List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons

This is a list of active United States Navy aircraft squadrons. Deactivated or disestablished squadrons are listed in the list of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons.
The U.S. Navy uses the term "squadron" only to describe units consisting of aircraft, ships, submarines or boats. It does not use it for maintenance, medical, administrative, support or other any other units as does the USAF, U.S. Army, and USMC. There are three exceptions: Tactical Air Control Squadrons operate Tactical Air Control Centers aboard amphibious ships and consist of personnel who control aircraft in amphibious operations; Tactical Operations Control Squadrons operate Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Tactical Operations Centers supporting Patrol squadron operations; and the operating units of Naval Special Warfare Development Group colloquially known as "SEAL Team Six" are called "squadrons" named by color.
Selected aircraft squadrons and their history are listed in the Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons.

Aircraft Squadron organization

Navy aircraft squadrons are composed of aircraft, the officers who fly the aircraft, the officers and sailors who crew or maintain them, and operational and administrative support sailors. Aircraft carrier based squadrons number between about 150 and 250 officers and sailors and have as few as five aircraft to as many as fourteen depending on the type of squadron. Aircraft squadrons are commanded by a Naval Aviator or Naval Flight Officer Commanding Officer who holds the rank of Commander. Second in command is the Executive Officer, also a Naval Aviator or NFO who also holds the rank of Commander. The XO typically assumes command of the squadron after approximately 15 months as XO. In the case of Training Squadrons or Test and Evaluation Squadrons the CO or XO will often be a USMC Lieutenant Colonel as those squadrons are comprised of both Navy and Marine Corps personnel. A Command Master Chief, a senior sailor who holds the rating of Command master chief petty officer acts as the senior enlisted advisor to the CO. There are typically four departments – Operations, Maintenance, Safety, and Administration – each led by a Lieutenant Commander Naval Aviator or NFO "Department Head". An assistant Maintenance Officer who is a senior Lieutenant or Lieutenant Commander Aerospace Maintenance Duty Officer or Limited Duty Officer assists the maintenance department head. Within the departments are divisions each headed by a Lieutenant or Lieutenant Naval Aviator or NFO "Division Officer". Divisions are divided into branches typically headed by a Chief Petty Officer but in very large squadrons they may be headed by a Lieutenant or recently promoted Lieutenant. All but four officers in an aircraft carrier based squadron are Naval Aviators or NFOs with those four typically being two Aerospace Maintenance Duty Officers or Limited Duty Officers, one Intelligence Officer, and one aircraft maintenance or ordnance Warrant Officer. If there is an Ensign to be found in an aircraft squadron he or she will likely be one of the non-Naval Aviators or NFOs as the length of Naval Aviator and NFO training pipelines usually exceed two years.
The CO of a Reserve squadron is also a Commander, as is the XO who will also assume command after approximately 15 months. However, reserve squadron demographics are typically older and more senior in rank than their active duty squadron counterparts. Department heads in reserve squadrons are typically senior Lieutenant Commanders or recently promoted Commanders. Where this difference in maturity level becomes more apparent is at the division officer level. Since most officers in reserve squadrons previously served on active duty in the Regular Navy in a flying status for eight to ten or more years, they are typically already Lieutenant Commanders or achieve that rank shortly after transferring to the Navy Reserve. As a result, Lieutenants are a minority and Lieutenants are practically non-existent in reserve squadrons; therefore, divisions are typically headed by Lieutenant Commanders and branches by Lieutenants, Senior Chief Petty Officers or Chief Petty Officers. U.S. Navy Reserve squadrons are manned by a combination of full-time and part-time reservists. The Navy Reserve provides 100% of the Navy's Adversary and land based Fleet Logistics Support capability.

Aircraft Squadron designations

A single squadron can carry a number of designations through its existence. Chief Of Naval Operations Instruction 5030.4G governs the squadron designation system. A squadron comes into existence when it is "established". Upon establishment it receives a designation, for example Patrol Squadron One. During the life of the squadron it may be "redesignated" one or more times, the Navy's oldest currently active squadron is VFA-14 which has been redesignated 15 times since it was established in 1919. Over the history of U.S. Naval Aviation there have been many designations which have been used multiple times resulting in multiple unrelated squadrons bearing the same designation at different times. Once a squadron was either redesignated or "disestablished" its designation became available for a newly established squadron or a squadron redesignation. A squadron's lineage and history does not follow the designation, it follows the squadron regardless of the designation. A squadron which receives a designation of a previous squadron may adopt the insignia and or nickname of that former squadron, but that does not make it the same squadron and it cannot lay claim to the previous squadron's lineage or history any more than a new ship commissioned USS Enterprise could claim to be the actual WWII aircraft carrier USS Enterprise.
Navy and Marine Corps squadrons are designated using a series of letters followed by a hyphen and a series of numbers. In 1920 with issuance of General Order 541, two overall types of aircraft were identified and assigned permanent letters; lighter than air types were identified by the letter Z and heavier than air types by the letter V. The use of letter abbreviations for squadrons was promulgated in the "Naval Aeronautic Organization for Fiscal Year 1923" which is the first known record associating the abbreviated Aircraft Class Designations with abbreviated squadron designations. Squadrons which flew heavier than air aircraft were designated with the first letter V and squadrons which flew lighter than air aircraft were designated with the fist letter Z. A second letter followed indicating the purpose of the squadron. A VP squadron was a patrol squadron which flew patrol airplanes and a ZP squadron was a patrol squadron which flew patrol blimps. Squadrons were numbered either serially within each type or they were numbered to conform with a higher level organization depending on the designation scheme in use at that specific time in history. Squadron numbers today are a result of this mixed history resulting in seemingly non-sensical numbering.
In 1948 the Navy established its first two operational helicopter squadrons designating them Helicopter Utility Squadrons. Even though helicopters are heavier than air aircraft it did not use the letter "V" in the squadron designation but instead designated them "HU". From that point on squadrons which flew rotary wing aircraft were designated with the first letter "H" leaving "V" to only fixed wing heavier than air squadrons. In 1961 the Navy retired its last lighter than air aircraft and the letter "Z" was no longer used in the designation system leaving "V" to denote fixed wing squadrons and "H" to denote rotary wing squadrons. In rare cases of squadrons which have been made up of both fixed and rotary wing aircraft the letter "V" has been used to designate the squadron.
In April 2018 a new squadron type designation was created apart from the existing "V" for fixed wing squadron and "H" for rotary wing squadron when Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Twenty Four was programmed for establishment to develop unmanned aerial systems for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps and it was designated UX-24 seeming to create a third squadron type designation of "U" for squadrons flying unmanned aerial systems. However six years prior, in 2012 the navy had established a squadron to train operators of rotary winged UASs designating it HUQ-1, then in 2016 it established an "unmanned patrol squadron" to fly the MQ-4C Triton|MQ-4 Triton] designating it VUP for V-fixed wing, U-unmanned, P-patrol and on 1 October 2022 it established its first MQ-25 Stingray|MQ-25 Stingray] unmanned areal refueling squadron designating it VUQ-10 all sticking with "V" for fixed wing and "H" for rotary wing regardless of the fact that the aircraft were unmanned aerial systems. UX-24 is the only Navy squadron designated by a first letter other than V or H.

Current U.S. Navy aircraft squadrons

The tables below contain lists of currently active U.S. Navy aircraft squadrons along with squadron lineage for each squadron, homeport or basing location, and wing assignment for each. Squadron types which deploy as part of a carrier air wing are assigned to two wings, operationally to a carrier air wing and administratively to a type wing. Non carrier air wing type squadrons are assigned to a single functional wing. Some special mission/support squadrons are assigned to organizations other than a wing.

Airborne Command & Control (VAW) squadrons

The VAW designation was first created in July 1948 with the establishment of VAW-1 and VAW-2 to designate "Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron". It was in use for less than two months as on 1 September 1948 VAW-1 and VAW-2 were redesignated "Composite Squadron" VC-11 and VC-12. In July 1956 the VAW designation was resurrected when VC-11 and VC-12 were redesignated VAW-11 and VAW-12. In 1967, VAW-11 and VAW-12 which were large land based squadrons that provided detachments of Airborne Early Warning aircraft to deploying carrier air wings were redesignated as wings and each of their detachments were established as separate squadrons. Established from VAW-11 were RVAW-110, VAW-111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116 and established from VAW-12 were RVAW-120, VAW-121, 122, 123. In 2019, the VAW designation was renamed from Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron to Airborne Command and Control squadron and all VAW squadrons were renamed "Airborne Command & Control Squadron____" while retaining the VAW designation.
Each Airborne Command and Control squadron consists of four E-2C or five E-2D Hawkeyes except for the Fleet Replacement Squadron which has more. Transition to the E-2D Hawkeye is in progress and should be complete by 2026. The Hawkeye's primary mission is to provide all-weather airborne early warning, airborne battle management and command and control functions for the carrier strike group and Joint Force Commander. Additional missions include surface surveillance coordination, air interdiction, offensive and defensive counter air control, close air support coordination, time critical strike coordination, search and rescue airborne coordination and communications relay.
All deployable VAW squadrons are operationally assigned to a carrier air wing and administratively to Airborne Command & Control and Logistics Wing which is a Type Wing. The Fleet Replacement Squadron reports operationally and administratively to the Type Wing.
The single Fleet Replacement Squadron which serves both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets is based at Naval Station Norfolk, VA. Deployable squadrons when not deployed are home-ported at either Naval Station Norfolk, VA or Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, CA. The exception is VAW-125, which is forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan with Carrier Air Wing Five.
Disestablished and deactivated VAW squadrons can be found here: Disestablished or deactivated VAW squadrons

Squadron designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Carrier Air Wing	Type Wing	Squadron lineage	Station	Notes	Tail Code
VAW-113		Black Eagles	E-2D	CVW-2	ACCLOGWING	VAW-113: 20 Apr 1967–present	NBVC Pt. Mugu		*
VAW-115		Liberty Bells	E-2D	CVW-11	ACCLOGWING	VAW-115: 20 Apr 1967–present	NBVC Pt. Mugu		*
VAW-116		Sun Kings	E-2C	CVW-7	ACCLOGWING	VAW-116: 20 Apr 1967–present	NBVC Pt. Mugu		*
VAW-117		Wallbangers	E-2D	CVW-9	ACCLOGWING	VAW-117: 1 Jul 1974–present	NBVC Pt. Mugu		*
VAW-120		Grey Hawks	E-2C E-2D		ACCLOGWING	RVAW-120: 1 Jul 1967 – 1 May 1983 VAW-120: 1 May 1983 – present	NS Norfolk	FRS	AD
VAW-121		Blue Tails	E-2D	CVW-17	ACCLOGWING	VAW-121: 1 Apr 1967–present	NS Norfolk		*
VAW-123		Screwtops	E-2D	CVW-3	ACCLOGWING	VAW-123: 1 Apr 1967–present	NS Norfolk		*
VAW-124		Bear Aces	E-2D	CVW-8	ACCLOGWING	VAW-124: 1 Sep 1967–present	NS Norfolk		*
VAW-125		Tigertails	E-2D	CVW-5	ACCLOGWING	VAW-125: 1 Oct 1968–present	MCAS Iwakuni		*
VAW-126		Seahawks	E-2D	CVW-1	ACCLOGWING	VAW-126: 1 Apr 1969–present	NS Norfolk		*

