VT-86

Point of Contact = Squadron Duty Officer (SDO). See FAQ/Research/Contact link under [SA] in the menu.

Patch

Patch drawn by Bud Southworth

Sources

David Weber

Mark Morgan

Chris Scott

Handle

Sabrehawks. When VT-86 was established at Naval Air Station Glynco, Georgia, the squadron was assigned both T-39 ("Sabre" liners) and A-4 (Sky "hawks") and you can guess the rest.

Heritage

15 June 1944: The previous VT-86 was a torpedo squadron assigned to Carrier Air Group 86, established 15 June 1944 at NAS Wildwood, NJ. The squadron flew TBM Avengers from USS Wasp (CV-18) during the latter part of World War II and disestablished 21 November 1945. Per standard Navy historical practice, the Sabrehawks have no lineal relationship to the first VT-86.

VT-86 - Disestablished 21 November 1945.

5 June 1972: Second VT-86 established at NAS Glynco, GA, from the Naval Air Technical Training Center Glynco Officer Navigator School.

Home Ports

5 June 1972 - - - - - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Glynco, Georgia.

1 June 1974 - - - - - - - - - - - Naval Air Station Pensacola, Flordia

Air Wings

5 June 1972 - - - - - - - - - - - - TAW-8 (A-4B)

June 1974 - - - - - - - - - - - - TAW-6 (A-4B/F)

Aircraft

Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft:

1973 - 1986- - - - - - - - - North American T-39D Sabreliner.

8 February 1973- - - - - - - Douglas A4D-1 (A-4B) Skyhawk *

8 February 1973- - - - - - - Douglas A-4C Skyhawk.

1973 - 1974- - - - - - - - - EC-121K.

1973 - 1974- - - - - - - - - TS-2A.

1973 - 1986- - - - - - - - - T-39D.

21 May 1974- - - - - - - - - Douglas TA-4F Skyhawk.

22 May 1974- - - - - - - - - Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk.

1975 - current - - - - - - - North American T-2C Buckeye.

1982 - 1991- - - - - - - - - Cessna T-47A Citation II.

1991 - ? - - - - - - - - - - T-2B.

1991 - current - - - - - - - T-39N.

* November 30, 1962

The A4D-2 designation changed to A-4B

The A4D-2N designation changed to A-4C

For A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit see lower in this page:

