VT-22 Golden Eagles

01/02/2023

Happy New Year from the VT-22 Golden Eagles! We have enjoyed a well earned holiday break and now look forward to a productive and safe upcoming year of flying.

We recently held our annual Christmas party aboard NAS Kingsville. Thank you to all those who were able to help with setup and coordination.

12/06/2022

LT Colton "Sadim" Rainey has taken his last flight with VT-22 as an active duty instructor. He fulfilled roles such as Landing Signal Officer (LSO) as well as Assistant Operations Officer (AOPS). He was a fully qualified instructor and added an immense payload to our operations; he will be missed.

"Sadim" is off to fly for United Airlines but will be visiting frequently to serve as a Reserve Instructor. Best of luck!

11/17/2022

Our most recent Hail and Farewell was particularly special. VT-22 wished fair winds and following seas to Commanding Officer, CDR Nathan "Yokel" O'Kelly and his family after 26 years of Naval service. He will be retiring tomorrow, 18NOV2022 and the Change of Command ceremony will be live streamed on this page.

We also said farewell to two amazing instructors; LCDR Zach "Milkshake" Thomas and Chris "Hutch" Hutchison. These two Officers trained hundreds of students and forever left their imprint within Naval and Marine Corps aviation.

Finally, we hailed one new instructor who will become their replacement.

10/19/2022

The VT-22 Golden Eagle family said goodbye to two amazing instructors, LCDR Mitchell "Naomi" Monas and LCDR Austin "Sugar Water" Howard.

These two individuals were incredible instructors and also performed duties as Landing Signal Officers (LSOs) who safely guide pilots for arrestment abord the aircraft carrier. They have impacted the lives of hundreds of students they taught and will be deeply missed.

Best of luck to you both and to your families with your upcoming endeavors!

09/26/2022

One of our students was sent these incredible pictures from a stopover at Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapid, MI. These were taken by a member of the fire fighting department at the airfield. Thanks for the great work!

09/02/2022

VT-22 said farewell to four outstanding instructors in our traditional way - via the "Hail 'n Bail" squadron event. Each instructor was presented with a lithograph and award for their hard work, commitment and dedication to duty.

We also welcomed four new instructors from various backgrounds who will be effectively serving as their replacements.

Fair winds and following seas CDR Johnson, LCDR Cordell, LCDR Hendrix, and LCDR Simpson!

08/17/2022

Congratulations to LT Phil "Beaky" Hendrix on his last flight with VT-22. Beaky is a former E-2D pilot and had a huge impact on our squadron! Best of luck with your new job at United Airlines.

08/11/2022

Last month, the Golden Eagles of VT-22 were busy in El Centro, CA practicing dive bomb delivery and other aspects of the Strike syllabus, such as low level navigation. Over the course of the month, both VT-21 and VT-22 were able to successfully train over 40 students in this part of our rigorous program!

Shout out to our flight Doc, LT Nick Ryan, who took these photos and created this video!

04/28/2022

Congratulations to LCDR “Slurpee” Simpson on his last flight with VT-22! He has been with us for about 4 years and has revolutionized our squadron’s production capabilities. His talents were used in spearheading a new BASH policy that increased CNATRA’s overall production goals.
Thank you to LCDR Simpson for all your hard work and dedication to the squadron. You will be missed, but we wish you best of luck in your future endeavors outside the Navy.

04/02/2022

The Golden Eagle family mourns the loss of a young man who earned his Wings of Gold with us. LT Hanlon was an exemplary pilot, Officer, and friend to all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was the type of student you remembered because of his positive attitude and gratefulness to be able to fly with us. You will be missed Hanlon.
We ask you keep his family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through a very difficult time.

We have the watch.

On Wednesday, March 30, Lt. Hyrum Hanlon, assigned to Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 120 lost his life when an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye conducting routine flight operations crashed in the

01/26/2022

Our very own IPs and Students crushing the Strike syllabus at NAF El Centro, CA. Bombs dropped, low levels routed, targets demolished. We worked hard and ready to return home. “No place like Texas!”

01/12/2022

This week we have to say goodbye to our favorite SERGRAD Capt McGinty as he and his wife Cat are off to their next big adventure. We appreciate all your hard work as you stayed after winging to help instructor the future of Naval Aviation. We wish you the best of luck wherever the Marine Corps takes you. You and Cat will be sorely missed and the next one will have big shoes to fill.