*Carrier air wing squadrons are marked with the tail code of their assigned CVW.
Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet CVW tail codes begin with the letter "A": CVW-1 AB, CVW-3 AC, CVW-7 AG, CVW-8 AJ
Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet CVW tail codes begin with the letter "N": CVW-2 NE, CVW-5 NF, CVW-9 NG, CVW-11 NH, CVW-17 'NA'''''

Air Test and Evaluation (VX), (HX), (UX) squadrons

The VX designation was first used from 1927 to 1943 to designate "experimental squadron". It was again used beginning in 1946 when four "experimental and development" squadrons were established to develop and evaluate new equipment and methods. From 1946 to 1968 the designation was variously "Experimental and Development" squadron, "Operational Development" squadron, "Air Operational Development" squadron and "Air Development" squadron. In 1969 the designation changed to "Air Test and Evaluation" squadron and it remains as such today.
Air test and evaluation squadrons test everything from basic aircraft flying qualities to advanced aerodynamics to weapons systems effectiveness. VX-20, HX-21, VX-23, UX-24, VX-30 and VX-31 are developmental test and evaluation squadrons which conduct or support developmental test and evaluation of aircraft and weapons as part of the Naval Air Systems Command while VX-1 and VX-9 are operational test and evaluation squadrons which along with USMC squadrons HMX-1 and VMX-1 conduct operational test and evaluation of aircraft and weapons as part of the Operational Test and Evaluation Force.
Disestablished and deactivated VX squadrons can be found here: Disestablished or deactivated VX squadrons

Squadron designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Functional Wing	Squadron lineage	Station	Notes	Tail Code
VX-1		Pioneers	MH-60R, MH-60S, P-8A, KC-130J, E-2D, MQ-4C, MQ-8C Fire Scout\|MQ-8C]	VX-1 and VX-9 are not assigned to a wing, they are elements of the Aviation Warfare Division of Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force	Acft ASW Dev Det Atlantic Flt: 1 Apr 1943 – 17 Sep 1943 ASW Dev Det Atlantic Flt: 17 Sep 1943–15 Mar 1946 VX-1: 15 Mar 1946–present	NAS Patuxent River		JA
VX-9		Vampires	FA-18E, FA-18F, F-35C, EA-18G	VX-1 and VX-9 are not assigned to a wing, they are elements of the Aviation Warfare Division of Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force	VX-9: 30 Apr 1994–present	NAWS China Lake		XE
VX-20		Force	E-2D, E-6B, E-130J, C-130T, C-130J, C-2A, C-38A, P-8A	Naval Test Wing Atlantic	Naval Force Acft Test Sqdn: 21 Jul 1955 – 1 May 2002 VX-20: 1 May 2002 – present	NAS Patuxent River		FORCE
HX-21		Blackjack	AH-1Z, UH-1Y, MH-60R, MH-60S, CH-53E, CH-53K King Stallion\|CH-53K], CMV-22B, TH-57C, MQ-8 Fire Scout\|MQ-8C]	Naval Test Wing Atlantic	Naval Rotary Wing Acft Test Sqdn: 21 Jul 1995 – 1 May 2002 HX-21: 1 May 2002 – present	NAS Patuxent River		HX
VX-23		Salty Dogs	F/A-18A/B/C/D/E/F, F-35B/C, EA-18G, T-45	Naval Test Wing Atlantic	Naval Strike Acft Test Sqdn: 21 Jul 1995 – 1 May 2002 VX-23: 1 May 2002 – present	NAS Patuxent River		SD
UX-24		Ghost Wolves	MQ-8, MQ-9 Reaper\|MQ-9], RQ-20 Puma\|RQ-20], MQ-25, RQ-26	Naval Test Wing Atlantic	UX-24: 18 Oct 2018 – present	NAS Patuxent River
VX-30		Bloodhounds	[P-3 Orion\|P-3C, NP-3C, NP-3D], NC-20G, NC-37B E-2D, KC-130T, UAVs	Naval Test Wing Pacific	Naval Weapons Test Sqdn, Pt Mugu: 8 May 1995 – 1 May 2002 VX-30: 1 May 2002 – present	NBVC Pt. Mugu		BH
VX-31		Dust Devils	F/A-18C/D/E/F, EA-18G, MH-60S	Naval Test Wing Pacific	Naval Weapons Test Sqdn, China Lake: 8 May 1995 – 1 May 2002 VX-31: 1 May 2002 – present	NAWS China Lake		DD

Electronic Attack (VAQ) squadrons

The VAQ designation was established in 1968 to designate "Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron". On 30 March 1998 the name of the designation was changed to "Electronic Attack Squadron" and all VAQ squadrons then in existence were renamed from "Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron ___" to "Electronic Attack Squadron ___".
Carrier air wing Electronic Attack Squadrons consist of seven EA-18G Growler|EA-18G Growlers] while land based "expeditionary" squadrons are made up of only five. The primary mission of the Growler is Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses in support of strike aircraft and ground troops by interrupting enemy electronic activity and obtaining tactical electronic intelligence within the combat area.
Most VAQ squadrons are operationally assigned to a carrier air wing and administratively to Electronic Attack Wing, Pacific Fleet which is a type wing. However, six are non-carrier based expeditionary squadrons which deploy to land bases. These land based squadrons were formed as a result of the USAF's decision to retire its fleet of EF-111A Raven|EF-111A] aircraft without replacement in the 1990s. The Navy was tasked to replace that lost capability with support from the USAF and as such the five active component expeditionary squadrons are each augmented by one or two USAF pilots or Combat Systems Officers of the 390th Electronic Combat Squadron. The Fleet Replacement Squadron is also augmented by 390th ECS CSOs serving as instructors. The expeditionary squadrons are assigned both operationally and administratively to Electronic Attack Wing, Pacific Fleet except for VAQ-209 which is administratively assigned to the USNR's Tactical Support Wing.
The single Fleet Replacement Squadron is based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA. Deployable squadrons when not deployed are all home-ported at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA. The exception is VAQ-141, which is forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan with Carrier Air Wing Five.
Disestablished and deactivated VAQ squadrons can be found here: Disestablished or deactivated VAQ squadrons
Note: The parenthetical and appended to some designations in the table below are not a part of the squadron designation system. They are added to indicate that the designation was used more than once during the history of U.S. Naval Aviation to designate a squadron and that these were the second use of that designation.

Squadron designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Carrier Air Wing	Type Wing	Squadron lineage	Station	Notes	Tail Code
VAQ-129		Vikings	EA-18G		VAQWINGPAC	VAH-10: 1 May 1961 – 1 Sep 1970 VAQ-129: 1 Sep 1970–present	NAS Whidbey Island	FRS	NJ
VAQ-130		Zappers	EA-18G	CVW-3	VAQWINGPAC	VAW-13: 1 Sep 1959 – 1 Oct 1968 VAQ-130: 1 Oct 1968–present	NAS Whidbey Island		*
VAQ-131		Lancers	EA-18G		VAQWINGPAC	VP-920: 1 May 1946 – 15 Nov 1946 VP-ML-70: 15 Nov 1946 – Feb 1950 VP-931: Feb 1950 – 4 Feb 1953 VP-57: 4 Feb 1953 – 3 Jul 1956 VAH-4: 3 Jul 1956 – 1 Nov 1968 VAQ-131: 1 Nov 1968–present	NAS Whidbey Island	Expeditionary Squadron.	NL
VAQ-132		Scorpions	EA-18G		VAQWINGPAC	VAH-2: 1 Nov 1955 – 1 Nov 1968 VAQ-132: 1 Nov 1968–present	NAS Whidbey Island	Expeditionary Squadron	NL
VAQ-133		Wizards	EA-18G	CVW-9	VAQWINGPAC	VAQ-133: 1 Apr 1996–present	NAS Whidbey Island		*
VAQ-134		Garudas	EA-18G		VAQWINGPAC	VAQ-134: 17 Jun 1969–present	NAS Whidbey Island	Expeditionary Squadron	NL
VAQ-135		Black Ravens	EA-18G		VAQWINGPAC	VAQ-135: 15 May 1969 – present	NAS Whidbey Island	Expeditionary Squadron	NL
VAQ-136		Gauntlets	EA-18G	CVW-2	VAQWINGPAC	VAQ-136: 6 Apr 1973–present	NAS Whidbey Island		*
VAQ-137		Rooks	EA-18G	CVW-11	VAQWINGPAC	VAQ-137: 1 Oct 1996–present	NAS Whidbey Island		*
VAQ-138		Yellowjackets	EA-18G		VAQWINGPAC	VAQ-138: 27 Feb 1976–present	NAS Whidbey Island	Expeditionary Squadron	NL
VAQ-139		Cougars	EA-18G	CVW-17	VAQWINGPAC	VAQ-139: 1 Jul 1983–present	NAS Whidbey Island		*
VAQ-140		Patriots	EA-18G	CVW-7	VAQWINGPAC	VAQ-140: 1 Oct 1985–present	NAS Whidbey Island		*
VAQ-141		Shadowhawks	EA-18G	CVW-5	VAQWINGPAC	VAQ-141: 1 Jul 1987–present	MCAS Iwakuni		*
VAQ-142		Gray Wolves	EA-18G	CVW-8	VAQWINGPAC	VAQ-142: 1 Apr 1997–present	NAS Whidbey Island		*
VAQ-144		Main Battery	EA-18G	CVW-1	VAQWINGPAC	VAQ-144: 1 Oct 2021–present	NAS Whidbey Island		*
VAQ-209		Star Warriors	EA-18G		Tactical Support Wing	VAQ-209: 1 Oct 1977–present	NAS Whidbey Island	U.S. Navy Reserve	AF

*Carrier Air Wing squadrons are marked with the tail code of their assigned CVW.
Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet CVW tail codes begin with the letter "A": CVW-1 AB, CVW-3 AC, CVW-7 AG, CVW-8 AJ
Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet CVW tail codes begin with the letter "N": CVW-2 NE, CVW-5 NF, CVW-9 NG, CVW-11 NH, CVW-17 'NA'''''

Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC) squadrons (aggressor squadrons)

VFC squadrons are aggressor squadrons. The VFC designation was created in 1988 when two Fleet Composite squadrons which were dedicated adversary squadrons were redesignated to differentiate them from the remaining VC squadrons which fulfilled various miscellaneous or utility roles. In 2006 a third VFC squadron was established from what had become a permanent detachment of VFC-13 and in 2022 a fourth VFC squadron was created when the last remaining USNR VFA squadron was redesignated to VFC. VFC squadrons provide adversary simulation for fleet squadrons. All VFC squadrons are Navy Reserve squadrons.
VFC-12 is based at NAS Oceana to support Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic squadron training, VFC-13 is based at NAS Fallon supporting Strike Fighter Wing Pacific and Joint Strike Fighter Wing squadrons homeported at nearby NAS Lemoore and supporting fleet training at the extensive range complex at NAS Fallon. VFC-111 supports fleet squadron training at the ranges supported by NAS Key West and VFC-204 remains based at NAS JRB New Orleans where it was based in its former existence as a VFA squadron.
Note: The parenthetical and appended to some designations in the lineage column of table below are not a part of the squadron designation system. They are added to indicate that the designation was used more than once during the history of U.S. Naval Aviation and which use of the designation is indicated. Absence indicates that the designation was used only once.

