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List of United States Navy aircraft wings

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This is a list of United States Navy aircraft wings. The U.S. Navy first used the term "wing" in 1935 when patrol squadrons operating together in the same geographical area were for the first time loosely designated patrol wings, however these "wings" lacked any formal organization or headquarters staff. In 1937 the Navy's first wings were created when five Patrol Wings were formally established to exercise command of its patrol squadrons.[1] A year later it organized the squadrons flying from the five aircraft carriers in commission at the time into Carrier Air Groups. Those Carrier Air Groups established in 1938 are the forerunners of today's Carrier Air Wings. Today the U.S. Navy operates both Aircraft Carrier based Carrier Air Wings and land based Functional Wings and Type Wings. Carrier Air Wings are operational units made up of squadrons of different types of aircraft that deploy aboard aircraft carriers. The Navy's land based wings are organized either to perform a specific function (Functional Wings) or around a specific aircraft type (Type Wings). Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings, Test Wings and Training Wings are examples of functional wings, these wings may consist of a single type of aircraft or of a variety of types needed to perform a wing's specific function. Type Wings consist of squadrons of a single type of aircraft, they are non-deploying "force providers" that provide combat ready squadrons or detachments to deploying Carrier Air Wings or to other Navy or joint forces. All Navy aircraft wings whether they are Carrier Air Wings or Land Based Type or Functional Wings are commanded by a Navy Captain, however; in the case of a Training Air Wing or Naval Test Wing a U.S. Marine Corps Colonel is sometimes assigned as commander as those wings conduct training or test and evaluation for both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. Commanders of Carrier Air Wings are informally addressed as "CAG" which is a hold over from the previous designation (prior to 20 Dec 1963) of Carrier Air Wings as Carrier Air Groups and commanders of functional or type wings are addressed as "Commodore" which is a traditional Naval title for an officer exercising command over multiple units commanded by Commanding Officers (individual ships or aircraft squadrons)

Current Navy Air Wings

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The Navy currently operates nine Carrier Air Wings and twenty three land based Type Wings and Functional Wings.

Current Carrier Air Wings

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Carrier Air Wings were first established on 1 July 1938 when the aircraft squadrons assigned to the aircraft carriers USS Lexington (CV 2), USS Saratoga (CV 3), USS Ranger (CV 4), USS Yorktown (CV 5) and USS Enterprise (CV 6) were established as "Carrier Air Groups" assigned to each of those ships. Two of those Carrier Air Groups still exist today as Carrier Air Wings ONE and THREE. On 20 December 1963 all Carrier Air Groups which were then in existence were redesignated Carrier Air Wings (CVW). Of the nine current Carrier Air Wings, two were established before WWII, four during WWII, two during the period of the Korean War and one during period of the Vietnam War. The table below lists the nine currently active Carrier Air Wings.

Active Carrier Air Wings (CVW). CVWs were titled Carrier Air Groups (CVG, CVAG, CVBG) prior to 20 Dec 1963
Note: This table may be out of date with regard to Carrier Strike Group (CSG) assignment as CVWs are not permanently assigned to a specific CSG.

Wing[2] Insignia Operational Commander Administrative Commander Lineage Tail Code
CVW-1
Commander, Carrier Strike Group 8 Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Ranger Air Group: 1 Jul 1938-3 Aug 1943[a]
CVG-4(1st): 3 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-1: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-1(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-1: 20 Dec 1963-present
AB
CVW-2
Commander, Carrier Strike Group 1 Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific CVBG-74: 1 May 1945-15 Nov 1946
CVBG-1: 15 Nov 1946- 1 Sep 1948
CVG-2(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-2: 20 Dec 1963-present
NE
CVW-3
Commander, Carrier Strike Group 2 Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Saratoga Air Group: 1 Jul 1938-25 Sep 1943[b]
CVG-3(1st): 25 Sep 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-3: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-3(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-3: 20 Dec 1963-present
AC
CVW-5
Commander Carrier Strike Group 5 Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific CVG-5(1st): 1 Jan 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-5: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-5(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-5: 20 Dec 1963-present
NF
CVW-7
Commander, Carrier Strike Group 10 Commander Naval Air Force Atlantic CVG-18: 2 Jul 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-7: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-7(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-7: 20 Dec 1963-present
AG
CVW-8
Commander, Carrier Strike Group 12 Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic CVG-8(2nd): 9 Apr 1951-20 Dec 1963
CVW-8 20 Dec 1963-present
AJ
CVW-9
Commander, Carrier Strike Group 3 Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific CVG-9 (3rd): 26 Mar 1952-20 Dec 1963
CVW-9: 20 Dec 1963-present
NG
CVW-11
Commander, Carrier Strike Group 9 Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific CVG-11(1st): 10 Oct 1942-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-11: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-11(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-11: 20 Dec 1963-present
NH
CVW-17
Commander, Carrier Strike Group 11 Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific CVW-17: 1 Nov 1966-present 1966: AA
2012: NA[c]
Tail codes with a first letter "A" denote Atlantic Fleet airwings, while "N" denotes Pacific Fleet airwings.

Current Type Wings

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Type Wings are non-deploying "force provider" wings which provide combat ready squadrons or detachments to Carrier Air Wings or for land based or shipboard (non-aircraft carrier) deployments. Type Wing squadrons which deploy as part of a Carrier Air Wing (CVW) are based with their Type Wing when not deployed, not with their Carrier Air Wing. The exception are those squadrons assigned to the Carrier Air Wing which is forward deployed to Japan, those squadrons are based in Japan with their Carrier Air Wing, not with their Type Wings which are all based in the United States. Type Wings also operate their aircraft's Fleet Replacement Squadrons.

