Patrol Squadron

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 (TACRON) operate from amphibious ship air control centers and consist of personnel who control aircraft in amphibious operations; Tactical Operations Control Squadrons (TOCRON) operate Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Tactical Operations Centers supporting Patrol (VP) squadron operations; and the operating units of Naval Special Warfare Development Group colloquially known as "SEAL Team Six" are called "squadrons" named by color (these squadrons are the organizational equivalent of a "regular" SEAL Team).

Selected aircraft squadrons and their history are listed in the ''Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons'' (DANAS).

Aircraft Squadron organization

Navy aircraft squadrons are composed of as few as about five aircraft to as many as about twelve depending on the aircraft type and purpose of the squadron. They are manned by the officers who fly the aircraft, the officers and sailors who crew or maintain them, and operational and administrative support sailors. Aircraft carrier based aircraft squadrons typically number between 150 and 200 officers and sailors. Aircraft squadrons are commanded by a Naval Aviator or Naval Flight Officer (NFO) Commanding Officer (CO) who holds the rank of Commander. Second in command is the Executive Officer (XO), 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. A Command Master Chief, a senior sailor who holds the rate of 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 (junior grade). Divisions are divided into branches typically headed by a Chief Petty Officer but in very large squadrons they may be headed by a Lieutenant (junior grade) or recently promoted Lieutenant. All but four officers in an aircraft 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 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 those 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 (junior grade), are practically non-existent in reserve squadrons. As a result, divisions are typically headed by Lieutenant Commanders and branches by Lieutenants, Senior Chief Petty Officers or Chief Petty Officers. US 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 ("VP-1"). 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 (re-used) 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''.OPNAVINST 5030.4G

Navy 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 (blimps) were designated with the fist letter Z. A second letter followed indicating the purpose of the squadron (ex: P for Patrol, F for fighter). 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 (VP-1, VP-2 etc...) or they were numbered to conform with a higher level organization (VF-8 belonging to Carrier Air Group eight during WWII for example) 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" ('Helicopter, Utility'). 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 and "H" to denote rotary wing. 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 (UAS) for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps and it was designated UX-24 seeming to create a third squadron type designation of "U". However six years prior, in 2012 the navy had established a squadron to train operators of rotary winged UASs designating it HUQ-1 (that squadron was later disestablished in 2014), then in 2016 it established an "unmanned patrol squadron" to fly the 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 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.

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. Squadrons which deploy as part of a carrier air wing (CVW) are assigned to two wings, operationally to a carrier air wing and administratively to a type wing. Squadrons which do not deploy as part of a CVW are assigned to a single wing which typically functions as both the squadron's operational commander and its administrative commander. A few special mission type 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".Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol I App 6 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 (a FRS), VAW-111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116 and established from VAW-12 were RVAW-120 (a FRS), 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 Carrier 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 2025. The Hawkeye's primary mission is to provide all-weather airborne early warning, airborne battle management and command and control (C2) 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. The E-2 Hawkeye and C-2 Greyhound are built on the same airframe and have many similar characteristics. For this reason, both aircraft are trained for in the same Fleet Replacement Squadron.

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.

: ''*Carrier air wing (CVW) 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 (VX-1 (still exists today), 2, 3 and 4) 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" 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 (NAVAIRSYSCOM) while VX-1 and VX-9 are operational test and evaluation squadrons which conduct operational test and evaluation of aircraft and weapons as part of the Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR).

Electronic Attack (VAQ) squadrons

The VAQ (V-fixed wing, A-attack, Q-electronic countermeasure) 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 ___".

Electronic Attack Squadrons consist of five or seven Boeing EA-18G Growlers (with the exception of the Fleet Replacement Squadron which has more). The primary mission of the Growler is Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) 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 combat wing, Pacific Fleet which is a type wing. However, six are "expeditionary squadrons" (including the one USNR squadron) which deploy to overseas land bases and are assigned both operationally and administratively to Electronic Combat Wing, Pacific Fleet (except for VAQ-209 which is administratively assigned to the USNR's Tactical Support Wing). The five active component expeditionary squadrons and the Fleet Replacement Squadron are augmented by USAF pilots and Combat Systems Officers of the 390th Electronic Combat Squadron.

The single Fleet Replacement Squadron which serves both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets 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-144, which is forward deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan with Carrier Air Wing Five.

Note: The parenthetical (Second use) and (2nd) 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.

''*Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 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 (VC) squadrons (VC-12 & 13) 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 (VFC-111) 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 (VFA-204) was redesignated to VFC. VFC squadrons provide adversary simulation for fleet squadrons. All VFC squadrons are Navy Reserve squadrons.

Two of the squadrons are based at NAS Fallon and NAS Key West to support fleet VFA squadron training at the extensive range complexes supported by those air stations. A third is based at NAS Oceana to support Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic squadron training and the fourth is based at NAS JRB New Orleans.

Note: The parenthetical (2nd) and (3rd) 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.

