Training Air Wing One

Last updated
Training Air Wing ONE
Training Air Wing ONE insignia.png
TW-1 Insignia
ActiveJanuary 1972 - Present
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States of America
Branch United States Department of the Navy Seal.svg United States Navy
Part of Naval Air Training Command.png Naval Air Training Command
Garrison/HQ NAS Meridian.jpg Naval Air Station Meridian
Tail Code A
Commanders
Commodore CAPT Tracey J. Gendreau, USN

Training Air Wing ONE (TW-1 or TRAWING 1) is a United States Navy aircraft training air wing based aboard Naval Air Station Meridian, located 11 miles northeast of Meridian, Mississippi in Lauderdale County and Kemper County. TW-1 is one of five training air wings in the Naval Air Training Command, and consists of two jet training squadrons. The wing trains Student Naval Aviators from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and international allies. Following completion of primary flight training and selection of an advanced training pipeline, Student Naval Aviators are assigned to TW-1 for either intermediate and advanced strike pipeline training or advanced E-2/C-2 training in the T-45C Goshawk jet training aircraft.

Contents

TW-1 produces approximately 50% of the U.S. Navy's tailhook pilots, with the other 50% produced at Training Air Wing Two stationed at NAS Kingsville in Kingsville, Texas. Following the completion of training with TW-1, Student Naval Aviators are designated Naval Aviators and presented with their "Wings of Gold."

Mission

Today, TW-1's mission is to train future U.S. Navy and Marine Student Naval Aviators, along with aviators of allies of the United States. Navy and Marine students are selected from top performing students who have completed primary flight training in the T-6B at either Naval Air Station Whiting Field or Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. [1]

After joining TW-1, students are trained in the T-45C over a 12 month long syllabus consisting of over 130 flights in the aircraft, accumulating over 160 hours. The training syllabus culminates with carrier qualifications (CarQuals). Upon completion of the training syllabus, Student Naval Aviators assigned to TW-1 are designated as Naval Aviators and earn their "Wings of Gold" and receive follow-on assignments with Fleet Replacement Squadrons before their first fleet tour. [2]

The instructor pilot cadre at Training Air Wing ONE is composed of men and women from almost every Navy and Marine Corps aviation community as well as several international military exchange pilots, bringing an enormous array of fleet experience to the training command. Training Air Wing ONE is also tasked with training international military aviators from countries including France, Italy, and Spain. [1]

History

Training Air Wing One (TW-1) was commissioned on August 2, 1971, as the first Training Air Wing to incorporate the single-site training concept. Until that time, jet aviation students received only the basic flight syllabus at NAS Meridian prior to being transferred to bases in Texas for advanced flight training. [1] At the same time Training Squadron Nineteen (VT-19) was established. [3]

October 1971 saw the arrival of the TA-4J, two-seat trainer based on the A-4 "Skyhawk. In October 1998, VT-19 was re-designated VT-9. In July 1994, Training Squadron Twenty-Three (VT-23) moved from Kingsville, Texas, to NAS Meridian. 1st Lt. Karen Fuller Tribbett received her Wings of Gold on October 17, 1997, becoming the first female strike pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps. [3]

The TA-4J "Skyhawk" was retired in 1999. In December of that year, VT-7 assumed the advanced training mission using the T-45C "Goshawk." At that time, VT-23 was disestablished. In July 2004, the last T-2C "Buckeye" left NAS Meridian marking the end of Navy strike pilot training in that aircraft. [3]

Training Squadron Seven (VT-7) converted to an advanced training squadron and the initiation of air-to-air combat gunnery and carrier qualification instruction in Training Squadron Nine (VT-9), student naval aviators (SNA's) were able to complete the entire jet-training syllabus while stationed at NAS Meridian. [1]

The mission of Training Air Wing One is to provide newly designated aviators to the fleet for further training in operational combat aircraft and is conveyed in the wing motto, "Readiness for Victory at Sea Through Training." [1]

Subordinate units

Two T-45C assigned to TW-1 prepare to perform flyover maneuvers for football fans at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium US Navy 061118-M-3924S-006 Two T-45C Goshawk jets from Training Air Wing One (TW-1) prepare to perform flyover maneuvers for football fans at Gator Stadium.jpg
Two T-45C assigned to TW-1 prepare to perform flyover maneuvers for football fans at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

TW-1 consists of two jet intermediate and advanced training squadrons.

