The MISSION of Training Squadron TEN is to provide world class Primary & Intermediate Student Naval Flight Officer training and prepare aircrew to fly with courage, fight with honor, and lead with commitment.
In 1960, Training Squadron TEN (VT-10) was established as a division of the Training Department of NAS Pensacola and was known as the Basic Naval Aviation Officers (BNAO) School. It was strictly a ground training operation until the school was assigned nine UC-45J "Navigators" and six T-2A "Buckeyes" in February 1962. The T-2As were soon replaced with nine T-1A "Sea Star" aircraft. In 1965, Naval Aviation Observers were re-designated as Naval Flight Officers (NFOs) and in 1968, BNAO School was officially commissioned as VT-10.
By November 1970, VT-10 had trained over 6,000 student NFOs. In 1971, VT-10 transitioned to the T-39D "Sabreliner" jet trainer and the TF-9J "Cougar" which was replaced two years later by the newer T-2C "Buckeye."
The squadron doubled in size between 1972 and 1974 to accommodate an increased training requirement, maintaining 40 aircraft: ten T-39Ds and thirty T-2Cs. During the 1970s several flight ground trainers were introduced to the syllabus, including the 1D23 NAV/comm trainer, the 2F90 instrument trainer, and the 2F101 flight simulator. In 1981, a reassignment of aircraft within NATRACOM replaced VT-10's T-2C aircraft with T-2Bs. The squadron revised its training in 1984 and acquired twenty T-34C "Turbo Mentors". Cessna T-47As replaced the T-39Ds in 1985.
During 1991, revolutionary changes were made to the NFO syllabus. To improve NFO air sense and situational awareness, 40 additional flight hours were placed in the curriculum allowing instruction in basic piloting skills including aerobatics, takeoffs and landings. The same year, the squadron replaced the T-47A with the T-39N "Sabreliner" which had upgraded avionics and radar. The T-2Bs and the air combat maneuvering syllabus were transferred to Training Squadron EIGHTY-SIX (VT-86). At the same time, VT-10 acquired 20 additional T-34Cs and 2 new 2B37 instrument trainers for primary and intermediate training.
In 1994, the first U.S. Air Force instructors and student navigators (NAVs) reported to VT-10 under a joint memorandum of agreement between the services. The agreement included the 1996 transition from the T-39N to the Air Force T-1A "Jayhawk" as the training platform for the Intermediate syllabus events. In April 1996, VT-10 split instructor and student assets to assist in the establishment of Training Squadron FOUR (VT-4) as a second NFO/NAV Primary/Intermediate Training Squadron. VT-10 consisted of Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps staff which trained over 400 Navy and Air Force student navigators annually. From 1997 until 2009, command of VT-10 alternated between the Navy and Air Force.
In the fall of 2002, VT-10 received the first T-6A Texan, which replaced the aging T-34C, and began upgrading instructors for the new aircraft. This more capable aircraft was a significant upgrade from the T-34 and brought training into the 21st century. By June of 2003, VT-10 had flown its first student in the T-6 and began instruction in the new curriculum. The squadron flew its last T-34 sortie in June 2005.
In 2009 the Air Force established the Combat Systems Officer School in Pensacola, which took over the Air Force navigator training, and VT-10 returned to an all Navy-Marine Corps Squadron. In 2010, VT-4 was incorporated into VT-10 in a "Cadre" status wherein VT-4's squadron personnel and equipment were integrated into VT-10. This change was put in place to facilitate the new Undergraduate Military Flight Officer (UMFO) syllabus' transition.
In 2012 VT-10's Undergraduate Military Flight Officer (UMFO) Department began an incredibly robust endeavor in the complete rewrite of the Ground Syllabus for the Advanced Multi-Crew Simulator. In June 2013, the VT-4 "Warbucks" emerged from cadre status to establish the new Multi-Crew Simulator training device, which later became fully operational in October 2014. They are the Navy's first simulator-only training squadron, providing Advanced Training in preparation for big wing aircraft.
In 2014 VT-10 continues to operate under the Undergraduate Military Flight Officer (UMFO) syllabus, providing Primary and Intermediate flight training to Navy, Marine Corps, Saudi Arabian, Norwegian, German, and Singaporean students. To this date, VT-10 provides the sole primary training for USN, USMC, and International Student Naval Flight Officers (SNFOs) through the T-6A Naval Flight Officer Training Syllabi (NFOTS) for integration into numerous fleet platforms.
VT-10 has been awarded 6 Meritorious Unit Commendations and 2 Chief of Naval Education and Training "Shore/Technical Training Excellence Awards", the most recent in 2016. "Wildcat" safety initiatives have earned the squadron 30 Chief of Naval Operations Safety Awards, most recently in 2016. Additionally due to the squadron's incredible safety record it has received the ADM John H. Towers Award for safety in 1978, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2013. VT-10's training and production is also well recognized. The squadron received the CDR Theodore G. Ellyson Aviation Production Excellence Award in 2004, 2006, 2010, and 2019 and the VADM Robert Goldthwaite Award for Training Excellence 6 times. The squadron's safety publication "The Scratching Post" garnered VT-10 4 Grampaw Pettibone awards, with the most recent being in 2020.
VT-10 was awarded the SECNAV Safety Excellence, CNO Safety "S", and CNATRA Training Excellence Awards for CY 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018. VT-10 has and will continue to aggressively meet the challenges of a changing training environment and continues to proudly serve as the "NFO Gateway to the Fleet."