a booster all right sir one Navy fighter plane now in need of a skilled pilot the Navy has him trained and qualified throughout the various operating squadrons of the Navy Air Arm the process of personnel reassignment and replacement is a continuous one as one pilot completes his tour of duty with a squadron and is transferred another azzam deck ready to take over as junior man on the team to maim this flying boat in the thousands of other planes in the fleet the Navy recruits trains and equips a constant flow of young Americans or become the finest aviators in the world it is here at the Naval Air Station Pensacola Florida why the young collegians who have been accepted for flight training begin their transformation to combat ready Navy pilots located on Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast Pensacola houses the headquarters of the Chief of Naval Air training and here I hang my shingle one man out of many helping to keep this never-ending training process on the move as personnel officer for the Training Command a part of my duty is to make known to young Americans interested in aviation the Navy programs through which they may earn their Navy wings of gold in the aviation Officer Candidate program or AOC one needs an accredited college degree as a nav CAD or naval aviation cadet you need only two college years but regardless of which program a man is qualified for both result in a navy commissioned and a chance to fly with a world's greatest fleet gentlemen you are now members of the United States naval school of pre-flight which is divided into three departments the academic athletic and military we shall begin with the military form a column of two's follow me thus life as a student naval aviator really begins rooms are assigned for the nav captain the AOC a cadet room for four while the officer student calls The Bachelor officers quarters his temporary home physical exams are a thorough and leave nothing to chance a more complete checkup would be hard to find and after that Navy clothing issue removes the last outward trace of the civilian then almost before the student realizes it indoctrination ends and pre-flight begins in earnest sure that the food's great what what are we study you really want to know okay dad you asked for it our Allah G engineering white physiology naval orientation and leadership navigation principles of flight study skills character guidance physical yes dad character guidance physical fitness and survival total five hundred and forty three hours no dad spread over 16 weeks compressed is more like it but spread outdoor compressed a free flight course provides a thorough background in all subjects essential to flight training like the student of medicine the potential aviator learns about the innards of his aircraft before he operates it the vagaries of weather and atmosphere are explored and defined the mysteries of celestial spheres and earth coordinates are dispelled and shooting the Sun or the stars comes more logically and easily after a visit to the school's planetarium what makes an airplane fly what is it turn dive and climb they're all questions which are answered for the student in pre-flight in the same way naval orientation teaches the student many of the details of what makes up the Navy and to make all this learning stick the Navy's reading rate controller makes it possible to consume more knowledge in less time and in the physical fitness Survival phase of pre-flight two aspects of aviator training are stressed development of muscular coordination and survival under emergency conditions in illustrated lectures and realistic practical exercises all gnomes survival techniques are passed on to the fledgling flier [Music] 14 seconds physical fitness and the spirit of teamwork are further stressed for participation in competitive sports of all kinds while in the military department staffed by Navy and Marine Corps personnel the pre-flight student is given a lasting indoctrination and military courtesy bearing and administration now me [Music] [Music] sixteen weeks pass and then one day the student finds himself putting that extra shine on his shoes in preparation for the pre-fight graduation ceremony [Music] for the nav cat the completion of pre-flight is not so much a conclusion as it is a beginning the start of his actual flight training and for the aoc student the graduation takes on added significance since it is also the day he earns his Naval Reserve Commission then in the next phase of the student pilots career primary training at an outlying field the big moment seems at last to be at hand actually flying a naval aircraft that is it's just around the corner first it's back to the books for a short but complete course in the training devices which familiarize the student with the workings of the primary training plane after a blindfold cockpit checkout and a simulated parachute jump from a ground bailout trainer the big moment really does arrive the student meets his flight instructor and takes his first ride in the front cockpit of the t-34 mentor okay all set Higgins Roger sir all right Higgins start the engine Higgens I'll now read off and execute the checkoff list for the correct warm-up procedure I now he's back on the stick can bring the nose up gently to the takeoff attitude and let the aircraft fly itself off the deck do you understand that Roger sir [Music] Higgins will now perform a shallow turn to the last notice we are using coordinated aileron and rudder and that's how it begins in the weeks that follow the learning process goes on half a day in ground school for more of those old favorites navigation neurology engines and communications and a half day flying to learn takeoff landing and precision maneuvers and while in the primary phase the students are formed into training squadrons bearing colorful names and insignia would simulate the actual fleet organization the weeks rolled past quickly and finally that day arrives student and instructor fly to a small outlying field instructor leaves the plane and the student moves out to solo [Music] [Music] after a few practice landings and takeoffs the student returns to home base with the biggest grin he's worn since the day his girlfriend agreed to go steady in the student quarters that night the time-honored ceremony of Nick Tai chopping is playfully acted out symbolic proof that the student has completed his solo hop and will now advance to the next phase of his flight training during the next few weeks the student prepares for his precision stage check he must demonstrate his ability to fly smoothly and precisely land in a designated area make steep turns and do precision maneuvers and during this period he begins to make up his mind in which type of Navy aircraft he would like to