Ensign Austin Buttle, a proud grandson of William R. Buttle of Cotopaxi, Colorado, is diligently serving in the U.S. Navy. Currently, he is stationed at Training Squadron (VT) 27, where he is honing the critical skills required for naval aviators to undertake missions worldwide.
Having joined the Navy two years ago, Buttle’s journey has been marked by dedication and academic excellence. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from The Citadel in 2022. Reflecting on his motivation to serve, Buttle shared, “I knew I wanted to serve from a young age. I was drawn toward the wide array of opportunities the Navy offered.”
Today, as a student naval aviator assigned to VT 27 at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, Buttle is immersed in an intensive learning process. “I’m a student pilot, and I’m learning as much as I can about the naval aviation community to develop and sharpen my skills, so I can better serve in the future,” he said.
The mission of the aviation squadron is multifaceted, aiming to train future naval aviators and instill leadership and officer values. The training program is rigorous, encompassing aviation preflight indoctrination, primary flight training, and advanced flight training. Graduates of this demanding program earn their esteemed “Wings of Gold.”
Navy aircraft carriers, with a 50-year service life, are crucial assets in global operations, serving as mobile airports with over 70 aircraft and a crew of more than 5,000 sailors. These carriers are often at the forefront of global crises due to their operational freedom in international waters.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the Navy, officials emphasize that 90% of global commerce travels by sea, and the security of undersea fiber optic cables is vital for internet access. Thus, the Navy’s role in promoting U.S. prosperity and security is pivotal. Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations, remarked, “We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day. Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Buttle’s service is a testament to this commitment. Reflecting on his achievements, he expressed, “I am most proud of commissioning and having my grandfather, William R. Buttle, be my first salute as a commissioned officer, which was also done on his birthday. I have always looked up to him, and it was a full-circle moment for the entire family that day.”
For Buttle, serving in the Navy is not just about personal achievement but ensuring future generations can enjoy the freedoms and opportunities he had. “Serving in the Navy is my way of ensuring that my children will be able to grow up free in the same great nation I grew up in and with all the opportunities that I was able to grow up with,” he said.
Acknowledging the support he received, Buttle added, “I would like to thank my grandfather, who was a staff sergeant in the Air Force and served as a radio mechanic working on B-52s during the Vietnam War. I would also like to thank my parents, Travis and Jenifer Buttle, my godparents, Wynn and Sue Metcalfe, and the many mentors who influenced my life.”
