VT-7

File:Torpedo Squadron 7 (United States Navy) insignia c1943.png

Training Squadron SEVEN (VT-7) is the second squadron to be designated VT-7. In 1927, the squadron was established as Torpedo Squadron SEVEN flying the Martin T3M.{{cite web |title=NH 95936 Martin T3M-2s |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-95000/NH-95936.html |website=history.navy.mil |publisher=Naval History and Heritage Command |access-date=4 March 2023}} In 1946, VT was discontinued as a designation for US Navy air squadrons.{{cite book |last1=Grossnick |first1=Roy A. |title=Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons |date=1995 |publisher=Naval Historical Center |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=0-945274-29-7 |page=539 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_IXfAAAAMAAJ}}

In July 1958, Advanced Training Unit (ATU)-105 and ATU-205, located at Naval Air Station Memphis, consolidated to form Basic Training Group Seven (BTG-7).{{cite web |title=VT-7 |url=http://skyhawk.org/article-unit/vt7 |website=skyhawk.org |access-date=4 March 2023}} BTG-7 trained using the T-28 Trojan and T-29 Seastar.{{cite web |title=Squadron History |url=https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/tw1/vt7/history.asp |website=www.cnatra.navy.mil |publisher=US Navy |access-date=4 March 2023}} In July 1960, BTG-7 was based at NAS Kingsville and was redesignated Training Squadron SEVEN (VT-7).{{cite journal |last1=Smith |first1=J. V., Captain |title=A Status Report: The Naval Leadership Program |journal=Naval Training Bulletin |date=1960 |issue=Winter 1960 |page=4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ITSqLR9slGsC}}{{cite book |last1=Grossnick |first1=Roy A. |title=United States Naval Aviation, 1910-1995 |date=1995 |publisher=Naval Historical Center |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=0-945274-34-3 |page=698 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MMs4L3zDrigC}} In July 1961, VT-7 moved to NAS Meridian. Five months later, VT-7 split to form VT-9. In 1994, VT-23 was transferred from Training Air Wing Two to NAS Meridian, bringing the total number of training squadrons at NAS Meridian to three. In 1999, the Navy decreased the number of squadrons in Training Air Wing One to two to mirror the total number of squadrons in Training Air Wing Two and deactivated VT-23. The instructors from VT-23 were moved to VT-7.{{cite journal |title=Deactivated: VT-23 Professionals |journal=Naval Aviation News |date=2000 |issue=March-April 2000 |page=9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JCormYkJ4WgC}}

From 1962 to 1971, VT-7 operated the T-2A Buckeye. By 1972, the Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk began being used to train pilots for advanced strike missions. VT-7 was the only Training Squadron to use the TA-4J to train foreign military pilots, including pilots from France, Spain, Italy, Kuwait, Thailand, Brazil, and Singapore. The last TA-4J left NAS Meridian in October 1999 and was transferred to Davis–Monthan Air Force Base for storage.{{cite book |last1=Winchester |first1=Jim |title=Douglas A-4 Skyhawk: Attack & Close-Support Fighter Bomber |date=2005 |publisher=Pen & Sword Books |location=Barnsley, Yorkshire |isbn=1-84415-085-2 |page=212 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ubDgAwAAQBAJ}} The T4-AJ was replaced by the T-45C Goshawk as the primary training aircraft in 1999.

VT-7 has trained over 4,200 US military aviators and over 360 foreign military aviators.

The squadron has been awarded twenty Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Awards.

VT-7 has the identical mission of its sister squadron, VT-9: to further train US Navy, USMC, and select foreign military pilots in intermediate and advanced flight training.{{cite web |title=Our Mission |url=https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/tw1/vt7/ |website=www.cnatra.navy.mil/tw1 |access-date=5 March 2023}} After primary flight training is completed at NAS Whiting Field or NAS Corpus Christi, students are assigned to one of five advanced flight training paths: strike training/jet at NAS Meridian or NAS Kingsville, E-2 Hawkeye/C-2 Greyhound at NAS Corpus Christi, Maritime at NAS Corpus Christi, E-6 TACAMO at NAS Corpus Christi, or helicopter/MV-22 at NAS Whiting Field.{{cite web |title=Pipelines: Intermediate and Advanced Flight Training |url=https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/tw4/pipelines.asp |website=www.cnatra.navy.mil/tw4 |publisher=US Navy |access-date=5 March 2023}}

File:US Navy 040417-N-4565G-001 Lt.j.g. Julin Rosemand, assigned to Fixed Wing Training Squadron One (VT-1), completes a successful landing in a T-45C Goshawk aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67).jpg]]

Students assigned to the strike fighter/jet pathway at NAS Meridian are in VT-7 or VT-9. Total training (known as Strike Flight Curriculum) can last eight to twelve months and begins with classroom instruction in engineering, aerodynamics, flight rules, and instrument navigation.{{cite web |title=Strike Flight Training |url=https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/tw1/strike-training.asp |website=www.cnatra.navy.mil/tw1 |publisher=US Navy |access-date=5 March 2023}} Students also begin training in flight simulators, culminating in an instrument rating. After in-flight instruction begins, students ascend through 21 stages of training, including 160 hours of flight time. Training covers instrument flying, two and four-plane formation flights, night flights, and landing before advancing to low-level navigation, bombing with 25-lbs practice bombs, weapons training, and air combat maneuvering. Students complete Field Carrier Landing Practice at NAS Meridian or Joe Williams Outlying Landing Field (OLF). Strike Flight Curriculum culminates in carrier qualification, during which students make their first arrested landing. After successfully completing ten arrested landings and four touch-and-go landings, students earn their Wings of Gold.

Students in the E-2/C-2 pathway may complete Advanced Flight Training at NAS Meridian with VT-7 or VT-9 after completing their initial Advanced Flight Training at NAS Corpus Christi. Advanced Flight Training begins with similar classroom training to the Strike Flight Curriculum. Students then advance through fourteen stages of in-flight training, culminating in carrier qualification.{{cite web |title=T-45 E2/C2: Advanced Flight Training Curriculum |url=https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/tw1/advanced-strike.asp |website=www.cnatra.navy.mil/tw1 |publisher=US Navy |access-date=5 March 2023}}

• History of the United States Navy
• List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
• List of Inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/tw1/vt7/ Official Homepage]
• [https://cnrse.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NAS-Meridian/ NAS Meridian]

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{{Naval Air Training Command}}

{{United States Navy Aircraft Squadrons}}

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Category:Training squadrons of the United States Navy

Category:Military units and formations in Mississippi