Deployments

None

Commanding Officers

5 June 1972 - - - - - - - - - -Unknown

???? 1973 - - - - - - - - - - -Unknown

???? 1974 - - - - - - - - - - -Unknown

???? 1976 - - - - - - - - - - -Unknown

???? 1977 - - - - - - - - - - -Cmdr. Don Seykowski, USN

???? 1978 - - - - - - - - - - -Cmdr. W.R. Logue, USN

22 June 1979- - - - - - - - - -Cmdr. Robert J. Flynn, USN

10 October 1980 - - - - - - - -Lt.Col. Noel Douglas, USMC

17 July 1981 - - - - - - - - - Cmdr. Omer Brackx, USN

10 September 1982 - - - - - - -Lt.Col. Bob Rogers, USMC

9 December 1982 - - - - - - - -Cmdr. Roy Morris, Jr, USN

???? 1984 - - - - - - - - - - -Unknown

???? 1985 - - - - - - - - - - -Cmdr. Philip Lame, USN

5 September 1986 - - - - - - - Lt.Col. William Westfall, Jr, USMC

31 July 1987 - - - - - - - - - Cmdr. James Lindquist, USN

5 August 1988 - 14 July 1989 - LCOL W. A. Stanley, USMC

14 July 1989- July 1990 - - - -CDR J. J. Doyle

???? 1990 - - - - - - - - - - -Unknown

???? 1991 - - - - - - - - - - -Unknown

???? 1992 - - - - - - - - - - -Lt.Col. Robert E. Braithwaite, USMC

10 August 1993- - - - - - - - -Cmdr. Scott Johnson, USN

???? 1994 - - - - - - - - - - -Lt.Col. David Barraclough, USMC

31 August 1995- - - - - - - - -Cmdr. Charles Jamison, Jr, USN

???? 1996 - - - - - - - - - - -Lt.Col. Henry Krauss, USAF

28 July 1997- - - - - - - - - -Cmdr. Daniel Ouimette, USN

4 September 1998- - - - - - - -Lt.Col. Richard Britton, USMC

9 Septemeber 1999 - - - - - - -Cmdr. Michael Gnozzio, USN

???? 2000 - - - - - - - - - - -Cmdr. Brian Broene, USN

Awards

Meritorious Unit Citation

Awards continued

No additional info

Events

05 Jun 72: Training Squadron 86 created from Naval Air Technical Training Center Glynco and assigned to Commander, Training Air Wing Eight. Squadron tasked with Advanced Naval Flight Officer (NFO) training in the following areas: basic jet navigation, airborne electronic warfare, Radar Intercept Officer and airborne tactical data systems. The squadron used NATTC-provided aircraft until February 1973.

20 Feb. 1973: BuNo 145100 DBR on 20 Feb 1973 and SOC on 01 March 1973. The (TS-2A) pilot and co-pilot were killed when a Navy TS-2A Tracker (probably BuNo 136411, 4B) crashed at NAS Glynco, Brunswick, GA, Friday narrowly missing a hangar with 200 persons inside. Panama City News Herald, Saturday, 17 February 1973. 145000 may have been collateral damage. 

28 Feb 73: VT-86 receives its own aircraft from NATTC Glynco: 24 T-39D, 20 A-4C, 2 EC-121K and 12 TS-2A. Squadron mission expanded to include air intercept control and Ground Controlled Approach training.

Mar 74: VT-86 established a training detachment at NAS Pensacola

1 Jun 74: VT-86 formally transferred from NAS Glynco to NAS Pensacola, joining Training Air Wing Six.

13 Jan 86: VT-86 retired the Navy's last T-39D used in a training role following a hop out of NAS Pensacola. Cmdr. Dan Wendling, COMTRAWING Six, did the honors with instructor Capt. Roy Johnson, USMC, and SNFO Ens.'s John Houser and Mike Davidson (NOTE: The squadron resumed training with T-39Ns in 1991).

1994: VT-86's mission expanded to include the training of Air Force navigators.

26 May 95: VT-86 graduated its first four US Air Force Weapons Systems Officers, lLTs Mike Quintini, Dave Allen, Jeff Klein and Chris Anthony.

Unit Photos

Photographs

1973: BuNo 145097, 4B-18, parked on the ramp. G. Verver collection.

26 OCT 1973: VT-86 Skyhawk BuNo 148482, 4B-15, parked on the ramp. Rick Morgan via "Boom" Powell.

1975: Sabrehawks formation of TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 155105, F-238, and two T-39 Sabreliners. VT-86 was and still is based at Pensacola. Their mission is to train Naval Flight Officers (NFO), Weapons System Officers and Navigators. As such, VT-86 trains USN, USMC and USAF personnel. The modex "F" shows they are in Training Wing 6 (CTW-6) & the center aircraft is marked to represent the "CAG". When this photo was taken in 1975, VT-86 was equipped with TA-4J Skyhawk and T-39 Sabreliner aircraft. Photograph by Harry S. Gann.

Circa 1976: Right side partial tail section view of NAS Pensacola based Sabrehawks Skyhawk BuNo 159796, F-232, parked on the flight line. BuNo 158130 is in the foreground. Unknown via W. Mutza.

JUL 1977: right side view of VT-86 Sabrehawks TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 155105, F-240, on the ramp with a pair of drop tanks. Photographer unknown.

BuNo 158469, F-238, on the ramp. G. Verver collection via R. Dowers.

BuNo 156925 F-235, parked on the flight-line. G. Verver collection via R. Dowers.

1978: BuNo 153462 on the ramp.

BuNo 153463 on the ramp.

