Welcome to today's special brief in the

NTLFF Ready Room!

Tailhook Legacy Flight training funding urgently needed!

The Legacy Pilot Committee and the Navy Tailhook Legacy Flight Foundation need the assistance of Tailhook Legacy air show fans nationwide. If Tailhook Legacy is to return, a mandatory training program is the first step to bring Tailhook Legacy flights back to air shows around the United States in 2018 and beyond. Should training occur, the Navy will not be providing funding for the warbird aircraft to fly to training and then back to their home airfields. We need tremendous grassroots support to provide the operating costs of flying these aircraft to and from mandatory training with their F/A-18E/F Super Hornet teammates.

Some background...

Tailhook Legacy flights were last flown in 2012. In 2013 and again in 2014, the Navy's Tactical Demonstration (TACDEMO) team was canceled due to the budget constraints brought about by sequestration. With their aerial partners grounded, Tailhook Legacy Flights also ceased. Tailhook Legacy flight training was scheduled for early 2016, but had to be canceled due to a shortage in F/A-18 flight hour funding.

Tailhook Legacy flights have been grounded since the end of 2012 due to funding shortfalls brought about by sequestration. A mandatory training program, if accomplished this winter, will be the first opportunity to get Tailhook Legacy back in the air in over five years. So please join us – join our team and honor the courage, sacrifice, and legacy of over 106 years of Naval Aviation with your donation. Support this living, flying tribute to all those who have flown into harm's way from World War II to the four active military campaigns the U.S. is currently fighting around the globe.

Donate, Fly, Inspire, Win!

GoFundMe

There are various navy warbird aircraft from around the United States that are prepared to make the trip to training. All of these aircraft are flown by private individuals, and maintained by museums and other non-profit organizations. Your support of this program and their future operation with our active-duty Navy teammates has never been more critical! Donations to our GoFundMe Campaign will fund the fuel and oil costs to fly each warbird to training and back. We need to raise at least $20,000 in the next 10 days to accomplish this.

WE NEED TO GET THE WORD OUT TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

PLEASE SHARE THIS CAMPAIGN WITH ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

Tailhook Legacy Flights

Each Tailhook Legacy flight is a tribute to the thousands of pilots, flight officers, maintainers and support personnel who have served in our Naval Air Forces. From the first carrier aviators who flew planes of wood and cloth off our first aviation ships; the courageous air crews who battled through the Atlantic and Pacific in World War II; followed by the the battle hardened aviators who flew against the enemy in Korea and Vietnam; the intrepid Cold Warriors who kept the forces of evil at bay for decades; and the men and women fighting the Global War on Terror today, our long and proud legacy of excellence and perseverance are the hallmarks of Tailhook Naval Aviation.

Honoring those who volunteered to go into harm's way, in peacetime and war, and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice are the goals we are committed to accomplishing. While we strive to raise the funding needed to return to the air, we will always remember that our goal is honoring the legacy of U. S. Naval Aviation.

Our Mission:

“Maintaining the proud legacy of Navy Tailhook Aviation by keeping it alive and sustainable.”  

It is our mission to return Navy Tailhook Legacy Flights to the air show circuit across all of North
America. There has not been a Navy Tailhook Legacy Flight with warbird and F/A-18 aircraft
since 2012. Our goal is to have the budget in place to return these flights to the skies in 2018 and beyond. While we look forward to once again working with our teammates at VFA-106 and VFA-122, we also eagerly anticipate participation with VFA-125, the U.S. Navy’s F-35C fleet replacement squadron, when it reaches IOC in the 2020 timeframe at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, CA. YOUR support is the key. Without you we cannot accomplish this mission.

How can you keep Navy Tailhook Legacy Flights alive and sustainable?

By donating to the Foundation, you are ensuring future generations will see these flights
back in the air where they belong as a testament to the proud history of Naval air power.
To show your support, you can donate on our website and also purchase items through
our online store. Remember - we are not backed by billionaire investors, we are a
grassroots organization formed by naval aviation veterans! You can also keep informed of
our latest news and events via our Facebook page and Twitter account.