specialize and when finally the orders for assignment to advanced training are posted they are anxiously studied for the most part the student finds his preference will coincide with the needs of the Navy more weeks pass the student has now mastered all phases of the precision stage and it's moving time again this time to another auxiliary field for transition training in the higher powered t28 one step closer to a fleet type plane after familiarizing the student with the basic characteristics of the new training plane the future naval aviator starts one of the most exciting and thrilling stages of his flight training acrobatics aileron rolls moves Immelman turns half Cuban eight wing overs and Shondells all of them must be thoroughly mastered and still there is more to learn the student is introduced to the link trainer a ground device which teaches him the use of the various instruments with which he can maintain control of his plane without the use of a natural horizon or visual contact with the ground having now become thoroughly familiar with the t28 the student enters the tactics phase of his instruction which includes formation and light flying cross-country navigation and radio instruments or high speed coordination and aerial teamwork are essential for the day when these men will depend on each other's timing skill in specialized feet combat teams the students learn to work together in many ways not only with other young men from every state of the Union but with student fires from France Mexico and other allied nations at this stage also the student is given his first taste of air-to-air gunnery shooting live ammunition as targets towed over open water and during this period the young naval aviator learns and practices simulated carrier tactics by making numerous approaches landings and takeoffs from a strip at an outlying field marked in the shape of a carrier deck thus the culmination of many months of classes training and practice comes on the day a student actually makes his qualifying landings aboard an aircraft carrier easy now bring up your left wing bring it up in Sun all right now stay there to those who have achieved it a carrier landing is an unforgettable experience done with the help of all aboard from landing signal officer and flight deck officer two plane handlers and gas crew and so that night there's a big hop at the students club to celebrate the completion of the carrier qualifications and the end of the basic training phase [Music] now as the students move to their new stations to start advanced training their individuality and personal preferences are recognized Bill Porter New York City two years of CCNY major and engineering rain nav ket destination Corpus Christi Texas advanced jet fighter training Ted Ritter Franklin Michigan V a University of Michigan major in journalism ranked ensign USN destination Glynco Georgia Dave Collins Anaheim California for years Redlands College star quarterback rank ensign USN our destination Ellison field Florida advanced training in helicopters chuck Larson Chickasaw Oklahoma graduate Texas A&M sometime rodeo rider rank ensign us n our destination Corpus Christi Texas advanced multi-engine training on arrival at Corpus Christi Porter gets his first close look at the basic jet trainer but before he is ready for his first ride there are many new things to be learned along with general familiarization of jet aircraft engineering navigation and gunnery he goes for a ride in the low-pressure chamber to experience the results of reduced pressure under rigidly controlled conditions he practices emergency procedure by releasing an ejection seat on a specially designed training device and then in a schoolboys dream come true he begins jet flying in the basic to place trainers on the first opportune order gets the feel of the plane radically different from anything he's phoned before but he quickly gains confidence in himself and his aircraft and it isn't long and he's again ready to solo this time in a lightning fast single-seat jet pimp then it's tactics again formation work gunnery and the dozens of other subjects that must be mastered before he becomes a pilot with the fleet and during this time Dave Collins has been checked out in the fella helicopter used as a primary trainer in the helicopter training unit after becoming accomplished in the handling and maneuvering of the single rotor model Collins begins instruction in the fate type of helicopter and the climax of his training again comes in the form of carrier qualification in a search-and-rescue mission at the same time Chuck Larson was chosen by the engine training in seaplanes at Corpus Christi is getting his first taste and feel of the big plane he like the others must readjust to flying the big plans [Music] but not too many weeks go by and he too becomes proficient in the control of the flying boat and he qualifies as a junior officer aboard what many Navy men referred to as the eyes of the fleet and finally its payoff day this is a day to remember this is a day you thought would never come but here you are ensign William order and there's your name being called congratulations ensign Porter thank you sir [Music] [Music] reporter and Larsen graduated Corpus Christi Ritter at Glencoe and Collins at Pensacola but except for the locale the ceremonies are much the same colorful dramatic and stirring and when they're over there are those beautiful golden wings the prettiest sight you've ever seen with the possible exception of the girl who pinned them on and so each man rounds out his training and joins his fleet spotter thus the process comes full circle as trained pilots go out to serve with the fleet new young men who are looking for adventure action and a chance to get ahead come in to earn their wings as naval aviators these young men will follow a proud tradition and be numbered among the men of vision determination and purpose who have devoted their lives to developing the sea-air team our first line of national defense I am a United States Navy flyer my countrymen built the best airplane in the world and entrusted it to me they trained me to fly it I will use it to the absolute limit of my power with my fellow pilots air crews and deck crews my plane and I will do anything necessary to carry out our tremendous responsibilities I will always remember we are part of an unbeatable Combat Team the United States Navy when the going is fast and rough I will not falter I will be uncompromising in every blow I strike I will be humble in victory I am a United States Navy flier I have dedicated myself to my country with its many millions of all races colors and creeds they and their way of life are worthy of my greatest protective effort I asked the help of God in making that effort great enough [Music]