Over 3,064,780 active members

Opening unit directory

Building the branch units surface

Loading unit filters, rankings, and the branch unit grid.

Overview

Members

Units

Opening branch overview

Building the branch home surface

Loading branch highlights, featured unit context, and gallery moments.

Overview

Members

Units

HT-8

U.S. Navy•31 members

HT-8 Homepage Photos Posts Members

Did you serve with the HT-8?

Find familiar faces
Explore unit photos
Share your photos

New to VetFriends?

Create a free account to explore unit members and photos, and reconnect with people you served with.

Create a free account

Already a member? Log in

About this Unit

HT-8

U.S. Navy

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.

About HT-8

About this Unit

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.

Opening unit directory

Building the branch units surface

Loading unit filters, rankings, and the branch unit grid.

Overview

Members

Units

HT-8

U.S. Navy•31 members

HT-8 Homepage Photos Posts Members

Did you serve with the HT-8?

Find familiar faces
Explore unit photos
Share your photos

New to VetFriends?

Create a free account to explore unit members and photos, and reconnect with people you served with.

Create a free account

Already a member? Log in

About this Unit

HT-8

U.S. Navy

Unit members

Michael Lucarelli

U.S. Navy Military Retiree · 1980 - 1980

Message View Profile

Theodore Delgrosso

U.S. Navy · 1973 - 1977

Message View Profile

Cyrus Barberia

U.S. Navy · 1970 - 1973

Message View Profile

William Quinn

U.S. Navy · 1967 - 1970

Message View Profile

View all members

Navy photos

Somewhere in Kuwait near the Iraqi border

Siezed Soviet/Iraqi Tank that was abandoned

View all photos

About HT-8

About this Unit

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.