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Intro | Newcomer's Information | HousinG | facilities and services
Morale, welfare & recreation | Commands at NAS KINGSVILLE
Quick REference numbers
Each year, approximately 200 students report to Training Air Wing TWO for Undergraduate Jet Pilot Training. These students report to one of two training squadrons, Training Squadron Twenty-One (VT-21) or Training Squadron Twenty-Two (VT-22). The Training Air Wing is responsible for providing the fleet with newly winged Navy and Marine Corps aviators. The Air Wing consists of approximately 200 student naval aviators, 75 instructor pilots, and 105 T-45A and T-45C “Goshawk” aircraft. Introduced to NAS Kingsville in 1992, the Goshawk is part of the T-45A Training System (TS) developed by McDonnell Douglas, now Boeing Aircraft Company. The students undergo a rigorous training syllabus in the T-45 Goshawk on the way to earning their Wings of Gold.
Students report to Training Air Wing TWO at NAS Kingsville from primary flight training at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, or NAS Whiting Field, Milton, Fla. Upon arrival, they immediately begin 9-12 months of training at NAS Kingsville.
The Training Air Wing TWO Ground Training Department provides for classroom instruction, computer- aided instruction, and flight simulation
in instrument and operational flight trainers. L-3 Communications contract maintenance and support departments provide the Navy with maintenance and upkeep of the aircraft, support for the aircrew’s flight gear. Fidelity Technologies, Inc. provides support for all of the ground
and simulator instruction.
Strike Instructor Training School, also a part of Training Air Wing TWO, prepares winged fleet aviators to become flight instructors in the T-45.
Training begins in the Ground Training department of Training Wing TWO and consists of three weeks of classroom instruction. Students attend classes on subjects that include Engineering (T-45A/C), Aerodynamics, Meteorology, Flight Rules and Regulations, and Instrument Navigation. During this ground school training students also begin simulator events that teach capabilities and systems in the T-45A/C and how to deal with malfunctions of those systems.
The T-45 TS Strike Flight Curriculum is comprised of 16 flight stages. During these 16 stages students will fly approximately 156 hours. This includes nearly 47 hours of solo flight time. Students will also fly approximately 96 hours in aircraft simulators before they complete the syllabus.
The first eight stages of training are designed to introduce the student naval aviator to jet aircraft and provide a basis for future stages. They include Instrument training, Jet Familiarization flights, Formation flights, Night Familiarization flights, and Land Based Carrier Qualifications.
During these stages the students are qualified to fly solo in the T-45 in all weather conditions, they learn to fly in two and four plane formation flights, and they learn how to land the T-45 the same way they will on an aircraft carrier at sea.
The 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 has replaced the T-2 Buckeye trainer and the TA-4 trainer with an integrated training system that includes the T-45 Goshawk aircraft, operations and instrument fighter simulators, academics, and training integration system.
There are two versions of T-45 aircraft currently in operational use at Kingsville: the T-45A and T-45C. The T-45A, which became operational in 1991, contains an analog design cockpit. The T-45C, which became operational in 1997, is built around a digital “glass cockpit” design.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Contractor: Boeing Company
Unit Cost: $17.2 million
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 9,394 pounds (4,261 kg)
Speed: 645 miles per hour (1038 km per hour)
Ceiling: 42,500 feet
Range: 700 nautical miles (805 statute miles, 1288 km)
Armament: None
Crew: Two (instructor pilot, student pilot)
The mission of Training Squadron Twenty-One (VT-21) is to conduct advanced pilot training for the carrier jet aviators of the future. Originally commissioned as ATU-202 in April 1951, the squadron 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 of VT-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 squadron’s outstanding safety record over the years. 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 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.
The Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award has been presented to VT-21 on numerous occasions. This prestigious award is given annually to the squadron with the best safety record in its class. VT-21 won it in 1962, 1965, 1971, 1974, 1976, 1979, 1988, 1990, 1996, 1998, and 1999. For 1982 and 1984, VT-21 was awarded the CNATRA Training Effectiveness Award for the Best Advanced Training Squadron. In 1976, 1985, and 1996 the squadron was awarded the Vice Admiral Robert Goldwaite Award singling out VT-21 as number one of the 20 training squadrons in CNATRA.
