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Tail codes on the U.S. Navyaircraft are the markings that help to identify the aircraft's unit and/or base assignment. These codes comprise one or two letters or digits painted on both sides of the vertical stabilizer, on the top right and on the bottom left wings near the tip. Although located both on the vertical stabilizer and the wings from their inception in July 1945, these identification markings are commonly referred as tail codes. It is important to note that tail codes are meant to identify units and assignments, not individual aircraft. For all aircraft of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps unique identification is provided by bureau numbers.
Carrier Air Wing 15 tail code "NL" is prominently displayed on this A-7E Corsair II.
The U.S. Navy introduced the identification system of tail and wing letter codes for its aircraft in July 1945. This system was intended to replace the set of geometrical symbols employed for the similar purpose since January 1945. When introduced, tail codes were only given to aircraft carriers. New directives issued in 1946 and in 1948 assigned tail codes to individual Navy and Marine Corps squadrons as well as for carrier air groups. And although the association between particular tail codes and units undergoes changes from time to time, the system as a whole is still in use to present day.
Basic principlesedit
This RF-8G Crusader from VFP-63 Det.2 is deployed with Carrier Air Wing 14 and displays the Air Wing's "NK" tail code.This RF-8A Crusader from VFP-63 Det.B, although deployed with Carrier Air Wing 5, displays the unit's own "PP" tail code and not the Air Wing's "NF".This A-6A Intruder in experimental camouflage paint does not carry the "NL" tail code of its parent Carrier Air Wing 15.
When introduced in June 1945, tail codes were assigned to individual aircraft carriers. Thus all aircraft based on a particular ship were supposed to carry the ship's code. As of August 1948, tail codes were no longer assigned to aircraft carriers but rather to carrier air groups, which in December 1963 were re-designated as carrier air wings.
U.S. Navy carrier-based squadrons that deploy as whole units, like fighter and attack squadrons, use their parent carrier air wing tail codes; these types of squadrons are normally not issued individual tail codes.
Other types of the Navy's carrier-based squadrons that normally send detachments to several carriers, like photo reconnaissance, early warning or electronic attack, have frequently received individual tail codes. When deployed, such squadrons usually adopted the tail code of the parent carrier air wing. However, in recent years the practice of assigning individual tail codes to any of the carrier-capable squadrons seems to have been discontinued.
Land-based squadrons of the U.S. Navy – e.g., patrol, transport, observation and other support squadrons – are assigned individual tail codes. The same has been applicable in the past to Naval Air Stations.
Each U.S. Marine Corps squadron, regardless of its mission, is assigned its own tail code. When a carrier-capable Marine squadron deploys on an aircraft carrier as a part of the U.S. Navy Carrier Air Wing, it typically adopts the tail code of this Air Wing for the period of deployment.
A circular letter issued by the CNO in November 1946 specified that code letters on USMC planes were to be underscored. The underscoring of codes was a short-lived practice abandoned by 1949.
Throughout the history of tail codes there have been a number of duplicates where the same code was used at the same time by more than one unit. This happened frequently during the first post-war decade when the Navy made several revamps of its tail code assignments within a short time frame. Most typically, duplicates resulted when the same letter was assigned to a regular Air Group and to a reserve facility: for example, in the early 1950s the tail code "A" was valid both for Carrier Air Group 15 aircraft and for all Naval Air Reserve units home-based at NAS Anacostia.
In certain cases Navy or Marine aircraft do not carry tail codes. This happened with aircraft wearing special or experimental camouflage paint, particularly during the Vietnam War deployments. Aircraft of Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) employed for VIP transport are another example.
The U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps do not seem to have any specific procedure for removing a tail code from use. If a unit that owned a particular tail code is disestablished, the respective tail code becomes extinct. Later, this code may be assigned to a different unit, or it may remain unused.
The first VAQ squadron to be assigned the expeditionary (land based) role was VAQ-134 when the CVW it was assigned to (CVW-15) was disestablished. VAQ-134's aircraft retained the NL tail code and as more VAQ squadrons were assigned to the expeditionary squadron role the NL tail code was assigned to them as well.
Some CVG-1 aircraft (those belonging to VF-14), while temporary attached to an Air Task Group, rendered their tail code as "ATG", though "ATG" was never authorized as a unit code.
The Group's tail code was changed to "AB" in November 1956.
USS Bunker Hill has never returned to duty as an active carrier after heavy damage received on 11 May 1945, so this code was probably never applied in practice.
Doll, Thomas E.; Jackson, Berkley R.; Riley, William A. (1983). Navy Air Colors: United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Aircraft Camouflage and Markings, 1911-1945. Vol. 1. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications. ISBN0-89747-143-1.
Doll, Thomas E.; Jackson, Berkley R.; Riley, William A. (1985). Navy Air Colors: United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Aircraft Camouflage and Markings, 1945-1985. Vol. 2. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications. ISBN0-89747-168-7.
Elliott, John M. (1988). The Official Monogram U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide, 1940-1949. Vol. 2. Sturbridge, Massachusetts: Monogram Aviation Publications. ISBN0-914144-32-4.
Elliott, John M. (1991). The Official Monogram U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide, 1950-1959. Vol. 3. Sturbridge, Massachusetts: Monogram Aviation Publications. ISBN0-914144-33-2.
Elliott, John M. (1993). The Official Monogram U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide, 1960-1993. Vol. 4. Sturbridge, Massachusetts: Monogram Aviation Publications. ISBN0-914144-34-0.
Grossnick, Roy A. (1995). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons: The History of VA, VAH, VAK, VAL, VAP and VFA Squadrons. Vol. 1. Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center. ISBN0-945274-29-7.
Kasulka, Duane A. (1985). USN Carrier Air Units. Vol. 1. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications. ISBN0-89747-164-4.
Kasulka, Duane A. (1985). USN Carrier Air Units. Vol. 2. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications. ISBN0-89747-172-5.
Kasulka, Duane A. (1988). USN Carrier Air Units. Vol. 3. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications. ISBN0-89747-218-7.
Roberts, Michael D. (2000). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons: The History of VP, VPB, VP(HL) and VP(AM) Squadrons. Vol. 2. Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center.
April 09, 2024
navy, marine, corps, aircraft, tail, codes, this, article, multiple, issues, please, help, improve, discuss, these, issues, talk, page, learn, when, remove, these, template, messages, this, article, unclear, citation, style, references, used, made, clearer, wi. This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages This article has an unclear citation style The references used may be made clearer with a different or consistent style of citation and footnoting April 2016 Learn how and when to remove this template message This article may be too long to read and navigate comfortably Consider splitting content into sub articles condensing it or adding subheadings Please discuss this issue on the article s talk page April 2016 Learn how and when to remove this template message Tail codes on the U S Navy aircraft are the markings that help to identify the aircraft s unit and or base assignment These codes comprise one or two letters or digits painted on both sides of the vertical stabilizer on the top right and on the bottom left wings near the tip Although located both on the vertical stabilizer and the wings from their inception in July 1945 these identification markings are commonly referred as tail codes It is important to note that tail codes are meant to identify units and assignments not individual aircraft For all aircraft of the U S Navy and U S Marine Corps unique identification is provided by bureau numbers Carrier Air Wing 15 tail code NL is prominently displayed on this A 7E Corsair II Contents 1 History 2 Basic principles 3 List of navy and marine aircraft tail codes 4 ReferencesHistory editThe U S Navy introduced the identification system of tail and wing letter codes for its aircraft in July 1945 This system was intended to replace the set of geometrical symbols employed for the similar purpose since January 1945 When introduced tail codes were only given to aircraft carriers New directives issued in 1946 and in 1948 assigned tail codes to individual Navy and Marine Corps squadrons as well as for carrier air groups And although the association between particular tail codes and units undergoes changes from time to time the system as a whole is still in use to present day Basic principles edit nbsp This RF 8G Crusader from VFP 63 Det 2 is deployed with Carrier Air Wing 14 and displays the Air Wing s NK tail code nbsp This RF 8A Crusader from VFP 63 Det B although deployed with Carrier Air Wing 5 displays the unit s own PP tail code and not the Air Wing s NF nbsp This A 6A Intruder in experimental camouflage paint does not carry the NL tail code of its parent Carrier Air Wing 15 When introduced in June 1945 tail codes were assigned to individual aircraft carriers Thus all aircraft based on a particular ship were supposed to carry the ship s code As of August 1948 tail codes were no longer assigned to aircraft carriers but rather to carrier air groups which in December 1963 were re designated as carrier air wings U S Navy carrier based squadrons that deploy as whole units like fighter and attack squadrons use their parent carrier air wing tail codes these types of squadrons are normally not issued individual tail codes Other types of the Navy s carrier based squadrons that normally send detachments to several carriers like photo reconnaissance early warning or electronic attack have frequently received individual tail codes When deployed such squadrons usually adopted the tail code of the parent carrier air wing However in recent years the practice of assigning individual tail codes to any of the carrier capable squadrons seems to have been discontinued Land based squadrons of the U S Navy e g patrol transport observation and other support squadrons are assigned individual tail codes The same has been applicable in the past to Naval Air Stations Each U S Marine Corps squadron regardless of its mission is assigned its own tail code When a carrier capable Marine squadron deploys on an aircraft carrier as a part of the U S Navy Carrier Air Wing it typically adopts the tail code of this Air Wing for the period of deployment A circular letter issued by the CNO in November 1946 specified that code letters on USMC planes were to be underscored The underscoring of codes was a short lived practice abandoned by 1949 Throughout the history of tail codes there have been a number of duplicates where the same code was used at the same time by more than one unit This happened frequently during the first post war decade when the Navy made several revamps of its tail code assignments within a short time frame Most typically duplicates resulted when the same letter was assigned to a regular Air Group and to a reserve facility for example in the early 1950s the tail code A was valid both for Carrier Air Group 15 aircraft and for all Naval Air Reserve units home based at NAS Anacostia In certain cases Navy or Marine aircraft do not carry tail codes This happened with aircraft wearing special or experimental camouflage paint particularly during the Vietnam War deployments Aircraft of Marine Helicopter Squadron One HMX 1 employed for VIP transport are another example The U S Navy and the Marine Corps do not seem to have any specific procedure for removing a tail code from use If a unit that owned a particular tail code is disestablished the respective tail code becomes extinct Later this code may be assigned to a different unit or it may remain unused List of navy and marine aircraft tail codes editA Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Cowpens CVL 25 July 1945USS Antietam CV 36 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Wing 1 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46CVG 19 Carrier Air Group 19 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46Navy Air Reserve units at NAS Anacostia November 1946 Code changed to 6A in 1956 CVG 14 Carrier Air Group 14 July 1953 Code changed to NK in 1956 TW 1 Training Air Wing 1 August 1971 Comprise VT 7 VT 9 nbsp A stylized rendering of Carrier Air Wing 17 AA code can be seen on this A 6E Intruder AA Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Lake Champlain CV 39 July 1945USS Monterey CVL 26 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5VMO 3 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VP MS 11 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Tail code changed to MA in August 1948 CVW 17 Carrier Air Wing 17 Activated in November 1966 Code changed to NA in 2012 nbsp This S 3A Viking from VS 32 shows the AB tail code of CVW 1 AB Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMO 6 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Tail code changed to WB in 1948 VP