VT-86
Encyclopedia
VT-86 'SabreHawks' or Training Squadron 86 is an aircraft training squadron of the United States Navy
.
. The squadron was commissioned on the 5th of June 1972, under the operational control of Commander, Training Air Wing EIGHT (TRAWING 8) at Naval Air Station Glynco
, Georgia. The mission of the new squadron was to conduct advanced Naval Flight Officer
(NFO) training, which had previously been overseen by Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) Glynco. The training was in four areas: Radar Intercept Officer, Basic Jet Navigation, Airborne Electronic Warfare and Airborne Tactical Data Systems. Training was conducted in aircraft previously assigned to and supported by NATTC Glynco until February 1973, when the squadron accepted 24 T-39 Sabreliner, 20 A-4C Skyhawk
, 2 EC-121K Warning Star
, and 12 TS-2A Tracker
aircraft and approximately 350 enlisted maintenance and support personnel from NATTC and NAS Glynco. After receiving the aircraft and personnel, the squadron’s mission was expanded to include flight support for Air Intercept Control and Ground Controlled Approach training functions.
Following a decision to close NAS Glynco and deactivate TRAWING 8, a Sabrehawk detachment was established at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida in March 1974. On 1 June 1974, the squadron commenced flight operations at Naval Air Station Pensacola under operational command of Commander, Training Air Wing SIX (TRAWING 6), training Naval Flight Officer
s for nearly all carrier-based aircraft.
Since its establishment, Training Squadron EIGHTY-SIX has received numerous awards to include multiple Meritorious Unit Commendations, the Training Effectiveness Award from the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA), the CNATRA Retention Award, the Chief of Naval Operations
Safety Award and 26 CNATRA Safety awards for accident-free operations. The squadron later amassed over 310,000 mishap-free flight hours and received the Admiral John H. Towers Safety Award and the Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET) Shore/Technical Training Excellence Award.
In 1994, Training Squadron EIGHTY-SIX’s role was expanded to include the training of U.S. Air Force Navigators/Combat Systems Officers (CSO) slated for eventual assignment as Weapon Systems Officer
s (WSO) in fighter and bomber aircraft. To date, the command has trained over 7,200 Naval Flight Officers for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps and over 1,400 Navigators/Combat Systems Officers for the U.S. Air Force. The command has also historically provided training to international students. In 1996, VT-86's responsibilities also entailed training international officer students from Saudi Arabia, Italy, Singapore, and Germany; nearly 200 International Military Trainees have earned their wings through VT-86.
Today, VT-86 trains Naval Flight Officers and Navigators/Combat Systems Officers in the U.S. Navy's T-39 Sabreliner and T-45C Goshawk
. Retirement of the T-2C Buckeye
, which preceded the T-45, was completed in September 2008.
Today, VT-86's mission is to provide advanced flight instruction to Student Naval Flight Officer
s (NFO
) destined for strike fighter, bomber and electronic warfare aircraft. The squadron syllabus builds on that training previously received in the primary and intermediate NFO training squadrons, with additional emphasis on systems, instrument and radar navigation, radar intercept and attack, high-speed low-level flight, advanced aerial combat maneuvering and advanced communications.
Upon completion of VT-86's program, newly-winged NFOs undergo further training at the respective Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS) for their new aircraft before reporting to their first operational Fleet squadron. Air Force Navigators/CSOs follow a similar track, reporting to a Replacement Training Unit (RTU) prior to being assigned to an operational fighter or bomber squadron.
VT-86 previously trained NFOs for many well-known retired aircraft such as the F-14 Tomcat
, F-4 Phantom II
, A-6 Intruder
, RA-5C Vigilante, RF-4
B Phantom II, S-3 Viking
, ES-3 Shadow, and the A-3
(whose variants included the KA-3, EKA-3 and EA-3). In addition, VT-86 previously provided training for the still serving E-2 Hawkeye
until that mission was assumed by the E-2 Fleet Replacement Squadron.
Today, new Naval Flight Officer
s graduating from VT-86 go on to fly either the Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet, Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet, Navy EA-18G Growler
or the Navy or Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler, while U.S. Air Force Navigators/Combat Systems Officers go on to fly either the F-15E Strike Eagle
or the B-1B Lancer.
German Air Force (Luftwaffe
) and German Navy (Deutsche Marine) Navigators/WSOs go on to fly either the Panavia Tornado
Interdictor/Strike (IDS) or Electronic Combat/Reconnaissance (ECR) variants, while some Luftwaffe
WSOs will also fly the F-4 Phantom II
.
