VFA-86, the Navy’s third F-35C squadron, earns full safe flight certification

Sidewinders from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86 recently achieved a key certification.

VFA-86, the U.S. Navy’s third F-35C Lightning II-equipped squadron, has achieved Safe-For-Flight Operations Certification (SFFOC), according to a public statement released Oct. 22, 2024. SFFOC is a certificate awarded to squadrons that have demonstrated readiness to conduct flight operations safely and effectively. Certification confirms that the squadron has met specific standards for maintenance, personnel training, safety procedures and operational readiness.

The SFFOC process ensures that the squadron is staffed with qualified personnel to implement maintenance and safety programs in support of fleet operations. All transition squadrons must complete this certification before conducting flight operations independently.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Team Winder for achieving this milestone,” said Cmdr. Nathan Staples, commander of VFA-86. “Since the transition began in February 2023, the team has performed exceptionally well and I look forward to what lies ahead as we continue to set the standard for the Lightning II community.”

The squadron began the transition from the F/A-18E Super Hornet in September 2023, after 36 years of flying both the Legacy Hornet and the “Super Bug” aircraft.

Nearly 200 personnel completed training at Eglin AFB, Florida, and NAS Lemoore, while nine pilots completed the flight program in VFA-125 “Rough Raiders,” the replacement squadron for the Navy’s F-35C fleet, also completing tactical training at the Naval Air Warfare Development Center and TOPGUN.

Raider305 and f35c from vfa86 using the approximate raider call sign pic.twitter.com/B7ROswy0o9

— wavy (@wavy_zyro) July 29, 2024

After achieving key milestones such as a perfect score on the Conventional Weapons Technical Proficiency Inspection and receiving the highest rating on the Maintenance Program Assistant inspection, VFA-86 was certified as Interim Safe Flight in June 2024. In July, they completed their first operations aboard the USS Nimitz ( CVN 68), leading to Full Safe for Flight certification.

“Our success is the result of proactive management, committed leadership and the can-do spirit of our Sailors,” Rich Brickey, VFA-86 chief maintenance officer, told AFCM. “They excel in every area and will continue to rise to the occasion.”

VFA-86 is the third operational F-35C squadron, following VFA-147 “Argonauts” and VFA-97 “Warhawks”. As already explained, VFA-125 “Rough Raiders” is the type’s fleet replacement squadron, responsible for training naval aviators, naval flight officers (NFOs), and naval aircrew on the F-35C 5th Generation Lightning II aircraft carrier. Both the operational and FRS squadrons are part of Joint Strike Fighter Wing Pacific, also based at NAS Lemoore.

History of the VFA-86 Sidewinders

Originally formed as the 921st Fighter Squadron at Naval Air Station St. Louis during the Korean War, Strike Fighter Squadron 86 (VFA-86) traces its origins to February 1951. In 1953, while deployed aboard the USS ANTIETAM (CV 36), the squadron was redesignated VF-84 and two years later on VA-86 “Sidewinders”.

From 1955 to 1987, 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, deployed to various regions , such as the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and Southeast Asia. Notably, the squadron participated in four combat operations during the Vietnam War, where it played a key role in mine clearance operations and earned the Distinguished Unit Commendation.

During the 1970s and 1980s, as part of Operation Carrier Air Wing aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Sidewinders earned numerous awards, including the COMNAVAIRLANT “Battle E” Award and the Admiral Wade McClusky Award. In 1987, the squadron transitioned to the F/A-18C Hornet and in 1989 deployed with Carrier Air Wing ONE aboard the USS AMERICA (CV 66).

In the early 21st century, VFA-86 participated in major operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) following the September 11 attacks and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The squadron’s Ironman deployment aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) set a naval aviation record with 157 consecutive days at sea.

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 successfully deployed 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, then-commander of VFA-86, confirmed on April 22, 2023, that the squadron was still on schedule for this “exciting transition.” From May 28 to November 13, 2023, the official U.S. Navy squadron description 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 that the transition has been successfully completed.