About this Unit
Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHT (HT-8), known as the "Eightballers," is a United States Navy squadron established in 1950. Originally based at Naval Air Station Ellyson Field, Pensacola, HT-8 is the Navy’s oldest active helicopter training squadron. The unit provides primary and advanced helicopter flight training for Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and selected international students. Over the decades, HT-8 has transitioned through various rotary-wing aircraft, currently operating the TH-73A Thrasher, and has played a vital role in producing professional naval aviators to support U.S. and allied operations worldwide.
Historical Facts
•
Oldest Navy Helicopter Training Squadron: Helicopter Training Squadron Eight (HT-8) is the oldest active helicopter training squadron in the United States Navy, originally established in December 1950 as Helicopter Utility Squadron 2 (HU-2).
•
First Dedicated Rotary-Wing Training: HT-8 was the first squadron specifically tasked with training Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard pilots in rotary-wing flight.
•
Redesignation and Growth: The squadron was officially redesignated as HT-8 in 1960, reflecting its exclusive focus on helicopter flight training.
•
Nickname "Eightballers": HT-8 is commonly known as the "Eightballers," a reference to their squadron number and their insignia featuring a pool eight ball.
•
Training Location: The squadron is based at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Florida, a primary hub for naval aviator training.
•
Aircraft Evolution: Over the decades, HT-8 has trained pilots on a series of helicopters including the H-13 Sioux, TH-57 Sea Ranger, and now the advanced TH-73A Thrasher.
•
Joint Service Training: HT-8 trains not only Navy and Marine Corps pilots but also Coast Guard and select international students, fostering joint and allied interoperability.
•
High Training Output: HT-8, along with its counterpart HT-18, trains approximately 500 student naval aviators annually, producing the majority of the U.S. military’s helicopter pilots.
•
Cultural Traditions: The squadron is known for its ceremonial “winging” events, where new aviators receive their coveted “Wings of Gold.”
•
Safety and Excellence: HT-8 has received multiple Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Awards, recognizing its outstanding safety record and commitment to excellence in training.
