Patrol Squadron (VP) 46 recently added another member to the ranks of its qualified flight engineers (FE). On Tuesday, Nov. 8, Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Jason Woolsey passed his positional check flight allowing him the privilege of wearing the patch of an aircraft systems specialist for the P-3C Orion. What makes this a unique occasion is the fact that Woolsey is able to celebrate his achievement so close to home.

After graduating from Bellingham High School in 1998, Woolsey joined the Navy to work on aircraft engines. He completed his primary training for this specialty in February of 1999, and soon thereafter, joined his first fleet command at Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 128, also based at NAS Whidbey Island.

“I wanted to get back to the area where I was from,” said Woolsey when asked what it was that drew him to the Northwest.

Despite being stationed in his home area, there was something that lacked in simply maintaining the jet engines for the EA-6B Prowlers of VAQ-128.

When asked what is was that drew him past working on aircraft to flying in them, Woolsey said, “As my first tour was drawing to an end, I was given an incentive flight in one of the jets. It was then I knew that I really needed to become an aircrewman.”

The logical conclusion for Woolsey was to join a P-3C squadron. Not only would he be able to fly, he would also have the opportunity to live in the area where he grew up. However, becoming a qualified naval flight engineer is not something that comes easily.

Amongst the enlisted warfare specialties, it requires some of the most stringent dedication and time spent studying. Those aspiring have to be become intimately familiar with the multitude of systems built into the airframe, from electrical and mechanical systems to fuel and hydraulics.

The flight engineer (FE) sits between the two pilots in the flight station and monitors these systems constantly, always on the lookout for a stray gauge reading or an out-of-limits indication.

This relentless watch on aircraft integrity and safety has provided FEs the distinction of being known as the community worriers - always on the lookout for something that may potentially fail in flight.

It typically takes an individual coming in from the fleet replacement squadron in Jacksonville, Fla. about 12-18 months to qualify. Woolsey was able to get the job completed in just over 10 months.