NavAir CWO graduates first class

IIRC, the announcement of this program awhile ago generated a few
comments.

Here's the first graduation of CWOs, as written up by NNS:

http://www.news.navy.mil/search/disp...story_id=26860

NNS061204-15. NAS Pensacola Sailor Commissioned Into First Group of
Aviator
CWOs

By Megan Kohr, Naval Air Station Pensacola Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola commissioned
its
newest Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Dec. 1.

Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 1st Class Robert Reyes, along with 13
other Sailors Navywide, received his CWO bars as part of the Flying
Chief
Warrant Officer Pilot program. Ten pilots and four naval flight
officers
(NFO) were selected for the 2006 trial run of the program, and 10
pilots and
six NFOs will be chosen in 2007.

The program allows enlisted Sailors the opportunity to fly in patrol
squadrons, helicopter sea combat squadrons and helicopter
anti-submarine
squadrons light. Applicants must have an associates degree or higher,
they
must be commissioned before their 27th birthday and be physically
qualified
for aviation duty. Selectees will have a to serve a minimum of eight
years
for pilots and six years for naval flight officers.

"The CWO program is intended to create flying specialists unencumbered
by
the traditional career paths of the unrestricted line (URL) community,"
Vice
Adm. John C. Harvey said in a naval message in January 2006.

At the cradle of naval aviation, NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer,
Capt.
Peter S. Frano said he was pleased to learn that one of the selectees
was
from NAS Pensacola and couldn't be more proud that Reyes, "the hometown
kid"
was chosen.

"It's a wonderful program for the Navy, and Reyes is a wonderful
example of
how he and the Navy will benefit from this program," Frano said. "The
initial group was handpicked and had to go through a tough selection
process, so this means the best of the best were chosen."

According to the Flying CWO Pilot program's board, 69 applications were
submitted for the pilot's slot and only 42 were fully qualified, and
there
were 48 applications submitted for the NFO and only 25 were fully
qualified.
Four of the 14 selected had their civilian pilot's license and 7 out of
14
were naval air crew.

Reyes, an air crew rescue swimmer attached to the Helicopter Support
Unit
aboard NAS Pensacola, said he is excited about his new adventure and
has
high hopes for the program. He advises Sailors who are interested to
start
early and don't procrastinate.

The next board will be held June 16-20, 2007.

For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.

-USN-