HL 8 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VMF 452 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Disestablished in December 1949 CVG 1 Carrier Air Group 1 Re designated CVW 1 Carrier Air Wing 1 November 1956 nbsp Carrier Air Group 3 planes in flight in 1958 AC Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP ML 1 Re designated VP 1 November 1946VMR 153 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48CVG 3 Carrier Air Group 3 Re designated CVW 3 Carrier Air Wing 3 1957AD Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 1 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 1 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VMR 253 Circa 1946 Tail code changed to QD in 1958 VMF 322 Re designated VMA 322 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Disestablished in November 1949 RCVG 4 Replacement Carrier Air Group 4 Re designated RCVW 4 Readiness Carrier Air Wing 4 April 1958 Disestablished in July 1970 AD tail code retained by VAW 120 VFA 106 VA 42 VA 43 VA 45 VA 174 VF 101 VS 27 nbsp Carrier Air Wing 6 tail code is seen on this VF 84 Phantom II in 1975 AE Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 115 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46CVW 6 Carrier Air Wing 6 December 1963 Disestablished in April 1993 AF Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 211 Re designated VMA 211 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46Fighter units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Anacostia November 1946 A very short lived assignment CVG 6 Carrier Air Group 6 November 1956 Re designated Carrier Air Wing 6 in 1963 and received a new tail code AE CVWR 20 Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 April 1970 Renamed Tactical Support Wing TSW in April 2007 The AF tail code is retained by squadrons assigned to TSW nbsp A 6E Intruders of VA 62 carry the Carrier Air Wing 7 AG code AG Assigned to Assigned on NotesCVG 7 Carrier Air Group 7 Re designated CVW 7 Carrier Air Wing 7 November 1956 nbsp VA 152 A 1H Skyraider carries CVW 16 tail code AH Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 218 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished on 31 December 1949 CVG 16 Carrier Air Group 16 Re designated CVW 16 Carrier Air Wing 16 September 1960 Disestablished AI Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF N 533 Re designated VMF 533 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 nbsp This F 4J Phantom II is part of Carrier Air Wing 8 and displays the Wing s AJ tail code AJ Assigned to Assigned on NotesCVG 8 Carrier Air Group 8 Re designated CVW 8 Carrier Air Wing 8 November 1956 nbsp CVW 13 code is seen on this VA 176 A 1J Skyraider AK Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMA 121 29 July 1950 U S Navy Letter ACL 43 50CVG 10 Carrier Air Group 10 November 1956CVG 13 Carrier Air Group 13 August 1961 Inactivated in October 1962 CVW 13 Carrier Air Wing 13 March 1984 Inactivated in January 1991 AL Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMA 251 29 July 1950 U S Navy Letter ACL 43 50CVG 17 Carrier Air Group 17 Circa 1957 Disestablished in September 1958 nbsp FJ 2 Furies of VMF 451 in 1954 AM Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 451 Circa 1951ATG 181 Air Task Group 181 November 1956 Inactivated in 1958 HSC 22 29 September 2006AN Assigned to Assigned on NotesHATU Heavy Attack Training Unit February 1953ATG 182 Air Task Group 182 November 1956 Inactivated in 1959 nbsp Aircraft of Air Task Group 201 in flight in 1958 AP Assigned to Assigned on NotesATG 201 Air Task Group 201 November 1956 Inactivated in 1958 AQ Assigned to Assigned on NotesATG 202 Air Task Group 202 November 1956 Inactivated in 1959 nbsp AR tail code can be seen on this SH 3G Sea King of HS 1 AR Assigned to Assigned on NotesRCVG 50 Replacement Carrier Antisubmarine Warfare Air Group 50 1960 Disestablished in June 1970 RCVG 50 tail code retained by HS 1 and VS 30 HS 1 June 1970 Disestablished in May 1997 VS 30 June 1970 Disestablished December 2005 AS Assigned to Assigned on NotesCVGS 52 Carrier Antisubmarine Warfare Air Group 52 June 1960 Comprised squadrons VS 28 VS 31 and HS 11 Disestablished in December 1969 nbsp SH 3A Sea King helicopters carry the AT code of CVGS 54 AT Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 20 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 20 December 1951CVGS 54 Carrier Antisubmarine Warfare Air Group 54 1960 Comprised squadrons VS 22 VS 32 and HS 5 Disestablished in July 1972 nbsp This S 2E Tracker shows the AU code of its parent CVGS 56 AU Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 13 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 13 March 1951CVGS 56 Carrier Antisubmarine Warfare Air Group 56 1960 Comprised squadrons VS 24 VS 27 and HS 3 Disestablished in June 1973 AV Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 15 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 15 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48CVGS 58 Carrier Antisubmarine Warfare Air Group 58 June 1960 Comprised squadrons VS 26 VS 36 and HS 7 Disestablished in March 1966 nbsp AW code of CVGS 60 can be seen on this S 2E Tracker AW Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 24 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 24 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48CVGS 60 Carrier Antisubmarine Warfare Air Group 60 May 1960 Comprised squadrons VS 34 VS 39 and HS 9 Disestablished in October 1968 CVSR 70 Reserve Carrier Antisubmarine Warfare Air Group 70 1970AX Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 25 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 25 1952CVGS 62 Carrier Antisubmarine Warfare Air Group 62 September 1961 Comprised squadrons VS 20 VS 42 and HS 13 Disestablished in 1962 VR 53 2004AZ Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 1 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 1 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 nbsp Tail codes on these planes denote assignment to the USS Boxer B Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS San Jacinto CVL 30 July 1945USS Boxer CV 21 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Wing 2 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46CVG 15 Carrier Air Group 15 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46Navy Air Reserve units at NAS Atlanta November 1946 The C code issued to this NAS was a controlled duplicate of the same code letter given to Carrier Air Group 15 Code changed to 7B in 1956 CVG 19 Carrier Air Group 19 July 1953 Tail code changed to NM in November 1956 TW 2 Training Air Wing 2 Comprise VT 21 VT 22 BA Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Bairoko CVE 115 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VO 1B 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VP MS 7 Re designated VP 47 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Tail code changed to RD in 1957 HEDRON 11 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 11 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46Attack units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Atlanta November 1946 A very short lived assignment Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron Unknown This assignment is probably a purely bureaucratic one as no Blue Angels aircraft has ever carried tail codes BB Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Ranger CV 4 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5 The USS Ranger was decommissioned on 18 October 1946 VO 2B 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VP HL 13 Re designated VP 25 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in January 1950 HEDRON 14 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 14 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 nbsp An example of underscored tail code is seen on this FH 1 Phantom belonging to VMF 122 BC Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP HL 3 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in May 1947 VMF 122 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Tail code changed to LC VP MS 3 Re designayed VP 43 August 1948 Disestablished in March 1949 VMR 153 1957 Disestablished in 1959 BD Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP HL 5 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in May 1947 VMF 212 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VP MS 6 Re designated VP 46 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Tail code changed to RC in 1957 VR 64 nbsp Cougar jet trainers carry the tail code of VMT 1 BE Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP ML 6 Re designated VP 6 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Tail code changed to PC in 1957 VMF 222 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in December 1949 VMIT 20 1957 Disestablished in June 1958 VMT 1 July 1958 In May 1972 the squadron was re designated VMAT 203 with its tail code changed to KD nbsp A Sea Knight helicopter of HC 16 in 1984 BF Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 21 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 21 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46Fighter units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Atlanta November 1946 A very short lived assignment VP 812 Re designated VP 29 July 1950 Disestablished in November 1955 VAH 2 November 1955 Code changed to ZA in 1957 VMFT 20 1957 Disestablished in June 1958 HC 16BG Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP 43 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48BH Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 252 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VP 772 Subsequently re designated VP 17 and VA HM 10 September 1950 Tail code changed to ZE in 1957 VMR 252 Re designated VMGR 252 1957VX 30 May 1995BI Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMR 952 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VP 57 February 1953 Disestablished in July 1956 VAH 4 July 1956 Code changed to ZB in 1957 nbsp An HM 14 RH 53D in flight BJ Assigned to Assigned on NotesHM 14 May 1978BK Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 22 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 22 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46BL Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 113 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in April 1947 HML 268 September 1972 Disestablished in 1977 BM Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 314 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in April 1947 H amp MS 35 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 35 1957 Disestablished in June 1958 BP Assigned to Assigned on NotesPatrol units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Atlanta Circa 1947 A very short lived assignment VMFT AW 20 1957BR Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMO 1 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Code changed to LR in 1948 HC 8HSC 28BS Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Badoeng Strait CVE 116 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46HEDRON 53 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 53 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46CVEG 1 Escort Carrier Air Group 1 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46VC 21 Re designated VS 21 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Disestablished in February 2005 BT Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 531 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46H amp MS 20 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 20 1957 Disestablished in 1958 BU Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 532 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46BV Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 534 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46BW Assigned to Assigned on NotesVAH 3 June 1956 Code changed to GJ in 1958 BY Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMAT 20 1957 Disestablished in June 1958 BZ Assigned to Assigned on NotesAIRFMFLANT Headquarters Squadron Aircraft Fleet Marine Force Atlantic 1957 Disestablished nbsp C code on this F9F 2 Panther jet denotes assignment to Carrier Air Group 6 C Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Monterey CVL 26 July 1945USS Coral Sea CV 43 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5 Assignment remained on paper only as USS Coral Sea was not commissioned until 1 October 1947 CVBG 5 Battle Carrier Air Group 5 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46Navy Air Reserve units at NAS Columbus November 1946 The C code issued to this NAS was a controlled duplicate of the same code letter given to Carrier Air Group 5 Code changed to 7C in 1956 CVG 6 Carrier Air Group 6Carrier Air Group 6 1952 Tail code changed to AF in November 1956 TW 3 Training Air Wing 3 Disestablished in August 1992 CA Assigned to Assigned on NotesVO 1C 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VP MS 10 Re designated VP 40 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Tail code changed to QE in 1957 Attack units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Columbus November 1946 A very short lived assignment ATU 11 Advanced Training Unit 11 November 1947BTU 2 Basic Training Unit 2 September 1948HMLA 467 October 2008CB Assigned to Assigned on NotesVO 2C 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VP ML 3 Re designated VP 3 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Tail code changed to MB in 1950 ATU 12 Advanced Training Unit 12 November 1947IBTU Instructor Basic Training Unit September 1948CQTU 4 Carrier Qualification Training Unit 4 August 1950VP 9 March 1951 Tail code changed to PD in 1957 VMAQ 1 Re designated VMAQT 1 July 1992 Deactivated in 2016CC Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Saratoga CV 3 July 1945USS Cowpens CVL 25 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5VO 10C 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VP MS 4 Re designated VP 44 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Code