VT-21 was the first squadron to transition to the new T-45 Training System. This transition from the Douglas TA-4J “Skyhawk” to the T-45 “Goshawk” began in February 1992, with the first students training in January 1993. The T-45TS combines the newest technologies and teaching techniques to enable the Naval Aviation Training Command to produce a more capable and better Naval Aviator than ever before. Students are taught on state-of-the-art visual simulators, more up-to-date instrument simulators, a computer classroom with better visual displays, and the best and newest training aircraft in the world.
Training Squadron Twenty-Two (VT-22) was first formed on June 13, 1949 at Naval Air Auxiliary Station, Corpus Christi, Texas, to furnish jet transitional training for newly designated naval aviators. Designated Advanced Training Unit SIX (ATU-6), it received its first aircraft, a TV-1, in July of that year. This was the first unit in the training command to instruct in jet aircraft.
After only two months, the unit transferred to NAS Whiting Field, Milton, Fla., and was re-designated Jet Transitional Training Unit One (JTTU-1). The squadron’s mission was extended to include training of fleet pilots. During this period, the unit transitioned the U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, the “Blue Angels”, to jet aircraft.
On Aug. 20, 1951, JTTU-1 moved to its present location at NAS Kingsville, Texas, and was re-designated Advanced Training Unit Three (ATU-3). Late in 1952, ATU-3 became ATU-200. The squadron’s mission consisted of training newly designated aviators in Familiarization, Formation Tactics, Instruments and Navigation. ATU-200 was re-designated ATU-212, and with the new name, came the mission of all-weather flight training.
In February 1958, ATU-212 began replacing its TV’s with the F9F-8 and F9F-8T “Cougar.” The syllabus was also expanded to include ordnance delivery and carrier qualification. In May 1960, ATU-212 was re-designated VT-22.
In September 1970, VT-22 transitioned to the TA-4J “Skyhawk,” a two-seat version of the attack bomber employed by the Navy and Marine Corps in Vietnam.
In September 1994, the Golden Eagles transitioned to the Boeing T-45A “Goshawk.” Based on the British “Hawk”, the T-45A is a tandem-seat, carrier-borne jet specifically built for the training of Naval and Marine Corps Aviators. T-45 Total System (TS), which includes an advanced aircraft simulator, has enabled the T-45A to replace both the intermediate T-2C “Buckeye” and the advanced TA4-J “Skyhawk” curricula, resulting in substantial training cost savings.
The primary mission of VT-22 is to conduct strike jet training for student naval aviators. TS flight training is sequenced into 13 distinct modules consisting of 123 sorties totaling 156 hours, 70 simulator events totaling 99 hours, 66 academic events totaling 91 hours, and 89 flight support events totaling 112 hours. Upon completion, Navy and Marine Corps Officers are designated as Naval Aviators and receive their coveted “Wings of Gold”.
BLDG 2741, PHONE: 516-6301
The Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) Detachment for Maintenance/Contracts is responsible for performing surveillance of Naval Air Training Command aviation maintenance contracts. It monitors contracts for the TA-45A/C Goshawk aircraft. The Goshawk and related ground training devices are the means by which Training Wing TWO, with Training Squadrons VT-21 and VT-22, provide jet fighter pilot training to student Naval Aviators at Kingsville.
Currently, L-3 Vertex has the contract to provide aircraft maintenance on the TA-45A/C and Rolls-Royce has the F405 Power-by-the-Hour
engine contract. Although the contractors have their own Quality Control Inspectors, the CNATRA Maintenance Detachment’s job is to ensure strict compliance. This is accomplished through a series of process audits, which are conducted by CNATRA personnel who have the appropriate training in contract surveillance. Part of the student training for Student Naval Aviators requires them to go on Detachments to other bases and aboard aircraft carriers. This means the contractor and CNATRA personnel must go, too. Detachment periods range from one to three weeks
in length.
BLDG. 3731 PHONE: (361) 592-3284
The Kingsville Sector of the U.S. Boarder Patrol is now a major tenant command on board the Air Station. With nearly 250 agents assigned to the command, the Kingsville Sector plays an important role in manning the Sarita Checkpoint. In addition to performing checkpoint duties, agents perform highway interdiction operations, brush crew details, train checks, and ATV operations.
