Welcome Aboard

Congratulations on receiving orders to the Sidewinders of Strike Fighter Squadron EIGHT SIX (VFA-86)! VFA-86 is a great squadron with a long and distinguished history of excellence. I believe you will find your time with us to be rewarding both professionally and personally.

The Sidewinders fly the Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet from the Navy’s West Coast master jet base at NAS Lemoore, California. Situated in the fertile San Joaquin Valley, NAS Lemoore enjoys good weather and close access to the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains, beautiful Pacific coast, as well as the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco. More information on the base and surrounding areas can be found at: http://www.cnic.navy.mil/Lemoore. Also, the following websites are available for additional details about the surrounding areas: http://www.lemoore.com and http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil.

The newly constructed base housing for NAS Lemoore provides easy access to base amenities. For more information including schools, waiting list, pet restrictions, etc, check out http://lemoorenavalhousing.com. Of note, single Sailors, E4 and below, are required to live in the barracks at NAS Lemoore.

Your sponsor is (rank/rate)(first/last name) and can be contacted at 559-998-XXXX, or (email address). Your sponsor will assist you (and your family) during your reassignment and provide information about the command, housing, schools, and answer any questions you may have. If you are flying into the area, you will arrive at Fresno Yosemite International Airport. Please inform your sponsor of your flight arrangements as soon as possible. If required, arrangements will be made to pick you up.

We will ensure that your transition into the command is as smooth as possible. If at any time you can’t get in touch with your sponsor, please contact the Command Master Chief, CMDCM Michael Piunno. For family related questions, contact our Command Ombudsman, Kassie Carranza, at ombudsman.vfa86@gmail.com. If you have any other questions, contact the Command Career Counselor, NC1 (AW) W. Enright.

I look forward to personally welcoming you to the best Strike Fighter Squadron in the Fleet. “When diplomacy fails, Eighty-Six ‘Em!”

MICHAEL BURKS

Commanding Officer