FAETULANT DET TWO

• FAETULANT DET TWO stands for Fleet Airborne Electronics Training Unit, Atlantic, Detachment Two, a specialized US Navy unit focused on airborne electronics warfare training. • The unit was established in the early 1950s at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, as part of the Cold War buildup of electronic warfare capabilities. • FAETULANT DET TWO’s primary mission was to train Navy and Marine Corps aircrews in radar, sonar, and electronic countermeasures, vital for survival in modern warfare. • The unit operated a variety of modified aircraft, including the Douglas AD-5Q Skyraider and the Grumman EA-1F, equipped with advanced jamming and detection gear. • FAETULANT DET TWO instructors were known for their realism in training, often simulating real Soviet electronic threats using actual captured or replicated equipment. • In the 1960s, DET TWO played a crucial role in preparing squadrons for deployment to Vietnam, where electronic warfare became a decisive factor in air operations. • The unit was involved in secret joint exercises with NATO allies, helping to standardize electronic warfare tactics across Western air forces. • Several notable US Navy admirals and electronic warfare pioneers received their early training at FAETULANT DET TWO, cementing its legacy as a "schoolhouse" for EW expertise. • The DET TWO patch featured a flying owl with lightning bolts, symbolizing wisdom and the power of electromagnetic warfare. • The unit was eventually merged into larger training commands as technology advanced, but veterans of FAETULANT DET TWO still hold annual reunions and maintain a strong alumni network.