Its original mission was providing flight instruction for US Navy and US Marine Corps Student Naval Aviators in the basic jet training syllabus utilizing the T-2A version of the T-2 Buckeye aircraft.

The squadron mission was changed once again, to provide flight training in all phases of the basic jet syllabus.

Beginning in December 1975, VT-4 had the added mission of providing flight instruction for allied foreign military pilots.

Graduates of VT-4 would receive their wings and designations as Naval Aviators and proceed to the Fleet Replacement Squadron.

In January 2003, VT-4 initiated instructor orientation flights in the T-6A "Texan II", the joint Air Force/Navy platform slated to replace the T-34C as the Primary phase syllabus trainer.

VT-4 was reactivated in June 2013, no longer flying the T-39 Sabreliner and has introduced the Multicrew Simulator (MCS) to TRAWING SIX.

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Naval History and Heritage Command.