Squadron designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Functional Wing	Squadron lineage	Station	Notes	Tail Code
VFC-12		Fighting Omars	F/A-18E F/A-18F	Tactical Support Wing	VC-12: 1 Sep 1973 – 22 Apr 1988 VFC-12: 22 Apr 1988–present	NAS Oceana	U.S. Navy Reserve	AF
VFC-13		Saints	F-16C F-16D	Tactical Support Wing	VC-13: 1 Sep 1973 – 22 Apr 1988 VFC-13: 22 Apr 1988–present	NAS Fallon	-	AF
VFC-111		Sundowners	F-5F F-5N	Tactical Support Wing	VFC-111: 1 Nov 2006–present	NAS Key West	-	AF
VFC-204		River Rattlers	F-5F F-5N	Tactical Support Wing	VA-204: 1 Jul 1970 – 1 May 1991 VFA-204: 1 May 1991 – Oct 2022 VFC-204: Oct 2022–present	NAS JRB New Orleans	-	AF

Fleet Air Reconnaissance (VQ) squadrons

The VQ designation was created in 1955 to designate "Electronic Countermeasures Squadron" and did so though 1959. By 1960 the VQ squadrons, rather than simply jamming communications and electronic signals, had been equipped to collect them for intelligence purposes. In January 1960 this new role of the VQ squadrons was recognized by changing the VQ designation from "Electronic Countermeasures Squadron" to "Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron." Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron ONE which was deactivated on 31 March 2025 was the last VQ squadron to perform the Fleet Air Reconnaissance mission. Fleet Air Reconnaissance is now the mission of Unmanned Patrol squadrons operating the MQ-4C Triton. Disestablished and deactivated Fleet Air Reconnaissance squadrons can be found here: Disestablished or deactivated VQ squadrons
Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadrons THREE and FOUR carry the VQ designation, but they are not reconnaissance squadrons; they are airborne command and control, and communications relay squadrons which provide survivable, reliable, and endurable airborne command, control, and communications for the command and control of U.S. strategic nuclear forces. There are fifteen E-6B aircraft operated by two operational squadrons and one Fleet Replacement Squadron. These aircraft are dual-mission, fulfilling both the airborne strategic command post mission which was formerly carried out by the USAF until it retired its "Looking Glass" aircraft in 1998 without replacement, and the Navy TACAMO mission which provides communications with submerged Navy ballistic missile submarines. The aircraft carry the Airborne Launch Control System which is capable of launching U.S. land based intercontinental ballistic missiles and are equipped with a very low frequency communication system with dual trailing wire antennae for the TACAMO mission. Strategic Communications Wing ONE reports administratively to Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific and operationally to the Commander of United States Strategic Command as the commander of United States Strategic Command Task Force 124. Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron SEVEN is the E-6B Fleet Replacement Squadron providing initial and requalification training for pilots, crew, and maintainers.
The Navy plans to replace the E-6B with a C-130 variant designated E-130J beginning in 2028. The E-130J will be a single mission aircraft assuming the TACAMO role but it will not carry the ALCS or be equipped for the airborne strategic command post mission which the USAF will re-assume, presumably with an E-4 variant.

Squadron designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Functional Wing	Squadron lineage	Station	Notes	Tail Code
VQ-3		Ironman	E-6B	STRATCOMWING ONE	VQ-3: 1 Jul 1968–present	Tinker AFB	Dets at Travis AFB and Offutt AFB
VQ-4		Shadows	E-6B	STRATCOMWING ONE	VQ-4: 1 Jul 1968–present	Tinker AFB	Det at NAS Patuxent River
VQ-7		Roughnecks	E-6B	STRATCOMWING ONE	Naval Training Support Unit: 1992-1 Nov 1999 VQ-7: 1 Nov 1999–present	Tinker AFB	FRS

Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission (VRM) squadrons

The VRM designation was first used in 2018 to designate a new Carrier Onboard Delivery squadron which was established to operate the CMV-22B Osprey tilt rotor aircraft as a replacement for the long serving C-2A Greyhound flown by Fleet Logistics Support squadrons nearing the end of its service life. The inclusion of "Multi-Mission" in the squadron designation recognizes the versatility of the tilt rotor and hints at possible future roles if the Navy decides to invest in aircraft modifications and additional crew training and certification and is willing and able to acquire additional aircraft to meet an increased demand. Potential future additional roles could be transportation of special warfare teams or shore or sea-based combat search-and-rescue ". The primary and currently only role however is logistics support of aircraft carriers and potentially of large deck amphibious warfare ships through the delivery of high priority parts, supplies, people, and mail to and from the carrier and logistics hubs in the carrier's operating area.
While the squadrons themselves are non-deploying shore based squadrons, the two operational squadrons provide detachments of three aircraft to deploy as part of a carrier air wing. The third squadron is a Fleet Replacement Squadron which trains pilots, aircrew and maintenance personnel to operate and maintain the CMV-22.

Squadron designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Carrier Air Wing	Type Wing	Squadron lineage	Station	Notes	Tail Code
VRM-30		Titans	CMV-22B	PAC FLT CVWs	VRMWING	VRM-30: 1 Dec 2018 – present	NAS North Island	Det at MCAS Iwakuni
VRM-40		Mighty Bison	CMV-22B	LANT FLT CVWs	VRMWING	VRM-40: 14 Mar 2022 – present	NS Norfolk
VRM-50		Sunhawks	CMV-22B		VRMWING	VRM-50: 1 Oct 2019 – present	NAS North Island	FRS

Fleet Logistics Support (VRC) squadrons

The VRC designation was established in 1960 to designate "fleet tactical support squadron". In 1976 the designation was changed to "fleet logistics support squadron."
There were two Fleet Logistic Support squadrons equipped with the C-2A Greyhound Carrier Onboard Delivery aircraft – one on each coast until December 2023 when VRC-30 which was based at Naval Air Station North Island was deactivated and replaced by VRM-30. VRC-40 is based at Naval Station Norfolk and will eventually be replaced by VRM-40 once that squadron is fully operational which is scheduled to be in 2026. VRC-40 provides two-plane detachments with each assigned deploying carrier air wing. The C-2A Greyhound, more commonly referred to as a "COD", is used to deliver high priority parts, supplies, people, and mail to/from the carrier and shore sites in the aircraft carrier's operating area.
The E-2 Hawkeye and C-2 Greyhound are built on the same airframe and have many similar characteristics. For this reason VAW-20 was the Fleet Replacement Squadron for both the E-2 and the C-2A Greyhound until 2023 when the last C-2A students were graduated.
Disestablished and deactivated VRC squadrons can be found here: Disestablished or deactivated VRC squadrons

Squadron designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Carrier Air Wing	Type Wing	Squadron lineage	Station	Tail Code
VRC-40		Rawhides	C-2A	Select CVWs	ACCLOGWING	VRC-40: 1 Jul 1960–present	NS Norfolk

Fleet Logistics Support (VR) squadrons

The VR designator was first established in 1942 to designate "transport" or "air transport" or "fleet logistic air" squadrons. From 1958 to 1976, it designated "fleet tactical support squadron"; from 1976 to the present, it designates "fleet logistics support squadron". Today, all fleet logistics support squadrons are U.S. Navy Reserve squadrons.
Fleet logistics support squadrons operate Navy unique fleet essential airlift on a worldwide basis to provide responsive, flexible, and rapidly deployable air logistics support required to sustain combat operations from the sea. During peacetime, squadrons provide air logistics support for all Navy commands as well as provide continuous quality training for mobilization readiness. All fleet logistics support squadrons are Navy Reserve squadrons with no counterparts in the regular Navy. They represent 100% of the Navy's medium and heavy intra-theater airlift, and operate year-round around the world, providing the critical link between deployed seagoing units and the USAF Air Mobility Command logistics hubs. VR-1 provides dedicated airlift support to the Office of the Secretary of the Navy, Chief of Naval Operations and Commandant of the Marine Corps.
The headquarters of the Fleet Logistics Support Wing is based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, TX, but the squadrons of the wing are based across the country from the east coast to Hawaii. In addition to the VR squadrons, the Fleet Logistics Support Wing also operates an "executive transport detachment" with one C-37A based in Hawaii alongside the USAF's 65th Airlift Squadron which operates two C-37As.
Note: The parenthetical,, or,, etc., appended to some designations in the table below are not part of the squadron designation system. They are added to indicate that the designation was used more than once during the history of U.S. Naval Aviation and which use of the designation is indicated. Absence indicates that the designation was used only once.