KINGSVILLE DETACHMENT, BLDG 2751
PHONE: NAS KINGSVILLE (361) 516-6221 / NAS CORPUS CHRISTI (361) 961-2880
FISC Jacksonville Detachment Kingsville’s mission is to provide logistics support to NAS Kingsville, Training Wing TWO (TW-2) and 26 tenant commands. Comprised of Aircraft Refueling, liquid and Aviator Breathing Oxygen (ABO) and Liquid and gaseous nitrogen, the FISCJ Detachment supports flight operations for TWII and its 90 T-45 jet trainer aircraft. Other functions include Retail Supply warehousing operations, providing receipt, stowage and issue of flight gear, packaging, shipping and receiving of Depot Level Repairables for the contracted aviation maintenance
and Ground Electronic maintenance shops, and general material support. The BAE contract employees at this site also support items being shipped to the local Defense Reutilization Material Organization on board NAS Corpus Christi, and invoice certification. Military Postal operations were absorbed in CY04 and continue to support all activities on the base.
Through Naval Supply Systems Command Transformation initiatives, FISC Jacksonville has evolved from a local storefront operation with several remote regional sites to a unified and decentralized single point provider of supply chain and logistics products and services for all Navy activities throughout the southeast region, from Texas to Puerto Rico.
FISC Jacksonville manages a combined budget of $115 million and a workforce of approximately 1100 personnel at 26 sites, delivering combat capability through logistics, at the right level and the right cost.
PHONE: (361) 6464 / 6368
The Public Works (PW) team consists of military officers, Navy Working Capital Fund (NWCF) and Commander Navy Installation Command (CNIC) employees working under the major component of NAVFAC-SE. The team works together to support the mission of providing public works services to NAS Kingsville, Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (NALF) at Orange Grove, McMullen Target Site and Escondido Ranch. Public Works Department also provides in-house and contract support and is responsible for facility planning, design, construction, maintenance, environmental, hazardous waste management, energy conservation, utilities systems plant operations, transportation, recycling, and self-help coordination.
The detachment at NAS Kingsville is an Army Platoon-size unit with approximately 50 Soldiers assigned. There are three full-time Army Reserve staff members (Active Guard Reserves or AGRs) assigned on board, with headquarters located in Brownsville, Texas.
There are five major contract employers on the Naval Air Station. L-3 Communications/L-3 Vertex is the largest more than 400 employees. L-3 holds the maintenance contract for the T-45 and Training Air Wing TWO. The second largest contract employer is Fidelity Technologies, with just over 60 employees, which handles simulator training for the Chief of Naval Air Training. Rolls-Royce handles engine maintenance and testing for the T-45, while Symtech and Probabdo Technologies provide administrative support to squadrons and host commands.
L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace (L-3 Vertex), based in Madison, Miss., provides aviation maintenance and logistics support primarily for U.S. Government customers. The company has more than 11,000 employees at 300 locations worldwide (33 states and 32 countries), supporting 3,600 military and government aircraft, ground vehicles and systems in our nation’s fight on global terrorism.
Securiguard Inc., is the contract security company for the Naval Air Station. Securiguard employs approximately 90 personnel providing services to NAS Kingsville, tenant commands and activities, and NALF Orange Grove. These services include: gate guards, vehicle inspections, flightline and surveillance teams; as well administrative assistants, an armorer, alarm monitors, pass & tag clerks, a supply budget clerk, and an assistant trainer for ASF/ NSF training. Recruiting is done through the Securiguard office located at the Kleberg bank building in downtown Kingsville, 100 Kleberg Ave., Room 204, (361) 516-1225.
The Navy Region Southeast Newcomers' Guide is published by Benchmark Publications Incorporated, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Navy, under exclusive written contract with The Navy Region Southeast. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Navy or Benchmark Publications, Incorporated of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. The Navy Region Southeast Newcomers' Guide is an unofficial publication authorized by AR 360-81. Editorial content is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of Navy Region Southeast All photos are provided by the Public Affairs Office unless stated otherwise.
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WELCOME
