NAVAL AIR STATION
KINGSVILLE
strike pipeline, flying the EA-6B Prowler, EA-18G Growler, F/A-18 C/D Hornet, or the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet. Upon selection, they move on to Fleet Replacement Squadrons where they will learn their fleet aircraft.
Boeing T-45 "Goshawk"
The Boeing, T-45 "Goshawk", flown at NAS Kingsville, is a tandem-seat, carrier capable, jet trainer used to train Navy and Marine Corps pilots. A Navy version of the British Aerospace 'Hawk' aircraft, it is used for intermediate and advanced portions of the Navy/ Marine Corps pilot training program for jet carrier aviation and tactical strike missions. The T-45 replaced the T-2 ‘Buckeye’ trainer and the TA-4 ‘Skyhawk’ trainer with an integrated training system that includes the aircraft, operations and instrument fighter simulators, academics, and training integration system.
Training Squadron Twenty One (VT-21) "The Fighting Redhawks"
Phone: (361) 516-6440 / DSN: 876-6440 www.cnatra.navy.mil/tw2/vt2l/ Originally commissioned as ATU202 in April 1951, VT-21 began training students in the F-6F "Hellcats." May 1954 was the first time students were trained in a combat aircraft, the F9F 'Panther.' The 'Panthers' were replaced in January 1958 by another Grumman cat, the swept-wing F-9F8 'Cougar.' The squadron was re-designated VT-21 on May 21, 1960. Within the next year, the squadron flew 15,216 consecutive accident-free hours, and was the first advanced jet training squadron to accomplish this feat. In 1970, after 12
years of service, the 'Cougar' was replaced by the Douglas TA-4J 'Skyhawk.' VT-21 set a record for advanced jet training squadrons in 1972. The instructors and students ofVT-21 logged a total of 60,850 accident-free hours. That same year, the squadron was presented with a Meritorious Unit Commendation. A long list of awards attests to the squad¬ron's outstanding safety record over the years. The Admiral John H. Towers Flight Safety Award was presented to VT-21 in 1968. All 19 jet and propeller squadrons that were part of the Naval Training Command competed for this award. In 1972, the squadron was presented with its 17th ACES (Alertness, Competence, Effectiveness and Safety) Award. This award was presented by the Chief of Naval Air Training for distinguished performance in aviation safety. The Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award has been presented
BOEING T-45 "GOSHAWK" GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS CONTRACTOR: Boeing Company PROPULSION: Rolls Royce F405-RR-401 turbofan engine with 5,527 pounds thrust WINGSPAN: 30 feet 10 inches (9.39 meters) LENGTH: 39 feet 4 inches (11.98 meters) HEIGHT: 13 feet 6 inches (4.11 meters) WEIGHT: Take-off maximum gross, 13,500 pounds (6,075 kg) empty 9,394pounds (4,261 kg) SPEED: 645 miles per hour CEILING: 42,500 feet RANGE: 700 nautical miles (805 statute miles) ARMAMENT: None CREW: Two (instructor pilot, student pilot)
78 | MILITARY RELOCATION GUIDE