21 APR 1978: BuNo 158124, F-234, parked on the Pensacola ramp. G. Verver collection via R. Dowers.

Sept 1978: BuNo 155105, F-240, parked on the flight line. Left front view of VT-86 Sabre Hawks TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 155105, F-240, taxiing with a pair of drop tanks, Great Falls, Montana, September 1978. In the background are 186th FIS Big Sky Country Montana ANG, F-106A Delta Darts s/n 52-2463, 59-0122 and 59-013xx. Gary Verver Collection.

22 SEP 1978: right rear view of VT-86 Sabre Hawks TA-4J BuNo 158478, F-239, on the ramp with a pair of wing tanks at Tyndall AFB. Photo by P. Stevens.

Two undated photos of BuNo 158478, F-239. Pic1, Pic2. Gary Verver Collection

Dec 1978: BuNo 158478, F-239, parked on the flight line. G. Verver Collection.

June 1979: VT-86 Sabre Hawks TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 158469, F-238. Names below the canopy rail are Cdr. Bob Flynn and LCdr. Lee Starit. Pic2; Pic3. Photographer unknown.

17 MAY 1980: right side view of VT-86 Sabrehawks TA-4J Skyhawk 156925, F-235, on the ramp at an Open House at O'Hare next to IA ANG A-7D Corsair II s/n 72-190. Photographer unknown.

Date unknown: BuNo 156925 parked on the flight-line. Gary Verver Collection.

June 1981: BuNo 153482, F-236, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection.

13 JUN 1981: Left rear view of VT-86 Sabrehawks TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 156904, F-230, on the ramp at Davis Monthan AFB. Names on the canopy rail are COMM J. J. Lahr and LTCOL N. E. Douglas. Photo by M. Campbell.

JUL 1981: Partial right rear tail section view of Sabre Hawks Skyhawk BuNo 153522, F-239, parked on the flightline next to F-236. Rob Mignard.

JUL81: BuNo 153482, F-236, parked on the flightline next to BuNo 153522, F-239 at NAS Whiting. G. Verver collection via R. Dowers.

09 Oct 1981: Sabre Hawks Skyhawk BuNo 153462, F-237, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection.

Apr 1982 BuNo 153482, F-236, parked on the ramp in a lo-vis gray scheme. Gary Verver Collection.

1985-1988: VT-86 Sabrehawks TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 153680, F-240, on the ramp. Names on the canopy rail are CAPT Franklin and CAPT Orabona. Photo from Werner Munzenmaier.

1987: BuNo 153680 parked on the ramp.

1983-1987: VT-86 Sabrehawks TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 153677, F-240, on the ramp. Names on the canopy rail are LT Bill Martin and LT Steve Gray. Photo from Werner Munzenmaier.

NOV 1983: Left side view of VT-86 Sabre Hawks TA-4J BuNo 158478, F-231, on the ramp with a pair of wing tanks next to VT-4 T-2C Buckeye BuNo 158597. Names on the canopy rail are LCDR Campbell and LTCOL Trig.... Photographer unknown.

Feb 1984 BuNo 155105, F-238, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection.

Feb 1984: BuNo 156925, F-238, parked on a flight-line. Gary Verver Collection.

21OCT86: BuNo 155105, F-238 parked with canopy up at NAS Pensacola.. Gary Verver Collection.

Date unknown: BuNo 158478 parked on the ramp canopy up. Pic2. Gary Verver Collection.

OCT87: TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo. 159796 side number Foxtrot 232 of VT-86 "Sabrehawks", based at Naval Air Station Pensacola was seen on the Naval Air Station Atlanta Transit line in October 1987. This TA-4J Skyhawk was the third from the last TA-4J built. From a photograph by Frank J. Mirande.

JUN 1987: VT-86 TA-4J BuNo 156923, F-233. Names on the canopy rail are LCDR Jeff Mines and LT Stan Lee. Photographer unknown, from Gary Verver Collection.

JUN 1987: Sabre Hawks Skyhawk BuNo 158489, F-230, assigned to LTCOL Westfall. parked on the ramp. R. Neidermeier.

April 1988: Sabrehawks Skyhawk BuNo. 153492, F-240 on the ramp. Names on the canopy rail are LT Fred Brake and LT Karen Bilder. Gary Verver Collection.

