{"product_id":"official-vt-3-red-max-patch","title":"Official VT-3 Red Knights Red Max Patch","description":"\u003cp\u003eOfficial VT-3 Red Knights Red Max Patch — Training Squadron 3 NAS Whiting Field North T-6B Texan II Embroidered Patch\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Navy's only joint primary training squadron — VT-3 Red Knights, T-6B Texan IIs at Whiting Field North.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTraining Squadron 3 (VT-3), the \"Red Knights,\" is a US Navy primary flight training squadron based at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, near Milton, Florida, operating under Training Air Wing FIVE (CTW-5) and the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA). The squadron's predecessor was originally established on February 15, 1943 as Training Squadron Three Detachment 8-B (VN3D8-B) at Saufley Field, Pensacola, relocated to Whiting Field on July 1, 1943 to train pilots replacing combat losses, and was decommissioned in 1947 following the war's end. The modern Red Knights were commissioned on May 1, 1960 at South Whiting Field — initially training student naval aviators in the T-28 Trojan in radio instruments, formation flying, and air-to-air gunnery. By 1968, at the height of the Vietnam War, VT-3 had grown to 174 instructor pilots, 494 students, and 162 T-28 aircraft, training a record 902 students that year. In 1973 VT-3 relocated to North Whiting Field where it remains today. In 1980 the squadron became one of the few US naval commands alternately commanded by Navy and Marine Corps officers, and in 1994 became the Navy's only joint primary flight training squadron — including US Air Force students and instructors — alternating Navy and Air Force commanding officers from 1995 to 2014. VT-3 today operates the Beechcraft T-6B Texan II and trains US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Coast Guard, and US Air Force aviators in the primary pipeline. The \"Red Max\" patch carries the squadron's signature crimson knight emblem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect For: VT-3 Red Knights instructor pilots and student naval aviators, NAS Whiting Field North residents, Training Air Wing FIVE (CTW-5) personnel, CNATRA staff, T-6B Texan II pilots and maintainers, joint US Navy \/ Marine Corps \/ Coast Guard \/ Air Force student pilots and instructors, T-28 Trojan heritage instructors, and the family members of student naval aviators in primary training.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRed Knights — Navy's only joint primary squadron.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military, Law Enforcement and Custom Patches by USMCinsignia.com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45038370816109,"sku":null,"price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0742\/9831\/files\/3Patch_4.png?v=1775686984","url":"https:\/\/marinepatches.com\/products\/official-vt-3-red-max-patch","provider":"MarinePatches.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}