changed to LM in 1957 CD Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP 1 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Code changed to YB in 1957 ATU 800 Advanced Training Unit 800 Circa 1950VRC 40 July 1960 nbsp An F A 18D Hornet from VMFA AW 225 CE Assigned to Assigned on NotesVO 13C 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VP HL 2 Re designated VP 22 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Code changed to QA in 1957 VMA 225 Re designated VMA AW 225 then again VMA 225 1957 nbsp An AV 8B from VMA 211 in 2014 CF Assigned to Assigned on NotesVO 15C 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46Fighter units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Columbus November 1946 A very short lived assignment VP HL 8 Re designated VP 28 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Code changed to QC in 1957 VMA 211 1957CG Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMA 231 May 1973CH Assigned to Assigned on NotesVO 17C 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VP 871 Re designated VP 19 February 1951 Code changed to PE in 1957 CI Assigned to Assigned on NotesVO 3C 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46CJ Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR M 461 Re designated HMH 461 January 1957CK Assigned to Assigned on NotesOperational Development Squadron 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46CM Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMJ 2 Re designated VMCJ 2 September 1952 Code changed to CY in 1957 CN Assigned to Assigned on NotesH amp MS 14 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 14 Re designated MALS 14 Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14 1957CP Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 935 October 1961 Deactivated in August 1962 CQ Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 751 October 1961 Deactivated in August 1962 CS Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 915 October 1961 Deactivated in August 1962 CT Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 733 October 1961 Deactivated in August 1962 CU Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 821 October 1961 Deactivated in August 1962 CV Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 861 October 1961 Deactivated in August 1962 nbsp This C 130T of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 54 shows the unit s CW code CW Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 54 nbsp VMAQ 2 planes in flight CY Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMC 2 Subsequently re designated VMCJ 2 and VMAQ 2 1957CZ Assigned to Assigned on NotesMaintenance and Repair Squadron 27 MARS 27 Re designated H amp MS 27 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 27 1957 nbsp Tail code carried by this F3H 2N Demon in 1958 indicates assignment to Carrier Air Group 12 D Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Independence CVL 22 July 1945USS Oriskany CV 34 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5 Only in effect until December 1946 CVG 9 Carrier Air Group 9 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48Navy Air Reserve units at NAS Dallas November 1946 The D code issued to this NAS was a controlled duplicate of the same code letter given to CVG 9 Code changed to 7D in 1956 CVG 12 Carrier Air Group 12 July 1953 Tail code changed to NJ in November 1956 nbsp DA code on this 1978 photo indicates assignment to Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 32 DA Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP AM 1 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in May 1948 Attack units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Dallas November 1946 A very short lived assignment GMGRU 1 Guided Missile Group 1 September 1955 Code changed to ZZ in 1957 H amp MS 32 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 32 1957 nbsp A VMFA 235 F 4S Phantom II in flight DB Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP AM 2 Re designated VP 32 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in June 1949 GMGRU 2 Guided Missile Group 2 September 1955VMF 235 Re designated VMFA 235 1957 Disestablished in June 1996 DC Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP HL 7 Re designated VP 27 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in January 1950 VMF 122 Subsequently re designated VMF AW 122 and VMFA 122 1957DD Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Independence CVL 22 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5VP HL 10 Re designated VP 20 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in March 1949 VX 31DE Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP HL 12 Re designated VP 29 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in January 1950 DF Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP AM 5 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in December 1947 Fighter units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Dallas November 1946 A very short lived assignment DH Assigned to Assigned on NotesHM 12 1 April 1971 Disestablished on 30 September 1994HM 12 2nd 1 October 2015 nbsp An FJ 3 Fury on VMF 333 DN Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 333 Re designated VMFA 333 1957 Disestablished in March 1992 DP Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMA 331 1957 Code changed to VL in 1959 nbsp An F 8E Crusader on VMF 312 DR Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 312 Re designated VMFA 312 1957 nbsp An A 6A Intruder VMA AW 242 takes off from Da Nang DT Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMA AW 242 October 1960DV Assigned to Assigned on NotesH amp MS 31 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 31 1957 Disestablished in January 1959 nbsp The squadron s DW tail code is seen on this VMFA 251 F 4S Phantom II DW Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 251 Re designated VMFA 251 Circa 1957DX Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMA 324 1957 Disestablished in August 1974 DZ Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMR 353 1957 Disestablished in March 1963 nbsp A Carrier Air Group 8 F8F 2 Bearcat seen on the USS Midway E Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Intrepid CV 11 July 1945USS Essex CV 9 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5Marine Corps Air Base Cherry Point 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46CVG 8 Carrier Air Group 8 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Tail code changed to AJ in November 1956 Navy Air Reserve units at NAS Minneapolis November 1946 The E code issued to this NAS was a controlled duplicate of the same code letter given to CVG 8 Code changed to 7E in 1956 TW 5 Training Air Wing 5 Comprise VT 2 VT 3 VT 6 HT 8 HT 18 HT 28 EA Assigned to Assigned on NotesMarine Corps Schools Quantico 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VP MS 9 Re designated VP 49 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Tail code changed to LP in 1957 HTU 1 Helicopter Training Unit 1 August 1951VMA 332 Re designated VMA AW 332 1957 Disestablished in March 2007 EB Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP AM 3 Re designated VP 33 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in December 1949 VP 26 July 1950 Tail code changed to LK in 1957 nbsp This F 4N Phantom II carries the EC code assigned to VMA AW 531 EC Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP AM 4 Re designated VP 34 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in June 1956 VMF AW 531 Re designated VMFA 531 1957 Disestablished in March 1992 ED Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP ML 5 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Tail code changed to MC in August 1948 VMA 533 Subsequently re designated VMA AW 533 and VMFA AW 533 1957EE Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Coral Sea CV 43 July 1945 Assignment remained on paper only as the USS Coral Sea was not commissioned until 1 October 1947 USS Enterprise CV 6 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5VP MS 5 Re designated VP 45 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Tail code changed to LN in 1957 EF Assigned to Assigned on NotesVPP 2 Re designated VP 62 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in January 1950 VP 61 Re designated VJ 61 January 1951 Tail code changed to PB in 1953 nbsp EG on this Sea Knight helicopter indicates assignment to HMM 263 EG Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR 263 Subsequently re designated HMM 263 and VMM 263 1957 nbsp An MV 22B Osprey of VMM 264 EH Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP HL 3 Re designated VP 23 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Tail code changed to MA in July 1950 VP 56 September 1950 Tail code changed to LQ in 1957 HMM 264 Re designated VMM 264 June 1959 Squadron Disestablished August 2020 EK Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF AW 114 1957 Disestablished in July 1963 EL Assigned to Assigned on NotesH amp MS 26 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 26 1957 nbsp A subdued EM code can be seen on this CH 46F Sea Knight of HMM 261 EM Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP HL 7 1948 Code changed to HE in 1948 HMR L 261 Subsequently re designated HMM 261 and VMM 261 1957EN Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMH 464 1957EP Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMM 265 Re designated VMM 265 October 1962 Disestablished in November 1970 reactivated in September 1977 with the same tail code nbsp An OV 10A Bronco of VMO 1 shows off its ER tail code ER Assigned to Assigned on NotesVPM 3 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VMO 1 1957 Disestablished in July 1993 nbsp An AV 8B Harrier II assigned to HMM 266 is seen displaying the squadron s ES tail code ES Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMM 266 Re designated VMM 266 26 April 1983ET Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR L 262 Subsequently re designated HMM 262 and VMM 262 September 1951EU Assigned to Assigned on NotesUtility units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Minneapolis November 1946 A very short lived assignment nbsp An A3D 1 belonging to VAH 3 and displaying a short lived EW code EW Assigned to Assigned on NotesVPW 1 Re designated VP 51 April 1948 Disestablished in February 1950 VAH 3 1956 Code changed to GJ in 1957 H amp MS 24 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 24 1957EX Assigned to Assigned on NotesH amp MS 31 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 31 July 1971EZ Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMU 2 Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 June 1984 nbsp Tail code on this F2H 2 Banshee indicates assignment to Carrier Air Group 4 F Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Essex CV 9 July 1945USS Franklin D Roosevelt CV 42 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5CVBG 3 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46Navy Air Reserve units at NAS Jacksonville November 1946 The F code issued to this NAS was a controlled duplicate of the same code letter given to CVBG 3 Code changed to 6F in 1956 Navy Air Reserve units at NAS Oakland September 1948 F was retained by both NAS Jacksonville and NAS Oakland Code changed to 7F in 1956 CVG 4 Carrier Air Group 4 July 1953 Tail code changed to AD in November 1956 TW 6 Training Air Wing 6 Comprise VT 4 VT 10 VT 86 nbsp On this SB2C 5 Helldiver the F stands for NAS Oakland and the A indicates assignment to an attack unit FA Assigned to Assigned on NotesAttack units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Jacksonville and NAS Oakland November 1946 A very short lived assignment FAETULANT Fleet Airborne Electronics Training Unit Atlantic 1949FASRON 2 Fleet Air Service Squadron 2 1957 Disestablished in 1959 FB Assigned to Assigned on NotesFASRON 3 Fleet Air Service Squadron 3 1957 Disestablished in 1960 FC Assigned to Assigned on NotesFASRON 5 Fleet Air Service Squadron 5 1957 Disestablished in 1959 FD Assigned to Assigned on NotesFASRON 6 Fleet Air Service Squadron 6 1957 Disestablished in 1959 FE Assigned to Assigned on NotesFASRON 9 Fleet Air Service Squadron 9 1957 Disestablished in 1960 FF Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Franklin D Roosevelt CV 42 July 1945USS Hornet CV 12 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5 Only in effect until December 1946 Fighter units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Jacksonville and NAS Oakland November 1946 A very short lived assignment VMU 3 Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 September 2008 nbsp An A3D 2 belonging to VAH 9 and displaying a short lived FG code FG Assigned to Assigned on NotesVC 9 Re dsignaed VAH 9 July 1953 Code changed to GM in 1957 FASRON 51 Fleet Air Service Squadron 51 1957 Disestablished in 1960 FH Assigned to Assigned on NotesFASRON 101 Fleet Air Service Squadron 101 1957 Disestablished FJ Assigned to Assigned on NotesFASRON 102 Fleet Air Service Squadron 102 1957 Disestablished in 1960 FK Assigned to Assigned on NotesFASRON 104 Fleet Air Service Squadron 104 1957 Disestablished in 1959 H amp MS 29 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 29 May 1972FL Assigned to Assigned on NotesFASRON 105 Fleet Air Service Squadron 105 1957 Disestablished in 1960 FM Assigned to Assigned on NotesFASRON 106 Fleet Air Service Squadron 106 1957 Disestablished in 1960 FN Assigned to Assigned on NotesFASRON 107 Fleet Air Service Squadron 107 1957 Disestablished in 1960 FP Assigned to Assigned on NotesPatrol units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Jacksonville and NAS Oakland November 1946 A very short lived assignment FAETUPAC Fleet Airborne Electronics Training Unit Pacific 1949FASRON 108 Fleet Air Service Squadron 108 1957 Disestablished in 1959 FQ Assigned to Assigned on NotesFASRON 109 Fleet Air Service Squadron 109 1957 Disestablished in 1959 FR Assigned to Assigned on NotesFASRON 111 Fleet Air Service Squadron 111 1957 