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. The Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron mission is planned to be replaced by the MQ-4C Triton flown by Unmanned Patrol (VUP) 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 between the National Command Authority (NCA) and U.S. strategic and non-strategic forces. The squadrons' E-6B aircraft are dual-mission aircraft, capable of fulfilling both the airborne strategic command post mission equipped with an airborne launch control system (ALCS) which is capable of launching U.S. land based intercontinental ballistic missiles and fulfilling the TACAMO ("Take Charge and Move Out") mission which links the NCA with Navy ballistic missile submarine forces during times of crisis. The aircraft carries a very low frequency communication system with dual trailing wire antennae for that communications relay mission. The Commander of Strategic Communications Wing ONE is "dual-hatted" as Commander, United States Strategic Command task force 124 under which he exercises operational control of VQ-3 and VQ-4.

Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron SEVEN is the E-6B Fleet Replacement Squadron, providing initial and requalification training for pilots, aircrewmen, and maintainers. It operates E-6Bs on loan from VQ-3 and VQ-4, having returned a 737-600 it had previously operated on lease from Lauda Air.

Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission (VRM) squadrons

The VRM designation was first used in 2018 to designate a new Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) squadron which was established to operate the CMV-22B Osprey tilt rotor aircraft as a replacement for the long serving C-2A Greyhound aircraft nearing the end of its service life. The inclusion of "Multi-Mission" in the designation recognizes the versatility of the tilt rotor aircraft and hints at possible future roles for the aircraft 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 for the aircraft. Potential future additional uses of the aircraft could be transportation of special warfare teams or shore or sea-based combat search-and-rescue (CSAR)". The primary and currently only role for the aircraft 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 two 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.

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 (COD) 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. VRC-40 provides two-plane detachments with each assigned deploying carrier air wing. The C-2A Greyhound, more commonly referred to as a "COD" (short for Carrier onboard delivery), 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 is the Fleet Replacement Squadron for both the E-2 and the C-2A Greyhound.

Fleet Logistics Support (VR) squadrons

The VR designator was first established in 1942 to designated "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 (VR) squadrons are U.S. Navy Reserve squadrons.

Fleet logistics support squadrons operate Navy unique fleet essential airlift (NUFEA) 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 (VR) 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" based in Hawaii.

Note: The parenthetical (2nd), (3rd), or (second use), (third use), 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.

Flight Demonstration Squadron

The Blue Angeles were formed in 1946 as the Navy Flight Exhibition Team under the leadership of a "team leader". It was not until 1973 that the unit was formally established as a squadron under the command of a Commanding Officer.

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.

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 SH-60B flown by Helicopter Anti-Submarine (Light) (HSL) squadrons with the dipping sonar of the SH-60F flown by carrier based Helicopter Anti-Submarine (HS) 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 Air Antisubmarine (VS) squadrons, all ship based airborne ASW capabilities now reside in the HSM squadrons.

From 2008 to 2016 all Helicopter Anti-Submarine (Light) (HSL) squadrons transitioned to the MH-60R and were redesignated Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) squadrons and five new HSM squadrons were established. This enabled the provision of 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 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 which provide detachments of MH-60Rs 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 (helicopter maritime strike wing Atlantic or Pacific) 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.

: ''*Carrier air wing (CVW) 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''

Helicopter Mine Countermeasures (HM) squadron

The HM designation was created in 1971 to designate "helicopter mine countermeasures squadron". HM squadrons employ Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters. The primary mission of the Sea Dragon is airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM). 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 (HSC) 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 2026.

Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) squadrons

Helicopter sea combat squadrons fly the MH-60S Seahawk from aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, littoral combat ships, amphibious warfare ships and logistics 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 helicopter sea combat (HSC) designation was created in 2005 after the helicopter combat support (HC) 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 (HS) 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 (HC) squadrons with greatly upgraded Combat Search and Rescue, Naval Special Warfare Support and Anti-Surface Warfare capabilities of the former Helicopter Anti-submarine (HS) squadrons.

The HSC squadrons which were formerly HS squadrons are carrier based and deploy as part of a carrier air wing while the HSC squadrons which were formerly HC squadrons or were newly established are land based "expeditionary" squadrons which supply detachments for deployment 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 (Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic or Pacific) 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.

Note: The parenthetical (2nd) 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.

: ''*Carrier air wing (CVW) 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''

Patrol (VP), Unmanned Patrol (VUP), Special Projects Patrol (VPU) 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". In 1982 the VPU special projects patrol squadron designation was created.
Maritime patrol aircraft are used primarily for reconnaissance, anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare. Volume 2 of the Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons contains comprehensive histories of over 150 patrol squadrons.

In 2016 the first unmanned patrol squadron (VUP) 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.

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 (1st), (2nd), (3rd) and (first use), (second use) 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.

Scientific Development (VXS) squadron

VXS-1 is a support squadron that conducts numerous deployments around the world in support of a wide range of airborne research projects for the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, United States Navy, U.S. Government, and its contracting agencies.