Squadron designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Functional Wing	Squadron lineage	Station	Notes	Tail Code
VR-1		Star Lifters	C-37B	Fleet Logistics Support Wing	VR-1: 1 May 1997—present	Joint Base Andrews	U.S. Navy Reserve
VR-51		Windjammers	C-40A	Fleet Logistics Support Wing	VR-51: 1 Jun 1997—present	MCAS Kaneohe Bay	U.S. Navy Reserve	RG
VR-53		Capital Express	C-130T	Fleet Logistics Support Wing	VR-53: 1 Oct 1992—present	Joint Base Andrews	U.S. Navy Reserve	AX
VR-54		Revelers	C-130T	Fleet Logistics Support Wing	VR-54 : 1 Jun 1991—present	NAS JRB New Orleans	U.S. Navy Reserve	CW
VR-55		Minutemen	C-130T	Fleet Logistics Support Wing	VR-55: 1 Apr 1976—present	NBVC Pt. Mugu	U.S. Navy Reserve	RU
VR-56		Globemasters	C-40A	Fleet Logistics Support Wing	VR-56: 1 Jul 1976—present	NAS Oceana	U.S. Navy Reserve	JU
VR-57		Conquistadors	C-40A	Fleet Logistics Support Wing	VR-57: 1 Nov 1977—present	NAS North Island	U.S. Navy Reserve	RX
VR-58		Sunseekers	C-40A	Fleet Logistics Support Wing	VR-58: 1 Nov 1977—present	NAS Jacksonville	U.S. Navy Reserve	JV
VR-59		Lone Star Express	C-40A	Fleet Logistics Support Wing	VR-59: 1 Oct 1982—present	NAS JRB Fort Worth	U.S. Navy Reserve	RY
VR-61		Islanders	C-40A	Fleet Logistics Support Wing	VR-61: 1 Oct 1982—present	NAS Whidbey Island	U.S. Navy Reserve	RS
VR-62		Nomads	C-130T	Fleet Logistics Support Wing	VR-62: 1 Jul 1985—present	NAS Jacksonville	U.S. Navy Reserve	JW
VR-64		Condors	C-130T	Fleet Logistics Support Wing	VP-64: 1 Nov 1970 – 18 Sep 2004 VR-64: 18 Sep 2004—present	Joint Base McGuire, Dix, Lakehurst	U.S. Navy Reserve	BD

Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) squadrons

Helicopter maritime strike squadrons fly the MH-60R Seahawk from aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers and littoral combat ships. Roles the MH-60R is capable of performing include anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, electronic warfare, overwater or unopposed search and rescue, naval surface fire support and limited logistics, medical evacuation and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The HSM designation was created in 2005 when HSL-41, the Fleet Replacement Squadron for the MH-60R Seahawk, was redesignated HSM-41. The new designation was created to reflect the MH-60R's multi-mission capabilities which combined the area search capabilities of the Cruiser, Destroyer and Frigate based SH-60B flown by Helicopter Anti-Submarine squadrons with the dipping sonar of the SH-60F flown by Aircraft Carrier-based Helicopter Antisubmarine squadrons. The first operational fleet squadron to receive the MH-60R was HSM-71 in fiscal year 2008. With the transition of the HS squadrons to HSC squadrons without any ASW capability and the disestablishment of the last Sea Control squadrons, all ship based airborne ASW capabilities now reside in the HSM squadrons.
From 2008 to 2016 all Helicopter Anti-Submarine squadrons transitioned to the MH-60R and were redesignated Helicopter Maritime Strike squadrons and five new HSM squadrons were established. This provided one HSM squadron to each carrier air wing and non-carrier air wing land-based "expeditionary" squadrons to provide detachments to surface ships. An additional expeditionary squadron was established later in 2021. Carrier air wing squadrons are comprised of eleven helicopters. They deploy aboard aircraft carriers with their carrier air wing and also provide detachments to other ships of the Carrier Strike Group. "Expeditionary" squadrons are non-deploying squadrons comprised of between ten and fifteen helicopters which provide detachments of two helicopters each to ships which deploy independently, not as part of a carrier strike group.
Carrier air wing squadrons are operationally assigned to their carrier air wing and administratively to a type wing while expeditionary squadrons and fleet replacement squadrons are assigned only to a type wing which exercises both operational and administrative control over those squadrons. HSM-60 which is the sole USNR helicopter squadron is assigned operationally and administratively to the Navy Reserve's Maritime Support Wing.
The two fleet replacement squadrons are based at Naval Air Station North Island, CA and Naval Station Mayport, FL. Deployable squadrons when not deployed are home-ported at Naval Air Station North Island, CA or Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL. The exception is HSM-77 which is forward deployed to Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan with Carrier Air Wing Five. Expeditionary squadrons are based at Naval Air Station North Island, CA, Naval Station Mayport, FL, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL. Additionally there are two forward deployed expeditionary squadrons, one at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan and the other at Naval Station Rota, Spain.

Squadron designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Carrier Air Wing	Type Wing	Squadron lineage	Station	Notes	Tail Code
HSM-35		Magicians	MH-60R		HSMWINGPAC	HSM-35: 2 May 2013 – present	NAS North Island	Expeditionary Squadron	TG
HSM-37		Easyriders	MH-60R		HSMWINGPAC	HSL-37: 3 Jul 1975 – 1 Oct 2013 HSM-37: 1 Oct 2013–present	MCAS Kanehoe Bay	Expeditionary Squadron	TH
HSM-40		Airwolves	MH-60R		HSMWINGLANT	HSL-40: 4 Oct 1985 – 1 Nov 2009 HSM-40: 1 Nov 2009–present	NS Mayport	FRS	HK
HSM-41		Seahawks	MH-60R		HSMWINGPAC	HSL-41: 21 Jan 1983 – 8 Dec 2005 HSM-41: 8 Dec 2005–present	NAS North Island	FRS	TS
HSM-46		Grandmasters	MH-60R	CVW-7	HSMWINGLANT	HSL-46: 7 Apr 1988–2012 HSM-46: 2012–present	NAS Jacksonville		*
HSM-48		Vipers	MH-60R		HSMWINGLANT	HSL-48: 7 Sep 1989 – May 2014 HSM-48: May 2014 – present	NS Mayport	Expeditionary Squadron	HR
HSM-49		Scorpions	MH-60R		HSMWINGPAC	HSL-49: 23 Mar 1990 – Apr 2015 HSM-49: Apr 2015–present	NAS North Island	Expeditionary Squadron	TX
HSM-50		Valkyries	MH-60R		HSMWINGLANT	HSM-50: 1 Oct 2021–present	NS Mayport	Expeditionary Squadron	HV
HSM-51		Warlords	MH-60R		HSMWINGPAC	HSL-51: 1 Oct 1991 – Mar 2013 HSM-51: Mar 2013–present	NAF Atsugi	Expeditionary Squadron	TA
HSM-60		Jaguars	MH-60R		Maritime Support Wing	HSL-60: 1 Apr 2001 – Jul 2015 HSM-60: Jul 2015–present	NAS Jacksonville	U.S. Navy Reserve Expeditionary Squadron	NW
HSM-70		Spartans	MH-60R	CVW-8	HSMWINGLANT	HSM-70: 1 Mar 2008–present	NAS Jacksonville		*
HSM-71		Raptors	MH-60R	CVW-9	HSMWINGPAC	HSM-71: 1 Jan 2007–present	NAS North Island		*
HSM-72		Proud Warriors	MH-60R	CVW-1	HSMWINGLANT	HSL-42: 5 Oct 1984 – Jan 2013 HSM-72: Jan 2013–present	NAS Jacksonville		*
HSM-73		Battle Cats	MH-60R	CVW-17	HSMWINGPAC	HSL-43: 5 Oct 1984 – Feb 2012 HSM-73: Feb 2012–present	NAS North Island		*
HSM-74		Swamp Fox	MH-60R	CVW-3	HSMWINGLANT	HSL-44: 21 Aug 1986 – Jun 2011 HSM-74: Jun 2011–present	NAS Jacksonville		*
HSM-75		Wolfpack	MH-60R	CVW-11	HSMWINGPAC	HSL-45: 3 Oct 1986 – Feb 2011 HSM-75: Feb 2011–present	NAS North Island		*
HSM-77		Saberhawks	MH-60R	CVW-5	HSMWINGPAC	HSL-47: 25 Sep 1987 – 1 Feb 2009 HSM-77: 1 Feb 2009–present	NAF Atsugi		*
HSM-78		Blue Hawks	MH-60R	CVW-2	HSMWINGPAC	HSM-78: 1 Mar 2012–present	NAS North Island		*
HSM-79		Griffins	MH-60R		HSMWINGLANT	HSM-79: 2 Jun 2016–present	NS Rota	Expeditionary Squadron	HG

Helicopter Mine Countermeasures (HM) squadron

The HM designation was created in 1971 to designate "helicopter mine countermeasures squadron". HM squadrons employ CH-53E Super Stallion|Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon] helicopters. The primary mission of the Sea Dragon is airborne mine countermeasures. The MH-53 can operate from land bases or from aircraft carriers, large amphibious ships or expeditionary sea bases and is capable of towing a variety of mine hunting/sweeping countermeasures systems.
The MH-53E Sea Dragon can also carry an impressive amount of cargo, equipment, or number of personnel over long distances. The Sea Dragon is the Navy's only heavy-lift helicopter and only proven mine countermeasure platform.
In the 1990s the Navy began a transition from operating eight different type/model/series helicopters down to just two, the MH-60R and the MH-60S. It recognized however that the replacement of the MH-53E in the mine countermeasures role was dependent on technology which had not yet matured. As a result, HM squadrons continued in service with the only helicopter capable of effectively conducting airborne mine countermeasures. In 2025 that technology finally matured enough to allow MH-60S helicopters of Sea Combat Squadrons to assume the airborne mine countermeasures role in conjunction with mine warfare configured Littoral Combat Ships finally allowing for the ultimate retirement of the MH-53E. At the beginning of this transition the Navy operated four HM squadrons plus a Fleet Replacement Squadron, as of 2025 only a single operational HM squadron remains and that squadron is programmed for deactivation in fiscal year 2027.
Disestablished and deactivated HM squadrons can be found here: Disestablished or deactivated HM squadrons

Squadron designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Type Wing	Squadron lineage	Station	Tail Code
HM-15		Blackhawks	MH-53E	HSCWINGLANT	HM-15: 2 Jan 1987–present	NS Norfolk	TB

Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) squadrons

Helicopter sea combat squadrons fly the MH-60S Seahawk from aircraft carriers, littoral combat ships, amphibious assault ships, logistics ships, command ships and hospital ships. Roles the MH-60S is capable of performing include logistics, overwater search and rescue, anti-surface warfare, airborne mine countermeasures, overland combat search and rescue, naval special warfare support, medical evacuation and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The HSC designation was created in 2005 after the Helicopter Combat Support squadrons equipped with the H-46 Sea Knight had completed their transitions to the new multi-mission MH-60S Seahawk, and in anticipation of the upcoming transition of the Helicopter Antisubmarine squadrons from the SH-60F and HH-60H Seahawks to the new MH-60S which began in 2007. The ASW capabilities resident in the HS squadrons were lost in the transition but the new HSC squadrons combine the at sea logistics capability of the former Helicopter Combat Support squadrons with greatly upgraded Combat Search and Rescue, Naval Special Warfare Support and Anti-Surface Warfare capabilities of the former Helicopter Anti-submarine squadrons.
The HSC squadrons which were formerly HS squadrons are carrier based and deploy as part of a carrier air wing. Carrier based HSC squadrons are comprised of five helicopters. HSC squadrons which were formerly HC squadrons or were newly established are land based "expeditionary" squadrons. These squadrons are comprised of between ten and fifteen helicopters which deploy in detachments of between one and three helicopters aboard ships other than aircraft carriers or for land based deployments as required. Two of the expeditionary HSC squadrons are capable of deploying mixed detachments of MH-60S and MQ-8C Fire Scout uncrewed aircraft.
Carrier air wing squadrons are operationally assigned to their carrier air wing and administratively to a Type Wing while expeditionary squadrons and Fleet Replacement Squadrons are assigned only to a type wing which exercises both operational and administrative control over those squadrons.
The two Fleet Replacement Squadrons are based at Naval Air Station North Island, CA and Naval Station Norfolk, VA. Deployable squadrons when not deployed are home-ported at Naval Air Station North Island, CA or Naval Station Norfolk, VA. The exception is HSC-12 which is forward deployed to Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan with Carrier Air Wing Five. Expeditionary squadrons are based at Naval Air Station North Island, CA, Naval Station Norfolk, VA and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
Deactivated HSC squadrons can be found here: Deactivated HSC squadrons
Note: The parenthetical used in the lineage column of table below is not a part of the squadron designation system. It is added to indicate that the designation was used for two separate squadrons during the history of U.S. Naval Aviation.

