Clarksville Native Trains the Next Generation of U.S. Naval Aviation Warfighters

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A 2005 Stewart County High School and Clarksville native is playing a key role in the lengthy and rigorous training process that transforms officers into U.S. naval aviators.

Lt. John Ryan is an instructor pilot with the “Wise Owls” of Training Squadron (VT) 31, based in Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. The squadron flies the T-44C Pegasus aircraft.

A Navy instructor pilot is responsible for providing guidance, instruction, and evaluation of future Naval, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aviators.

“I enjoy watching the students learn, as well as the flying and travel,” Ryan said.

Ryan credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Clarksville.

“I learned from my parents to respect everyone from all walks of life, which is important in the Navy,” Ryan said.

The T-44C Pegasus 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 287 mph.

VT-31’s primary mission is to train future naval aviators to fly as well as instill leadership and officer values, Naval 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 program, naval aviators earn their coveted “Wings of Gold.”

Ryan plays an important role in American’s focus on rebuilding America’s readiness, strengthening alliances, and reforming business practices in support of National Defense Strategy.

Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Ryan is most proud of being selected as Mission Commander and receiving an Air Medal for leading the crew.

“I’m proud of that because it took a lot of hard work from everyone on the crew and I am honored to have been selected to lead them,” Ryan said.

“My grandfather was in the Navy and my father was a pilot in the Army,” Ryan said. “His stories of flying inspired me to want to fly and serve my country.”