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 new F/A-18A Hornet fighter attack aircraft. In 1983 the designation was changed to "strike fighter squadron"Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol I App 4 and all VFA squadrons in existence at the time were renamed from "Fighter Attack Squadron-___" to "Strike Fighter Squadron-___". The Marine Corps did not participate in this renaming and VMFA squadrons retain the title "Fighter Attack Squadron". 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 ten F-35C Lightning IIs. Training squadrons (known as Fleet Replacement Squadrons) have many 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 (SEAD) 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 of between 10 and 16 aircraft (the future F-35C squadron size is yet to be finalized).

All deployable VFA squadrons are operationally assigned to a Carrier Air Wing 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 to a 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.

Note: The parenthetical (1st), (2nd), (3rd) 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.

Note: VFA squadrons are frequently reassigned from one Carrier Air Wing to another as required by aircraft carrier maintenance schedules and VFA squadron readiness cycles therefore the table below will frequently be out of date with regard to CVW assignment.

: ''*Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 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''

Training (VT) and Helicopter Training (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 and Bombing Squadrons (VB) were redesignated "Attack Squadrons" (VA) and the VT designation was retired.Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol I Chap 1 pg13

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 (BTG), Advanced Training Units (ATU), Jet Transition Training Units (JTTU) or Multi Engine Training Groups (METG). On 1 May 1960 the VT designation was resurrected and existing flying training units were designated "Training Squadrons (VT)".

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 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 (Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard) 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 three advanced training pipelines for Student Naval Aviators (Rotary Wing, Strike or Multi-Engine), two advanced training pipelines for Student Naval Flight Officers (Multi Crew or Strike) or the single advanced pipeline for Air Vehicle Pilots (AVP). The advanced training squadrons provide advanced flight instruction to all US Navy, US Marine Corps, and US Coast Guard Student Naval Aviators or to US Navy Student Naval Flight Officers and student Air Vehicle Pilots 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 "Wings of Gold."

Training squadrons are organized differently than the Navy's operational squadrons as training squadrons do not own aircraft. All training aircraft are assigned to and maintained by the Training Air Wing to which the squadrons are assigned. The training squadrons are composed only of Instructors and Students with all aircraft maintenance functions carried out by the Training Air Wing. 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 reminiscent of the Navy's WWII color scheme for primary training aircraft (T-6A and T-6B) and to grey paint schemes for advanced trainers (T-45C, T-54A and TH-73A). 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 will receive the grey paint as they cycle through normal re-painting through the remainder of the decade.

Training Air Wing ONE and its two squadrons are based at Naval Air Station Meridian, MS; Training Air Wing TWO and its two squadrons are based at Naval Air Station Kingsville, TX; Training Air Wing FOUR and its four squadrons are based at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, TX; Training Air Wing FIVE and its six squadrons are based at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, FL and Training Air Wing SIX and its three squadrons are based at Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL.

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 (VAW) 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/F 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 may ultimately be equipped to do organic intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) for the Carrier Strike Group.

Non-squadron aircraft units

The organizations in the table below are not designated squadrons, however they either have custody of and routinely fly Navy aircraft or they routinely fly aircraft belonging to fleet squadrons for advanced training of those fleet squadrons.

The U.S. Naval Test Pilot School operates various fixed and rotary wing aircraft to train and graduate test pilots and test engineers.

Navy Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun), Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School (Top Dome), Airborne Electronic Attack Weapons School (Havoc), Navy Rotary Wing Weapons School (Seawolf) and Navy Rotary Wing Weapons School (Seahunter) train selected U. S. Navy Naval Aviators and Naval Flight Officers (NFO) in instructional techniques and in advanced tactics in their respective aircraft qualifying them as a weapons and tactics instructor (WTI) to serve at the Naval Air Warfare Development Center (NAWDC) or for assignment to their respective wing weapons schools: Strike Fighter Weapons School Lant and Pac; Electronic Attack Weapons School; Airborne Command & Control and Logistics Weapons School; Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Lant and Pac; and Helicopter Maritime Strike Weapons School Lant and Pac where they provide advanced training for each 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 its weapons and tactics instructors (WTI)s in house and functions for Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings TEN and ELEVEN as the Strike Fighter, Electronic Attack, Airborne Command & Control and four helicopter wing weapons schools function for their wings.

The Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, Hawaii operates EC and RC-26D range support aircraft in support of the missile range.

See also

* List of United States Navy aircraft wings
* Naval aviation
* List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
* Modern US Navy carrier air operations
* List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962) / List of US Naval aircraft
* United States Naval Aviator
* Naval Flight Officer
* United States Marine Corps Aviation
* NATOPS
* List of active United States Air Force aircraft squadrons
* VBF

Notes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:United States Navy Aircraft Squadrons

Aircraft squadrons list
*Squadrons
Navy aircraft squadrons
Lists of flying squadrons