The Sidewinders of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86 recently achieved the crucial certification.
VFA-86, the third squadron of the U.S. Navy to be equipped with the F-35C Lightning II aircraft, achieved the Safe-For-Flight Operations Certification (SFFOC), according to a public statement released on Oct. 22, 2024. The SFFOC is a certification awarded to squadrons that have proved to be ready to conduct flight operations safely and effectively. The certification confirms that a squadron has met specific standards in terms of maintenance, personnel training, safety procedures, and operational readiness.
The SFFOC process ensures the squadron is manned with qualified personnel to implement maintenance and safety programs in support of fleet operations. All transitioning squadrons are required to complete this certification prior to independently conducting flight operations.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the Winder Team for reaching this milestone,” said Cmdr. Nathan Staples, VFA-86’s Commanding Officer. “Since starting our transition in February 2023, the team has excelled, and I’m excited for what’s ahead as we continue to set the standard for the Lightning II community.”
The squadron began transitioning from the F/A-18E Super Hornet in September 2023 after flying both the Legacy Hornet and the “Super Bug” aircraft for 36 years.
Nearly 200 personnel completed training at Eglin AFB, Fla., and NAS Lemoore, while nine pilots finished their flight syllabus with the VFA-125 “Rough Raiders”, the Navy’s F-35C Fleet Replacement Squadron, also completing tactical training at the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center and TOPGUN.
Raider305 an f35c from vfa86 using a rough raider callsign pic.twitter.com/B7ROswy0o9
— wavy (@wavy_zyro) July 29, 2024
After hitting key milestones like earning a perfect score on the Conventional Weapons Technical Proficiency Inspection and receiving the highest Maintenance Program Assist inspection rating, VFA-86 was awarded Interim Safe for Flight certification in June 2024. In July, they completed their first operations aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68), leading to Full Safe for Flight certification.
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“Our success comes from proactive management, engaged leadership, and our Sailors’ can-do spirit,” said AFCM Rich Brickey, VFA-86 Maintenance Master Chief. “They’ve excelled in every area and will continue to rise to the occasion.”
VFA-86 is the third operational F-35C squadron, after the VFA-147 “Argonauts” and VFA-97 “Warhawks”. As already explained, the VFA-125 “Rough Raiders” is the type’s Fleet Replacement Squadron, responsible of training of Naval Aviators, Naval Flight Officers (NFOs) and enlisted Naval Aircrewmen on the F-35C Carrier Variant of the Lightning II 5th generation aircraft. Both the operational squadrons and the FRS are part of the Joint Strike Fighter Wing Pacific, also headquartered at NAS Lemoore.
VFA-86 Sidewinders History
Originally formed as Fighter Squadron 921 at Naval Air Station St. Louis during the Korean War, Strike Fighter Squadron 86 (VFA-86) traces its roots back to February 1951. In 1953, while deployed aboard USS ANTIETAM (CV 36), the squadron was renamed VF-84, and two years later, it became VA-86 “Sidewinders.”
Between 1955 and 1987, the Sidewinders flew a variety of aircraft, including the F4-U “Corsair,” F8F-2 “Bearcat,” F9F-5 “Panther,” A4D-1 “Skyhawk,” and A-7 Corsair II, deploying to different regions such as the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. Notably, the squadron took part in four combat deployments during the Vietnam War, where it played a critical role in mine clearance operations and earned the Meritorious Unit Commendation.
In the 1970s and 80s, as part of Carrier Air Wing operations aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68), the Sidewinders earned numerous accolades, including the COMNAVAIRLANT “Battle E” and the Admiral Wade McClusky Award. The squadron transitioned to the F/A-18C Hornet in 1987, and in 1989, they deployed with Carrier Air Wing ONE aboard USS AMERICA (CV 66).
In the early 2000s, VFA-86 participated in major operations like Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) following the 9/11 attacks and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The squadron’s “Ironman” deployment aboard USS Theodore Rooselvelt (CVN 71) set a Naval Aviation record with 157 consecutive days at sea.
The Sidewinders transitioned to the F/A-18E Super Hornet in 2011, moving from MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station) Beaufort, South Carolina, to NAS Lemoore, California. Since then, they have participated in key operations and exercises, including RIMPAC, and completed successful deployments in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) with Carrier Air Wing 7 and Carrier Strike Group 12.
In 2022, it was revealed that the squadron would transition to the F-35C Lightning II in 2023. Commander Daniel Krause, the VFA-86 Commanding Officer at the time, confirmed on April 22, 2023, that the squadron was still on schedule for this “exciting transition.” Between May 28 and Nov. 13, 2023, the official U.S. Navy description of the squadron was updated from “VFA-86 is an F/A-18E Super Hornet strike fighter squadron attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7” to “VFA-86 is an F-35C Lightning II strike fighter squadron attached to Joint Strike Fighter Wing Pacific,” indicating the transition had been successfully completed.
