Training Squadron 10
Encyclopedia
Training Squadron 10 is a training squadron of the United States Navy
.
, A-5 Vigilante
, A-6 Intruder
, F-4 Phantom II
and P-2 Neptune
and (2) in order to create a more standardized training program that better approximated that given to Student Naval Aviator
s. Until early 1962, BNAO was strictly a ground training operation for prospective Naval Aviation Observers who would receive follow on training at a Fleet Replacement Air Group (RAG) in an operational Fleet combat aircraft and would then receive their NAO wings following conclusion of a training syallbus. Evaluating the lack of training aircraft in the BNAO syllabus as in adequate, the school was assigned nine UC-45J "Navigators"
and six T-2A "Buckeyes"
in February 1962. The T-2As were soon replaced with nine T-1A “Sea Star" aircraft. In 1965, Naval Aviation Observers were re-designated as Naval Flight Officer
s (NFOs), and in 1968, BNAO School was officially commissioned as Training Squadron TEN (VT-10).
By November 1970, Training Squadron TEN had trained over 6,000 student NFOs. In 1971, Training Squadron TEN transitioned to the T-39D “Sabreliner" jet trainer and the TF-9J “Cougar"
which was replaced two years later by the newer T-2C “Buckeye."
The squadron doubled in size between 1972 and 1974 to accommodate an increased training requirement, maintaining 40 aircraft: ten T-39Ds and thirty T-2Cs
. During the 1970s several flight ground trainers were introduced to the syllabus, including the 1D23 NAV/comm trainer, the 2F90 instrument trainer, and the 2F101 flight simulator. In 1981, a reassignment of aircraft within NATRACOM replaced VT-10's T-2C aircraft with T-2Bs. The squadron revised its training in 1984 and acquired twenty T-34C
"Turbo Mentors"; and the Cessna T-47As replaced the T-39Ds in 1985.
During 1991, revolutionary changes were made to the NFO syllabus. To improve NFO air sense and situational awareness, forty additional flight hours were placed in the curriculum allowing instruction in basic piloting skills including aerobatics, takeoffs, and landings. The same year, the squadron replaced the T-47A with the T-39N which had upgraded avionics and radar. The T-2Bs and the air combat maneuvering syllabus were transferred to Training Squadron EIGHTY-SIX (VT-86). At the same time VT-10 acquired twenty additional T-34Cs
and two new 2B37 instrument trainers for primary and intermediate training.
In 1994, the first U.S. Air Force instructors and student navigators (NAVs) reported to Training Squadron TEN under a joint memorandum of agreement between the services. The agreement included the 1996 transition from the T-39N to the Air Force T-1A “Jayhawk" as the training platform for the Intermediate syllabus events. In April 1996, VT-10 split instructor and student assets to assist in the establishment of Training Squadron FOUR (VT-4) as a second NFO/NAV Primary/Intermediate Training Squadron. In 1999 the T-39G/N was re-integrated into the NFO intermediate training syllabus as the training platform for Navy and International Students with the T-1 remaining as the training platform for Air Force and Marine Corps Students. In April 2004 VT-10 flew its last T-39G/N sortie with the T-1 taking over as the primary training platform for all VT-10 student NFO intermediate training syllabus flights. In October 2010, the T-39G/N replaced the T-1 in the NFO intermediate syllabus. On December 3, 2010, VT-4 will be placed in cadre status, and VT-10 will be the sole NFO primary and intermediate training squadron.
VT-10 has a 60 member Navy and Marine Corps instructor staff that currently trains over 300 NFOs annually. In 1997, command of VT-10 began alternating between Navy and Air Force Officers.
