North American's T-2C Buckeye jet trainer aircraft were used by the Naval Air Training Command to conduct basic jet flight training.

The T-2 established an outstanding record of safety and reliability while providing training for more than 11,000 students to pilot 18 different models of Navy jet aircraft. The aircraft was used for teaching a wide range of skills, including high-altitude, high-speed formation and aerobatic flights; basic and radio instruments; night and day navigation; and gunnery, bombing, and carrier operations.

The Buckeye had a tandem seating arrangement with the rear seat elevated to provide student and instructor pilot with excellent visibility. The front and rear cockpits had duplicate controls, allowing control of the aircraft from either cockpit. The rocket-catapult ejection seats provided emergency escape capabilities. The flying characteristics, control response, low stall speed, and good stability of the T-2C combined to provide the qualities required of a good training aircraft.

In addition, the T-2C was a rugged, versatile, and forgiving aircraft. The T-2 provided excellent control during takeoff and landing had performance capabilities equal to many jet tactical aircraft. The airframe was constructed to withstand carrier landings, inadvertent high G-loads, and rough landings encountered during student training.