Disestablished in 1960 FS Assigned to Assigned on NotesFASRON 121 Fleet Air Service Squadron 121 1957 Disestablished in 1959 FT Assigned to Assigned on NotesFASRON 200 Fleet Air Service Squadron 200 1957 Disestablished in 1960 FU Assigned to Assigned on NotesFASRON 201 Fleet Air Service Squadron 201 1957 Disestablished in 1959 nbsp FZ tail code can be seen on this CQ 24A unmanned helicopter FZ Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMU 1 Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1 January 1987 nbsp Tail code on this T 44A Pegasus indicates assignment to Training Air Wing 4 G Assigned to Assigned on NotesNavy Air Reserve units at NAS Oakland November 1946 Code changed to F in 1948 CVG 21 Carrier Air Group 21 1955 Tail code changed to NP in November 1956 TW 4 Training Air Wing 4 March 1972 Comprise VT 27 VT 28 VT 31 VT 35 GA Assigned to Assigned on NotesVFP 62 1957 Disestablished in January 1968 GB Assigned to Assigned on NotesVAP 62 1957 Disestablished in October 1969 GC Assigned to Assigned on NotesVF AW 4 1957 Disestablished in 1959 HM 16 1970 Disestablished in January 1987 nbsp An EA 1F Skyraider of VAW 33 in 1965 GD Assigned to Assigned on NotesVA AW 33 Subsequently re designated VAW 33 and VAQ 33 July 1956 Disestablished in October 1993 VAQ 34 1984 VAQ 34 shared the tail code with VAQ 33 Disestablishment in October 1993 GE Assigned to Assigned on NotesVAW 12 Re designated RVAW 120 1957 Disestablished in April 1967 GF Assigned to Assigned on NotesGMGRU 2 Guided Missile Group 2 Subsequently re designated GMSRON 2 VU 8 and VC 8 September 1958 Disestablished GH Assigned to Assigned on NotesVAH 1 Re designated RVAH 1 1957 Disestablished in January 1979 nbsp This RA 5C Vigilante of RVAH 3 is seen wearing the squadron s assigned GJ tail code GJ Assigned to Assigned on NotesVAH 3 Re designated RVAH 3 1957 Disestablished in August 1979 nbsp This RA 5C Vigilante of RVAH 5 is seen wearing the squadron s assigned GK tail code GK Assigned to Assigned on NotesVAH 5 Re designated RVAH 5 1957 Disestablished in September 1977 nbsp A pair of VAH 7 A3D 2 Skywarriors GL Assigned to Assigned on NotesVAH 7 Re designated RVAH 7 1957 Disestablished in September 1979 GM Assigned to Assigned on NotesVAH 9 Re designated RVAH 9 1957 Disestablished in September 1977 GN Assigned to Assigned on NotesVAH 11 Re designated RVAH 11 1957 Disestablished in June 1975 GQ Assigned to Assigned on NotesVAH 14 Re designated RVAH 14 February 1968 Disestablished in May 1976 GP Assigned to Assigned on NotesVAH 15 January 1958 Disestablished in February 1959 VAH 13 Re designated RVAH 13 January 1961 Disestablished in June 1976 RVAH 12 July 1971 Disestablished in July 1979 GR Assigned to Assigned on NotesRVAH 13 July 1971 Disestablished in June 1976 VMGRT 253 October 1986 Disestablished in September 2006 GS Assigned to Assigned on NotesRVAH 6 July 1971 Disestablished in October 1978 GX Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMT 204 Re designated VMMT 204 May 1972 nbsp The H on this F9F 2 Panther indicates assignment to CVG 15 H Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Lexington CV 16 July 1945USS Philippine Sea CV 47 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5 Only in effect until December 1946 Navy Air Reserve units at NAS Miami November 1946 The H code issued to this NAS was a controlled duplicate of the same code letter given to CVG 15 Code changed to 6H in 1956 Navy Air Reserve units at NAS Niagara Falls November 1946 Code changed to 7H in 1956 CVG 15 Carrier Air Group 15 1951 Tail code changed to NL in November 1956 HA Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP HL 4 Subsequently re designated VP 24 and VA HM 13 July 1956 Tail code changed to LR in 1957 HS 1 1957 Disestablished in 1997 HB Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP HL 6 Re designated VP 26 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Tail code changed to EB in July 1950 VP 11 May 1952 Tail code changed to LE in 1957 HS 3 Re designated HSC 9 1957HC Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP HL 11 Re designated VP 21 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Tail code changed to LH in 1957 HS 5 1957 Re designated HSC 5 in 2014 HC 4 May 1983 Disestablished in September 2007 nbsp A P2V 3 Neptune carries the tail code of VP 8 HD Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP ML 8 Re designated VP 8 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Tail code changed to LC in 1957 HS 7 Subsequently re designated HSC 7 1957HE Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP HL 7 Re designated VP 7 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Tail code changed to LB in 1957 HS 9 1957 Disestablished in October 1968 nbsp A P2V 2 Neptune carries the tail code of VP 18 HF Assigned to Assigned on NotesFighter units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Niagara Falls and NAS Miami November 1946 A very short lived assignment VP 861 Re designated VP 18 September 1950 Tail code changed to LG in 1957 HS 11 1957HMLA 269 February 1971HG Assigned to Assigned on NotesFAWTULANT Fleet All Weather Training Unit Atlantic 1957 Merged with VF 101 HH Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Intrepid CV 11 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5 Only in effect until December 1946 VP 16 May 1946 Tail code changed to LF in 1957 HMH 366 September 1994 Deactivated in October 2000 reactivated in September 2008 HJ Assigned to Assigned on NotesFAETULANT Fleet Airborne Electronics Training Unit Atlantic 1957 Disestablished in 1957 HK Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP 10 March 1951 Tail code changed to LD in 1957 HATULANT Heavy Attack Training Unit Atlantic 1957 Disestablished HSL 40 Re designated HSM 40 October 1985 nbsp An HRS 3 helicopter with HMR 362 tail code HL Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR 362 Re designated HMR L 362 April 1952 Tail code changed to YL in 1957 SWULANT Special Weapons Unit Atlantic 1956 Disestablished in 1957 VQ 4 July 1968HM Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR 261 Re designated HMR L 261 April 1951 Tail code changed to EM in 1957 HN Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR 361 February 1952HSL 42 October 1984HP Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR 163 Re designated HMR L 163 1955 Tail code changed to YP in 1957 HMHT 401 January 1970 Disestablished in May 1972 HSL 44 October 1984 Disestablished HQ Assigned to Assigned on NotesHSL 46 Re designated HSM 46 April 1988 Disestablished nbsp HR tail code of this HRS 1 indicates assignment to HMR 161 HR Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR 161 Re designated HMR L 161 January 1951 Tail code changed to YR in 1957 H amp MS 40 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 40 July 1971 Disestablished in May 1972 HSL 48 Re designated HSM 48 September 1989 Disestablished HS Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR 162 Re designated HMR L 162 June 1951 Tail code changed to YS in 1957 nbsp A Kaman SH 2F Sea Sprite of HSL 30 HT Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR 163 29 July 1950 U S Navy Letter ACL 43 50 Tail code changed to HP in 1952 HMR 262 Re designated HMR L 262 1952 Tail code changed to ET in 1957 HU 4 re designated HC 4 re designated HSL 30 July 1960 Disestablished 30 September 1993 nbsp This HUP 2 helicopter displays its squadron s HU code HU Assigned to Assigned on NotesHU 2 Re designated HC 2 April 1948 Disestablished in September 1977 HC 2 2nd Re designated HSC 2 April 1987 nbsp A Kaman SH 2F Sea Sprite of HSL 32 HV Assigned to Assigned on NotesHS 2 March 1952 Code changed to SK in 1957 HSL 32 August 1973 Disestablished HW Assigned to Assigned on NotesATU 601HS 3 June 1952 Code changed to HB in 1957 HC 6 September 1967HSC 26 2000s nbsp A Kaman SH 2F Sea Sprite of HSL 34 HX Assigned to Assigned on NotesHSL 34 September 1974 Disestablished HX 21HY Assigned to Assigned on NotesHSL 36 September 1975 Disestablished in September 1992 nbsp HZ code on this Sikorsky HRS helicopter indicates assignment to HMR 363 HZ Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR 363 Re designated HMR L 363 June 1952 Tail code changed to YZ in 1957 nbsp A pair of FJ 2 Fury fighters from VF 21 display the ATG 181 tail code I Assigned to Assigned on NotesNavy Air Reserve units at NAS Gross Ile November 1946 Code changed to 7Y in 1956 ATG 181 Air Task Group 181 1953 Tail code changed to AM in November 1956 IF Assigned to Assigned on NotesFighter units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Gross Ile November 1946 A very short lived assignment IL Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR 263 June 1952 Tail code changed to EG in September 1958 IP Assigned to Assigned on NotesPatrol units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS NAS Gross Ile November 1946 A very short lived assignment IT Assigned to Assigned on NotesTraining units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Gross Ile November 1946 A very short lived assignment J Assigned to Assigned on NotesATG 201 Air Task Group 201 1955 Tail code changed to AP in November 1956 nbsp JA tail code of Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 is seen on this P 3C Orion JA Assigned to Assigned on NotesVX 1 Re designated VXE 1 1957JB Assigned to Assigned on NotesVX 2 1957 Disestablished in 1958 VXN 8 Oceanographic Development Squadron 8 July 1965 Disestablished in October 1993 JC Assigned to Assigned on NotesVX 3 1957 Disestablished in March 1960 nbsp Lockheed LC 130R Hercules of VXE 6 in 1974 JD Assigned to Assigned on NotesVX 6 Re designated VXE 6 Antarctic Deployment Squadron 6 1957 Disestablished in March 1999 JE Assigned to Assigned on NotesVU 2 Re designated VC 2 1957 Disestablished in September 1980 nbsp An F 8L Crusader of Composite Squadron 4 in flight JF Assigned to Assigned on NotesVC 4 July 1971 Disestablished in April 1971 JG Assigned to Assigned on NotesVU 6 Re designated VC 6 1957 Disestablished in August 2008 nbsp Composite Squadron Ten JH tail code is displayed on this TA 4J Skyhawk JH Assigned to Assigned on NotesVU 10 Re designated VC 10 1957 Disestablished in August 1993 JK Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 1 1957 Disestablished in September 1978 VRC 40 July 1960JL Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 22 1957 nbsp A C 2A Greyhound from VR 24 JM Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 24 1957 nbsp JQ the tail code of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Two adorns this EP 3E Orion JQ Assigned to Assigned on NotesVQ 2 September 1955JR Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 6 1957VR 48 October 1980 Disestablished 09 07 2012 1 JS Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 50 July 1971VR 46 March 1981JT Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 53 July 1970 Tail code changed to RT in July 1972VR 52 July 1972JU Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 56 July 1976JV Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 58 November 1977 nbsp A C 130T Hercules of VR 62 JW Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 62 July 1985 nbsp A TA 4J Skyhawk BuNo 152850 of Composite Squadron 12 carries the unit s JY code JY Assigned to Assigned on NotesVC 12 Re designated VFC 12 September 1973 The third squadron known as VC 12 The current tail code of VFC 12 is AF K Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Langley CVL 27 July 1945USS Kearsarge CV 33 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5CVG 3 Carrier Air Group 3 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46 Tail code changed to AC in November 1956 Navy Air Reserve units at NAS Olathe November 1946 The K code issued to this NAS was a controlled duplicate of the same code letter given to CVG 3 Code changed to 7K in 1956 KA Assigned to Assigned on NotesATU 200 Advanced Training Unit 200 Circa 1950KB Assigned to Assigned on NotesATU 100 Advanced Training Unit 100 Circa 1950VMFAT 201 April 1968 Disestablished in September 1974 nbsp An A 6E Intruder from Marine all weather attack training squadron VMAT AW 202 KC Assigned to Assigned on NotesATU 400 Advanced Training Unit 400VMAT AW 202 January 1968 Disestablished in 1990 nbsp A TAV 8A Harrier from VMAT 203 KD Assigned to Assigned on NotesATU 102 Advanced Training Unit 102 Circa 1950VMT 203 Re designated VMAT 203 December 1967KE Assigned to Assigned on NotesATU 801 Advanced Training Unit 801 Circa 1950KK Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Bon Homme Richard CV 31 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5 Only in effect until December 1946 nbsp This FJ 3M Fury is seen here with the L code of Carrier Air Group 7 L Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Randolph CV 15 July 1945USS Leyte CV 32 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5CVG 7 Carrier Air Group 7 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46 Tail code changed to AG in November 1956 Navy Air Reserve units at NAS Akron November 1946 The L code issued to this NAS was a controlled duplicate of the same code letter given to CVG 7 Code changed to 7A in 1956 Navy Air Reserve units at NAS Los Alamitos November 1946 Code changed to 7L in 1956 nbsp A P 3C Orion of VP 5 carries the squadron s LA tail code LA Assigned to Assigned on NotesVCN 2 Night Development Squadron Atlantic 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VP MS 3 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46FAWTULANT Fleet All Weather Training Unit Atlantic 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48VP 5 1957 nbsp A P2V 7 Neptune assigned to patrol squadron VP 7 flies over the Atlantic in 1964 LB Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP HL 9 Re designated VP HL 7 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Tail code changed to HE in 1948 VMR 352 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48VP 7 1957 Disestablished in October 1969 nbsp The LC tail code on this FJ 3 Fury denotes assignment to VMF 122 LC Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 122 