CodeInsigniaSquadronNicknameAssigned Aircraft
VT-7 Vt7 insig.jpg Training Squadron 7 Eagles T-45C Goshawk
VT-9 Vt9.gif Training Squadron 9 Tigers T-45C Goshawk

Current force

Fixed-wing aircraft

Strike Flight Curriculum

The T-45 Strike Flight Curriculum is consists of 21 stages split between an Intermediate phase and Advanced phase. During these 21 stages students will fly approximately 160 hours in the T-45C Goshawk of which nearly 40 hours are solo. Student naval aviators or SNAs will also fly approximately 96 hours in aircraft simulators before they complete the syllabus. [4]

First the students complete their Ground School and sims, which lasts between 1 and 1.5 months" (This covers aerodynamics, meteorology, engineering, navigation and emergency procedures). This is followed up by some back-seat rides in the T-45 to cover the instruments. "Phase 1 then sees them start doing cross-country flights, Fams (familiarisation flights-aerobatics, approaches, stalls, emergency landings) and Field Carrier Landing Practice". [5]

During this stage the students are qualified to fly solo in the T-45C in all weather conditions, day and night, they learn to fly in two and four plane formation flights, and they learn how to land the T-45C the same way they will on an Aircraft Carrier. [4]

Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) is the final Intermediate Jet part of the course and this is where the students really begin to ready themselves to be tail-hookers. FCLP is designed to prepare the students for landing on an aircraft carrier and sees them perform 'touch and goes' on a simulated flight deck painted on the runway, observed by a Landing Signals Officer (LSO) who critiques and grades their performance. A Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System (known as the Meatball, or ball) on the runway verge, as fitted to all aircraft carriers and is used to assist the pilot in completing a successful trap on the flight deck. [5] Most of this phase of training takes place at Naval Outlying Field Joe Williams, approximately 25 miles northwest of Naval Air Station Meridian. [6]

The next phase is tactical flying, this covers Air combat manoeuvring (ACM), air to surface attacks with inert ordnance and two-ship low-level formation flights. The final phase of training is Carrier Qualification (CarQual). Pilots must complete ten daytime 'traps' (arrested landings), with four touch & goes aboard an aircraft carrier at sea. On successful completion of the course, Student Naval Aviators assigned to TW-1 are designated as Naval Aviators and earn their "Wings of Gold". [5]

Related Research Articles

McDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk US carrier-based military training aircraft developed from British BAE Hawk

The McDonnell DouglasT-45 Goshawk is a highly modified version of the British BAE Systems Hawk land-based training jet aircraft. Manufactured by McDonnell Douglas and British Aerospace, the T-45 is used by the United States Navy as an aircraft carrier-capable trainer.

North American T-2 Buckeye 1959 training aircraft family by North American Aviation

The North American T-2 Buckeye was the United States Navy's intermediate training aircraft, intended to introduce U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps student naval aviators and student naval flight officers to jets. It entered service in 1959, and was replaced by the McDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk in 2008.

A Naval Flight Officer (NFO) is a commissioned officer in the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps who 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. Until 1966, their duties were performed by both commissioned officer and senior enlisted naval aviation observers (NAO).

VT-4 (United States)

VT-4 Training Squadron 4 is a training squadron of the United States Navy. Initially established as Basic Training Group NINE (BTG-9) in the 1950s, the squadron was redesignated as Training Squadron FOUR (VT-4) on May 1, 1960 and based at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.

Naval Air Station Corpus Christi

Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, is a United States Navy naval air base located six miles (10 km) southeast of the central business district (CBD) of Corpus Christi, in Nueces County, Texas.

Vance Air Force Base US Air Force base near Enid, Oklahoma, United States

Vance Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in southern Enid, Oklahoma, about 65 mi (105 km) north northwest of Oklahoma City. The base is named after local World War II hero and Medal of Honor recipient, Lt Col Leon Robert Vance Jr.

Naval Air Station Whiting Field human settlement in Florida, United States of America

Naval Air Station Whiting Field is a United States Navy base located near Milton, Florida, with some outlying fields near Navarre, Florida, in south and central Santa Rosa County, and is one of the Navy's two primary pilot training bases. NAS Whiting Field provides training for U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force student pilots, as well as those of several allied nations. NAS Whiting Field is home to Training Air Wing Five.

Naval Air Station Meridian

Naval Air Station Meridian or NAS Meridian is a military airport located 11 miles northeast of Meridian, Mississippi in Lauderdale County and Kemper County, and is one of the Navy's two jet strike pilot training facilities.