Upon graduation from the Primary or Intermediate phases of flight training, students proceed to follow-on training according to branch of service and ultimate operational aircraft:
In January 2003, VT-10 initiated instructor orientation flights in the T-6A “Texan II”
, the joint Air Force/Navy platform slated to replace the T-34C “Turbomentor”
as the primary phase syllabus trainer. The T-6A “Texan II”, is a single engine, two-seat trainer, which is fully aerobatic. It features a pressurized cockpit, a G-tolerance enhancement system and dual zero-zero ejection seats. The T-6A utilizes a state-of-the-art digital cockpit, to help familiarize students with what they will encounter in their fleet tours.
In August 2003, VT-10 marked its first training flight in the T-6A Texan II. The first student class consisted of 4 Navy, 1 Marine and 1 Air Force students who received over 180 hours of academic training, 27 hours of simulator training, and 60 hours of actual flight time.
In April 2005, VT-10 completed the transition to the T-6 and flew its last T-34C “Turbomentor”
student sortie. VT-10 conducted two detachments to Key West NAS, one detachment to Randolph AFB, TX, as well as two separate hurricane evacuations when hurricanes Dennis and Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast. The squadron implemented the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) format for training and rewrote T-6A course-ware to reflect the first major change in Naval Aviation grading philosophy in a generation; the Multi-Service Navigator Training System (MNTS).
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
.
General information
- Basic and intermediate flight school for Naval Flight OfficerNaval Flight OfficerA Naval Flight Officer is an aeronautically designated commissioned officer in the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps that specializes in airborne weapons and sensor systems. NFOs are not pilots per se, but they may perform many "co-pilot" functions, depending on the type of aircraft...
s (NFO). VT-10 is tasked with training to go to advanced flight school in the United States Navy. NFOs come to VT-10 after graduating from Aviation Preflight Indoctrination "API".
- In recent years the syllabus has been expanded to included all aspects of pilot training, up to but not including solo flight. The NFO training consists of navigation, communications, formation flying, low-level flight operations, amongst other smaller curricula.
- VT-10 is a subordinate command to Training Air Wing 6 (TRAWING SIX).
- The "Cosmic Cats" was the nickname for the squadron for many years, until it was deemed not be to very aggressive in the early 1990s. The Wildcat patch and name came to the front, and have been used almost exclusively.
- For many years, the Squadron's main focus was on the safety of its instructors and students. The motto was adopted "If there is doubt, there is no doubt."
- The squadron is homebased at NAS PensacolaNaval Air Station PensacolaNaval Air Station Pensacola or NAS Pensacola , "The Cradle of Naval Aviation", is a United States Navy base located next to Warrington, Florida, a community southwest of the Pensacola city limits...
, Florida, originally known as Forrest Sherman Field, named after former CNOChief of Naval OperationsThe Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
Admiral Forrest ShermanForrest ShermanForrest Percival Sherman was an admiral in the United States Navy and the youngest man to serve as Chief of Naval Operations until Admiral Elmo Zumwalt became Chief of Naval Operations in 1970....
.
- The squadron's radio callsign is KATT.
Aircraft Flown
- UC-45J NavigatorBeechcraft Model 18The Beechcraft Model 18, or "Twin Beech", as it is better known, is a 6-11 seat, twin-engine, low-wing, conventional-gear aircraft that was manufactured by the Beech Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, Kansas...
- T-2A BuckeyeT-2 Buckeye|-See also:-External links:*****...
- T-1A Sea Star
- T-39D SabreLiner
- TF-9J CougarF9F CougarThe Grumman F9F/F-9 Cougar was an aircraft carrier-based fighter aircraft for the United States Navy. Based on the earlier Grumman F9F Panther, the Cougar replaced the Panther's straight wing with a more modern swept wing...
- T-2B BuckeyeT-2 Buckeye|-See also:-External links:*****...
- T-34C Turbo MentorT-34 MentorThe Beechcraft T-34 Mentor is a propeller-driven, single-engined, military trainer aircraft derived from the Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza. The earlier versions of the T-34, dating from around the late 1940s to the 1950s, were piston-engined. These were eventually succeeded by the upgraded T-34C...