Squadron designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Carrier Air Wing	Type Wing	Squadron lineage	Station	Notes	Tail Code
HSC-2		Fleet Angels	MH-60S		HSCWINGLANT	HC-2: 1 Apr 1987 – 24 Aug 2005 HSC-2: 24 Aug 2005–present	NS Norfolk	FRS	HU
HSC-3		Merlins	MH-60S		HSCWINGPAC	HC-3: 1 Sep 1967 – 31 Oct 2005 HSC-3: 31 Oct 2005–present	NAS North Island	FRS	SA
HSC-4		Black Knights	MH-60S	CVW-2	HSCWINGPAC	HS-4: 30 Jun 1952 – Mar 2012 HSC-4: Mar 2012–present	NAS North Island		*
HSC-5		Nightdippers	MH-60S	CVW-7	HSCWINGLANT	HS-5: 3 Jan 1956 – 28 Feb 2009: HSC-5: 28 Feb 2009–present	NS Norfolk		*
HSC-6		Indians	MH-60S	CVW-17	HSCWINGPAC	HS-6: 1 Jun 1956 – Jul 2011 HSC-6: Jul 2011–present	NAS North Island		*
HSC-7		Dusty Dogs	MH-60S	CVW-3	HSCWINGLANT	HS-7: 15 Dec 1969 – Apr 2011 HSC-7: Apr 2011–present	NS Norfolk		*
HSC-8		Eightballers	MH-60S	CVW-11	HSCWINGPAC	HS-8: 1 Nov 1969 – 1 Apr 2007 HSC-8: 1 Apr 2007–present	NAS North Island		*
HSC-9		Tridents	MH-60S	CVW-8	HSCWINGLANT	HS-3: 18 Jun 1952 – 1 Jun 2009 HSC-9: 1 Jun 2009–present	NS Norfolk		*
HSC-11		Dragon Slayers	MH-60S	CVW-1	HSCWINGLANT	HS-11: 27 Jun 1957 – Jun 2016 HSC-11: Jun 2016–present	NS Norfolk		*
HSC-12		Golden Falcons	MH-60S	CVW-5	HSCWINGPAC	HS-2: 7 Mar 1952 – 1 Jan 2009 HSC-12: 1 Jan 2009–present	NAF Atsugi		*
HSC-14		Chargers	MH-60S	CVW-9	HSCWINGPAC	HS-14: 19 Jul 1984 – Jul 2013 HSC-14: Jul 2013–present	NAS North Island		*
HSC-21		Blackjacks	MH-60S MQ-8C		HSCWINGPAC	HC-11: 1 Oct 1977 – 7 Nov 2005 HSC-21: 7 Nov 2005–present	NAS North Island	Expeditionary Squadron	VR
HSC-23		Wildcards	MH-60S MQ-8C		HSCWINGPAC	HSC-23: 1 Oct 2006–present	NAS North Island	Expeditionary Squadron	WC
HSC-25		Island Knights	MH-60S		HSCWINGPAC	HC-5: 3 Feb 1984 – 24 Oct 2005 HSC 25: 24 Oct 2005–present	Andersen AFB	Expeditionary Squadron	RB
HSC-26		Chargers	MH-60S		HSCWINGLANT	HC-6: 1 Sep 1967 – 24 Aug 2005 HSC-26: 24 Aug 2005–present	NS Norfolk	Expeditionary Squadron	HW
HSC-28		Dragon Whales	MH-60S		HSCWINGLANT	HC-8: 3 Dec 1984 – 13 May 2005 HSC-28: 13 May 2005 – present	NS Norfolk	Expeditionary Squadron	BR

Patrol (VP), Special Projects Patrol (VPU), Unmanned Patrol (VUP) squadrons

The VP designation is one of the oldest in the U.S. Navy and is the oldest designation currently in use. It first appeared in 1922 to designate "Seaplane Patrol Squadron" and from 1924 it has designated "Patrol Squadron".
Patrol squadrons are made up of six P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft used primarily in reconnaissance, anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare roles. Volume 2 of the Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons contains comprehensive histories of over 150 patrol squadrons. In 1982 the Special Projects Patrol squadron designation was created to designate two squadrons specially equipped for intelligence collection.
In 2016 the first unmanned patrol squadron was established and designated VUP-19. It operates the MQ-4C Triton unmanned air vehicle from an operations center located at NAS Jacksonville while its aircraft and aircraft maintenance personnel are based at Naval Station Mayport. A second VUP squadron was established at NAS Whidbey Island in October 2024 and is undergoing a multi-year stand up process which is planned to be complete by the end of the decade and will include aircraft based at NBVC Pt. Mugu. Unlike VP squadrons with the primary role of maritime patrol, VUP squadrons are successors to the former Fleet Air Reconnaissance squadrons with the primary roles of persistent airborne surveillance and intelligence collection.
When not deployed VP squadrons are home-ported at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL or Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA. The single Fleet Replacement Squadron which serves both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets is based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL
Note: The parenthetical,, and, etc... appended to some designations in the table below are not part of the squadron designation system. They are added to indicate that the designation was used more than once during the history of U.S. Naval Aviation and which use of the designation is indicated. Absence indicates that the designation was used only once.

Squadron designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Functional Wing	Squadron lineage	Station	Notes	Tail Code
VP-1		Screaming Eagles	P-8A	PATRECONWING TEN	VB-128: 15 Feb 1943 – 1 Oct 1944 VPB-128: 1 Oct 1944–15 May 1946 VP-128: 15 May 1946–15 Nov 1946 VP-ML-1: 15 Nov 1946 – 1 Sep 1948 VP-1: 1 Sep 1948–present	NAS Whidbey Island		YB
VP-4		Skinny Dragons	P-8A	PATRECONWING TEN	VB-144: 1 Jul 1943 – 1 Oct 1944 VPB-144: 1 Oct 1944–15 May 1946 VP-144: 15 May 1946–15 Nov 1946 VP-ML-4: 15 Nov 1946 – 1 Sep 1948 VP-4: 1 Sep 1948–present	NAS Whidbey Island		YD
VP-5		Mad Foxes	P-8A	PATRECONWING ELEVEN	VP-17F: 2 Jan 1937 – 1 Oct 1937 VP-17: 1 Oct 1937 – 1 Jul 1939 VP-42: 1 Jul 1939–15 Feb 1943 VB-135: 15 Feb 1943 – 1 Oct 1944 VPB-135: 1 Oct 1944–15 May 1946 VP-135: 15 May 1946–15 Nov 1946 VP-ML-5: 15 Nov 1946 – 1 Sep 1948 VP-5: 1 Sep 1948–present	NAS Jacksonville		LA
VP-8		Tigers	P-8A	PATRECONWING ELEVEN	VP-201: 1 Sep 1942 – 1 Oct 1944 VPB-201: 1 Oct 1944–15 May 1946 VP-201: 15 May 1946–15 Nov 1946 VP-MS-1: 15 Nov 1946 – 5 Jun 1947 VP-ML-8: 5 Jun 1947 – 1 Sep 1948 VP-8: 1 Sep 1948–present	NAS Jacksonville		LC
VP-9		Golden Eagles	P-8A	PATRECONWING TEN	VP-9: 15 Mar 1951–present	NAS Whidbey Island		PD
VP-10		Red Lancers	P-8A	PATRECONWING ELEVEN	VP-10: 19 Mar 1951–present	NAS Jacksonville		LD
VP-16		War Eagles	P-8A	PATRECONWING ELEVEN	VP-906: May 1946 – 15 Nov 1946 VP-ML-56: 15 Nov 1946 – Feb 1950 VP-741: Feb 1959 – 4 Feb 1953: VP-16: 4 Feb 1953–present	NAS Jacksonville		LF
VP-26		Tridents	P-8A	PATRECONWING ELEVEN	VB-114: 26 Aug 1943 – 1 Oct 1944 VPB-114: 1 Oct 1944–15 May 1946 VP-114: 15 May 1946–15 Nov 1946 VP-HL-6: 15 Nov 1946 – 1 Sep 1948 VP-26: 1 Sep 1948–present	NAS Jacksonville		LK
VP-30		Pro's Nest	P-8A MQ-4C	Direct report to Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group	VP-30: 30 Jun 1960–present	NAS Jacksonville	FRS	LL
VP-40		Fighting Marlins	P-8A	PATRECONWING TEN	VP-40: 20 Jan 1951–present	NAS Whidbey Island		QE
VP-45		Pelicans	P-8A	PATRECONWING ELEVEN	VP-205: 1 Nov 1942 – 1 Oct 1944 VPB-205: 1 Oct 1944–15 May 1946 VP-205: 15 May 1946–15 Nov 1946 VP-MS-5: 15 Nov 1946 – 1 Sep 1948 VP-45: 1 Sep 1948–present	NAS Jacksonville		LN
VP-46		Grey Knights	P-8A	PATRECONWING TEN	VP-5S: 1 Sep 1931 – 1 Apr 1933 VP-5F: 1 Apr 1933–1937 VP-5: 1937-1 Jul 1939 VP-33: 1 Jul 1939 – 1 Jul 1941 VP-32: 1 Jul 1941 – 1 Oct 1944 VPB-32: 1 Oct 1944–15 May 1946 VP-MS-6: 15 Nov 1946 – 1 Sep 1948 VP-46: 1 Sep 1948–present	NAS Whidbey Island		RC
VP-47		Golden Swordsmen	P-8A	PATRECONWING TEN	VP-27: 1 Jun 1944 – 1 Oct 1944 VPB-27: 1 Oct 1944–15 May 1946 VP-27: 15 May 1946–15 Nov 1946 VP-MS-7: 15 Nov 1946 – 1 Sep 1948 VP-47: 1 Sep 1948–present	NAS Whidbey Island		RD
VP-62		Broadarrows	P-8A	Maritime Support Wing	VP-62: 1 Nov 1970–present	NAS Jacksonville	U.S. Navy Reserve	LT
VP-69		Totems	P-8A	Maritime Support Wing	VP-69: 1 Nov 1970–present	NAS Whidbey Island	U.S. Navy Reserve	PJ
VPU-2		Wizards	P-8A	PATRECONWING ELEVEN	VPU-2: 1 Jul 1982–present	NAS Jacksonville		SP
VUP-11		Proud Pegasus	MQ-4C	PATRECONWING TEN	VUP-11: 1 Oct 2024–present	C2 at NAS Whidbey Island, aircraft at NBVC Pt. Mugu		LE
VUP-19		Big Red	MQ-4C	PATRECONWING ELEVEN	VUP-19: 1 Oct 2016-present	C2 at NAS Jacksonville, aircraft at NS Mayport		PE

Scientific Development (VXS) squadron

In 1993 the aircraft of Oceanographic Development Squadron Eight were transferred to the Naval Research Laboratory's Flight Detachment when that squadron was disestablished. In 2004 the NRL Flight Detachment was established as a squadron and designated VXS-1. As VXS-1 the squadron continues the support of a wide range of airborne research projects for the Department of the Navy and other contracting agencies of the U.S. Government.

