Moynihan Surpasses 8,000 Hour Milestone
A flight instructor on board Naval Air Station Whiting Field passed a significant milestone Jan. 11 when he completed his 8,000th flight hour in a TH-57 helicopter.
Cmdr. David Moynihan, USCG was honored with a splash of water from a fire truck and a cake presented by Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHTEEN and his wife, Tannia, upon return from the flight.
“This was a great opportunity for us to recognize Cmdr. Moynihan,” Cmdr. Mark Murray, Commanding Officer of HT-18 said. “He is an incredible talent and a dedicated Vigilant Eagle. We're very fortunate to have him on our team.”
Moynihan did not always want to be a pilot despite his father and uncle working closely with the aviation field as mechanics when he was a child. However, circumstance would eventually leave him with the desire to fly.
“Originally, I had no interest in aviation. I simply wanted to further my education and the Coast Guard would allow me to,” Moynihan recalled. “My first ride in the HH-52A [as an aircrew member]… was my epiphany.”
Moynihan has since flown many rotary aircraft, including the CH-47D Chinook, CH-54A Tarhe, HH-65 Dolphin, and TH-57 Sea Ranger. He recollected that his most memorable experience as a pilot was his first rescue.
“I can’t even put a word to the emotion of saving a life. What you see in the faces of the people being rescued is unique.”
Moynihan has spent close to 30 years on active duty between the Army and Coast Guard, rising through the enlisted, warrant officer, and officer ranks. He believes that enjoying his job has given him the motivation to accomplish such a milestone in his career.
“I was lucky. I just love what I’m doing,” he said. “[If you] find something you love doing and surround yourself with wonderful people, then it never feels like you are going into work. Thirty years have gone by in a blink.”