- T-47A Citation
- T-1A Jayhawk
- T-6A Texan II
Awards
Training Squadron TEN has been awarded five Meritorious Unit Commendations and four Chief of Naval Education and Training “Shore/Technical Training Excellence Awards", the most recent in 2005. “Wildcat" safety initiatives have earned the squadron twenty one Chief of Naval Operations Safety Awards including one in 2005. The squadron was awarded the Towers Award for safety in 1978 and the Grandpaw Pettibone Safety Award in 2004 and 2005. VT-10's extensive energy conservation efforts and improved efficiency enabled the squadron to receive the 1995 and 1996 Secretary of the Navy Energy Conservation Awards. In 2005, VT-10 was presented with the VADM Robert Goldthwaite Award for Training Excellence, the squadrons fourth such award. VT-10's resourceful use of “Self Help” to significantly improve facilities resulted in the squadron being awarded the Chief of Naval Operations Bronze Hammer Award for 2000.History
In 1960, Training Squadron TEN (VT-10) was established as a division of the Training Department of NAS Pensacola and was known as the Basic Naval Aviation Officers (BNAO) School. BNAO was developed in response to (1) the increasing importance of navigator and radar operator-type flying officers in the latest generation of multi-seat naval aircraft such as the A-3 SkywarriorA-3 Skywarrior
The Douglas A-3 Skywarrior was originally designed as a strategic bomber for the United States Navy and was among the longest serving carrier-based jet aircraft in history. It entered service in the mid-1950s and was retired in 1991...
, A-5 Vigilante
A-5 Vigilante
The North American A-5 Vigilante was a carrier-based supersonic bomber designed for the United States Navy. Its service in the nuclear strike role to replace the A-3 Skywarrior was very short; however, as the RA-5C, it saw extensive service during the Vietnam War in the tactical strike...
, A-6 Intruder
A-6 Intruder
The Grumman A-6 Intruder was an American, twin jet-engine, mid-wing attack aircraft built by Grumman Aerospace. In service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps between 1963 and 1997, the Intruder was designed as an all-weather medium attack aircraft to replace the piston-engined A-1 Skyraider...
, F-4 Phantom II
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
and P-2 Neptune
P-2 Neptune
The Lockheed P-2 Neptune was a Maritime patrol and ASW aircraft. It was developed for the United States Navy by Lockheed to replace the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura and PV-2 Harpoon, and being replaced in turn with the Lockheed P-3 Orion...
and (2) in order to create a more standardized training program that better approximated that given to Student Naval Aviator
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
s. Until early 1962, BNAO was strictly a ground training operation for prospective Naval Aviation Observers who would receive follow on training at a Fleet Replacement Air Group (RAG) in an operational Fleet combat aircraft and would then receive their NAO wings following conclusion of a training syallbus. Evaluating the lack of training aircraft in the BNAO syllabus as in adequate, the school was assigned nine UC-45J "Navigators"
Beechcraft Model 18
The Beechcraft Model 18, or "Twin Beech", as it is better known, is a 6-11 seat, twin-engine, low-wing, conventional-gear aircraft that was manufactured by the Beech Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, Kansas...
and six T-2A "Buckeyes"
T-2 Buckeye
|-See also:-External links:*****...
in February 1962. The T-2As were soon replaced with nine T-1A “Sea Star" aircraft. In 1965, Naval Aviation Observers were re-designated as Naval Flight Officer
Naval Flight Officer
A Naval Flight Officer is an aeronautically designated commissioned officer in the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps that specializes in airborne weapons and sensor systems. NFOs are not pilots per se, but they may perform many "co-pilot" functions, depending on the type of aircraft...
s (NFOs), and in 1968, BNAO School was officially commissioned as Training Squadron TEN (VT-10).