Squadron designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Wing	Squadron lineage	Station	Tail Code
VXS-1		Warlocks	NP-3C, UV-18A, RC-12M, Tiger Shark UAS	VXS-1 is not assigned to a wing, it reports directly to the Commander, Naval Research Laboratory	VXS-1: 13 Dec 2004–present	NAS Patuxent River.	RL

Strike Fighter (VFA) squadrons

The VFA designation was created in 1980 to designate "Fighter Attack" squadron. The designation was assigned to squadrons equipped with the then new F/A-18A Hornet fighter attack aircraft. In 1983 the designation was changed to "Strike Fighter" squadron and all VFA squadrons in existence at the time were renamed from "Fighter Attack Squadron-___" to "Strike Fighter Squadron-___". Six of the current VFA squadrons were established after 1980 as fighter attack or strike fighter squadrons; eight were established between 1919 and 1946 as either air-to-air "Fighting" squadrons, or surface attack "Bombing" squadrons or "Torpedo" squadrons or as dual role "Bombing/Fighting" squadrons; and twenty-three were established after 1946 as "Fighter" squadrons or air-to-surface/ground "Attack" squadrons. Some squadrons have been designated as both VF and VA squadrons at different times during the course of their existence.
A Strike Fighter Squadron consists of either ten or twelve F/A-18E single seat Super Hornets, twelve F/A-18F two seat Super Hornets or fourteen F-35C Lightning IIs. Training squadrons may have more aircraft. The Super Hornet is an all-weather aircraft used for attack and fighter missions. As a fighter it is used as a fighter escort and for fleet air defense; as an attack aircraft it is used for force projection, interdiction and close and deep air support. It is also used for Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses and for aerial refueling. It replaced the "legacy" F/A-18A and C model Hornets. The last active component F/A-18C Hornet squadron began its transition to the Super Hornet in February 2019.
The F-35C is a fifth-generation strike fighter that was originally planned to replace the F/A-18C Hornet with two F-35C squadrons planned to operate alongside two super hornet squadrons in each carrier air wing, but expiring F/A-18C service life and delays in F-35C procurement forced the Navy to increase its buy of F/A-18E and F Super Hornets to replace F/A-18C Hornets while awaiting the arrival of the F-35C. The first deployable squadron to transition to the F-35C was a Super Hornet squadron in 2018. Ultimately each Carrier Air Wing will be equipped with three Super Hornet squadrons and one F-35C squadron.
All deployable VFA squadrons are operationally assigned to a Carrier Air Wing, four VFA squadrons to each CVW, and administratively to a Type Wing; either Joint Strike Fighter Wing, Strike Fighter Wing, Atlantic or Strike Fighter Wing, Pacific. The three Fleet Replacement Squadrons are assigned both operationally and administratively, one to each Type Wing.
Deployable VFA squadrons are home-ported at Naval Air Station Lemoore, CA or Naval Air Station Oceana, VA when not deployed, except for the squadrons of CVW-5 which are forward deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan with Carrier Air Wing FIVE. The single F-35C Fleet Replacement Squadron is based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, CA. The two Super Hornet Fleet Replacement Squadrons are based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, CA and Naval Air Station Oceana, VA.
Disestablished and deactivated VFA squadrons can be found here: Disestablished or deactivated VFA squadrons
Note: The parenthetical,, etc... appended to some designations in the lineage column of table below are not a part of the squadron designation system. They are added to indicate that the designation was used more than once during the history of U.S. Naval Aviation and which use of the designation is indicated. Absence indicates that the designation was used only once.

Squadron designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Carrier Air Wing	Type Wing	Squadron lineage	Station	Notes	Tail Code
VFA-2		Bounty Hunters	F/A-18F	CVW-2	STRKFIGHTWINGPAC	VF-2: 14 Oct 1972 – 21 Jul 2003 VFA-2: 21 Jul 2003–present	NAS Lemoore		*
VFA-11		Red Rippers	F/A-18F	CVW-1	STRKFIGHTWINGLANT	VF-43: 1 Sep 1950 – 16 Feb 1959 VF-11: 16 Feb 1959–18 Oct 2005 VFA-11: 18 Oct 2005–present	NAS Oceana		*
VFA-14		Tophatters	F/A-18E	CVW-9	STRKFIGHTWINGPAC	Air Det Pac Flt: Sep 1919 – 15 Jun 1920 VT-5: 15 Jun 1920 – 7 Sep 1921 VP-1-4: 7 Dec 1921–23 Sep 1921 VF-4 23 Sep 1921 – 1 Jul 1922 VF-1: 1 Jul 1922 – 1 Jul 1927 VF-1B: 1 Jul 1927 – 1 Jul 1934 VB-2B: 1 Jul 1934 – 1 Jul 1937 VB-3: 1 Jul 1937 – 1 Jul 1939 VB-4: 1 Jul 1939–15 Mar 1941 VS-41: 15 Mar 1941 – 1 Mar 1943 VB-41: 1 Mar 1943 – 4 Aug 1943 VB-4: 4 Aug 1943–15 Nov 1946 VA-1A: 15 Nov 1946 – 2 Aug 1948 VA-14: 2 Aug 1948–15 Dec 1949 VF-14: 15 Dec 1949 – 1 Dec 2001 VFA-14: 1 Dec 2001–present	NAS Lemoore		*
VFA-22		Fighting Redcocks	F/A-18F	CVW-17	STRKFIGHTWINGPAC	VF-63: 28 Jul 1948 – Mar 1956 VA-63: Mar 1956 – 1 Jul 1959 VA-22: 1 Jul 1959 – 4 May 1990 VFA-22: 4 May 1990 – present	NAS Lemoore		*
VFA-25		Fist of the Fleet	F/A-18E	CVW-11	STRKFIGHTWINGPAC	VT-17: 1 Jan 1943 – 15 Nov 1946 VA-6B: 15 Nov 1946–27 Jul 1948 VA-65: 27 Jul 1948 – 1 Jul 1959 VA-25: 1 Jul 1959 – 1 Jul 1983 VFA-25: 1 Jul 1983–present	NAS Lemoore		*
VFA-27		Royal Maces	F/A-18E	CVW-5	STRKFIGHTWINGPAC	VA-27: 1 Sep 1967 – 24 Jan 1991 VFA-27: 24 Jan 1991–present	MCAS Iwakuni		*
VFA-31		Tomcatters	F/A-18E	CVW-8	STRKFIGHTWINGLANT	VF-1B: 1 Jul 1935 – 1 Jul 1937 VF-6: 1 Jul 1937–15 Jul 1943 VF-3: 15 Jul 1943–15 Nov 1946 VF-3A: 15 Nov 1946 – 7 Aug 1948 VF-31: 7 Aug 1948 – 1 Aug 2006 VFA-31: 1 Aug 2006–present	NAS Oceana		*
VFA-32		Swordsmen	F/A-18F	CVW-3	STRKFIGHTWINGLANT	VBF-3: 1 Feb 1945 – 15 Nov 1946 VF-4A: 15 Nov 1946 – 7 Aug 1948 VF-32: 7 Aug 1948 – 1 Aug 2006 VFA-32: 1 Aug 2006–present	NAS Oceana		*
VFA-34		Blue Blasters	F/A-18E	CVW-3	STRKFIGHTWINGLANT	VA-34: 1 Jan 1970 – 30 Aug 1996 VFA-34: 30 Aug 1996–present	NAS Oceana		*
VFA-37		Ragin Bulls	F/A-18E	CVW-8	STRKFIGHTWINGLANT	VA-37: 1 Jul 1967 – 28 Nov 1990 VFA-37: 28 Nov 1990–present	NAS Oceana		*
VFA-41		Black Aces	F/A-18F	CVW-9	STRKFIGHTWINGPAC	VF-41: 1 Sep 1950 – 1 Dec 2001 VFA-41: 1 Dec 2001–present	NAS Lemoore		*
VFA-81		Sunliners	F/A-18E	CVW-1	STRKFIGHTWINGLANT	VA-66: 1 Jul 1955 – 1 Jul 1955 VF-81: 1 Jul 1955 – 1 Jul 1959 VA-81: 1 Jul 1959 – 4 Feb 1988 VFA-81: 4 Feb 1988–present	NAS Oceana		*
VFA-83		Rampagers	F/A-18E	CVW-7	STRKFIGHTWINGLANT	VF-916: 1 Feb 1951 – 4 Feb 1953 VF-83: 4 Feb 1953 – 1 Jul 1955 VA-83: 1 Jul 1955 – 1 Mar 1988 VFA-83: 1 Mar 1988–present	NAS Oceana		*
VFA-86		Sidewinders	F-35C	CVW-11	JSFWING	VF-921: 1 Feb 1951 – 4 Feb 1953 VF-84: 4 Feb 1953 – 1 Jul 1955 VA-86: 1 Jul 1955–15 Jul 1987 VFA-86: 15 Jul 1987–present	NAS Lemoore		*
VFA-87		Golden Warriors	F/A-18E	CVW-8	STRKFIGHTWINGLANT	VA-87: 1 Feb 1968 – May 1986 VFA-87: May 1986 – present	NAS Oceana		*
VFA-94		Mighty Shrikes	F/A-18F	CVW-17	STRKFIGHTWINGPAC	VF-94: 26 Mar 1952 – 1 Aug 1958 VA-94: 1 Aug 1958–24 Jan 1991 VFA-94: 24 Jan 1991–present	NAS Lemoore		*
VFA-97		Warhawks	F-35C	CVW-2	JSFWING	VA-97: 1 Jun 1967 – 24 Jan 1991 VFA-97: 24 Jan 1991–present	NAS Lemoore		*
VFA-102		Diamondbacks	F/A-18F	CVW-5	STRKFIGHTWINGPAC	VA-36: 1 Jul 1955 – 1 Jul 1955 VF-102: 1 Jul 1955 – 1 May 2002 VFA-102: 1 May 2002 – present	MCAS Iwakuni		*
VFA-103		Jolly Rogers	F/A-18F	CVW-7	STRKFIGHTWINGLANT	VF-103: 1 May 1952 – 27 Apr 2006 VFA-103: 27 Apr 2006–present	NAS Oceana		*
VFA-105		Gunslingers	F/A-18E	CVW-7	STRKFIGHTWINGLANT	VA-105: 4 Mar 1968 – 17 Dec 1990 VFA-105:17 Dec 1990–present	NAS Oceana		*
VFA-106		Gladiators	F/A-18E, F/A-18F		STRKFIGHTWINGLANT	VFA-106: 27 Apr 1984–present	NAS Oceana	FRS	AD
VFA-113		Stingers	F/A-18E	CVW-2	STRKFIGHTWINGPAC	VF-113: 15 Jul 1948 – Mar 1959 VA-113: Mar 1956–25 Mar 1983 VFA-113: 25 Mar 1983–present	NAS Lemoore		*
VFA-115		Eagles	F-35C	None, in transition to F-35	JSFWING	VT-11: 10 Oct 1942 – 15 Nov 1946 VA-12A: 15 Nov 1946–15 Jul 1948 VA-115: 15 Jul 1948–30 Sep 1996 VFA-115: 30 Sep 1996–present	NAS Lemoore		*
VFA-122		Flying Eagles	F/A-18E, F/A-18F		STRKFIGHTWINGPAC	VFA-122: 1 Oct 1998–present	NAS Lemoore	FRS	NJ
VFA-125		Rough Raiders	F-35C		JSFWING	VFA-125: 13 Nov 1980–present	NAS Lemoore	FRS	NJ
VFA-131		Wild Cats	F/A-18E	CVW-7	STRKFIGHTWINGLANT	VFA-131: 3 Oct 1983–present	NAS Oceana		*
VFA-136		Knighthawks	F/A-18E	CVW-1	STRKFIGHTWINGPAC	VFA-136: 1 Jul 1985–present	NAS Lemoore		*
VFA-137		Kestrels	F/A-18E	CVW-17	STRKFIGHTWINGPAC	VFA-137: 1 Jul 1985–present	NAS Lemoore		*
VFA-143		Pukin' Dogs	F/A-18E	CVW-1	STRKFIGHTWINGLANT	VF-871: 20 Jul 1950 – 4 Feb 1953 VF-123: 4 Feb 1953–12 Apr 1958 VF-53: 12 Apr 195-20 Jun 1962 VF-143: 20 Jun 1962–27 Apr 2006 VFA-143: 27 Apr 2006–present	NAS Oceana		*
VFA-146		Blue Diamonds	F/A-18E	CVW-17	STRKFIGHTWINGPAC	VA-146: 1 Feb 1956 – 21 Jul 1989 VFA-146: 21 Jul 1989–present	NAS Lemoore		*
VFA-147		Argonauts	F-35C	CVW-5	JSFWING	VA-147: 1 Feb 1967 – 20 Jul 1989 VFA-147: 20 Jul 1989–present	MCAS Iwakuni		*
VFA-151		Vigilantes	F/A-18E	CVW-9	STRKFIGHTWINGPAC	VF-23: 6 Aug 1948 – 23 Feb 1959 VF-151: 23 Feb 1959 – 1 Jun 1986 VFA-151: 1 Jun 1986–present	NAS Lemoore		*
VFA-154		Black Knights	F/A-18F	CVW-11	STRKFIGHTWINGPAC	VF-837: 1 Feb 1951 – 4 Feb 1953 VF-154: 4 Feb 1953 – 1 Oct 2003 VFA-154: 1 Oct 2003–present	NAS Lemoore		*
VFA-192		Golden Dragons	F/A-18E	CVW-2	STRKFIGHTWINGPAC	VF-153: 26 Mar 1945 – 15 Nov 1946 VF-15A: 15 Nov 1946–15 Jul 1948 VF-151: 15 Jul 1948–15 Feb 1950 VF-192: 15 Feb 1950–15 Mar 1956 VA-192: 15 Mar 1956–10 Jan 1985 VFA-192: 10 Jan 1985–present	NAS Lemoore		*
VFA-195		Dambusters	F/A-18E	CVW-5	STRKFIGHTWINGPAC	VT-19: 15 Aug 1943 – 15 Nov 1946 VA-20A: 15 Nov 1946–24 Aug 1948 VA-195: 24 Aug 1948 – 1 Apr 1985 VFA-195: 1 Apr 1985–present	MCAS Iwakuni		*
VFA-211		Checkmates	F/A-18E	CVW-11	STRKFIGHTWINGLANT	VB-74: 1 May 1945 – 15 Nov 1946 VA-1B: 15 Nov 1946 – 1 Sep 1948 VA-24: 1 Sep 1948 – 1 Dec 1949 VF-24: 1 Dec 1949 – 9 Mar 1959 VF-211: 9 Mar 1959 – 1 Aug 2006 VFA-211: 1 Aug 2006–present	NAS Oceana		*
VFA-213		Black Lions	F/A-18F	CVW-8	STRKFIGHTWINGLANT	VF-213: 22 Jun 1955 – 1 Aug 2006 VFA-213: 1 Aug 2006–present	NAS Oceana		*