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Tail code changed to DC in 1957 VP 8 1957 nbsp This 1952 photograph shows an F4U 4 Corsair from VMF 212 for a combat sortie over Korea LD Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 212 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48VP 10 1957LE Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 222 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Disestablished in December 1949 VP 11 1957 Disestablished on 2 August 1997 nbsp An Orion of Patrol Squadron 16 LF Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMT 1 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48VMFT 20 December 1951VP 16 1957 nbsp An SP 2H Neptune of Patrol Squadron 18 seen in 1962 flying over a Soviet ship LG Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP 18 1957 Disestablished in October 1968 LH Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMR 252 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48VP 21 1957 Disestablished in November 1969 VP 93 July 1976 Disestablished in September 1994 LI Assigned to Assigned on NotesMTACS 1 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 nbsp An SP 2H Neptune of Patrol Squadron 23 in flight LJ Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP 23 1957 Disestablished in February 1995 nbsp An Orion of Patrol Squadron 26 in 1981 LK Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF N 114 Subsequently re designated VMF 114 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48VP 26 1957 nbsp An Orion of Patrol Squadron 30 in 2010 LL Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Franklin CV 13 July 1945USS Lexington CV 16 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5HEDRON 2 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Wing 2 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48VP 30 June 1960 nbsp An Orion of Patrol Squadron 44 in 1984 LM Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 11 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 11 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48VP 44 1957 Disestablished in June 1991 nbsp An Orion of Patrol Squadron 45 in flight over a Soviet freighter LN Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 14 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 14 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48VP 45 1957 nbsp A P 3A Orion of Patrol Squadron 49 in 1964 LP Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 461 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48VP 49 1957 Disestablished in March 1994 nbsp A P 3C Orion of Patrol Squadron 56 in 1976 LQ Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP 56 1957 Disestablished in June 1991 nbsp A P2V 7S Neptune of Patrol Squadron 24 in the early 1960s LR Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMO 1 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Code changed to ER in 1957 VA HM 13 Re designated VP 24 1957 Disestablished in April 1995 LS Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMO 2 June 1951 Code changed to VS in 1957 VP 832 October 1961 Deactivated in August 1962 VP 60 November 1970 Disestablished in September 1994 VMFT 401 nbsp A P 3B Orion of VP 62 in the 1980s LT Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF N 531 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48VP 933 October 1961 Deactivated in August 1962 VP 62 November 1970LU Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 3 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Wing 3 February 1952MARS 37 Maintenance and Repair Squadron 37VP 741 October 1961 Deactivated in August 1962 VP 64 Re designated VR 64 November 1970LV Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 354 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Disestablished in December 1949 HEDRON 31 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 31 March 1952VP 661 October 1961 Deactivated in August 1962 VP 66 November 1970 Disestablished nbsp A specially marked P 33 Orion of VP 68 in 1994 LW Assigned to Assigned on NotesAIRFMFWESPAC Headquarters Squadron Aircraft Fleet Marine Force West Pacific 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48VMF 314 29 July 1950 U S Navy Letter ACL 43 50VP 68 November 1970 Disestablished in January 1997 LX Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMA 324 March 1952 Code changed to DX in 1957 VP 90 November 1970 Disestablished in September 1994 LY Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMAT 20 December 1951 Deactivated in August 1962 VP 92 November 1970 Disestablished in October 2007 LZ Assigned to Assigned on NotesAIRFMFLANT Headquarters Squadron Aircraft Fleet Marine Force Atlantic 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Code changed to BZ in 1957 VP 94 November 1970 Disestablished in September 2006 nbsp The M tail code of this F4U 4 Corsair indicates assignment to Carrier Air Group 1 M Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Enterprise CV 6 July 1945USS Midway CV 41 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5CVBG 1 Battler Carrier Air Group 1 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46Navy Air Reserve units at NAS Memphis November 1946 The M code issued to this NAS was a controlled duplicate of the same code letter given to CVG 2 Code changed to 6M in 1956 CVG 2 Carrier Air Group 2 July 1953 Tail code changed to NE in November 1956 nbsp An F 8H Crusader of VMF AW 112 in 1975 MA Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP MS 1 Re designated VP ML 8 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Tail code changed to HD in August 1948 ATU 1 Advanced Training Unit 1 November 1947VP MS 11 Re designated VP 41 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Disestablished in April 1949 VP 23 July 1950 Tail code changed to LJ in 1957 VS 27 1957VMF AW 112 Re designated VMFA 112 January 1972 nbsp A brightly painted A 4F Skyhawk of VMA 142 in 1976 MB Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP MS 8 Re designated VP 48 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in December 1949 ATU 2 Advanced Training Unit 2 November 1947VP 3 July 1950 Disestablished in November 1955 VS 30 1957VMF 142 Subsequently re designated VMA 142 and VMFA 142 January 1972 Disestablished in July 2008 nbsp F 8K Crusaders from Marine Fighter Squadron 351 MC Assigned to Assigned on NotesATU 4 Advanced Training Unit 4 November 1947VP ML 5 Re designated VP 5 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Tail code changed to LA in 1957 VS 31 1957VMF 351 January 1972 Disestablished in May 1976 nbsp An EA 6B Prowler carries the MD code of VMAQ 3 MD Assigned to Assigned on NotesATU 5 Advanced Training Unit 5 ATU 301 Advanced Training Unit 301 November 1947VS 32 1957VMA 543 January 1972 Disestablished in April 1974 VMAQ 3 July 1992 nbsp Several A 4F Skyhawk aircraft from VMA 133 fly in formation in 1981 ME Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 36 1957VMA 133 January 1972 Disestablished in September 1992 MF Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMA 334 May 1952 Tail code changed to WU VS 39 1957VMFA 134 April 1958MG Assigned to Assigned on NotesVW 2 1957 Disestablished in July 1961 VMF 321 Subsequently re designated VMA 321 and VMFA 321 January 1972 Disestablished in September 2004 nbsp The MH tail code of VW 4 is clearly seen on this smartly painted Lockheed WC 121N MH Assigned to Assigned on NotesVW 4 1957 Disestablished June 1975 MI Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Mindoro CVE 120 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VMF 452 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46VC 23 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48VS 23 29 July 1950 U S Navy Letter ACL 43 50 nbsp A Lockheed EC 121P Warning Star assigned to airborne early warning squadron VW 11 MJ Assigned to Assigned on NotesVW 11 1957 Disestablished in October 1965 VMCJ 4 January 1972 Disestablished in December 1973 MK Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 45 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 45 June 1952VW 13 June 1958 Disestablished in July 1965 VMF 511 1970 Disestablished in August 1972 ML Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 26 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 26 June 1952VW 15 1957 Disestablished in April 1961 VQ 4 July 1971HMM 764 Re designated VMM 764 1976MN Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 333 August 1952 Code changed to DN in 1957 HML 770 1982 Disestablished in 1980 nbsp MM tail code is seen on this EC 121P Warning Star MM Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Saratoga CV 3 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5 Only in effect until December 1946 HEDRON 35 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 35 April 1952AETULANT Fleet Airborne Electronics Training Unit Atlantic 1958HMLA 767 January 1972HMLA 773 Det A 2009MP Assigned to Assigned on NotesPatrol units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Memphis November 1946 A very short lived assignment VMA 331 April 1952 Code changed to DP in 1957 HMR 773 Subsequently re designated HMM 773 HMA 773 and HMLA 773 September 1958MQ Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMM 774 Re designated VMM 774 July 1969 nbsp An OP 2E Neptune of the well known but short lived Observation Squadron 67 over Laos MR Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMA 332 April 1952 Tail code changed to EA in 1957 VO 67 February 1967 Disestablished in July 1968 HML 765 January 1972 Disestablished in June 1976 MS Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR 769 Subsequently re designated HMM 769 and HMH 769 January 1972 Disestablished in August 2008 MT Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMJ 2 1953HMR 772 Subsequently re designated HMM 772 and HMH 772 April 1958MU Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMJ 3 1953VMO 4 September 1962 Disestablished in March 1994 VMU 4 Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 4 July 2010 nbsp An MV 22B Osprey from VMX 22 MV Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 32 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 32 Re designated H amp MS 32 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 32 May 1952VMX 22 August 2003 nbsp An F2H 2P Banshee of VMJ 1 MW Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMJ 1 29 July 1950 U S Navy Letter ACL 43 50 Tail code changed to YW in 1957 H amp MS 42 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 42 January 1972MX Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 334 Re designated VMA 334 May 1952HMX 1 September 1958 The squadron s aircraft rarely if ever have their assigned tail code applied MY Assigned to Assigned on NotesH amp MS 41 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 41 January 1972 nbsp The N code on this F9F 2 Panther indicates assignment to CVG 9 N Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Hancock CV 19 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5Navy Air Reserve units at NAS Spokane September 1948 Code changed to 5N in 1956 CVG 9 Carrier Air Group 9 1 July 1953 Tail code changed to NG in November 1956 nbsp This F2H 3 Banshee of VF 52 is deployed with the ATG 1 hence the NA tail code NA Assigned to Assigned on NotesVC 4 Re designated VF AW 4 September 1948 Disestablished in July 1959 ATG 1 Air Task Group 1 November 1956 Inactivated in 1959 VSF 1CVW 17 Carrier Air Wing 17 2012 nbsp A P2V 3C of VC 5 takes off from the USS Midway in 1949 NB Assigned to Assigned on NotesVC 5 Re designated VAH 5 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48ATG 2 Air Task Group 2 November 1956 Inactivated in 1958 nbsp The AJ 2 Savage on this photograph shows the NC tail code of VC 8 NC Assigned to Assigned on NotesVC 11 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48VC 8 Re designated VAH 11 1951ATG 3 Air Task Group 3 November 1956 Inactivated in 1958 nbsp This F 8J Crusader of VF 301 sports a highly stylized ND code ND Assigned to Assigned on NotesVC 12 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48VC 11 Re designated VAW 11 July 1948ATG 4 Air Task Group 4 November 1956 Inactivated in 1959 CVWR 30 Reserve Carrier Air Wing 30 April 1970 nbsp AD 4W Skyaiders from VC 12 NE Assigned to Assigned on NotesVC 12 Re designated VAW 11 July 1953 Decommissioned in September 1953 CVG 2 Carrier Air Group 2 Re designated CVW 2 Carrier Air Wing 2 November 1956 nbsp An A 4F Skyhawk of VA 212 on a combat mission NF Assigned to Assigned on NotesVC 6 Re designated VAH 6 29 July 1950 U S Navy Letter ACL 43 50CVG 5 Carrier Air Group 5 Re designated CVW 5 Carrier Air Wing 5 November 1956 nbsp An F 4J Phantom II of VF 96 shows the NG tail code of CVW 9 NG Assigned to Assigned on NotesCVG 9 Carrier Air Group 9 Re designated CVW 9 Carrier Air Wing 9 November 1956 nbsp An A 7E Corsair II of VA 195 in 1972 NH Assigned to Assigned on NotesVC 7 Re designated VAH 7 July 1953CVG 11 Carrier Air Group 11 Re designated CVW 11 Carrier Air Wing 11 November 1956 nbsp An F 14A Tomcat of VF 124 NJ Assigned to Assigned on NotesRCVG 12 Replacement Carrier Air Group 12 Re designated RCVW 12 Reserve Carrier Air Wing 12 April 1958 Disestablished in July 1970 RCVW 12 tail codes retained by VF 121 VF 124 VF 126 VA 122 VA 125 VA 127 VA 128 nbsp CVW 14 tail code is prominently displayed on this S 3A Viking of VS 37 NK Assigned to Assigned on NotesCVG 14 Carrier Air Group 14 Re designated CVW 14 Carrier Air Wing 14 November 1956 Disestablished in 2013 nbsp An A 6E Intruder of VA 52 shows the NL tail code of CVW 15 NL Assigned to Assigned on NotesCVG 15 Carrier Air Group 15 Re designated CVW 15 Carrier Air Wing 15 November 1956 Disestablished Electronic Combat Wing Pacific s Expeditionary land based Electronic Attack Squadrons VAQ Upon CVW 15 s disestablishment on 31 March 1995 The first VAQ squadron to be assigned the expeditionary land based role was VAQ 134 when the CVW it was assigned to CVW 15 was disestablished VAQ 134 s aircraft retained the NL tail code and as more VAQ squadrons were assigned to the expeditionary squadron role the NL tail code