By November 1970, Training Squadron TEN had trained over 6,000 student NFOs. In 1971, Training Squadron TEN transitioned to the T-39D “Sabreliner" jet trainer and the TF-9J “Cougar"
F9F Cougar
The Grumman F9F/F-9 Cougar was an aircraft carrier-based fighter aircraft for the United States Navy. Based on the earlier Grumman F9F Panther, the Cougar replaced the Panther's straight wing with a more modern swept wing...
which was replaced two years later by the newer T-2C “Buckeye."
T-2 Buckeye
|-See also:-External links:*****...
The squadron doubled in size between 1972 and 1974 to accommodate an increased training requirement, maintaining 40 aircraft: ten T-39Ds and thirty T-2Cs
T-2 Buckeye
|-See also:-External links:*****...
. During the 1970s several flight ground trainers were introduced to the syllabus, including the 1D23 NAV/comm trainer, the 2F90 instrument trainer, and the 2F101 flight simulator. In 1981, a reassignment of aircraft within NATRACOM replaced VT-10's T-2C aircraft with T-2Bs. The squadron revised its training in 1984 and acquired twenty T-34C
T-34 Mentor
The Beechcraft T-34 Mentor is a propeller-driven, single-engined, military trainer aircraft derived from the Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza. The earlier versions of the T-34, dating from around the late 1940s to the 1950s, were piston-engined. These were eventually succeeded by the upgraded T-34C...
"Turbo Mentors"; and the Cessna T-47As replaced the T-39Ds in 1985.
During 1991, revolutionary changes were made to the NFO syllabus. To improve NFO air sense and situational awareness, forty additional flight hours were placed in the curriculum allowing instruction in basic piloting skills including aerobatics, takeoffs, and landings. The same year, the squadron replaced the T-47A with the T-39N which had upgraded avionics and radar. The T-2Bs and the air combat maneuvering syllabus were transferred to Training Squadron EIGHTY-SIX (VT-86). At the same time VT-10 acquired twenty additional T-34Cs
T-34 Mentor
The Beechcraft T-34 Mentor is a propeller-driven, single-engined, military trainer aircraft derived from the Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza. The earlier versions of the T-34, dating from around the late 1940s to the 1950s, were piston-engined. These were eventually succeeded by the upgraded T-34C...
and two new 2B37 instrument trainers for primary and intermediate training.
In 1994, the first U.S. Air Force instructors and student navigators (NAVs) reported to Training Squadron TEN under a joint memorandum of agreement between the services. The agreement included the 1996 transition from the T-39N to the Air Force T-1A “Jayhawk" as the training platform for the Intermediate syllabus events. In April 1996, VT-10 split instructor and student assets to assist in the establishment of Training Squadron FOUR (VT-4) as a second NFO/NAV Primary/Intermediate Training Squadron. In 1999 the T-39G/N was re-integrated into the NFO intermediate training syllabus as the training platform for Navy and International Students with the T-1 remaining as the training platform for Air Force and Marine Corps Students. In April 2004 VT-10 flew its last T-39G/N sortie with the T-1 taking over as the primary training platform for all VT-10 student NFO intermediate training syllabus flights. In October 2010, the T-39G/N replaced the T-1 in the NFO intermediate syllabus. On December 3, 2010, VT-4 will be placed in cadre status, and VT-10 will be the sole NFO primary and intermediate training squadron.
VT-10 has a 60 member Navy and Marine Corps instructor staff that currently trains over 300 NFOs annually. In 1997, command of VT-10 began alternating between Navy and Air Force Officers.