Wing Insignia Reports to Aircraft Lineage Squadrons / Station(s)
SFWL[d]
Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic F/A-18E
F/A-18F
LATWING 1:[e] 1 Jun 1970-1 Sep 1993
SFWL: 1 Sep 1993-present
Wing HQ
(14) CVW Sqdns
(1) FRS
NAS Oceana, VA.
NAS Oceana, VA.
NAS Oceana, VA.
SFWP[f]
Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific F/A-18E
F/A-18F
LATWINGPAC:[g] 1 Jul 1973-5 Apr 1991
SFWP: 5 Apr 1991-present
Wing HQ
(13) CVW Sqdns
(3) CVW Sqdns
(1) FRS
NAS Lemoore, CA.
NAS Lemoore, CA.
MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
NAS Lemoore, CA.
JSFW[h]
Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific F-35C JSFW: 1 Oct 2018-present Wing HQ
(3) CVW Sqdns
(1) CVW Sqdn
(1) FRS
NAS Lemoore, CA.
NAS Lemoore, CA.
MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
NAS Lemoore, CA.
VAQWP[i]
Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific EA-18G VAQWP:[j] 1 Feb 1993-30 Mar 1998
VAQWP:[k] 30 Mar 1998-present
Wing HQ
(8) CVW Sqdns
(1) CVW Sqdn
(5) Exped Sqdns[l]
(1) FRS
NAS Whidbey Is, WA.
NAS Whidbey Is, WA.
MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
NAS Whidbey Is, WA.
NAS Whidbey Is, WA.
ACCLW[m]
Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific E-2C[n]
E-2D
C-2A
MQ-25A
AEWWINGPAC:[o] 1 Aug 1993-23 Sep 2005
ACCLW: 23 Sep 2005-present
Wing HQ
(4) CVW Sqdns
(4) CVW Sqdns
(1) CVW Sqdn
(1) FRS
(1) VRC Sqdn[p]
(1) VUQ Sqdn[q]
NBVC Pt Mugu, CA.
NBVC Pt Mugu, CA.
NS Norfolk, VA.
MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
NS Norfolk, VA.
NS Norfolk, VA.
NAS Patuxent River, MD
VRMW[r] VRM-Wing Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific CMV-22B VRMW: 1 Oct 2019-present Wing HQ
(1) Sqdn[s]
(1) Sqdn[t]
(1) FRS
NAS North Is, CA
NAS North Is, CA[u]
NS Norfolk, VA.
NAS North Is, CA.
HSCWL[v]
Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic MH-60S
MH-53E
HELTACWING 1:[w] 1 Oct 1982-1 Sep 1993
HELTACWINGLANT:[x] 1 Sep 1993-1 Apr 2005
HSCWL: 1 Apr 2005-present
Wing HQ
(4) CVW Sqdns
(2) Exped Sqdns[y]
(1) FRS
(1) HM Sqdn[z]
NS Norfolk, VA.
NS Norfolk, VA.
NS Norfolk, VA.
NS Norfolk, VA
NS Norfolk, VA.
HSCWP[aa]
Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific MH-60S
MQ-8C
HELTACWINGPAC:[ab] 1 Jul 1993-1 Apr 2005
HSCWP: 1 Apr 2005-present
Wing HQ
(4) CVW Sqdns
(1) CVW Sqdn
(2) Exped Sqdns[ac]
(1) Exped Sqdn[ad]
(1) FRS
NAS North Is, CA.
NAS North Is, CA.
NAF Atsugi, Japan
NAS North Is, CA.
Anderson AFB, Guam
NAS North Is, CA.
HSMWL[ae]
Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic MH-60R HELSEACONWING 3:[af] Mar 1985-2 Jul 1992
HSLWING 1:[ag] 1 Jul 1992-1 Sep 1993
HSLWINGLANT:[ah] 1 Sep 1993-1 Jul 2006
HSMWL: 1 Jul 2006-present
Wing HQ
(4) CVW Sqdns
(2) Exped Sqdns[ai]
(1) Exped Sqdn[aj]
(1) FRS
NS Mayport, FL.
NAS Jacksonville, FL.
NS Mayport, FL.
NS Rota, Spain
NS Mayport, FL.
HSMWP[ak]
Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific MH-60R HSLWINGPAC:[al] 5 May 1993-1 Nov 2004
HSMWP: 1 Nov 2004-present
Wing HQ
(4) CVW Sqdns
(1) CVW Sqdn
(1) Exped Sqdn[am]
(1) Exped Sqdn[an]
(2) Exped Sqdns[ao]
(1) FRS
NAS North Is, CA.
NAS North Is, CA.
NAF Atsugi, Japan
NAF Atsugi, Japan
MCAS Kaneohe Bay, HI.
NAS North Is, CA.
NAS North Is, CA.

With one exception there are no type wing Tail Codes. Type wing squadrons which are also carrier air wing squadrons are marked with the tail code of their carrier air wing. Expeditionary squadrons and Fleet Replacement Squadrons[ap] are marked with squadron unique codes. The single exception is Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (VAQWP) which has a tail code for its expeditionary squadrons.[aq]

Current Functional Wings

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Functional Wings are made up of squadrons of land based aircraft which serve in various operational or support roles. They may be made up of squadrons of a single type of aircraft or squadrons of various types of aircraft to accomplish their assigned function.

Strategic Communications Wing ONE reports administratively to Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific. Operationally it is designated United States Strategic Command Task Force 124 and operates airborne command and control aircraft for the relay of strategic communications to the nation's Intercontinental ballistic missile and Submarine-launched ballistic missile forces.

Wing Insignia Aircraft Lineage Squadrons / Station
STRATCOMWING
ONE
E-6B STRATCOMWING ONE:
1 May 1992-present
[4]
The wing consists of two operational squadrons and one Fleet Replacement Squadron all based at Tinker AFB, OK. Permanent detachment sites are maintained at Travis AFB, Offutt AFB and NAS Patuxent River

Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings TEN and ELEVEN report to Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group.[ar] Patrol and Reconnaissance Group operates the P-8A Fleet Replacement Squadron.

Wing Insignia Aircraft Lineage[1] Squadrons / Station
PATRECONWING
TEN
P-8A PATWING TEN(2nd): 1 Jun 1981-1 Jun 1999
PATRECONWING TEN: 1 Jun 1999-present
The wing consists of seven Patrol (VP) squadrons. The wing and its squadrons are all based at NAS Whidbey Island, WA.
PATRECONWING
ELEVEN
P-8A
MQ-4C
PATWING ELEVEN(1st): 15 Aug 1942-1 Nov 1942
FAW[as] ELEVEN: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1973
PATWING ELEVEN(2nd): 30 Jun 1973-26 Mar 1999
PATRECONWING ELEVEN: 26 Mar 1999-present
The wing consists of eight Patrol (VP) squadrons, one Special Projects Patrol (VPU) squadron and one Unmanned Patrol (VUP) squadron. The wing and its squadron are all based at NAS Jacksonville, FL.[at]

There are three U.S Navy Reserve Wings under the command of the Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve. Tactical Support Wing (TSW) provides 100% of the Navy's dedicated "Aggressor" squadrons and it provides one Expeditionary Electronic Attack (VAQ) squadron. Fleet Logistics Support Wing (FLSW) provides 100% of the Navy's "Navy Unique Fleet Essential Airlift" (NUFEA) aircraft providing worldwide logistics support to operating forces. Maritime Support Wing (MSW) maintains two Patrol (VP) squadrons and one expeditionary Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) squadron for tasking as required.