Italian Air Force
Navigators/WSOs go on to fly the Panavia Tornado
IDS and ECR variants.
Royal Saudi Air Force
WSOs go on to fly the F-15S Strike Eagle and the Panavia Tornado
IDS and Air Defence (ADV) variants.
Republic of Singapore Air Force
WSOs currently go on to fly the F-16D Fighting Falcon
, but in addition, will also soon fly the F-15SG Strike Eagle.
Training squadron EIGHTY-SIX is presently staffed by approximately 80 U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force officers. Additional instructor pilots, instructor NFOs and instructor CSOs/WSOs augment VT-86 and are sourced from the TRAWING 6 staff, Naval Aviation Schools Command staff, and part-time Navy Reserve pilots and Navy Reserve NFOs embedded in TRAWING 6's and VT-86's respective Reserve Component units. German and Italian Navigator/WSO instructors also support VT-86 training operations, although they are administratively assigned to colocated German Air Force (Luftwaffe
) and Italian Air Force training squadrons at NAS Pensacola. With the ever-changing strategy of national defense for the United States and that of its NATO and Allied partners, VT-86 will continue to train Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and international officers in preparation for flying the world’s most advanced and complex tactical combat aircraft.
VT-86 celebrated its 25th anniversary of mishap-free flying on April 8, 2002. Since its inception in June 1972, VT-86 has logged more than 332,000 mishap-free flight hours and has the distinction of maintaining the longest documented accident-free period of any active flying squadron in Naval Aviation history. This flight-hour total and cumulative time without mishaps also represents the longest mishap-free safety record in Naval Air Training Command history. Over the years, VT-86 has also earned twenty-seven Chief of Naval Air Training safety awards for accident-free operations and it also won the Admiral John H. Towers Safety Award in 1995.
The 25 years of mishap-free flying 332,000 hours breaks down to more than 1,100 hours per month.
/Chambers Field, Virginia. All other students report to VT-86.
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...
.
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 Skyhawk IIA-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
. The squadron was commissioned on the 5th of June 1972, under the operational control of Commander, Training Air Wing EIGHT (TRAWING 8) at Naval Air Station Glynco
Naval Air Station Glynco
Naval Air Station Glynco was an operational naval air station from 1942 to 1974. Now known as Brunswick Golden Isles Airport , it was previously known as Glynco Jetport following NAS Glyncos closure. It is now a public airport located 5 miles north of the city of Brunswick, in Glynn County,...
, Georgia. The mission of the new squadron was to conduct advanced 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...
(NFO) training, which had previously been overseen by Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) Glynco. The training was in four areas: Radar Intercept Officer, Basic Jet Navigation, Airborne Electronic Warfare and Airborne Tactical Data Systems. Training was conducted in aircraft previously assigned to and supported by NATTC Glynco until February 1973, when the squadron accepted 24 T-39 Sabreliner, 20 A-4C Skyhawk
A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
, 2 EC-121K Warning Star
EC-121 Warning Star
The Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star was a United States Navy and United States Air Force airborne early warning radar surveillance aircraft. A military version of the Lockheed Constellation, it was designed to serve as an airborne early warning system to supplement the Distant Early Warning Line,...
, and 12 TS-2A Tracker
S-2 Tracker
The Grumman S-2 Tracker was the first purpose-built, single airframe anti-submarine warfare aircraft to enter service with the US Navy. The Tracker was of conventional design with twin engines, a high wing and tricycle undercarriage. The type was exported to a number of navies around the world...
aircraft and approximately 350 enlisted maintenance and support personnel from NATTC and NAS Glynco. After receiving the aircraft and personnel, the squadron’s mission was expanded to include flight support for Air Intercept Control and Ground Controlled Approach training functions.
Following a decision to close NAS Glynco and deactivate TRAWING 8, a Sabrehawk detachment was established at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida in March 1974. On 1 June 1974, the squadron commenced flight operations at Naval Air Station Pensacola under operational command of Commander, Training Air Wing SIX (TRAWING 6), training 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 for nearly all carrier-based aircraft.
Since its establishment, Training Squadron EIGHTY-SIX has received numerous awards to include multiple Meritorious Unit Commendations, the Training Effectiveness Award from the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA), the CNATRA Retention Award, the Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The 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...
Safety Award and 26 CNATRA Safety awards for accident-free operations. The squadron later amassed over 310,000 mishap-free flight hours and received the Admiral John H. Towers Safety Award and the Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET) Shore/Technical Training Excellence Award.