Upon graduation from the Primary or Intermediate phases of flight training, students proceed to follow-on training according to branch of service and ultimate operational aircraft:
- Navy:
- VT-86VT-86VT-86 'SabreHawks' or Training Squadron 86 is an aircraft training squadron of the United States Navy.-History:Training Squadron EIGHTY-SIX is known by several names: TRARON EIGHTY-SIX, VT-86, or simply the Sabrehawks, a name derived from its history of flying the T-39D/G/N Sabreliner and the TA-4J...
at NAS Pensacola, FL for EA-6B, EA-18G, and F/A-18F - VP-30 at NAS Jacksonville, FL for P-3CP-3 OrionThe Lockheed P-3 Orion is a four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft developed for the United States Navy and introduced in the 1960s. Lockheed based it on the L-188 Electra commercial airliner. The aircraft is easily recognizable by its distinctive tail stinger or...
and EP-3EP-3E Aries II|-See also:-References:* Winchester, Jim, ed. Military Aircraft of the Cold War . London: Grange Books plc, 2006. ISBN 1-84013-929-3.-External links:* and * *... - Tinker AFB, OK for E-6B Mercury
- VAW-120VAW-120The Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron One One Seven are a United States Navy airborne early warning squadron. Nicknamed The Greyhawks, they fly the E-2 Hawkeye along with the C-2A Greyhound in order to provide early warning and battlefield information back to the carrier...
at Naval Station NorfolkNaval Station NorfolkNaval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a base of the United States Navy, supporting naval forces in the United States Fleet Forces Command, those operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean...
/Chambers Field, VA for E-2CE-2 HawkeyeThe Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the...
and E-2DE-2 HawkeyeThe Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the...
- VT-86
- Marine Corps:
- VT-86VT-86VT-86 'SabreHawks' or Training Squadron 86 is an aircraft training squadron of the United States Navy.-History:Training Squadron EIGHTY-SIX is known by several names: TRARON EIGHTY-SIX, VT-86, or simply the Sabrehawks, a name derived from its history of flying the T-39D/G/N Sabreliner and the TA-4J...
at NAS Pensacola, FL for F/A-18D and EA-6B
- VT-86
In January 2003, VT-10 initiated instructor orientation flights in the T-6A “Texan II”
T-6 Texan
The North American Aviation T-6 Texan was a single-engine advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, Royal Air Force and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II and into the 1950s...
, the joint Air Force/Navy platform slated to replace the T-34C “Turbomentor”
T-34 Mentor
The Beechcraft T-34 Mentor is a propeller-driven, single-engined, military trainer aircraft derived from the Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza. The earlier versions of the T-34, dating from around the late 1940s to the 1950s, were piston-engined. These were eventually succeeded by the upgraded T-34C...
as the primary phase syllabus trainer. The T-6A “Texan II”, is a single engine, two-seat trainer, which is fully aerobatic. It features a pressurized cockpit, a G-tolerance enhancement system and dual zero-zero ejection seats. The T-6A utilizes a state-of-the-art digital cockpit, to help familiarize students with what they will encounter in their fleet tours.
In August 2003, VT-10 marked its first training flight in the T-6A Texan II. The first student class consisted of 4 Navy, 1 Marine and 1 Air Force students who received over 180 hours of academic training, 27 hours of simulator training, and 60 hours of actual flight time.
In April 2005, VT-10 completed the transition to the T-6 and flew its last T-34C “Turbomentor”
T-34 Mentor
The Beechcraft T-34 Mentor is a propeller-driven, single-engined, military trainer aircraft derived from the Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza. The earlier versions of the T-34, dating from around the late 1940s to the 1950s, were piston-engined. These were eventually succeeded by the upgraded T-34C...
student sortie. VT-10 conducted two detachments to Key West NAS, one detachment to Randolph AFB, TX, as well as two separate hurricane evacuations when hurricanes Dennis and Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast. The squadron implemented the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) format for training and rewrote T-6A course-ware to reflect the first major change in Naval Aviation grading philosophy in a generation; the Multi-Service Navigator Training System (MNTS).
See also
- History of the United States NavyHistory of the United States NavyThe history of the United States Navy divides into two major periods: the "Old Navy", a small but respected force of sailing ships that was also notable for innovation in the use of ironclads during the American Civil War, and the "New Navy", the result of a modernization effort that began in the...
- List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
- REDIRECT VT-10VT-10VT-10 may refer to:* Training Squadron 10* Vermont Route 10...