|
|
 |
 |
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, 22 October 2011 -- Harvard Navy ROTC graduate James D. Reach '11 took flights in vintage east-block aircraft at Warbirds of Delaware as winner of the 2011 Harvard ROTC Aviation Award. He was accompanied by Joseph Gano, Jr. ’64, originator of the award. James Reach described the experience as follows:
The weather couldn’t have been better for our flight. The air was cool and the sky was clear as Mr. Gano and I accelerated down the runway in the MiG-21. For me, the experience of flying in a Soviet era jet was simply exhilarating, and made me think back to my backseat ride in an F/A-18F the previous summer on NROTC summer cruise. Although the MiG lacked the polish of the computerized systems of the Super Hornet, its sheer power was amazing. It was also extremely responsive, and I quickly found that only minute movements on the stick were necessary to put the aircraft into a steep bank.
The L-39, or “Pipsqueak,” was more forgiving, and in my opinion even more fun to fly. Mr. Gano instructed me through a few basic maneuvers that I would later encounter in flight school for which I was to report only a week later. Although we were in the air for close to an hour, by the time we landed it seemed as though only fifteen minutes had passed, and left me eagerly anticipating getting back in the air again in flight school. This opportunity was truly incredible and I would like to thank both Mr. Gano and the Harvard Alumni Fund for it!
Joseph Gano, Jr. described the Harvard ROTC Aviation Award and mentoring young pilots:
The purpose of the Aviation Award is to motivate cadets planning to enter military aviation. Military aviation covers a lot of areas, but for most the ultimate is the role of fighter pilot. It is not for everyone, so the flights are designed to expose the cadet to military aviation operations and then to the fighter environment. The goal is to inform and educate, so the rides start slowly, and we pick up the tempo only if the cadet is ready.
In addition we discuss the UPT (Undergraduate Pilot Training) format and the best ways to approach what is a very different and at least as intense learning environment as the previous four years. By the time a young fighter pilot has become operationally ready, after two years of training, he/she has earned what is easily the equivalent of a Masters Degree. Personally I found my two years easily as intense and challenging as any of my 6 years in the Harvard environment.
We also talk a little about career planning. It is important to look at a military flying job in the same way you look at a professional sport. You will probably be in the cockpit no more that 10 years (full time). Today's graduates are looking at probably 50 years of productive career time, if they wish. That's a long way out. Most graduates are not thinking that far ahead, but it can pay to begin thinking about it. In the USAF, a flying job is the best foundation for a full career. It is also a great asset on a grad school application. You will all have plenty of time for two full careers, whether you leave the military early or stay on for the duration.
Finally, we talk about Harvard's military aviation heritage, which is much richer than you might think. For example, the first US military pilots did not come from the Academies, but from the Ivies, and the streets. Our first military pilots were civilian mercenaries flying for the French under the guise of the French Foreign Legion. The unit was dubbed the Lafayette Flying Corps. There were about 279 members serving in various capacities. A very significant number had Harvard backgrounds. Within this group was the Lafayette Escadrille, 39 fighter pilots, of which 9 had Harvard backgrounds. In addition, when the US officially entered the war Teddy Roosevelt's son Quentin was deployed as a pilot with one of the first US Army fighter squadrons sent to Europe.
For more background on the Harvard ROTC Aviation Award see the 2007 award write-up (see also 2008 award).
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