was assigned to them as well nbsp An F 8E Crusader of VF 191 in 1968 NM Assigned to Assigned on NotesCVG 19 Carrier Air Group 19 Re designated CVW 19 Carrier Air Wing 19 November 1956 Disestablished nbsp A 4 Skyhawks of CVW 21 NP Assigned to Assigned on NotesVC 3 Re designated VF AW 3 May 1949 Disestablished in May 1958CVG 21 Carrier Air Group 21 Re designated CVW 21 Carrier Air Wing 21 November 1956 Disestablished in December 1975 nbsp An AD 4Q Skyraider from VC 35 NR Assigned to Assigned on NotesVC 35 Re designated VA AW 35 May 1950 Code changed to VV in 1957 nbsp A Grumman S 2A Tracker of VS 29 assigned to CVGS 53 NS Assigned to Assigned on NotesCVGS 53 Carrier Antisubmarine Warfare Air Group 53 1960 Disestablished in June 1973 nbsp An S 2A Tracker of VS 33 assigned to CVGS 59 NT Assigned to Assigned on NotesCVGS 59 Carrier Antisubmarine Warfare Air Group 59 1960 Disestablished in September 1968 nbsp An S 2E Tracker of VS 23 assigned to CVGS 55 NU Assigned to Assigned on NotesCVGS 55 Carrier Antisubmarine Warfare Air Group 55 September 1960 Disestablished in September 1968 NV Assigned to Assigned on NotesCVGS 57 Carrier Antisubmarine Warfare Air Group 57 June 1960 Disestablished in September 1969 nbsp An SH 3D Sea King of HS 84 in 1983 NW Assigned to Assigned on NotesCVSR 80 Reserve Carrier Antisubmarine Warfare Air Group 80 1970 Disestablished CVSR 80 tail codes were retained by its squadrons Antisubmarine Helicopter Wing Reserve 1989 Comprised HCS 4 HCS 5 HM 18 HM 19 HS 75 HS 85 HSL 74 HSL 84 and HSL 94 Disestablished Navy Reserve Helicopter Squadrons Though the wing disestablished Navy Reserve Helicopter Squadrons continue to display NWNY Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMGR 452 September 1988 Deactivated December 2022O Assigned to Assigned on NotesATG 182 Air Task Group 182 1955 Inactivated in 1959 P Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Belleau Wood CVL 24 July 1945USS Princeton CV 37 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5Headquarters Squadron Aircraft Fleet Marine Force Pacific 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46CVG 13 Carrier Air Group 13 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46Navy Air Reserve units at NAS Denver November 1946 The P code issued to this NAS was a controlled duplicate of the same code letter given to CVG 10 Code changed to 7P in 1956 CVG 13 Carrier Air Group 10 July 1953 Tail code changed to AK in November 1956 nbsp A VF AW 3 F4D 1 Skyray carries the squadron s PA tail code PA Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Palau CVE 122 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46HEDRON 15 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 15 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46Night Development Squadron Pacific Subsequently re designated VCN 1 FAWTUPAC Fleet All Weather Training Unit Pacific and VF AW 3 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in March 1963 VMF 461 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46 Disestablished in September 1950 Attack units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Denver November 1946 A very short lived assignment IBTU Instructor Basic Training Unit August 1950 nbsp A pair of AJ 2P Savages assigned to VAP 61 PB Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMR 352 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VJ 61 Re designated VAP 61 1953 Tail code changed to SS in 1957 FAETUPAC Fleet Airborne Electronics Training Unit Pacific 1957 Disestablished in 1959 nbsp A P 3B Orion assigned to VP 6 PC Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMR 953 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in May 1947 VP 6 1957 Disestablished in May 1993 nbsp A P 3B Orion assigned to VP 9 PD Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 322 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VP 9 1957 nbsp A P2V 7 assigned to VP 19 PE Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP 19 1957 Disestablished in August 1991 VUP 19 2016PF Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 23 1957HML 364 Subsequently re designated HMM 364 and VMM 364 1961PG Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP 65 November 1970 Disestablished in March 2006 PH Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMM 561 December 2010 Disestablished in July 2012 nbsp A P 3A Orion assigned to VP 69 PJ Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP 69 November 1970 nbsp An F9F 8P Cougar of VFP 62 in flight PL Assigned to Assigned on NotesVC 62 Re designated VFP 62 January 1949 Disestablished in January 1968 VP 67 November 1970 Disestablished in September 1994 nbsp A P 3C Orion of VP 91 PM Assigned to Assigned on NotesVJ 1 Re designated VW 3 March 1952VP 91 November 1970 Disestablished in March 1999 PN Assigned to Assigned on NotesVJ 2 Re designated VW 4 March 1952 Tail code changed to TH in mid 1950s nbsp An F2H 2P Banshee of VC 61 in flight PP Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Ranger CV 4 July 1945USS Langley CVL 27 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5VC 61 Subsequently re designated VFP 61 VCP 63 and VFP 63 1949 Disestablished in September 1982 nbsp VQ 1 tail code PR is prominently displayed on this EA 3B Skywarrior PR Assigned to Assigned on NotesVQ 1 1955 nbsp The PS tail code on this SB2C Helldiver indicates assignment to Carrier Air Group 9 PS Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Philippine Sea CV 47 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46CVG 9 Carrier Air Group 9 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46 Tail code changed to D in August 1948 PZ Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Point Cruz CVE 119 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Only in effect until December 1946 nbsp A P 3C Orion of VP 22 shows the squadron s QA tail code QA Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP 22 1957 Disestablished in March 1994 nbsp A pair of VMGR 352 KC 130J aircraft in flight QB Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMR 352 Re designated VMGR 352 1957 nbsp A P 3A Orion of VP 28 QC Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP 28 1957 Disestablished in October 1969 nbsp A VMGR KC 130F Hercules as seen in 1967 QD Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMR 253 Re designated VMGR 152 1957QE Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP 40 1957QF Assigned to Assigned on NotesMARS 37 Maintenance and Repair Squadron 37 Re designated H amp MS 37 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 37 1957 Disestablished nbsp The squadron s QG tail code is clearly seen on this VMA 131 A 4E Skyhawk QG Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMA 131 January 1972 Disestablished in December 1998 QH Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMGR 234 January 1972QJ Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMM 768 January 1972 Disestablished in 1976 QK Assigned to Assigned on NotesHML 771 January 1972QL Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMH 776 Re designated HML 776 1959 Disestablished in July 1994 QM Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMM 777 January 1972 Disestablished in October 1976 QN Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMO 8 January 1972 Disestablished in July 1976 nbsp An A 4E Skyhawk of VMA 124 QP Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMA 124 January 1972 Disestablished in 1996 nbsp A subdued squadron s tail code is seen on this VMA 322 A 4E Skyhawk QR Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMA 322 January 1972 Disestablished in June 1992 QS Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMM 776 January 1972 Disestablished in October 1976 QT Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMLAT 303 April 1982QY Assigned to Assigned on NotesH amp MS 46 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 46 January 1972QZ Assigned to Assigned on NotesH amp MS 49 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 49 July 1971R Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Cabot CVL 28 July 1945USS Randolph CV 15 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5CVG 17 Carrier Air Group 17 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46 Code changed to AL in 1957 NAS New York November 1946 Code changed to 7R in 1956 nbsp The RA tail code of HS 10 is seen on this SH 60F Seahawk RA Assigned to Assigned on NotesVRU 1 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VR 2 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Disestablished in June 1958 RCVG 51 Replacement Carrier Antisubmarine Warfare Air Group 51 1960 Disestablished in June 1970 RCVG 51 tail code retained by VS 41 and HS 10 VS 41 June 1970 Disestablished in 2006 HS 10 June 1970 Deactivated on 12 July 2012RB Assigned to Assigned on NotesVRU 2 Re designated VR 22 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VP 42 1957 Disestablished in September 1969 HC 5 Re designated HSC 25 1984 nbsp A P 3C Orion of VP 46 RC Assigned to Assigned on NotesVRU 3 Re designated VR 23 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VP 46 1957 nbsp A P 3C Orion of VP 47 RD Assigned to Assigned on NotesVRU 4 Re designated VR 24 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VP 47 1957RE Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Rendova CVE 114 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VMF 214 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46VR 31 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 nbsp A pair of VMFP 3 RF 4B Phantoms show off their RF tail codes RF Assigned to Assigned on NotesFighter units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS New York November 1946 A very short lived assignment VR 32 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48VMFP 3 July 1975 Disestablished in September 1990 nbsp A C 2A Greyhound of VRC 50 RG Assigned to Assigned on NotesVRC 50 October 1966 Disestablished in October 1994 VR 51 1 June 1997RH Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 8 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Disestablished in 1957 RI Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Oriskany CV 34 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46CVG 21 Carrier Air Group 21 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46 Tail code changed to G in 1955 RL Assigned to Assigned on NotesVXS 1 Scientific Development Squadron 1 December 2004 nbsp An EA 6A Intruder assigned to VMCJ 1 RM Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 44 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48VMC 1 Subsequently re designated VMCJ 1 and later VMAQ 4RN Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 7 1957 nbsp The squadron s tail code is seen clearly on this VR 23 TBM 3R Avenger COD aircraft RK Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 23 August 1951 Disestablished in 1957 nbsp A P 3A Orion of VP 31 RP Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 1 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48VP 31 June 1960 Disestablished in October 1993 nbsp The RR tail code on this AD 5W Skyraider indicates assignment to VAW 11 RR Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Yorktown CV 10 July 1945USS Belleau Wood CVL 24 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5VAW 11 Re designated VAW 111 1957 Disestablished in 1976 Re established in October 1986 disestablished in April 1988 RS Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 5 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Disestablished in June 1957 VR 61 October 1982RT Assigned to Assigned on NotesTraining units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS New York November 1946 A very short lived assignment VR 3 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Disestablished in 1957 VR 53 July 1972 Code changed to WV in 1999 nbsp RU lettering on this C 130T Hercules indicates assignment to VR 55 RU Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 6 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Disestablished in 1957 VR 55 April 1976RV Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 51 1985 Disestablished on 30 September 1994 nbsp A C 2A Greyhound of VRC 30 RW Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 30 Re designated VRC 30 1960sRX Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 57 November 1977RY Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 51 November 1970 Code changed to RV in 1985 VR 59 1985 nbsp The RZ code on the starboard wing of this TBM 3R Avenger indicates assignment to VR 21 RZ Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 21 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Disestablished in March 1977 nbsp The S on the tail of this FJ 1 Fury indicates assignment to Carrier Air Group 5 S Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Hornet CV 12 July 1945USS Franklin CV 13 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5 This assignment was obviously a purely bureaucratic one as USS Franklin was never put back into service after heavy damage received on 19 March 1945 NAS Norfolk November 1946 Code changed to 6S in 1956 CVG 5 Carrier Air Group 5 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46 Tail code changed to NF in 1956 SA Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Saipan CVL 48 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VP MS 2 Re designated VP 42 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Tail code changed to RB in 1957 CVLG 1 Carrier Air Group Light 1 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46 A very short lived assignment VMFT 10 1956 Disestablished in July 1958 HC 3 Re designated HSC 3 1967SB Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Salerno Bay CVE 110 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VP ML 2 Re designated VP 2 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Tail code changed to YB in 1957 BTU 3 Basic Training Unit 3 1950VMAT 10 December 1951VMFAT 101 January 1969 Tail code changed to SH in the 1970s nbsp An A 4M Skyhawk of VMAT 102 