Wing Insignia Aircraft Lineage Squadrons / Station(s) Tail Code
TSW[au]
TSW new
TSW new
F/A-18E,F
F-5F,N
F-16C,D
EA-18G
CVWR-20: 1 Apr 1970-1 Apr 2007
TSW: 1 Apr 2007-present
Wing HQ
(1) Aggressor Sqdn
(1) Aggressor Sqdn
(1) Aggressor Sqdn
(1) Aggressor Sqdn
(1) Exped VAQ Sqdn
NAS JRB Fort Worth, TX
NAS Oceana, VA
NAS Fallon, NV
NAS Key West, FL
NAS JRB New Orleans, LA
NAS Whidbey Island, WA
AF[av]
MSW[aw]
P-8A
MH-60R
MSW: 31 July 2015-present[5] Wing HQ
(1) VP Sqdn
(1) VP Sqdn
(1) Exped HSM Sqdn[ax]
NAS North Island, CA
NAS Whidbey Island, WA
NAS Jacksonville, FL
NAS Jacksonville, FL
FLSW[ay]
C-40A
C-130T
KC-130T
C-37A
C-37B
Reserve Tactical Support Wing: 1974-1983
FLSW: 1983-present
Wing HQ
(1) ETD[az]
(2) Sqdns
(2) Sqdns
(1) Sqdn
(1) Sqdn
(1) Sqdn
(1) Sqdn
(1) Sqdn
(1) Sqdn
(1) Sqdn
(1) Sqdn
NAS JRB Fort Worth, TX
JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI
JB Andrews, MD
NAS Jacksonville, FL
JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ
NAS JRB Fort Worth, TX
NAS JRB New Orleans, LA
MCAS Kaneohe Bay, HI
NBVC Point Mugu, CA.
NAS Oceana, VA
NAS North Island, CA
NAS Whidbey Island, WA.

Training Air Wings fall under the command of the Chief of Naval Air Training. They train Student Naval Aviators (SNA) of the U. S. Navy, U. S. Marine Corps and U. S. Coast Guard and Student Naval Flight Officers (SNFO) and Air Vehicle Pilots (AVP) [ba] of the U. S. Navy. They also provide training for foreign military student aviators under the Foreign Military Sales program.

Wing Insignia Aircraft Lineage Squadrons / Station Tail Code
TRAWING
ONE
T-45C 1 Aug 1971-present[6][7] NAS Meridian, MS
(2) SNA Advanced Jet Sqdns
A
TRAWING
TWO
T-45C 1 Aug 1971-present[6][7] NAS Kingsville, TX
(2) SNA Advanced Jet Sqdns
B
TRAWING
FOUR
T-6B
T-44C
T-54A[bb]
Mar 1972-present[8][7][9] NAS Corpus Christi, TX
(2) SNA Primary Sqdns
(2) SNA Adv Multi-engine Sqdns
G
TRAWING
FIVE
T-6B
TH-57B
TH-57C

TH-73A[bc]
9 Jan 1972-present[bd] NAS Whiting Field, FL
(3) SNA Primary Sqdns
(3) SNA Adv Helicopter Sqdns
E
TRAWING
SIX
T-6A
T-45C
1 Feb 1972-present[9] NAS Pensacola, FL
(1) SNFO/AVP Primary Sqdn
(1) SNFO Adv Jet Sqdn[be]
(1) AVP Adv/SNFO Adv Multi-crew Sqdn[bf]
F

Naval Test Wing Atlantic (NTWL) and Naval Test Wing Pacific (NTWP) are Developmental Test and Evaluation (DT&E) wings. NTWL is the operational component of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, it is responsible for DT&E of Navy and Marine Corps aircraft and it operates the United States Naval Test Pilot School. NTWP is the operational component of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, it is responsible for DT&E of Navy and Marine Corps airborne systems and weapons. Note: There are two Navy and two Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) squadrons which are not of these test wings. They are components of the U.S. Navy's Operational Test and Evaluation Force

Wing Insignia Aircraft Lineage Squadrons / Station(s)
NTWL[bg]
Various NTWL: 1995-present Wing HQ
USNTPS
(4) DT&E Sqdns
NAS Patuxent River, MD
NAS Patuxent River, MD
NAS Patuxent River, MD
NTWP[bh]
Various NTWP: 8 May 1995-present Wing HQ
(1) DT&E Sqdn
(1) Range Supt Sqdn
NBVC Point Mugu, CA
NAWS China Lake, CA
NBVC Point Mugu, CA

Disestablished Navy Air Wings

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The tables below list wings which have been disestablished. Included in the tables are no longer used former designations of disestablished and current wings.

Disestablished Carrier Air Groups/Carrier Air Wings 1938 to present

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On 1 July 1938 the first five Carrier Air Groups were established. They were the Lexington Air Group, the Saratoga Air Group, the Ranger Air Group, the Yorktown Air Group and the Enterprise Air Group (aircraft had operated from the Navy's first aircraft carrier, USS Langley from January 1923 to June 1936 but in October 1936 she was converted to a seaplane tender). Between 1 July 1938 and the end of World War II approximately 88 more airwings were established. To the present day there have been a total of 133 Carrier Air Groups (called Carrier Air Wings since 20 December 1963) established, only nine of which still exist as Carrier Air Wings. A tenth wing still exists as the U.S. Navy Reserve's Tactical Support Wing which is now a land based functional wing.

During the course of a single Carrier Air Group/Carrier Air Wing's existence it may have been identified by more than one designation. The inverse is also true in that a single designation (such as CVG-15) could have been used for multiple different Carrier Air Groups/Carrier Air Wings over time. For example, there were three carrier air groups which were designated CVG-15 at some point in each of their existence and none of those three groups were related to each other. The first was a Second World War group which existed as CVG-15 from 1 September 1942 to 30 October 1945. The second was a Carrier Air Group which was established in 1945 as CVG-153, it was redesignated CVAG-15 on 15 November 1946, then again redesignated as CVG-15 on 1 September 1948 and disestablished on 1 December 1949. The third was established as CVG-15 on 5 April 1951, redesignated CVW-15 on 20 December 1963 and disestablished on 31 March 1995. The lineage of a Carrier Air Group/Carrier Air Wing does not follow the designation, it follows the Group/Wing regardless of the designation.

