Lt. Nathan Poloski
LAKE ARROWHEAD: Memorial account started for pilot
Contributions in Lt. Nathan Poloski’s name can be made at gofundme.com
A fundraising account has been set up to aid the family of Naval pilot Lt. Nathan Poloski and possibly start a non-profit in his name.
Poloski, 26, who spent part of his childhood in Lake Arrowhead, was presumed dead following a midair collision Friday, Sept. 12 between two jets in the far western Pacific Ocean.
The account is at gofundme.com/eilsnc. It can also be found by searching for Poloski's name at gofundme.com. The account will raise money for the family and possibly establish a nonprofit around the theme of “Living Your Dreams,” said Rebekah Clements, whose brother is married to Poloski’s sister, an Austin, Texas resident, in an email.
The family started the account in response to an outpouring of requests from friends from many different cities where Poloski had lived asking what they can do or where to send flowers, Clements said.
LEMOORE, Calif. (AP) - A Navy fighter pilot presumed dead after two jets crashed in the far western Pacific Ocean has been identified.
The Navy said Sunday that the pilot was Lt. Nathan Poloski, a 26-year-old native of Lake Arrowhead.
He was the subject of a 36-hour search in the waters off the U.S. territory of Wake Island after two F/A-18C Hornets collided in midair Friday. The other pilot safely ejected, was rescued from the ocean by helicopter and was treated and released from medical facilities aboard the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson.
The pilots and their squadron were from Carrier Air Wing 17 based at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California's San Joaquin Valley.
Poloski was a 2009 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.
The cause of the collision was under investigation.
- Source: http://www.waow.com
Photo courtesy of Nathan Poloski
Prior to taking off, Lt. j.g. Nathan Poloski has a light moment.
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Thursday, December 22, 2011 9:59 am
By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Since he was 4 or 5 years old-when his parents took him to his first military air show-Nathan Poloski has been "fascinated by the speed, sound and what humankind can achieve with technology and training."
That experience led to his dream of being a pilot, but not just any pilot. Poloski said he wanted to be a Naval pilot "because there is one thing that separates us from any other pilot...landing on an aircraft carrier."
Each year, Poloski noted, only 250 pilots become carrier qualified. "I am fortunate to be a part of this exclusive community, which we refer to as the Tailhook community." He became carrier qualified in August on the USS Eisenhower.
The 2005 Rim High graduate received an appointment to Annapolis, graduating from the Naval Academy in 2009. From Maryland he went to Pensacola, Fla., for flight training.
"We started with a lot of survival training, including water survival," the lieutenant said. "Then we started flying single-engine planes."
Based on their performance and preference-and the needs of the Navy-the students then go to one of three advanced flight training programs: jet, helicopter or prop. Poloski was selected for jet training.
He completed that training in Kingsville, Texas, and was presented with his "Wings of Gold" on Oct. 21. That ceremony was attended by Chief of Naval Air Training Rear Admiral Bill Sizemore, who presented each of the eight aviators with his challenge coin.
After completing his training in Texas, Lt. j.g. Poloski was selected to go to MCAS Miramar, San Diego, where he is continuing to learn how to fly the F/A-18C, known as the Hornet.
After 12 to 18 months of training at Miramar, Poloski will be a proficient Naval fighter pilot, ready to carry out missions of support. He expects to be stationed on an aircraft carrier for six to eight months at a time when he is deployed.
As for his long-term plans, Poloski said he is required to give the Navy eight years of service after getting his wings. He anticipates becoming a flight school instructor, teaching new aviators to fly.
Poloski is the son of Miriam and Steve Kendrick of Lake Arrowhead and Thomas Poloski of San Diego.
"He's doing everything he set his mind to," his mother said.
Story and Photos: http://www.mountain-news.com
Since he was 4 or 5 years old-when his parents took him to his first military air show-Nathan Poloski has been "fascinated by the speed, sound and what humankind can achieve with technology and training."
That experience led to his dream of being a pilot, but not just any pilot. Poloski said he wanted to be a Naval pilot "because there is one thing that separates us from any other pilot...landing on an aircraft carrier."
Each year, Poloski noted, only 250 pilots become carrier qualified. "I am fortunate to be a part of this exclusive community, which we refer to as the Tailhook community." He became carrier qualified in August on the USS Eisenhower.
The 2005 Rim High graduate received an appointment to Annapolis, graduating from the Naval Academy in 2009. From Maryland he went to Pensacola, Fla., for flight training.
"We started with a lot of survival training, including water survival," the lieutenant said. "Then we started flying single-engine planes."
Based on their performance and preference-and the needs of the Navy-the students then go to one of three advanced flight training programs: jet, helicopter or prop. Poloski was selected for jet training.
He completed that training in Kingsville, Texas, and was presented with his "Wings of Gold" on Oct. 21. That ceremony was attended by Chief of Naval Air Training Rear Admiral Bill Sizemore, who presented each of the eight aviators with his challenge coin.
After completing his training in Texas, Lt. j.g. Poloski was selected to go to MCAS Miramar, San Diego, where he is continuing to learn how to fly the F/A-18C, known as the Hornet.
After 12 to 18 months of training at Miramar, Poloski will be a proficient Naval fighter pilot, ready to carry out missions of support. He expects to be stationed on an aircraft carrier for six to eight months at a time when he is deployed.
As for his long-term plans, Poloski said he is required to give the Navy eight years of service after getting his wings. He anticipates becoming a flight school instructor, teaching new aviators to fly.
Poloski is the son of Miriam and Steve Kendrick of Lake Arrowhead and Thomas Poloski of San Diego.
"He's doing everything he set his mind to," his mother said.
Story and Photos: http://www.mountain-news.com
Naval aviator Nathan Poloski - training on an F/A-18C jet-the Hornet.
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