1988: TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo. 153492 side number Foxtrot 240, of VT-86 "Sabrehawks", based at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, poses on the Naval Air Station Atlanta transit line in August 1988. The overall flat Charcoal Gray paint scheme is marred by spot re-painting. From a photograph by Frank J. Mirande.

BuNo. 153492, F-240 on the ramp. Names on the canopy rail are Lt Fred Brake and Lt Karen Bilder.

12 May 1989: BuNo 158489, F-230, as she taxies by the photographer. U.S. Navy photo, PH2 Tom Rodriquez.

13 OCT 1989: VT-86 Sabrehawks TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 152861, F-241, on the ramp at NAS Pensacola. Names below the canopy rail are LT White and LT Kara. Copyright Werner Munzenmaier.

JUL90: Sabre Hawks Skyhawk BuNo 153482, F-236, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection.

JUL 1990: Right side view of VT-86 Sabre Hawks TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 153482, F-236, as it taxis by the photographer at NAS Pensacola, FL. Copyright photo by Joe Cupido.

03 MAY 1991: VT-86 Sabrehawks TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 153482, F-238, on the ramp at NAS Pensacola. Names below the canopy rail are MAJ Habel and CAPT Hadinger. Copyright Werner Munzenmaier.

1991: TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo. 156925. TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo. 156925 side number Foxtrot 235 of VT-86 "Sabrehawks", of Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida at Dobbins AFB, Georgia, for an airshow. Viewed on May 31, 1991, the rudder is all black; earlier, the external ribs and rudder beam were black, with the skin between the ribs left white. "Sabrehawks" obtained their nickname when established at Naval Air Station Glynco, Georgia, operating both T-39's ("Sabre" liners) and A-4's (Sky "hawks") at the time. From a photograph by Frank J. Mirande.

VT-86 F-231, BuNo 158478, on the ramp.

Off-Duty Photos

No info yet.

• Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk
  • 145097 c/n 12343
    • 08 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 16 Nov 1973 - VC-2 - NAS Oceana, VA
  • 145100 c/n 12346
    • 08 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 01 Mar 1973 - Stricken - 1S
• Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk
  • 147691 C/N 12455
    • 28 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 21 Apr 1974 - NAS - NAS Memphis, TN
  • 147701 C/N 12465
    • 08 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 02 May 1974 - NATF - NAS Lakehurst, NJ
  • 147726 C/N 12490
    • 08 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 01 Jan 1974 - VC-2 - NAS Oceana, VA
  • 147731 C/N 12495
    • 09 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 03 Dec 1973 - VC-2 - NAS Oceana, VA
  • 147797 C/N 12561
    • 08 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 29 May 1974 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
  • 147838 C/N 12602
    • 08 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 10 Jan 1974 - VC-2 - NAS Oceana, VA
  • 147841 C/N 12605
    • 08 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 16 Nov 1973 - VC-2 - NAS Oceana, VA
  • 148304 C/N 12614
    • 08 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 03 Apr 1974 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
    • 01 May 1974 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 24 May 1974 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
  • 148469 C/N 12662
    • 08 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 06 Oct 1973 - VC-2 - NAS Oceana, VA
  • 148482 C/N 12675
    • 08 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 05 May 1974 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
  • 148493 C/N 12686
    • 08 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 09 May 1974 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
  • 148526 C/N 12719
    • 08 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 06 Nov 1973 - VC-2 - NAS Oceana, VA
  • 148558 C/N 12751
    • 08 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 09 May 1974 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
  • 148576 C/N 12769
    • 08 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 16 Nov 1973 - VC-2 - NAS Oceana, VA
  • 148605 C/N 12798
    • 08 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 03 May 1974 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
  • 149530 c/n 12855
    • 08 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 30 May 1974 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
  • 149537 c/n 12862
    • 08 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 04 Jun 1974 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
  • 149563 c/n 12888
    • 08 Feb 1973 - VT-86 - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 20 Jun 1973 - NAS - NAS Memphis, TN
• Douglas TA-4F Skyhawk
  • 153462 c/n 13528
    • 28 Aug 1970 - VT-21 - Convert to TA-4J
    • 29 Jun 1977 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 03 Oct 1989 - COMTRAWING-6 - NAS Pensacola, FL
  • 153479 c/n 13545
    • 01 Sep 1970 - VT-23 - Convert to TA-4J
    • 26 Jun 1974 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 03 Nov 1976 - VC-13 - NAS Miramar, CA