Of the 133 Carrier Air Groups/Carrier Air Wings which have ever existed, 100 have been identified by a single designation, 17 have been identified by two designations, seven by three designations, six by four designations and three by five designations.

This section contains tables of disestablished Carrier Air Groups (Ship Named Groups, CVG, CVLG, CVEG, CVBG, CVAG, CVSG), Air Task Groups (ATG) and Carrier Air Wings (CVW). The tables which follow are arranged by time periods using the designation scheme which was in use during that time period. Because of this, various carrier air groups/carrier air wings will appear in multiple tables below.

Ship named Carrier Air Groups 1938 to 1943

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Aircraft squadrons operating from the Navy's first Aircraft Carriers prior to WWII were assigned to that aircraft carrier and were organizationally grouped into that carrier's "air group". On 1 July 1938 the "Carrier Air Group" was formally established as a separate unit and the previously informally named air groups were titled "name of ship Air Group".[2] Air Groups were permanently assigned to a specific Aircraft Carrier and carried that Aircraft Carrier's name (Lexington Air Group, Saratoga Air Group etc...)

Group Lineage[2] Notes
Langley Air Group Squadrons operating from USS Langley (CV-1) from Jan 1923 to June 1936 informally called "Langley Air Group". In 1936 Langley was converted to a Seaplane Tender.
Lexington Air Group Lexington Air Group: 1 Jul 1938-8 May 1942 Squadrons operating from USS Lexington (CV-2) beginning Aug 1927 informally called "Lexington Air Group". Lexington Air Group officially established 1 Jul 1938, disestablished after the 8 May 1942 loss of USS Lexington in the Battle of the Coral Sea.
Saratoga Air Group Saratoga Air Group: 1 Jul 1938-25 Sep 1943
CVG-3(1st): 25 Sep 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-3: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-3(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-3: 20 Dec 1963-present
Squadrons operating from USS Saratoga (CV-3) had been informally called "Saratoga Air Group" beginning 6 Jan 1928 but the air group was not established as a unit until 1 July 1938. Still active. see CVW-3 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section.
Ranger Air Group Ranger Air Group: 1 Jul 1938-3 Aug 1943
CVG-4(1st): 3 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-1: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-1(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-1: 20 Dec 1963-present
Squadrons operating from USS Ranger (CV-4) had been informally called "Ranger Air Group" beginning 17 Aug 1934 but the air group was not established as a unit until 1 July 1938. Still active, see CVW-1 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section.
Yorktown Air Group Yorktown Air Group: 1 Jul 1938-1942 Squadrons operating from USS Yorktown (CV-5) from Jan 1938 informally called "Yorktown Air Group". Yorktown Air Group officially established 1 Jul 1938, disestablished after the 7 Jun 1942 loss of USS Yorktown in the Battle of Midway.
Enterprise Air Group Enterprise Air Group: 1 Jul 1938-1 Sep 1942 Established for USS Enterprise (CV-6) which was commissioned 12 May 1938, disestablished 1 Sep 1942 after USS Enterprise was damaged during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons necessitating extensive repairs at Pearl Harbor naval shipyard.
Wasp Air Group Wasp Air group: 1 Jul 1939-1942 Established for USS Wasp (CV-7) which was launched 4 April 1939, disestablished after the 15 Sep 1942 loss of USS Wasp during the Guadalcanal Campaign.
Hornet Air Group Hornet Air Group: 20 Oct 1941-1942 Established for USS Hornet (CV-8) which was commissioned 20 October 1941, disestablished after the 26 Oct 1942 loss of USS Hornet in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands.

Carrier Air Groups 1 March 1942 to 15 November 1946

[edit]

In 1942 in anticipation of the coming massive build up of aircraft carriers and carrier air groups a new Carrier Air Group designation scheme was created which divorced carrier air group names from specific aircraft carriers. Instead, air groups were given the designation "CVG" meaning "Carrier Air Group" followed by a number. All newly establishing carrier air groups were designated under this system. The first Carrier Air Group designated using this scheme was CVG-9 on 1 March 1942. In 1943 the two remaining ship named air groups, the Saratoga Air Group and Ranger Air Group were redesignated CVG-3 and CVG-4 respectively.

The parenthetical (1st), (2nd), (3rd) appended to some Carrier Air Group designations below are not a part of the Group's designation. They are added to indicate that the designation was used more than once and to specify which use of the designation is indicated. There is not necessarily any lineage connection between Carrier Air Groups which shared the same designation.

Fleet Carrier Air Groups (CVG, CVBG) 1 Mar 1942 to 15 Nov 1946. Carrier Air Groups consisted of four squadrons each: One Fighting (VF) squadron, one Bombing (VB) squadron, one Scouting (VS) squadron and one Torpedo (VT) squadron. Each was designated with the CVG number meaning that CVG-17 consisted of VF-17, VB-17, VS-17 and VT-17. By 1945 the composition changed to add a second fighting squadron which was designated a Bombing Fighting (VBF) squadron in place of the Scouting (VS) squadron. In the last months of the war two air groups were established to operate from the new large Midway class carriers which were about to join the fleet, these air groups were identified with a "B" between the V and G (CVBG). The war ended before any of the Midway class carriers were commissioned. A third CVBG was created by redesignating a CVG a few months after the end of the war to make three CVBGs for the three Midway class aircraft carriers.

