VT-10 #1 Training Squadron

Wings of Gold, Spring 2006 by Anderson, Susan

Every year, the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) recognizes squadrons throughout the command that stand out above the others by issuing four awards: the CNATRA Training Excellence Award (Primary Squadron), the CNATRA Training Excellence Award (Advanced Squadron), the Vice Admiral Robert Goldthwaite Award for Training Excellence, and the CNATRA Active Reserve Integration Excellence Award. For 2005, the Wildcats of VT-10 at NAS Pensaeola, Florida clinched two of these coveted awards: the CNATRA Training Excellence Award which identifies the best overall primary training squadron, and the VADM Goldthwaite Award which is awarded to the most outstanding squadron in the training command. (VT-10 was also the runner up for the Active Reserve Integration award.)

During 2005, under the leadership of former CO, CDR Martin Cramer, VT-10 provided primary and intermediate level flight training to over 330 USN, USMC and USAF student NFOS and WSOs (Weapons Systems Officers), logging nearly 16,000 hours and over 5,500 sorties. Quality instruction was provided while maintaining an emphasis on professionalism and safety. Retention and morale were at an all-time high. Alter finishing intermediate flight training, 97.5 % of students successfully completed follow-on training. Despite two hurricane evacuations for Dennis and Katrina, student production was solid. VT-10 was the only squadron at NAS Pensacola to exceed CNATRA's 2005 quotas. Also, the squadron's safety record was impeccable with no Class A or B mishaps or flight violations. The year 2005 also saw the end of an era with the phasing out of the T-34C Turbomentor and the transition to the T-6A Texan II as the primary training aircraft.

VT-10 efficiently integrates instructors from all backgrounds and from all services, as well as Reservists. The unit also works very closely with the civilian contractors who maintain the aircraft.

On 11 May 2006, during the Naval Aviation Symposium at the National Museum of Naval Aviation, RADM Donald P. Quinn, CNATRA, recognized the Wildcats of VT-10 by formally presenting LCOL Travis A. Willis, USAF, current VT-10 CO, the VADM Goldthwaite Award. RADM Quinn noted, "It's the small individual inputs everyday that make the difference." Also accepting the award on behalf of the squadron were SAU (Reserve unit) CO CDR Shaun Duane and XO CDR Brian Whitten.

By CAPT Susan Anderson, USAF