Squadron History

Established: May 25, 2007

Nine Years of Rotary Wing Training Excellence

Helicopter Training Squadron TWENTY EIGHT (HT-28), based aboard Naval Air Station Whiting Field, is the United States Navy's newest helicopter training squadron. For nine years the squadron's motto has been "Professionalism, Integrity, and Judgment." It's mission is to provide primary and advanced helicopter training for United States Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Allied Student Naval Aviators selected for rotary-wing designation.

Since the establishment of Helicopter Training Unit ONE (HTU-1) on December 3rd 1950, the mission to train rotary wing aviators has remained the same, although the curriculum and aircraft utilized have evolved as the strategic importance and complexity of the fleet's helicopters has grown. The squadron designation changed one more time in 1957, to Helicopter Training Group ONE, before it was re-designated for the last time on July 1st 1960. As the eighth training unit designated by the Naval Air Basic Training Command, the squadron became Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHT.

In 1962, the first student was simultaneously designated a Naval Aviator and helicopter pilot. Prior to this, advanced rotary wing training was only available to previously designated fixed wing Naval Aviators. In March of 1972, HT-8 moved to its present location at NAS Whiting Field. This move was coupled with the establishment of a sister squadron, Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHTEEN (HT-18). HT-8 was responsible for the basic helicopter instruction while HT-18 conducted the advance instrument and tactics portion of the curriculum. In October 1985, HT-8 and HT-18, became "mirror image" squadrons with both teaching the entire training syllabus. On November 1st 1985, HT-8 designated its first Naval Aviator since moving to Whiting Field in 1972.

On May 25th 2007, both HT-8 and HT-18 detached one third of their personnel to form Helicopter Training Squadron TWENTY EIGHT. In honor of their historical links to the original helicopter squadron, both sister squadrons retained the numeral eight in their designations.

HT-28, also known as the "Hellions", received its name from VMF-218. VMF-218 was originally commissioned on 15 September 1943. The squadron's first combat action was on February 15, 1944 when they covered the allied landing on Green Island. During their time on Green Island, VMF-218 was one of a few Marine squadrons that allowed civilian contractor Charles Lindbergh to fly strikes against the Japanese garrison. Another famous Hellion was Colonel John Glenn, USMC (Ret.), a Marine pilot, MERCURY astronaut and a Senator from Ohio. He flew several patrol missions for VMF-218 in Northern China from 1947-1948. He assisted in transferring the squadron back to Guam, where it was then deactivated on December 31, 1949 as part of the post-war draw-down of forces.