• Douglas TA-4F Skyhawk (Cont.)
  • 153482 c/n 13548
    • 04 Sep 1970 - VT-21 - Convert to TA-4J
    • 15 Apr 1981 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 10 Jul 1988 - COMTRAWING-6 - NAS Pensacola, FL
  • 153492 c/n 13558
    • 08 Oct 1970 – VT-21 - Convert to TA-4J
    • 01 Oct 1974 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 10 Jul 1975 - NARU - NAS Memphis, TN
    • 20 Jan 1988 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 31 Aug 1989 - COMTRAWING-1 - NAS Meridian, MS
  • 153522 c/n 13588
    • 04 Nov 1970 - VT-23 - Convert to TA-4J
    • 01 Apr 1975 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 30 Oct 1981 – VT-4 - NAS Pensacola, FL
  • 153677 c/n 13615
    • 23 Jun 1971 - RDT&E China Lake - Convert to TA-4J
    • 07 Oct 1983 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 31 May 1987 - COMTRAWING-2 - NAS Kingsville, TX
  • 153680 c/n 13618
    • 28 Oct 1970 - VT-21 - Convert to TA-4J
    • 25 Jan 1983 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 31 Aug 1989 - COMTRAWING-6 - NAS Pensacola, FL
  • 154305 c/n 13693
    • 13 Mar 1973 - VA-45 - Convert to TA-4J
    • 03 Dec 1980 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 03 Dec 1981 - VT-4 - NAS Pensacola, FL
• Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk
  • 155100 c/n 13916
    • 01 Jan 1975 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 14 Nov 1975 - VA-45 - NAS Cecil Field, FL
  • 155105 c/n 13921
    • 08 Jun 1977 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 27 Jul 1988 - COMTRAWING-6 - NAS Pensacola, FL
  • 156897 c/n 13990
    • 26 Apr 1981 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 06 Jul 1988 - COMTRAWING-6 - NAS Pensacola, FL
  • 156904 c/n 13997
    • 11 May 1977 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 20 May 1987 – COMTRAWING-2 - NAS Kingsville, TX
  • 156923 c/n 14016
    • 11 Jun 1974 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 31 Aug 1989 - COMTRAWING-6 - NAS Pensacola, FL
  • 156924 c/n 14017
    • 24 Jun 1974 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 28 May 1976 - NARF - NAS Pensacola, FL
  • 156925 c/n 14018
    • 26 Jun 1974 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 31 Jul 1988 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
  • 156942 c/n 14035
    • 17 Jun 1974 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 26 Feb 1980 - VT-24 - NAS Chase Field, TX
  • 156946 c/n 14039
    • 22 May 1974 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 08 May 1975 - JTTU - NAS Kingsville, TX
  • 158124 c/n 14161
    • 01 Sep 1977 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 22 Feb 1980 - VT-24 - NAS Chase Field, TX
  • 158140 c/n 14177
    • 23 May 1974 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 21 Sep 1979 - VT-24 - NAS Chase Field, TX
  • 158469 c/n 14274
    • 26 Jun 1975 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 21 Sep 1979 - VT-24 - NAS Chase Field, TX
  • 158478 c/n 14283
    • 21 May 1974 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 07 Sep 1989 – COMTRAWING-6 - NAS Pensacola, FL
  • 158489 c/n 14294
    • 04 Dec 1985 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 28 Jul 1988 – COMTRAWING-6 - NAS Pensacola, FL
  • 159796 c/n 14495
    • 08 Jan 1976 - VT-86 - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 06 Oct 1989 - COMTRAWING-6 - NAS Pensacola, FL