SC Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP ML 4 Re designated VP 4 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Tail code changed to YD in 1957 VMFT AW 10 1957 Disestablished in July 1958 VMAT 102 January 1969 Disestablished in October 1987 nbsp The SD code on the vertical stabilizer of this F A 18 Hornet indicates assignment to VX 23 SD Assigned to Assigned on NotesVPP 1 Re designated VP 61 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in January 1950 VS 831 Re designated VS 36 June 1951VMIT 10 Re designated VMT 2 December 1951VMT 103 Circa 1970 Disestablished in May 1972 VX 23 July 1995SE Assigned to Assigned on NotesH amp MS 10 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 10 1957 Disestablished in 1958 VP 50 July 1950 Tail code changed to SG in 1957 HMLA 469 June 2009SF Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP 731 Re designated VP 48 September 1950 Disestablished in May 1991 SG Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP 50 1957 Disestablished in June 1992 nbsp A pair of Avengers assigned to VS 26 SH Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 26 July 1953 Disestablished in May 1956 AIRBARSRON 2 Air Barrier Squadron 2 1957VMFAT 101 Circa 1970 nbsp The tail code of VS 24 is clearly seen on these Grumman Guardians SI Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Siboney CVE 112 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VS 24 29 July 1950 U S Navy Letter ACL 43 50 Disestablished in June 1956 SJ Assigned to Assigned on NotesVW 12 1957 Disestablished in February 1960 nbsp The SK on the tail boom of this HSS 1 Seabat indicates assignment to HS 2 SK Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 25 29 July 1950 U S Navy Letter ACL 43 50 Disestablished in June 1956 HS 2 Re designated HSC 2 1957 nbsp A group of TBM 3E Avenger anti submarine aircraft of Composite Squadron VC 22 SL Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Sicily CVE 118 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46CVEG 2 Carrier Air Group Escort 2 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46 A very short lived assignment VC 22 Re designated VS 22 September 1948 Disestablished in June 1956 VAH 21 September 1968 Disestablished in June 1969 nbsp The squadron s code is seen on this HMLA 369 AH 1W Super Cobra SM Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 27 July 1953HMLA 369 April 1972SN Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 913 Re designated VS 39 April 1951HMM 772 Re designated HMH 772 April 1958HMLA 169 September 1971 nbsp An AF 2S Guardian of anti submarine squadron VS 31 SP Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 31 29 July 1950 U S Navy Letter ACL 43 50SQ Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMMT 302 Re designated HMHT 302 November 1966 Disestablished in March 1972 nbsp A TBM 3W Avenger from anti submarine squadron VS 32 SR Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Saidor CVE 117 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VMF 513 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46VS 32 29 July 1950 U S Navy Letter ACL 43 50H amp MS 30 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 30 Circa 1970 Disestablished nbsp An AD 3Q Skyraider from composite squadron VC 33 SS Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Bon Homme Richard CV 31 July 1945USS Bennington CV 20 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5VC 33 Re designated VA AW 33 1949VAP 61 Re designated VCP 61 and back to VAP 61 1957 Disestablished in July 1971 nbsp An S2F 1 Tracker of VS 38 ST Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 892 Re designated VS 38 August 1950VS 771 1961 Deactivated in August 1962 nbsp An elaborately marked AF 2W Guardian of VS 37 SU Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 871 Re designated VS 37 May 1951VS 772 1961 Deactivated in August 1962 HMT 301 April 1966 Disestablished in June 2005 nbsp An AF 2W Guardian assigned to VS 931 SV Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 931 Re designated VS 20 March 1951 Disestablished in June 1956 VS 873 1961 Deactivated in August 1962 nbsp An AF 2W Guardian assigned to VS 30 SW Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 801 Re designated VS 30 February 1950VS 872 1961 Deactivated in August 1962 SX Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 891 1961 Deactivated in August 1962 SY Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 721 1961 Deactivated in August 1962 SZ Assigned to Assigned on NotesMARS 17 Maintenance and Repair Squadron 17 Re designated H amp MS 17 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 17 1957 Disestablished nbsp The T on this F2H 2 Banshee indicates assignment to Carrier Air Group 1 T Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Bataan CVL 29 July 1945USS Tarawa CV 40 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5CVG 1 Carrier Air Group 1 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46 Some CVG 1 aircraft those belonging to VF 14 while temporary attached to an Air Task Group rendered their tail code as ATG though ATG was never authorized as a unit code The Group s tail code was changed to AB in November 1956 NAS Seattle November 1946 Code changed to 7T in 1956 NAS Birmingham August 1950 Code changed to 5T in 1956 TA Assigned to Assigned on NotesHS 4 1957HSL 51 Re designated HSM 51 1980s nbsp An MH 53E Sea Dragon of HM 15 TB Assigned to Assigned on NotesVAH 1 November 1955 Code changed to GH in 1957 HM 15 January 1987TC Assigned to Assigned on NotesVQ 3 July 1968 The squadron s aircraft rarely if ever have their assigned tail code applied nbsp A Kaman SH 2F Seasprite assigned to HSL 31 TD Assigned to Assigned on NotesHC 5 Redesignated HSL 31 September 1967 Disestablished in June 1992 nbsp A Lockheed WV 2 Warning Star assigned to early warning squadron VW 1 TE Assigned to Assigned on NotesVW 1 June 1952 Disestablished in June 1971 nbsp An excellent view of a SH 2F Seasprite of HSL 33 TF Assigned to Assigned on NotesVW 2 1955 Changed to MG in 1957HSL 33 July 1973 nbsp An SH 2F Seasprite assigned to HSL 35 TG Assigned to Assigned on NotesHSL 35 January 1974 Disestablished in December 1992HSM 35 May 2013 nbsp An SH 2F Seasprite assigned to HSL 37 TH Assigned to Assigned on NotesVW 4 Mid 1950s Tail code changed to MH in 1957 HSL 37 Re designated HSM 37 July 1975TJ Assigned to Assigned on NotesVW 11 August 1955 Disestablished TK Assigned to Assigned on NotesVW 13 September 1955 Disestablished in 1957 nbsp A Lockheed WV 2 Warning Star assigned to early warning squadron VW 15 TL Assigned to Assigned on NotesVC 62 Circa 1948 Tail code changed to PL circa 1950 VW 15 October 1955 Disestablished TM Assigned to Assigned on NotesH amp MS 11 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 11 1957 Disestablished nbsp A flight of VMCJ 3 RF 4B Phantoms display the squadron s TN tail code TN Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMC 3 Re designated VMCJ 3 October 1952 Re designated to VMFP 3 in 1975 tail code changed to RF TP Assigned to Assigned on NotesVJ 62 Re designated VAP 62 April 1952 Tail code changed to GB in 1957 nbsp A stylized TR tail code is seen on this FJ 4B assigned to Fleet Air Gunnery Unit Pacific TR Assigned to Assigned on NotesFAGUPAC Fleet Air Gunnery Unit Pacific 1952 Disestablished in February 1960 VAQ 129 VAQ 130 September 1970TS Assigned to Assigned on NotesHSL 41 Re designaed HSM 41 January 1983 nbsp An SH 60B Seahawk of HSL 43 TT Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Bennington CV 20 July 1945USS Ticonderoga CV 14 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5 Only in effect until December 1946 VF AW 3 1957 Disestablished in 1958 RVAW 110 Circa 1971 Disestablished in May 1983 HSL 43 October 1984TV Assigned to Assigned on NotesHML 167 Re designated HMLA 167 April 1968TX Assigned to Assigned on NotesHSL 49 Re designated HSM 49 Circa 1980TY Assigned to Assigned on NotesHSL 47 Circa 1980TZ Assigned to Assigned on NotesHSL 45 October 1986U Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Hancock CV 19 July 1945USS Bunker Hill CV 17 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5 Only in effect until December 1946 USS Bunker Hill has never returned to duty as an active carrier after heavy damage received on 11 May 1945 so this code was probably never applied in practice NAS St Louis November 1946 Code changed to 7U in 1956 ATG 1 Air Task Group 1 Circa 1950 Tail code changed to NA in November 1956 nbsp A colourful TA 4J Skyhawk shows the UA code of composite squadron VC 1 UA Assigned to Assigned on NotesAttack units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS St Louis November 1946 A very short lived assignment VU 1 Re designated VC 1 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in May 1992 nbsp The UB on the tail boom of this HSS 1 Seabat indicates assignment to HS 6 UB Assigned to Assigned on NotesVU 2 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VO 1 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48HS 6 Re designated HSC 6 1957UC Assigned to Assigned on NotesVU 3 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VO 2 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48HS 5 Re designated HSC 5 January 1953UD Assigned to Assigned on NotesVU 4 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Tail code changed to JF in 1957 nbsp An SH 3G Sea King assigned to VC 5 UE Assigned to Assigned on NotesVU 5 Re designated VC 5 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in August 1992 nbsp A Grumman US 2C from composite squadron VC 3 UF Assigned to Assigned on NotesVU 6 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46Fighter units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS St Louis November 1946 A very short lived assignment VU 3 Re designated VC 3 1948 Disestablished in September 1980 UG Assigned to Assigned on NotesVU 6 March 1952 Tail code changed to JG in 1957 nbsp A pair of A 4F Skyhawks from composite squadron VC 7 UH Assigned to Assigned on NotesVU 7 Re designated VC 7 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in September 1980 UI Assigned to Assigned on NotesVU 8 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished UJ Assigned to Assigned on NotesVU 2 Re designated VC 4 January 1952 Disestablished UK Assigned to Assigned on NotesVU 9 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished UL Assigned to Assigned on NotesVU 10 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Code changed to JH in 1957 nbsp The UM tail code on this OV 10 Bronco indicates assignment to VAL 4 UM Assigned to Assigned on NotesVAL 4 January 1969 Disestablished in April 1972 nbsp A Piasecki HUP 2 Retriever of Helicopter Utility Squadron HU 1 UP Assigned to Assigned on NotesPatrol units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS St Louis November 1946 A very short lived assignment HU 1 Re designated HC 1 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Disestablished in April 1994 nbsp A Piasecki HUP 1 Retriever of Helicopter Utility Squadron HU 2 UR Assigned to Assigned on NotesHU 2 Re designated HC 2 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Disestablished in September 1977 UT Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMMT 302 Re designated HMHT 302 November 1966 nbsp Stylized UU decorates the tail of this OV 10A Bronco from VMO 2 UU Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Cabot CVL 28 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5 Only in effect until December 1946 VMO 2 April 1974 Disestablished in May 1993 UV Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMO 5 Subsequently re designated HML 267 and HMLA 267 December 1967 nbsp The squadron s UX tail code on this Skyhawk from VFC 13 is cleverly disguised UX Assigned to Assigned on NotesVC 13 Re designated VFC 13 September 1973 Tail code changed to AF in the 1990s nbsp The V on this F9F 2 Panther indicates assignment to CVG 11 V Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Ticonderoga CV 14 July 1945USS Valley Forge CV 45 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5CVG 11 Carrier Air Group 11 12 December 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 165 46 Tail code changed to NH in November 1956 NAS Glenview November 1946 Code changed to 7V in 1956 VA Assigned to Assigned on NotesAttack units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Glenview November 1946 A very short lived assignment VW 14 1957 Disestablished in February 1960 VB Assigned to Assigned on NotesHS 8 Re designated HSC 8 1957 nbsp An F 4J Phantom II of VMFA 115 VE Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF AW 115 Re designated VMFA 115 1957VF Assigned to Assigned on NotesFighter units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Glenview November 1946 A very short lived assignment nbsp The squadron s tail code is barely discernable on this HH 2C assigned to VH 7 VH Assigned to Assigned on NotesHC 7 September 1967 Disestablished in June 1975 nbsp An A 6E Intruder of VMA AW 121 VK Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMA 121 Subsequently re designated VMA AW 121 and VMFA 121 1957 nbsp An A 4M Skyhawk of VMA 331 VL Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMA 331 1957 Disestablished in October 1992 nbsp This F 35B sports the VM tail code of VMFAT 501 VM Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 451 Subsequently re designated VMF AW 451 VMFA 451 and VMFAT 501 1957 nbsp The VO on this HO4S helicopter indicates assignment to HS 4 VO Assigned to Assigned on NotesHS 4 June 1952 Tail code changed to TA in 1957 nbsp A CH 46D Sea Knight of HC 11 VR Assigned to Assigned on NotesVAW 13 September 1959HC 11 Re designated HSC 21 1977 nbsp A Kaman HOK 1 Huskie of VMO 2 VS Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMO 2 1957 Tail code changed to UU in 1974 VT Assigned to Assigned on NotesHML 367 Re designated HMLA 367 August 1966VV Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Bataan CVL 29 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5 Only in effect until December 1946 VA AW 35 Re designated VA 122 1957 VA 122 retained the tail