Group Lineage[2] Notes
CVG-1(1st) CVG-1(1st): 1 May 1943-25 Oct 1945
CVG-2(1st) CVG-2(1st): 1 Jun 1943-9 Nov 1945
CVG-3(1st) Saratoga Air Group: 1 Jul 1938-25 Sep 1943
CVG-3(1st): 25 Sep 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-3: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-3(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-3: 20 Dec 1963-present
This air group is one of only fourteen air groups (CVG or CVBG) which was not disestablished during the war or the post war drawdown. It is still active, see CVW-3 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section.
CVG-4(1st) Ranger Air Group: 1 Jul 1938-3 Aug 1943
CVG-4(1st): 3 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-1: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-1(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-1: 20 Dec 1963-present
This air group is one of only fourteen air groups (CVG or CVBG) which was not disestablished during the war or the post war drawdown. It is still active, see CVW-1 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section.
CVG-5(1st) CVG-5(1st): 1 Jan 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-5: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-5(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-5: 20 Dec 1963-present
This air group is one of only fourteen air groups (CVG or CVBG) which was not disestablished during the war or the post war drawdown. It is still active, see CVW-5 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section.
CVG-6(1st) CVG-6(1st): 15 Mar 194329 Oct 1945
CVG-7(1st) CVG-7(1st): 3 Jan 1944-8 Jul 1946
CVG-8(1st) CVG-8(1st): 1 Jun 1943-23 Nov 1945
CVG-9(1st) CVG-9(1st): 1 Mar 1942-15 Oct 1945
CVG-10(1st) CVG-10(1st): 16 April 1942-16 Nov 1945 The history of this group is covered in works by Samuel Elliott Morison, Lundstrom, Hammel, and books on the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands or the Battle of Philippine Sea. VF-10 "Grim Reapers," VB-10, and Torpedo Squadron 10 (VT-10) flew with the group throughout its existence.
CVG-11(1st) CVG-11(1st): 10 Oct 1942-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-11: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-11(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-11: 20 Dec 1963-present
This air group is one of only fourteen air groups (CVG or CVBG) which was not disestablished during the war or the post war drawdown. It is still active, see CVW-11 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section.
CVG-12(1st) CVG-12(1st): 9 Jan 1943-17 Sep 1945
CVG-13(1st) CVG-13(1st): 2 Nov 1943-20 Oct 1945
CVG-14(1st) CVG-14(1st): 1 Sep 1943-14 Jun 1945
CVG-15(1st) CVG-15(1st): 1 Sep 1942-30 Oct 1945
CVG-16(1st) CVG-16(1st): 16 Nov 1942-6 Nov 1945
CVG-17(1st)

CVBG-17
CVG-17(1st): 1 Jan 1943-23 Jan 1946
CVBG-17: 23 Jan 1946-15 Nov 1946
CVBG-5: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-6(2nd): 1 Sep 1946-20 Dec 1963
CVW-6: 20 Dec 1963-1 Apr 1993
This air group is one of only fourteen air groups (CVG or CVBG) which was not disestablished during the war or the post war drawdown. It was redesignated a CVBG after the end of the war in January 1943 for assignment to one of the three USS Midway class aircraft carriers USS Midway (CV-41), USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42) and USS Coral Sea (CV-43)
CVG-18 CVG-18: 2 Jul 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-7: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-7(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-7: 20 Dec 1963-present
This air group is one of only fourteen air groups (CVG or CVBG) which was not disestablished during the war or the post war drawdown. It is still active, see CVW-7 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section.
CVG-19(1st) CVG-19(1st): 1 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-19: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-19(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-19: 20 Dec 1963-30 June 1977
This air group is one of only fourteen air groups (CVG or CVBG) which was not disestablished during the war or the post war drawdown.
CVG-20 CVG-20: 15 Oct 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-9: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-9(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-1 Dec 1949
This air group is one of only fourteen air groups (CVG or CVBG) which was not disestablished during the war or the post war drawdown.
CVBG-74 CVBG-74: 1 May 1945-15 Nov 1946
CVBG-1: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-2(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-2: 20 Dec 1963-present
Established for assignment to one of the three USS Midway class aircraft carriers USS Midway (CV-41), USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42) and USS Coral Sea (CV-43). This air group is one of only fourteen air groups (CVG or CVBG) which was not disestablished during the war or the post war drawdown. It is still active, see CVW-2 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section.
CVBG-75 CVBG-75: 1 Jun 1945-15 Nov 1946
CVBG-3: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-4(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-8 Jun 1950
Established for assignment to one of the three USS Midway class aircraft carriers USS Midway (CV-41), USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42) and USS Coral Sea (CV-43). This air group is one of only fourteen air groups (CVG or CVBG) which was not disestablished during the war or the post war drawdown.
CVG-80 CVG-80: 1 Feb 1944-16 Sep 1946
CVG-81 CVG-81: 1 Mar 1944-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-13: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-13(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-30 Nov 1949
This air group is one of only fourteen air groups (CVG or CVBG) which was not disestablished during the war or the post war drawdown.
CVG-82 CVG-82: 1 Apr 1944-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-17: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-17(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-15 Sep 1958
This air group is one of only fourteen air groups (CVG or CVBG) which was not disestablished during the war or the post war drawdown.
CVG-83 CVG-83: 1 May 1944-24 Sep 1945[10]
CVG-84 CVG-84: 1 May 1944-8 Oct 1945
CVG-85 CVG-85: 15 May 1944-27 Sep 1945
CVG-86 CVG-86: 15 Jun 1944-21 Nov 1945
CVG-87 CVG-87: 1 Jul 1944-2 Nov 1945
CVG-88 CVG-88: 18 Aug 1944-29 Oct 1945
CVG-89 CVG-89: 2 Oct 1944-27 Apr 1946
CVG-92 CVG-92: 2 Dec 1944-18 Dec 1946
CVG-93 CVG-93: 21 Dec 1944-30 Apr 1946
CVG-94 CVG-94: 15 Nov 1944-7 Nov 1945
CVG-95 CVG-95: 2 Jan 1945-31 Oct 1945
CVG-97 CVG-97: 1 Nov 1944-31 Mar 1946
CVG-98 CVG-98: 28 Aug 1944-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-21: 15 Nov 1946-5 Aug 1947
This air group is one of only fourteen air groups (CVG or CVBG) which was not disestablished during the war or the post war drawdown.
CVG-99 CVG-99: 15 Jul 1944-8 Sep 1945
CVG-100 CVG-100: 1 Apr 1944-20 Feb 1946
CVG-150 CVG-150: 22 Jan 1945-2 Nov 1946
CVG-151 CVG-151: 12 Feb 1945-6 Oct 1945
CVG-152 CVG-152: 5 Mar 1945-21 Sep 1945
CVG-153 CVG-153: 26 Mar 1945-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-15: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-15(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-1 Dec 1949
This air group is one of only fourteen air groups (CVG or CVBG) which was not disestablished during the war or the post war drawdown.

Light Carrier Air Groups (CVLG) and Escort Carrier Air Groups (CVEG) 1 Mar 1942 to 15 Nov 1946. There were two variations of the CVG designation which added a modifying letter between the V and the G to identify these air groups which operated from the smaller Light Carriers (CVLG) and the largest of the slower escort carriers (CVEG).[bi] CVLGs and CVEGs consisted of two squadrons each usually being one Fighting (VF) squadron and one Torpedo (VT) squadron though there may have been some examples of a Fighting (VF) and Bombing (VB) group at some point in the war.

