PENSACOLA, Fla. - The “Sabrehawks” of Training Squadron (VT) 86 held a change-of-command ceremony at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Nov. 14.
Cmdr. Eric “Cheese” Reeves, a native of Baldwinsville, New York, relieved Cmdr. Joshua “WITS” Fuller as commanding officer during an aerial ceremony that followed a ground-based segment.
Commodore, Training Air Wing 6 Capt. Scott “Mongo” Janik presided over the ceremony, attended by staff, family members, and guests.
The ceremony began in VT-86’s hangar and transitioned to the flight line. Three T-45C Goshawks took to the air with Fuller, Reeves, and Janik in the backseats. During the flight, Reeves’ aircraft took lead of the formation, signifying the transfer of leadership.
Reeves, a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduate, earned his commission through the Navy ROTC program. He earned his Wings of Gold in 2003 as a naval flight officer. He has accumulated more than 2,300 flight hours and 400 arrested landings in the S-3 Viking, EA-6B Prowler, and EA-18G Growler.
VT-86, located at NAS Pensacola, trains the world’s finest combat-quality naval flight officers, committed to global security and prosperity, and projecting naval air power worldwide. Graduates complete follow-on training with fleet replacement squadrons to prepare them for future fleet aircraft including the F/A-18 Hornet/Super Hornet and E/A-18G Growler.
Reeves, a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduate, earned his commission through the Navy ROTC program. He earned his Wings of Gold in 2003 as a naval flight officer. He has accumulated more than 2,300 flight hours and 400 arrested landings in the S-3 Viking, EA-6B Prowler, and EA-18G Growler.
VT-86, located at NAS Pensacola, trains the world’s finest combat-quality naval flight officers, committed to global security and prosperity, and projecting naval air power worldwide. Graduates complete follow-on training with fleet replacement squadrons to prepare them for future fleet aircraft including the F/A-18 Hornet/Super Hornet and E/A-18G Growler.