United States Naval Aviator

A naval aviator is a commissioned officer or warrant officer qualified as a pilot in the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps or United States Coast Guard.

A Combat Systems Officer is a flight member of an aircrew in the United States Air Force and is the mission commander in many multi-crew aircraft. The combat systems officer manages the mission and integrates systems and crew with the aircraft commander to collectively achieve and maintain situational awareness and mission effectiveness. CSOs are trained in piloting, navigation, the use of the electromagnetic spectrum, and are experts in weapon system employment on their specific airframe. Aircrew responsibilities include mission planning, mission timing, weapons targeting and employment, threat reactions, aircraft communications, and hazard avoidance.

VT-9

The VT-9 Tigers is one of four U.S. Navy strike jet training squadrons and one of two based at Naval Air Station Meridian in Mississippi.

VT-10

Training Squadron TEN (VT-10) is a training squadron of the United States Navy. The squadron is homebased at NAS Pensacola, Florida.

VT-86 aircraft training squadron of the United States Navy

Training Squadron 86 (VT-86), also known as the "Sabrehawks," is a United States Navy advanced training squadron based at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. They are a training squadron flying the T-45C Goshawk. Their tailcode is F and their radio callsign is ROKT.

Naval Air Station Kingsville Airport in Texas

Naval Air Station Kingsville or NAS Kingsville (NASK) is a United States Navy Naval Air Station located approximately 3 miles east of Kingsville, Texas in Kleberg County. NAS Kingsville is under the jurisdiction of Navy Region Southeast and is the headquarters of Training Air Wing Two.

HT-28

Helicopter Training Squadron 28 (HT-28) is a United States Navy helicopter training squadron based at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Florida. The squadron, known as the Hellions, is one of three Advanced Helicopter Training squadrons that produces aviators for the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. They fall under the command of Training Air Wing Five and fly both the TH-57B Sea Ranger basic helicopter trainer and the TH-57C Sea Ranger advanced helicopter trainer. The squadron's tactical call sign is "Lucky."

Naval Air Training Command

The Naval Air Training Command (NATRACOM) is a one star command that conducts flight training of student Naval Aviators, and Naval Flight Officers. Though it does not conduct Naval Aircrew training which is conducted by Naval Education and Training Command's Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC), it is responsible for monitoring the production of Aircrewmen through the Naval Aviator Production Process (NAPP). Through the NAPP, NATRACOM is also responsible for programming and monitoring the production of all Navy and Marine Corps Fleet Replacement Squadrons.

VFA-127 1962-1996 United States Navy aviation squadron

VFA-127, nicknamed the Royal Blues from the 1960s to 1980, and the Cyclons from 1981 onward, was a Strike Fighter Squadron of the U.S. Navy. Established as an Attack Squadron designated VA-127 on 15 June 1962 at NAS Lemoore, California, it was redesignated VFA-127 on 1 March 1987 and disestablished on 23 March 1996.

VT-22 U.S. Navy strike jet training squadron

Training Squadron 22 (VT-22) or TRARON TWO TWO, known as the Golden Eagles, callsign "Blazer", is a U.S. Navy strike jet training squadron stationed aboard Naval Air Station Kingsville, flying the T-45C Goshawk. The Golden Eagles are one of four strike jet training squadrons in operation today, and are under the command of Training Air Wing Two.

Training Air Wing Two

Training Air Wing TWO is a United States Navy aircraft training air wing based aboard Naval Air Station Kingsville, in Kingsville, Texas. TW-2 is one of five training air wings in the Naval Air Training Command, and consists of two jet training squadrons. The wing trains Student Naval Aviators from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and international allies. Following completion of primary flight training and selection of an advanced training pipeline, Student Naval Aviators are assigned to TW-2 for either intermediate and advanced strike pipeline training or advanced E-2/C-2 training in the T-45C Goshawk jet training aircraft.

VT-21 U.S. Navy strike jet training squadron

Training Squadron 21 (VT-21), known as the Redhawks, is a U.S. Navy strike jet training squadron stationed aboard Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas flying the T-45C Goshawk. The Redhawks are one of four strike jet training squadrons in operation today, and are under the command of Training Air Wing Two.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Training Wing One" . Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  2. "United States Navy Naval Air Training Command" . Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 "NAS Meridian History" . Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  4. 1 2 "Strike Flight Training" . Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 "Naval Air Training Command" . Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  6. "Naval Air Station Meridian" . Retrieved 16 April 2020.