code of RCVW 12 NJ until disestablishment in May 1991 nbsp An F 4B Phantom II of VMFA 314 VW Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF AW 314 Re designated VMFA 314 1957VX Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMM 561 January 1967 Disestablished in October 1969 VZ Assigned to Assigned on NotesH amp MS 56 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 56 Circa 1970 Disestablished in July 1971 W Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Antietam CV 36 July 1945USS Wright CVL 49 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5NAS Willow Grove November 1946 Code changed to 7W in 1956 ATG 2 Air Task Group 2 1952 Tail code changed to NB in November 1956 nbsp This TA 4F Skyhawk shows the WA code of H amp MS 12 WA Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP MS 6 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Tail code changed to BD in August 1948 HEDRON 12 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 12 Re designated H amp MS 12 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 12 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished nbsp A Stinson OY 1 Sentinel of VMO 6 WB Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP HL 2 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46HEDRON 25 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 25 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VMO 6 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Disestablished in January 1977 WC Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP HL 1 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in May 1947 VMR 152 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in 1959 BTG 1 Basic Training Group 1HSC 23 September 2006 nbsp An FJ 4B Fury of VMA 212 shows its proper WD tail code WD Assigned to Assigned on NotesVPM 1 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VMR 253 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VMT 2 1950VMIT 10 December 1951 Disestablished in 1958 VMA 212 Re designated VMFA 212 1957 nbsp A flight of A 4 Skyhawks assigned to VMA 214 WE Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 31 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 31 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VMF N 542 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VMF 214 Re designated VMA 214 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 nbsp An F7F 3N Tigercat of VMF N 513 WF Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF N 534 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VMF N 513 Subsequently re designated VMF AW 513 and VMFA 513 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Disestablished in July 2013 WG Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMLA 773 Det B 2009 nbsp A pair of F 4B Phantom II jets of VMFA 542 WH Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 542 Subsequently re designated VMF N 542 VMF AW 542 VMFA 542 and VMA 542 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 nbsp A Douglas AD 4B Skyraider assigned to VMA 225 WI Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 32 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 32 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VMF 225 Re designated VMA 225 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Code changed to CE in 1957 WJ Assigned to Assigned on NotesJTU 1 Joint Training Unit 1 Circa 1948 Disestablished nbsp An F4U 5 Corsair of VMF 224 WK Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 224 Subsequently re designated VMA 224 and VMA AW 224 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 nbsp An F9F 2 Panther of VMF 311 WL Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 311 Re designated VMA 311 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 nbsp The WM code on this HO3S 1 helicopter indicates assignment to the Headquarters Squadron 33 WM Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 33 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 33 Re designated H amp MS 33 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 33 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Disestablished in December 1970 WP Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 223 Re designated VMA 223 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46WQ Assigned to Assigned on NotesVQ 2 September 1955 Tail code changed to JQ before the end of the decade nbsp An FJ 2 Fury of VMF 312 WR Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 312 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46HMLA 775 September 1958 Disestablished in September 2008 nbsp An F A 18 Hornet of VMFA 323 WS Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 323 Subsequently re designated VMF AW 323 and VMFA 323 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 nbsp An FJ 4 Fury of VMF 232 WT Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMP 254 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46VMF 232 Re designated VMFA 232 1957 nbsp A pair of brightly decorated FJ 2 Fury fighters assigned to VMF 235 WU Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMF 235VMF 334 Re designated VMFA 334 1957 Disestablished in December 1971 nbsp A C 130T Hercules of VR 48 WV Assigned to Assigned on NotesVR 53 1999 Code changed to AX in 2004 WW Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 16 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 16 Re designated H amp MS 16 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 16 March 1951 Disestablished WX Assigned to Assigned on NotesHEDRON 36 Headquarters Squadron Marine Air Group 36 Re designated H amp MS 36 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 36 June 1952 Disestablished WZ Assigned to Assigned on NotesAIRFMFPAC Headquarters Squadron Aircraft Fleet Marine Force Pacific 4 August 1948 U S Navy Letter ACL 69 48 Disestablished nbsp The X on this F2H 4 Banshee indicates assignment to Air Task Group 202 X Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Wasp CV 18 July 1945USS Shangri La CV 38 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5NAS New Orleans November 1946 Code changed to 7X in 1956 ATG 202 Air Task Group 202 1955 Code changed to AQ in November 1956 XA Assigned to Assigned on NotesVX 1 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Code changed to JA in 1957 XB Assigned to Assigned on NotesVX 2 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Code changed to JB in 1957 nbsp An F7U 3 Cutlass of VX 3 XC Assigned to Assigned on NotesVX 3 July 1946 Tail code changed to JC in 1957 nbsp An LC 130R Hercules of VXE 6 XD Assigned to Assigned on NotesVX 6 Re designated VXE 6 Antarctic Deployment Squadron 6 7 November 1946 U S Navy Letter ACL 156 46 Code changed to JD in 1957 then reverted to XD Disestablished in March 1999 XE Assigned to Assigned on NotesVX 5 June 1951 Disestablished in April 1994 VX 9 June 1993 nbsp An FJ 4B Fury of VX 4 XF Assigned to Assigned on NotesVX 4 1950 Disestablished in September 1994 XM Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMX 1 December 1947 Code changed to MX in 1958 XX Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Wasp CV 18 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5 Only in effect until December 1946 Y Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Bunker Hill CV 17 July 1945USS Yorktown CV 10 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5 Only in effect until December 1946 ATG 3 Air Task Group 3 1955 Code changed to NC in November 1956 nbsp The tail code of this Grumman Tracker indicates assignment to VS 21 YA Assigned to Assigned on NotesVS 21 1957 Disestablished nbsp An SP 2H Neptune of VP 1 YB Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP 1 1957YC Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP 2 1957 Disestablished in September 1969 YD Assigned to Assigned on NotesVP 4 1957 nbsp The squadron s code is barely visible on this war weary CH 53A Stallion of HMH 462 YF Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMH 462 November 1957YG Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR M 463 1957 Disestablished in June 1959 nbsp A CH 53D Stallion of HMH 463 YH Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMH 463 September 1958YJ Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMH 465 December 1981YK Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMM 364 September 1961HMH 466 November 1984 nbsp A CH 53D Stallion of HMH 362 YL Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR L 362 Subsequently re designated HMM 362 and HMH 362 1957 nbsp A CH 46F Sea Knight assigned to HMM 365 YM Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMM 365 Re designated VMM 365 July 1963YN Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR L 361 Re designated HMH 361 1957YP Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR L 163 Subsequently re designated HMM 163 and VMM 163 1957YQ Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMM 268 Subsequently re designated VMM 268 March 1979 nbsp An MV 22B Osprey of VMM 161 YR Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR L 161 Subsequently re designated HMM 161 and VMM 161 1957 nbsp The tail code of this AH 1W Super Cobra attack helicopter indicates assignment to HMM 162 YS Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR L 162 Subsequently re designated HMM 162 and VMM 162 1957YT Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMM 164 Re designated VMM 164 July 1962 nbsp A TF 9J Cougar of Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 13 YU Assigned to Assigned on NotesH amp MS 13 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 13 MALS 13 Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 1957 Disestablished YV Assigned to Assigned on NotesH amp MS 15 Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 15 1957 Disestablished nbsp An excellent shot of a CH 46D Sea Knight of HMM 165 YW Assigned to Assigned on NotesVMJ 1 1957 Disestablished in July 1958 HMM 165 Re designated VMM 165 July 1965YX Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMM 166 Re designated VMM 166 September 1986YY Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Midway CV 41 July 1945USS San Jacinto CVL 30 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5 Only in effect until December 1946 nbsp An MV 22B Osprey of VMM 363 YZ Assigned to Assigned on NotesHMR L 363 Subsequently re designated HMM 363 HMH 363 and VMM 363 1957Z Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Shangri La CV 38 July 1945USS Lake Champlain CV 39 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5 Only in effect until December 1946 NAS Squantum November 1946ATG 4 Air Task Group 4 1955 Code changed to ND in November 1956 ZA Assigned to Assigned on NotesAttack units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Squantum November 1946 A very short lived assignment VAH 2 November 1955 Re designated VAQ 132 in November 1968 nbsp A KA 3B Skywarrior of VAH 4 in flight ZB Assigned to Assigned on NotesVAH 4 1957 Re designated VAQ 131 in November 1968 nbsp An A3D 2 Skywarrior of VAH 6 landing aboard an aircraft carrier ZC Assigned to Assigned on NotesVAH 6 1957 Re designated RVAH 6 in 1971 tail code changed to GS ZD Assigned to Assigned on NotesVAH 8 May 1957 Disestablished in January 1968 nbsp A P 3B Orion assigned to VP 17 ZE Assigned to Assigned on NotesVA HM 10 Re designated VP 17 1957ZF Assigned to Assigned on NotesFighter units of Navy Air Reserve at NAS Squantum November 1946 A very short lived assignment VA HM 12 1957 Disestablished in 1959 ZG Assigned to Assigned on NotesHATUPAC Heavy Attack Training Unit Pacific June 1957 Re designated VAH 123 Disestablished in February 1971 nbsp The ZH code on the AJ 2 Savage on this photograph indicates assignment to VAH 16 ZH Assigned to Assigned on NotesVAH 16 15 January 1958 Disestablished in January 1959 ZR Assigned to Assigned on NotesVAH 10 May 1961 Re designated VAQ 129 in November 1968 nbsp An FJ 4 Fury of Guided Missile Group 1 ZZ Assigned to Assigned on NotesUSS Boxer CV 21 July 1945USS Saipan CVL 48 8 January 1946 U S Navy Letter FF12 5 Only in effect until December 1946GMGRU 1 Guided Missile Group 1 1957 Disestablished in September 1960 References editDoll Thomas E Jackson Berkley R Riley William A 1983 Navy Air Colors United States Navy Marine Corps and Coast Guard Aircraft Camouflage and Markings 1911 1945 Vol 1 Carrollton Texas Squadron Signal Publications ISBN 0 89747 143 1 Doll Thomas E Jackson Berkley R Riley William A 1985 Navy Air Colors United States Navy Marine Corps and Coast Guard Aircraft Camouflage and Markings 1945 1985 Vol 2 Carrollton Texas Squadron Signal Publications ISBN 0 89747 168 7 Elliott John M 1988 The Official Monogram U S Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide 1940 1949 Vol 2 Sturbridge Massachusetts Monogram Aviation Publications ISBN 0 914144 32 4 Elliott John M 1991 The Official Monogram U S Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide 1950 1959 Vol 3 Sturbridge Massachusetts Monogram Aviation Publications ISBN 0 914144 33 2 Elliott John M 1993 The Official Monogram U S Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide 1960 1993 Vol 4 Sturbridge Massachusetts Monogram Aviation Publications ISBN 0 914144 34 0 Grossnick Roy A 1995 Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons The History of VA VAH VAK VAL VAP and VFA Squadrons Vol 1 Washington D C Naval Historical Center ISBN 0 945274 29 7 Kasulka Duane A 1985 USN Carrier Air Units Vol 1 Carrollton Texas Squadron Signal Publications ISBN 0 89747 164 4 Kasulka Duane A 1985 USN Carrier Air Units Vol 2 Carrollton Texas Squadron Signal Publications ISBN 0 89747 172 5 Kasulka Duane A 1988 USN Carrier Air Units Vol 3 Carrollton Texas Squadron Signal Publications ISBN 0 89747 218 7 Roberts Michael D 2000 Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons The History of VP VPB VP HL and VP AM Squadrons Vol 2 Washington D C Naval Historical Center Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title U S Navy and U S Marine Corps aircraft tail codes amp oldid 1217588109, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
