Just two months ago, the U.S. Navy’s third F-35C squadron, the Sidewinders of Strike Fighter Squadron 86 (VFA-86) received their SFFOC (Safe For Flight Operations Certification). More recently ...

What You Need to Know: The U.S. Navy’s Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA-86) “Sidewinders” has officially transitioned from the F/A-18 Super Hornet to the advanced F-35C Lightning II stealth ...

The Sidewinders of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86 recently achieved the crucial certification. VFA-86, the third squadron of the U.S. Navy to be equipped with the F-35C Lightning II aircraft ...

VFA-86 has earned a Full Safe for Flight certification on the F-35C. The F-35C enhances the carrier strike group’s ability to project power, supporting U.S. national security and integrating ...

In August 2012, Felloney returned to fleet as a training officer in the “Sidewinders” of VFA-86. During his presentation at the Navy League meeting, he told of his experience flying the F-22 Raptor at ...

During his time with Navy squadron VFA-86, better known as the Sidewinders, he earned his call sign “Whiskers," reflecting the curiosity of a cat, the story goes. "I asked a lot of questions ...

Black (DDG 119). The squadrons of CVW-7 embarked aboard the George H.W. Bush are the “Sidewinders” of VFA-86, the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103, the “Knighthawks” of VFA-136, the “Pukin Dogs” of VFA-143, ...

and “Sidewinders” (VFA-86) made their return to the Central Valley following an over eight-month deployment. Both Strike Fighter Squadrons were on board the USS George H.W. Bush (CNV-77) and have been ...