Training Squadron EIGHTY-SIX (VT-86)
Training Squadron EIGHTY-SIX is known by several names: TRARON EIGHTY-SIX, VT-86, or simply the SABREHAWKS, a name derived from the T-39 Sabreliner and the TA-4J Skyhawk. The squadron was commissioned on the 5th of June 1972, under the operational control of Commander Training Air Wing EIGHT, 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 the Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) in Glynco. The training was in four areas: Radar Intercept Operation, Basic Jet Navigation, Airborne Electronic Warfare and Airborne Tactical Data Systems. Training was conducted in aircraft assigned to and supported by NATTC until February 1973, when the squadron accepted 24 T-39, 20 A-4C, 2 E-121K, and 12 TS-2A aircraft and approximately 350 enlisted personnel from Naval Air Station 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.
In March 1974, a Sabrehawk detachment was established at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. On 1 June 1974, the squadron commenced flight operations at Naval Air Station Pensacola under operational command of Commander, Training Air Wing SIX, training Naval Flight Officers for carrier-based aircraft.
Since its establishment, Training Squadron EIGHTY-SIX has received numerous awards to include Meritorious Unit Citations, 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 recently 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 Air Force Navigators. To date, the command has trained over 7,200 Naval Flight Officers for the Navy and Marine Corps and over 1,400 Navigators for the Air Force. Additionally, in 1996 the squadron was tasked with the added responsibility of training international students, including officers from Saudi Arabia, Italy, Singapore, and Germany; nearly 200 International Military Trainees have earned their wings through VT-86. Currently, the squadron trains Naval Flight Officers and Navigators in the T-39 Sabreliner and the T-2 Buckeye aircraft.
Upon completion of the program, students will undergo further training at their new aircraft's respective bases. Naval Flight Officers will go on to fly either the S-3 Viking, EA-6B Prowler, F-18 Hornet, or the F-14 Tomcat. Air Force Navigators will go on to fly either the B-1B Lancer, B-52 Stratofortress, or the F-15E Strike Eagle. Marine Naval Flight Officers will go on to fly either the EA-6B Prowler, or the F-18 Hornet. German Navigators will fly either the Tornado or the F-4 Phantom, while the Italian Navigators will fly the Tornado. Saudi Arabian students will go on to fly the F-15E Strike Eagle, and Singaporean students will go on to fly the F-16.
Training squadron EIGHTY-SIX is presently staffed by 80 Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps officers. With the ever-changing strategy of our nation's defense, the squadron will continue to train over 300 Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and international officers annually in preparation for flying the world's most advanced and complex aircraft.
Training Squadron (VT) 86 celebrated its 25th anniversary of mishap-free flying April 8. 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 aviation history.
This flight-hour total and cumulative time without mishaps also represents the longest mishap-free safety record in Naval Aviation Training Command history. Over the years, VT-86 has also earned 27 Chief of Naval Air Training safety awards for accident-free operations; it won the Adm. John H. Towers Safety Award in 1995.
The 25 years of flying 332,000 hours breaks down to more than 1,100 hours per month.
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