In 1994, Training Squadron EIGHTY-SIX’s role was expanded to include the training of U.S. Air Force Navigators/Combat Systems Officers (CSO) slated for eventual assignment as Weapon Systems Officer
Weapon systems officer
A Weapon Systems Officer is an air Flight Officer directly involved in all air operations and weapon systems of the fighter in the United States Navy. A Weapon Systems Officer ("WSO", pronounced "wizzo") is an air Flight Officer directly involved in all air operations and weapon systems of the...
s (WSO) in fighter and bomber aircraft. To date, the command has trained over 7,200 Naval Flight Officers for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps and over 1,400 Navigators/Combat Systems Officers for the U.S. Air Force. The command has also historically provided training to international students. In 1996, VT-86's responsibilities also entailed training international officer students from Saudi Arabia, Italy, Singapore, and Germany; nearly 200 International Military Trainees have earned their wings through VT-86.
Today, VT-86 trains Naval Flight Officers and Navigators/Combat Systems Officers in the U.S. Navy's T-39 Sabreliner and T-45C Goshawk
T-45 Goshawk
|-Avionics:Data from naval-technology.com *Smiths Industries, Ltd. AN/USN-2 Standard Attitude Heading and Reference System . Later replaced by the BAE/Marconi AN/ASN-180 Navigation Guidance System ....
. Retirement of the T-2C Buckeye
T-2 Buckeye
|-See also:-External links:*****...
, which preceded the T-45, was completed in September 2008.
Today, VT-86's mission is to provide advanced flight instruction to Student 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 (NFO
NFO
NFO may refer to:*National Farmers Organization, a producerist movement founded in the United States in 1955*Naval Flight Officer in the United States Navy*New Fund Offer, a term used in mutual funds in India...
) destined for strike fighter, bomber and electronic warfare aircraft. The squadron syllabus builds on that training previously received in the primary and intermediate NFO training squadrons, with additional emphasis on systems, instrument and radar navigation, radar intercept and attack, high-speed low-level flight, advanced aerial combat maneuvering and advanced communications.
Upon completion of VT-86's program, newly-winged NFOs undergo further training at the respective Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS) for their new aircraft before reporting to their first operational Fleet squadron. Air Force Navigators/CSOs follow a similar track, reporting to a Replacement Training Unit (RTU) prior to being assigned to an operational fighter or bomber squadron.
VT-86 previously trained NFOs for many well-known retired aircraft such as the F-14 Tomcat
F-14 Tomcat
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental program following the collapse of the F-111B project...
, 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,...
, 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...
, RA-5C Vigilante, RF-4
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,...
B Phantom II, S-3 Viking
S-3 Viking
The Lockheed S-3 Viking is a four-seat twin-engine jet aircraft that was used by the U.S. Navy to identify, track, and destroy enemy submarines. In the late 1990s, the S-3B's mission focus shifted to surface warfare and aerial refueling. The Viking also provided electronic warfare and surface...
, ES-3 Shadow, and the A-3
A-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...
(whose variants included the KA-3, EKA-3 and EA-3). In addition, VT-86 previously provided training for the still serving E-2 Hawkeye
E-2 Hawkeye
The 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...
until that mission was assumed by the E-2 Fleet Replacement Squadron.
Today, new 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 graduating from VT-86 go on to fly either the Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet, Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet, Navy EA-18G Growler
EA-18G Growler
The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an American carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, a specialized version of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. The EA-18G will replace the Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowlers in service with the United States Navy. The Growler's electronic warfare capability is...
or the Navy or Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler, while U.S. Air Force Navigators/Combat Systems Officers go on to fly either the F-15E Strike Eagle
F-15E Strike Eagle
The McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle is an all-weather multirole fighter, derived from the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. The F-15E was designed in the 1980s for long-range, high speed interdiction without relying on escort or electronic warfare aircraft. United States Air Force F-15E Strike...
or the B-1B Lancer.
German Air Force (Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
) and German Navy (Deutsche Marine) Navigators/WSOs go on to fly either the Panavia Tornado
Panavia Tornado
The Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine, variable-sweep wing combat aircraft, which was jointly developed and manufactured by the United Kingdom, West Germany and Italy...
Interdictor/Strike (IDS) or Electronic Combat/Reconnaissance (ECR) variants, while some Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
WSOs will also fly the 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,...
.
Italian Air Force
Italian Air Force
The Italian Air Force has gone under different names in different periods:*Regia Aeronautica , from 1923 to June 1946*Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana, the air force of Italian Social Republic during World War II...