Training (VT) (HT) squadrons

The VT designation was one of the original designations. It was established in 1921 to designate "Torpedo Plane Squadron". From 1922 to 1930 it designated "Torpedo & Bombing Squadron" and from 1930 to 1946 "Torpedo Squadron". In 1946 all remaining Torpedo Squadrons were redesignated "Attack Squadrons" and the VT designation was retired.
From 1927 to 1947 training squadrons were designated "VN". From 1947 to 1960 training units were not designated as squadrons, they were "units" or "groups" called Basic Training Groups, Advanced Training Units, Jet Transition Training Units or Multi Engine Training Groups. On 1 May 1960 the VT designation was resurrected and existing flying training units were designated "Training Squadrons ".
The HT designation first appeared in May 1960 to designate Helicopter Training Squadron at the same time that the VT designation was resurrected to designate Training Squadron. In the early years of helicopter operations in the Navy, helicopter pilots were qualified fixed wing pilots who received transition training once they reported to a helicopter squadron. In 1950 a dedicated Helicopter Training Unit, later called a Helicopter Training Group, was established and in 1960 that unit became the first HT squadron. As the demand for helicopter pilots increased over the decades, additional HT squadrons were established and today approximately 60% of the Student Naval Aviators from all services are winged as helicopter pilots.
There are two types of training squadrons: Primary training squadrons train students in the first stages of flight training leading to selection to one of six advanced training pipelines for Student Naval Aviators, four advanced training pipelines for Student Naval Flight Officers or the single advanced pipeline for Navy Air Vehicle Pilots and Marine Corps Unmanned Aircraft Systems Officers. The advanced training squadrons provide advanced flight instruction to all U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard Student Naval Aviators, to U.S. Navy Student Naval Flight Officers or to U.S. Navy student Air Vehicle Pilots/U.S Marine Corps student Unmanned Aircraft Systems Officers as well as to international students from several allied nations. Students who successfully complete the program are awarded Naval Aviator, Naval Flight Officer or Air Vehicle Pilot/Unmanned Aircraft Systems Officer "Wings of Gold."
Training squadrons are organized differently than the Navy's operational squadrons as training squadrons do not have maintenance departments. Custody of training aircraft belongs to the TRAWING to which the squadrons are assigned and aircraft maintenance is conducted through contracted civilian maintenance. Training squadrons are composed of Operations, Safety and Administrative departments. The squadrons of TRAWINGs FOUR and FIVE are staffed by Navy and Marine Corps instructors with Coast Guard instructors present in some of the squadrons while the squadrons of TRAWINGs ONE and TWO are staffed only by Navy and Marine Corps instructors as Coast Guard students are not trained by those wings. The three squadrons of the NFO TRAWING SIX are staffed solely by Navy instructors as the USMC has retired its last NFO crewed aircraft, though the recent addition of USMC Student Unmanned Aircraft Systems Officers at TRAWING SIX will likely re-introduce Marine Corps instructors to at least one TRAWING Six squadron. Command of about a third of the fourteen squadrons of TRAWINGS ONE through FIVE alternate between USN and USMC Commanding Officers and one alternates between a USN and a USCG Commanding Officer. Additionally, each of the seventeen training squadrons is augmented by a Squadron Augmentation Unit. A SAU is a Navy Reserve unit commanded by a Navy Reserve or Marine Corps Reserve Commanding Officer which consist of Navy Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve instructors. These instructors are fully integrated into the training squadron's schedule and instruct Student Naval Aviators and Student Naval Flight Officers alongside their active duty counterparts. The SAUs are identified as "VT-3 SAU", VT-21 SAU", "HT-8 SAU" etc...
Navy training aircraft have been painted orange and white since 1959 but in 2023 the decision was made to begin transitioning to a blue paint scheme for primary trainers which is reminiscent of the Navy and Marine Corps WWII color scheme, and to grey paint schemes for advanced trainers reflective of the color schemes of today's operational aircraft. The T-54As and remaining TH-73As still to be delivered will be delivered in the new grey paint schemes and the already delivered orange and white TH-73As and the T-45Cs, T-6As and T-6Bs will receive their new paint as they cycle through normal re-painting through the remainder of the decade.
Disestablished and deactivated VT squadrons can be found here: Disestablished or deactivated VT squadrons

