About the Sidewinders

Strike Fighter Squadron EIGHT SIX (VFA-86) also known as the "Sidewinders" is a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. Their tail code is AC and their callsign is "Winder". The Sidewinders are attached to Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3), a composite unit made up of a wide array of aircraft performing a variety of combat and support missions that deploy aboard the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER.

If you have orders to the Sidewinders and are looking for information on how to make your transition as smooth as possible, please visit our "New Arrivals" page. Don't forget to get in contact with our command sponsor coordinator so we may put you in contact with your sponsor.


Sidewinder of the Year Awardees

Fiscal Year 2015

Chief of the Year- SCPO(AW/SW) Zehnpfennig

Senior Sailor of the Year - CPO(AW/SW) Johnston

Sailor of the Year - PO1(AW) Cooley

Junior Sailor of the Year - PO3(AW) Oldes

Blue Jacket of the Year - PO3(AW) Asugui

Plane Captain of the Year - PO3(AW) Granados


WHEN DIPLOMACY FAILS...EIGHTY SIX EM