Navigators/WSOs go on to fly the Panavia Tornado
Panavia Tornado
The Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine, variable-sweep wing combat aircraft, which was jointly developed and manufactured by the United Kingdom, West Germany and Italy...
IDS and ECR variants.
Royal Saudi Air Force
Royal Saudi Air Force
The Royal Saudi Air Force , is the aviation branch of the Saudi Arabian armed forces. The RSAF has developed from a largely defensive military force into one with an advanced offensive capability...
WSOs go on to fly the F-15S Strike Eagle and the Panavia Tornado
Panavia Tornado
The Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine, variable-sweep wing combat aircraft, which was jointly developed and manufactured by the United Kingdom, West Germany and Italy...
IDS and Air Defence (ADV) variants.
Republic of Singapore Air Force
Republic of Singapore Air Force
The Republic of Singapore Air Force is the air arm of the Singapore Armed Forces. It was first established in 1968 as the Singapore Air Defence Command...
WSOs currently go on to fly the F-16D Fighting Falcon
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
, but in addition, will also soon fly the F-15SG Strike Eagle.
Training squadron EIGHTY-SIX is presently staffed by approximately 80 U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force officers. Additional instructor pilots, instructor NFOs and instructor CSOs/WSOs augment VT-86 and are sourced from the TRAWING 6 staff, Naval Aviation Schools Command staff, and part-time Navy Reserve pilots and Navy Reserve NFOs embedded in TRAWING 6's and VT-86's respective Reserve Component units. German and Italian Navigator/WSO instructors also support VT-86 training operations, although they are administratively assigned to colocated German Air Force (Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
) and Italian Air Force training squadrons at NAS Pensacola. With the ever-changing strategy of national defense for the United States and that of its NATO and Allied partners, VT-86 will continue to train Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and international officers in preparation for flying the world’s most advanced and complex tactical combat aircraft.
VT-86 celebrated its 25th anniversary of mishap-free flying on April 8, 2002. Since its inception in June 1972, VT-86 has logged more than 332,000 mishap-free flight hours and has the distinction of maintaining the longest documented accident-free period of any active flying squadron in Naval Aviation history. This flight-hour total and cumulative time without mishaps also represents the longest mishap-free safety record in Naval Air Training Command history. Over the years, VT-86 has also earned twenty-seven Chief of Naval Air Training safety awards for accident-free operations and it also won the Admiral John H. Towers Safety Award in 1995.
The 25 years of mishap-free flying 332,000 hours breaks down to more than 1,100 hours per month.
General information
Upon graduation from Basic Student NFO Training at Training Squadron TEN (VT-10) or Training Squadron FOUR (VT-4) at NAS Pensacola, Navy and certain international students selected to fly large land-based aircraft such as the P-3C Orion, EP-3E Aries or the E-6B Mercury TACAMO aircraft will report to Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training. After graduation from Intermediate NFO Training at VT-4 or VT-10, those Navy students and international selected to fly the E-2C/D Hawkeye will report to Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE TWENTY (VAW-120) at Naval Station NorfolkNaval Station Norfolk
Naval 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, Virginia. All other students report to VT-86.
- The squadron's radio callsign is Rocket.
Aircraft Flown
- T-39N/G Sabreliner
- McDonnell Douglas / Boeing T-45C GoshawkT-45 Goshawk|-Avionics:Data from naval-technology.com *Smiths Industries, Ltd. AN/USN-2 Standard Attitude Heading and Reference System . Later replaced by the BAE/Marconi AN/ASN-180 Navigation Guidance System ....
Past Aircraft Flown
- Douglas / McDonnell Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk II
- T-47A Citation IICessna CitationThe Cessna Citation is a marketing name used by Cessna for its line of business jets. Rather than one particular model of aircraft, the name applies to several "families" of turbofan-powered aircraft that have been produced over the years...
- T-39D Sabreliner
- Lockheed EC-121K Warning StarEC-121 Warning StarThe Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star was a United States Navy and United States Air Force airborne early warning radar surveillance aircraft. A military version of the Lockheed Constellation, it was designed to serve as an airborne early warning system to supplement the Distant Early Warning Line,...
- Grumman TS-2A TrackerS-2 TrackerThe Grumman S-2 Tracker was the first purpose-built, single airframe anti-submarine warfare aircraft to enter service with the US Navy. The Tracker was of conventional design with twin engines, a high wing and tricycle undercarriage. The type was exported to a number of navies around the world...
- North American Rockwell T-2 BuckeyeT-2 Buckeye|-See also:-External links:*****...
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