Squadron designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Functional Wing	Squadron lineage	Station	Notes	Tail Code
VT-7		Eagles	T-45C	TRAWING ONE	BTG-7: 1 Jun 1958 – 1 May 1960 VT-7: 1 May 1960 – present	NAS Meridian	Advanced Strike	A
VT-9		Tigers	T-45C	TRAWING ONE	VT-19: 2 Aug 1971 – 1 Oct 1998 VT-9: 1 Oct 1998–present	NAS Meridian	Advanced Strike	A
VT-21		Redhawks	T-45C	TRAWING TWO	ATU-202: Apr 1951 – 1 May 1960 VT-21: 1 May 1960 – present	NAS Kingsville	Advanced Strike & Advanced E-2	B
VT-22		Golden Eagles	T-45C	TRAWING TWO	ATU-6: 13 Jun 1949–?? JTTU-1: ??–?? ATU-3: ??–?? ATU-212: ?? – 1 May 1960 VT-22: 1 May 1960–present	NAS Kingsville	Advanced Strike & Advanced E-2	B
VT-27		Boomers	T-6B	TRAWING FOUR	ATU-B: 11 Jul 1951–?? ATU-402: ?? – 1 Jul 1960 VT-27: 1 Jul 1960–present	NAS Corpus Christi	Primary Training & Intermediate Strike	G
VT-28		Rangers	T-6B	TRAWING FOUR	ATU-611: ?? – 1 May 1960 VT-28: 1 May 1960–present	NAS Corpus Christi	Primary Training & Intermediate Strike	G
VT-31		Wise Owls	T-44C T-54A	TRAWING FOUR	ATU-601: Feb 1958 – 1 May 1960 VT-31: 1 May 1960 – present	NAS Corpus Christi	Intermediate E-2, Advanced Multi-Engine, Advanced E-6 & Advanced Tilt Rotor	G
VT-35		Stingrays	T-44C T-54A	TRAWING FOUR	VT-35: 29 Oct 1999–present	NAS Corpus Christi	Intermediate E-2, Advanced Multi-Engine, Advanced E-6 & Advanced Tilt Rotor	G
VT-2		Doerbirds	T-6B	TRAWING FIVE	BTG-2: ?? – 1 May 1960 VT-2: 1 May 1960–present	NAS Whiting Field	Primary Training & Intermediate Strike	E
VT-3		Red Knights	T-6B	TRAWING FIVE	BTG-3: ?? – 1 May 1960 VT-3: 1 May 1960–present	NAS Whiting Field	Primary Training & Intermediate Strike	E
VT-6		Shooters	T-6B	TRAWING FIVE	METG: 1 Jul 1956 – 1 May 1960 VT-6: 1 May 1960 – present	NAS Whiting Field	Primary Training & Intermediate Strike	E
HT-8		Eightballers	TH-73A	TRAWING FIVE	HTU-1: 3 Dec 1950 – Mar 1957 HTG-1: Mar 1957 – 1 Jul 1960 HT-8: 1 Jul 1960–present	NAS Whiting Field	Intermediate Tilt Rotor, & Advanced Rotary Wing	E
HT-18		Vigilant Eagles	TH-73A	TRAWING FIVE	HT-18: 1 Mar 1972–present	NAS Whiting Field	Intermediate Tilt Rotor, & Advanced Rotary Wing	E
HT-28		Hellions	TH-73A	TRAWING FIVE	HT-28: 1 Nov 2006–present	NAS Whiting Field	Intermediate Tilt Rotor, & Advanced Rotary Wing	E
VT-10		Wildcats	T-6A	TRAWING SIX	BNAO: Jun 1960 – 15 Jan 1968 VT-10: 15 Jan 1968–present	NAS Pensacola	NFO & AVP/UAVO Primary Training and NFO Intermediate Strike Fighter	F
VT-86		Sabrehawks	T-45C	TRAWING SIX	VT-86: 5 Jun 1972–present	NAS Pensacola	NFO Advanced Strike Fighter	F
VT-4		Warbucks	Multi-Crew Simulator	TRAWING SIX	BTG-9: ?? – 1 May 1960: VT-4: 1 May 1960–present	NAS Pensacola	NFO Advanced AEW, TACAMO & MPR;and Advanced AVP/UAVO

Unmanned Carrier-Launched Multi-Role (VUQ) squadrons (aerial refueling squadrons)

The Navy's first VUQ squadron was established in 2022 aboard NAS Patuxent River. It currently remains based at NAS Patuxent River engaged with VX-23, UX-24 and VX-1 to test, train and develop operational and maintenance procedures for the MQ-25 Stingray. It will ultimately move to NBVC Pt. Mugu as the MQ-25 Fleet Replacement Squadron and two operational MQ-25 squadrons will be established under the Airborne Command & Control and Logistics Wing, the same wing to which the airborne command and control squadrons belong. One squadron will be based at NS Norfolk and the other at NBVC Pt. Mugu. These squadrons will attach MQ-25 Stingray detachments to deploying VAW squadrons.
Initially, the MQ-25's primary role will be to conduct mission tanking; extending the carrier air wing's strike range by aerial refueling air wing aircraft at ranges from the carrier and at fuel off-load quantities that were previously unachievable. The MQ-25 will increase the overall lethality of the CVW by relieving the F/A-18E Super Hornet in the aerial refueling role enabling ordnance to replace refueling stores on the F/A-18's pylons. In secondary roles, the MQ-25 will conduct recovery tanking and it is equipped with an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability.

Squadron designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Type Wing	Squadron lineage	Station
VUQ-10		Pathfinders	MQ-25A	ACCLOGWING	VUQ-10: 1 Oct 2022–present	NAS Patuxent River

Other aircraft units

The units in the tables below do not carry a squadron designation and except for the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron are not called squadrons, however; they have custody of and routinely fly Navy aircraft as their primary function, or in the case of wing weapons schools they fly aircraft belonging to the fleet squadrons of their wing for the advanced training of those fleet squadrons.
Blue Angels and Naval Test Pilot School
The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron is made up of U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Naval Aviators and of other U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps officers and enlisted sailors and Marines who maintain the squadron's aircraft and carry out all support and administrative functions of the squadron. The Blue Angels were formed on 24 April 1946 as the "Navy Flight Exhibition Team" under the leadership of a "team leader". It was not until 10 December 1973 that the unit was formally established as a squadron under the command of a Commanding Officer.
The U.S. Naval Test Pilot School operates numerous various fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft to train and graduate U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps experimental test pilots, flight test engineers, and flight test flight officers. It is also the primary test pilot school for U.S. Army aviators as it is the only U.S. military test pilot school to offer instruction on rotary-wing aircraft.

Unit name	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Wing	Station	Tail Code
U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron		Blue Angels	F/A-18E F/A-18F C-130J Super Hercules\|C-130J]	Not assigned to a wing, reports directly to the Commander, Naval Air Training Command.	Based at NAS Pensacola. Winter training site NAF El Centro
U.S. Naval Test Pilot School		TPS	Various fixed and rotary wing aircraft	Naval Test Wing Atlantic	NAS Patuxent River	USNTPS

Weapons Schools
Navy Fighter Weapons School, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School, Airborne Electronic Attack Weapons School and Navy Rotary Wing Weapons School train selected U.S. Navy Naval Aviators, Naval Flight Officers and Naval Aircrewmen in instructional techniques and in advanced tactics in their respective aircraft qualifying them as weapons and tactics instructors to serve at the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center or for assignment to their respective wing weapons schools.
There are eight wing weapons schools, each reporting to their respective type wing: Strike Fighter Weapons Schools Atlantic and Pacific; Electronic Attack Weapons School; Airborne Command & Control and Logistics Weapons School; Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons Schools Atlantic and Pacific; and Helicopter Maritime Strike Weapons Schools Atlantic and Pacific. Wing weapons schools are the lead organizations for the development and refinement of tactics and they provide advanced training for their wing's squadrons utilizing squadron aircraft.
The Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School is a subordinate unit of Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group and is based at NAS Jacksonville, FL. It trains Maritime Weapons and Tactics Instructors who are then assigned to Weapons Training Units embedded in the training departments of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings TEN and ELEVEN. The Weapons Training Units function for Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings TEN and ELEVEN as the wing weapons schools function for their wings.

Unit name	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Wing	Station	Tail Code
Navy Fighter Weapons School		TOPGUN	F-16A,B,C,D F/A-18E,F F-35C	The Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center weapons schools are not squadrons or units assigned to a wing, they are departments of the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center	NAS Fallon
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School		TOPDOME	E-2C E-2D	The Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center weapons schools are not squadrons or units assigned to a wing, they are departments of the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center	NAS Fallon
Airborne Electronic Attack Weapons School		HAVOC	EA-18G	The Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center weapons schools are not squadrons or units assigned to a wing, they are departments of the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center	NAS Fallon
Navy Rotary Wing Weapons School		SEAWOLF	MH-60S	The Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center weapons schools are not squadrons or units assigned to a wing, they are departments of the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center	NAS Fallon
Navy Rotary Wing Weapons School		SEAHUNTER	MH-60R	The Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center weapons schools are not squadrons or units assigned to a wing, they are departments of the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center	NAS Fallon
Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic		Mauler		Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic	NAS Oceana
Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific		Outlaws		Strike Fighter Wing Pacific	NAS Lemoore
Electronic Attack Weapons School				Electronic Attack Wing Pacific	NAS Whidbey Island
Airborne Command & Control and Logistics Weapons School				Airborne Command & Control and Logistics Wing	NS Norfolk
Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Atlantic		Savage		Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic	NS Norfolk
Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Pacific		Phoenix		Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific	NAS North Island
Helicopter Maritime Strike Weapons School Atlantic		Talons		Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Atlantic	NS Mayport
Helicopter Maritime Strike Weapons School Pacific		Honey Badgers		Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific	NAS North Island
Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School				Not assigned to a wing, reports directly to Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group	NAS Jacksonville

Naval Air Station Aircraft Units
There are six Naval Air Stations which maintain a Search and Rescue alert posture in support of the aviation activities at those air stations. As a secondary function those station SAR units are available to support local civilian authorities on a not to interfere with their primary mission basis. Those stations are NAS Key West, NAS Patuxent River, NAS Lemoore, NAS Whidbey Island, NAS Fallon and NAWS China Lake. SAR is covered at NAS Fallon by the Navy Rotary Wing Weapons School as a collateral responsibility and at NAWS China Lake by VX-31 as a collateral responsibility but the other four air stations have dedicated SAR units of three to four MH-60S helicopters. Until October 2024 all four of those units were divisions of the Air Operations Departments of the respective Naval Air Station but in October 2024 three of those units were removed from the administrative command of their Naval Air Stations and were established as separate units under the administrative command of Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic or Pacific. The unit at NAS Patuxent River remains the only SAR unit under the administrative command of the Naval Air Station at which it is based. The SAR helicopters are painted in a high visibility red and white paint scheme.
In addition to SAR units there are three air stations which operate C-26 aircraft in various support roles. Those stations are the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, Hawaii which operates EC-26D and RC-26D range support aircraft in support of the missile range; and Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy and Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy which both operate C-26D passenger and cargo transport aircraft supporting Commander Naval Forces Europe and Africa, Commander 6th Fleet and other naval and joint forces in Europe. Additionally but not included in the table below there are thirteen UC-12F and UC-12M Huron aircraft operated by the Air Operations Departments of various air stations in cargo and passenger transport roles.

Unit name	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Wing	Station	Tail Code
Station SAR Key West		Marlins	MH-60S	Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic	NAS Key West	7Q
Station SAR Lemoore		Wranglers	MH-60S	Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific	NAS Lemoore	7S
Station SAR Whidbey		Firewood	MH-60S	Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific	NAS Whidbey Island	FW
Naval Air Station Pax River SAR Division		SAR Dogs	MH-60S	Not assigned to a wing, SAR is a division of the Air Ops Department which is a component of the Naval Air Station	NAS Patuxent River
Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands Air Ops Dept.			RC-26D EC-26D	Not assigned to a wing, the Air Ops Department is a component of the Pacific Missile Range Facility	PMRF Barking Sands
Naval Air Station Sigonella Air Ops Dept.			C-26D	Not assigned to a wing, the Air Ops Department is a component of the Naval Air Station	NAS Sigonella
Naval Support Activity Naples Air Ops Dept.			C-26D	Not assigned to a wing, the Air Ops Department is a component of the Naval Support Activity	NSA Naples