Group Lineage[2] Notes
CVLG-21 CVLG-21: 15 May 1943-5 Nov 1945
CVLG-22 CVLG-22: 30 Sep 1943-15 Sep 1945
CVLG-23 CVLG-23: 16 Nov 1942-19 Sep 1945
CVLG-24 CVLG-24: 31 Dec 1942-25 Sep 1945
CVLG-25
CVEG-25
CVLG-25: 15 Feb 1943-28 Aug 1944
CVEG-25: 28 Aug 1944-20 Sep 1945
Converted from a light carrier air group to an escort carrier air group during the war.
CVEG-26 CVEG-26: 4 May 1942-13 Nov 1945
CVLG-27 CVLG-27: 1 Mar 1942-26 Oct 1945
CVLG-28 CVLG-28: 6 May 1942-6 Nov 1945
CVLG-29 CVLG-29: 18 Jul 1942-10 Sep 1945
CVLG-30 CVLG-30: 1 Apr 1943-12 Sep 1945
CVLG-31 CVLG-31: 1 May 1943-28 Oct 1945
CVLG-32 CVLG-32: 1 Jun 1943-13 Nov 1945
CVEG-33 CVEG-33: 15 May 1944-19 Nov 1945
CVLG-34 CVLG-34: 1 Apr 1945-5 Dec 1945
CVEG-35 CVEG-35: 15 Jul 1943-19 Nov 1945
CVEG-36 CVEG-36: 15 May 1944-28 Jan 1946
CVEG-37 CVEG-37: 15 Jul 1943-20 Dec 1945
CVLG-38
CVEG-38
CVLG-38: 16 Jun 1943-15 Aug 1944
CVEG-38: 15 Aug 1944-31 Jan 1946
Converted from a light carrier air group to an escort carrier air group during the war.
CVEG-39
CVLG-39
CVEG-39: 15 Mar 1945-2 Jul 1945
CVLG-39: 2 Jul 1945-10 Sep 1945
Converted from an escort carrier air group to a light carrier air group during the war.
CVEG-40 CVEG-40: 15 Jun 1943-19 Nov 1945
CVEG-41 CVEG-41: 26 Mar 1945-15 Nov 1946
CVEG-1: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
This air group is one of only two escort or light carrier air groups that was not disestablished during the war or the post war drawdown.
CVEG-42 CVEG-42: 15 Jul 1945-15 Nov 1946
CVEG-2: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
This air group is one of only two escort or light carrier air groups that was not disestablished during the war or the post war drawdown.
CVLG-43 CVLG-43: 1 Aug 1943-8 Nov 1943
CVEG-43 CVEG-43: 9 Aug 1945-17 Jun 1946
CVLG-44 CVLG-44: 1 Feb 1944-18 Sep 1945
CVLG-45 CVLG-45: 1 Apr 1944-10 Sep 1945
CVLG-46 CVLG-46: 15 Apr 1944-14 Sep 1945
CVLG-47 CVLG-47: 15 Apr 1944-21 Sep 1945
CVLG-48 CVLG-48: 1 Jun 1944-2 Jan 1945
CVEG-49
CVLG-49
CVEG-49: 10 Aug 1944-1 Jan 1945
CVLG-49: 1 Jan 1945-27 Nov 1945
Converted from an escort carrier air group to a light carrier air group during the war.
CVLG-50
CVEG-50
CVLG-50: 10 Aug 1944-1 Oct 1944
CVEG-50: 1 Oct 1944-29 Oct 1945
Converted from a light carrier air group to an escort carrier air group during the war.
CVLG-51 CVLG-51: 22 Sep 1943-13 Nov 1945
CVLG-52 CVLG-52: 1 Sep 1943-8 Nov 1943
CVLG-58 CVLG-58: 19 Mar 1946-15 Nov 1946
CVLG-1: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
This air group was established six months after the end of WWII.
CVEG-60 CVEG-60: 15 Jul 1943-15 Nov 1945
CVEG-66 CVEG-66: 1 Jan 1945-6 Jun 1945

Night Carrier Air Groups (CVG(N)), (CVLG(N)) and (CVEG(N)) 2 Aug 1944 to 21 Jun 1946. In August 1944 the Navy began establishing night air groups which were specifically equipped and trained for combat at night. These night air groups were identified by appending a parenthetical N to the end of the designation"(N)". Each air group consisted of at least one Night Fighting (VFN) (sometimes styled (VF(N))) squadron and one Night Torpedo (VTN) squadron. The CVG(N)s also included at least one regular Fighting (VF) and potentially other regular squadrons as well. The VFN and VTN squadron aircraft were equipped with very early airborne radar and their pilots and aircrews were specially trained in its use and in night tactics.

Group Lineage[2] Notes
CVLG(N)-41 CVLG(N)-41: 28 Aug 1944-25 Feb 1945 This air group is one of the first four night air groups which were established in August of 1944.
CVLG(N)-42 CVLG(N)-42: 28 Aug 1944-2 Jan 1945 This air group is one of the first four night air groups which were established in August of 1944.
CVLG(N)-43 CVLG(N)-34: 2 Aug 1944-2 Jan 1945 This air group is one of the first four night air groups which were established in August of 1944.
CVLG(N)-52
CVG(N)-52
CVLG(N)-52: 20 Oct 1944-6 Jan 1945
CVG(N)-52: 6 Jan 1945-15 Dec 1945
Converted from a night light carrier air group to a night carrier air group during the war.
CVG(N)-53 CVG(N)-53: 2 Jan 1945-11 Jun 1945
CVG(N)-55 CVG(N)-55: 1 Mar 1945-11 Dec 1945
CVEG(N)-63 CVEG(N)-63: 20 Jun 1945-11 Dec 1945 This air group was the sole night escort carrier air group and was the last night carrier air group of any type to be established.
CVG(N)-90 CVG(N)-90: 25 Aug 1944-21 Jun 1946 This air group is one of the first four night air groups which were established in August of 1944.
CVG(N)-91 CVG(N)-91: 5 Oct 1944-21 Jun 1946

Carrier Air Groups 15 November 1946 to 1 September 1948

[edit]

On 15 November 1946 the seventeen Carrier Air Groups still in existence (eleven CVGs, three CVBGs, two CVEGs and one CVLG) were redesignated in accordance with a new Carrier Air Group Designation scheme.

USS Essex class Carrier Air Groups (CVAG) 15 Nov 1946 to 1 Sep 1948. The eleven CVGs were redesignated CVAGs, they were numbered 1 through 21 using odd numbers only and they were paired with Essex class aircraft carriers. Each of the eleven CVGs consisted of a Fighting (VF), Bombing Fighting (VBF), Bombing (VB) and Torpedo (VT) squadron. When the CVGs were redesignated to CVAG, the VBF squadrons were redesignated VF and the VB and VT squadrons were redesgnated Attack (VA) squadrons resulting in each CVAG consisting of two VF and two VA squadrons. The first VF and first VA squadron were numbered with the CVAG's number and the second VF and second VA squadron were numbered with the next consecutive even number. The letter 'A' was appended to the end of the squadron designation matching the 'A' in the CVAG designation. CVAG-1's squadrons were VF-1A, VF-2A, VA-1A and VA-2A; CVAG-5's squadrons were VF-5A, VF-6A, VA-5A and VA-6A; and CVAG-11's squadrons were VF-11A, VF-12A, VA-11A and VA-12A etc...

Group Lineage[2] Notes Tail Code
CVAG-1 Ranger Air Group: 1 Jul 1938-3 Aug 1943
CVG-4(1st): 3 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-1: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-1(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-1: 20 Dec 1963-present
Still active, see CVW-1 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section. T
CVAG-3 Saratoga Air Group: 1 Jul 1938-25 Sep 1943
CVG-3(1st): 25 Sep 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-3: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-3(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-3: 20 Dec 1963-present
Still active, see CVW-3 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section. K
CVAG-5 CVG-5(1st): 1 Jan 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-5: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-5(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-5: 20 Dec 1963-present
Still active, see CVW-5 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section. S
CVAG-7 CVG-18: 2 Jul 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-7: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-7(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-7: 20 Dec 1963-present
Still active, see CVW-7 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section. L
CVAG-9 CVG-20: 15 Oct 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-9: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-9(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-1 Dec 1949
PS
CVAG-11 CVG-11(1st): 10 Oct 1942-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-11: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-11(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-11: 20 Dec 1963-present
Still active, see CVW-11 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section. V
CVAG-13 CVG-81: 1 Mar 1944-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-13: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-13(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-30 Nov 1949
P
CVAG-15 CVG-153: 26 Mar 1945-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-15: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-15(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-1 Dec 1949
A
CVAG-17 CVG-82: 1 Apr 1944-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-17: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-17(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-15 Sep 1958
R
CVAG-19 CVG-19(1st): 1 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-19: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-19(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-19: 20 Dec 1963-30 June 1977
B
CVAG-21 CVG-98: 28 Aug 1944-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-21: 15 Nov 1946-5 Aug 1947
Disestablished before the end of this time period. RI

USS Midway class Carrier Air Groups (CVBG) 15 Nov 1946 to 1 Sep 1948. The three CVBGs retained the CVBG designation and remained paired with the three Midway class aircraft carriers but they were renumbered 1, 3 and 5. Each of the three CVBGs consisted of a Fighting (VF), Bombing Fighting (VBF), Bombing (VB) and Torpedo (VT) squadron. When the CVBGs were renumbered their VBF squadrons were redesignated VF and their VB and VT squadrons were redesgnated Attack (VA) squadrons resulting in each CVBG consisting of two VF and two VA squadrons. The first VF and first VA squadron were numbered with the CVBG's number and the second VF and second VA squadron were numbered with the next consecutive even number. The letter 'B' was appended to the end of the squadron designation matching the 'B' in the CVBG designation. CVBG-1's squadrons were VF-1B, VF-2B, VA-1B and VA-2B; CVBG-3's squadrons were VF-3B, VF-4B, VA-3B and VA-4B; and CVBG-5's squadrons were VF-5B, VF-6B, VA-5B and VA-6B.

Group Lineage[2] Notes Tail Code
CVBG-1 CVBG-74: 1 May 1945-15 Nov 1946
CVBG-1: 15 Nov 1946- 1 Sep 1948
CVG-2(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-2: 20 Dec 1963-present
Still active, see CVW-2 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section. M
CVBG-3 CVBG-75: 1 Jun 1945-15 Nov 1946
CVBG-3: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-4(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-8 Jun 1950
F
CVBG-5 CVG-17(1st): 1 Jan 1943-23 Jan 1946
CVBG-17: 23 Jan 1946-15 Nov 1946
CVBG-5: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-6(2nd): 1 Sep 1946-20 Dec 1963
CVW-6: 20 Dec 1963-1 Apr 1993
C

Light Carrier (CVLG) and Escort Carrier (CVEG) Air Groups 15 Nov 1946 to 15 Sep 1948. The single CVLG retained the CVLG designation, was renumbered CVLG-1 and was intended for light carriers of the Independence or Saipan class carriers and the two CVEGs were redesignated CVEG-1 and CVEG-2. Each of the three CVLG/CVEGs consisted of a Fighting (VF) and a Torpedo (VT) squadron. When the CVLG/CVEGs were renumbered their VT squadrons were redesgnated Attack (VA) squadrons resulting in each CVLG/CVEG consisting of one VF squadron and one VA squadron. The squadrons were numbered with the CVLG/CVEGs number and the letter 'L' or 'E' was appended to the end of the squadron designation matching the 'L' in the CVLG designation or the 'E' in the CVEG designation. CVLG-1's squadrons were VF-1L and VA-1L, CVEG-1's squadrons were VF-1E and VA-1E, and CVEG-2's squadrons were VF-2E and VA-2E. Five months later in April 1947 a third CVEG was established as CVEG-3 with VF-3E and VA-3E making a total of eighteen carrier air groups.[2]

Group Lineage[2] Notes Tail Code
CVLG-1 CVLG-58: 19 Mar 1946-15 Nov 1946
CVLG-1: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
All four CVLG/CVEGs were disestablished in September 1948. SA
CVEG-1 CVEG-41: 26 Mar 1945-15 Nov 1946
CVEG-1: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
BS
CVEG-2 CVEG-42: 15 Jul 1945-15 Nov 1946
CVEG-2: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
SL
CVEG-3 CVEG-3: 21 Apr 1947-15 Sep 1948

Carrier Air Groups 1 September 1948 to 20 December 1963

[edit]

On 1 September 1948 the thirteen Carrier Air Groups in existence on that date were again redesignated in accordance with a new Carrier Air Group designation scheme with CVAGs and CVBGs becoming simply "CVG" (the CVLG and three CVEGs were disestablished).[2] The composition of the air group was changed as well with the addition of a third VF squadron to each air group. The squadron designations were changed with the suffix letters 'A' and 'B' being dropped and they were renumbered with the first one or two digits denoting the air group and the last digit denoting a place in that air group. Squadrons of CVG-1(2nd) were: VF-11, VF-12, VF-13, VA-14 and VA-15 and squadrons of CVG-15(2nd) were: VF-151, VF-152, VF-153, VA-154 and VA-155 etc... In 1949 and 1950 one of the two VA squadrons in each air group was converted to a fourth VF squadron making a standard air group composition of four VF and one VA squadron. It was also during this time that detachments of specialized aircraft such as airborne early warning aircraft, electronic countermeasures aircraft, photographic reconnaissance aircraft and heavy attack (nuclear bomber) aircraft began to be attached to deploying air groups.

Note: the parenthetical (1st), (2nd), (3rd) appended to some Carrier Air Group designations below are not a part of the Group's designation. They are added to indicate that the designation was used more than one time during the history of U.S. Naval Aviation and to specify which use of the designation is indicated. There is not necessarily any connection between Carrier Air Groups which shared the same designation.

Carrier Air Groups (CVG) redesignated on 1 Sep 1948. On 1 Sep 1948 the thirteen existing Carrier Air Groups below were redesignated using this new designation scheme.

Group Insignia Lineage[2] Notes Tail Code
CVG-1
(2nd)
Ranger Air Group: 1 Jul 1938-3 Aug 1943
CVG-4(1st): 3 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-1: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948'
CVG-1(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-1: 20 Dec 1963-present
Still active, see CVW-1 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section. 1946: T
1957: AB
CVG-2
(2nd)
CVBG-74: 1 May 1945-15 Nov 1946
CVBG-1: 15 Nov 1946- 1 Sep 1948
CVG-2(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-2: 20 Dec 1963-present
Still active, see CVW-2 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section. 1946: M
1957: NE
CVG-3
(2nd)
Saratoga Air Group: 1 Jul 1938-25 Sep 1943
CVG-3(1st): 25 Sep 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-3: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-3(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-3: 20 Dec 1963-present
Still active, see CVW-3 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section. 1946: K
1957: AC
CVG-4
(2nd)
CVBG-75: 1 Jun 1945-15 Nov 1946
CVBG-3: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-4(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-8 Jun 1950
1946: F
CVG-5
(2nd)
CVG-5(1st): 1 Jan 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-5: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-5(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-5: 20 Dec 1963-present
Still active, see CVW-5 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section. 1946: S
1957: NF
CVG-6
(2nd)
CVG-17(1st): 1 Jan 1943-23 Jan 1946
CVBG-17: 23 Jan 1946-15 Nov 1946
CVBG-5: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-6(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-6: 20 Dec 1963-1 Apr 1993
1946: C
1957: AF
1963: AE
CVG-7
(2nd)
CVG-18: 2 Jul 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-7: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-7(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-7: 20 Dec 1963-present
Still active, see CVW-7 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section. 1946: L
1957: AG
CVG-9
(2nd)
CVG-20: 15 Oct 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-9: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-9(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-1 Dec 1949
1946: PS
1948: D
CVG-11
(2nd)
CVG-11(1st): 10 Oct 1942-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-11: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-11(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-11: 20 Dec 1963-present
Still active, see CVW-11 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section. 1946: V
1957: NH
CVG-13
(2nd)
CVG-81: 1 Mar 1944-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-13: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-13(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-30 Nov 1949
1946: P
CVG-15
(2nd)
CVG-153: 26 Mar 1945-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-15: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-15(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-1 Dec 1949
1946: A
CVG-17
(2nd)
CVG-82: 1 Apr 1944-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-17: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-17(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-15 Sep 1958
1946: R
1957: AL
CVG-19
(2nd)
CVG-19(1st): 1 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-19: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-19(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-19: 20 Dec 1963-30 June 1977
1946: B
1957: NM

On 15 September 1948, only 14 days after the 1 September 1948 redesignations, an air group was established as CVG-21 but it was disestablished only six months later never having become operational. Between 1950 and 1961 ten more air groups were established. Also in 1955 and 1956 the air group composition again changed with the addition of a second VA squadron to each air group making a standard air group of four VF and two VA squadrons.

Additional Carrier Air Group (CVG) establishments September 1948 to 1961. The eleven Carrier Air Groups established between 1948 and 1961 are listed below in order of establishment date.

Group Insignia Lineage[2] Notes Tail Code
CVG-21
(1st)
CVG-21(1st): 15 Sep 1948-15 Mar 1949 Establishment was cancelled after only six months, was never operational.
CVG-101

CVG-14
(2nd)
CVG-101: 1 Aug 1950-4 Feb 1952
CVG-14(2nd): 4 Feb 1952-20 Dec 1963

CVW-14: 20 Dec 1963-2007
Established to receive USNR squadrons activated for the Korean War. Redesignated CVG-14(2nd) when its squadrons were permanently activated. 1950: A
1957: NK
CVG-102

CVG-12
(2nd)

RCVG-12
CVG-102: 1 Aug 1950-4 Feb 1952
CVG-12(2nd): 5 Feb 1952-1 Apr 1958
RCVG-12: 1 Apr 1958-20 Dec 1963

RCVW-12: 20 Dec 1963-30 Jun 1970
Established to receive USNR squadrons activated for the Korean War. Redesignated CVG-12(2nd) when its squadrons were permanently activated. Converted to a "Readiness Carrier Air Group" (RCVG) becoming a training group consisting of Fleet Replacement Squadrons.[bj] 1950: D
1957: NJ
CVG-4
(3rd)

RCVG-4
CVG-4(3rd): 1 Sep 1950-1 Apr 1958
RCVG-4: 1 Apr 1958-20 Dec 1963

RCVW-4: 20 Dec 1963-1 Jun 1970
Established during the Korean War. Converted to a "Readiness Carrier Air Group" (RCVG) seven and a half years after its establishment becoming a training group consisting of Fleet Replacement Squadrons.[bk] 1950: F
1957: AD
CVG-15
(3rd)
CVG-15(3rd): 5 Apr 1951-20 Dec 1963
CVW-15: 20 Dec 1953-31 Mar 1995
Established to receive USNR squadrons activated for the Korean War. 1951: H
1957: NL
CVG-8
(2nd)
CVG-8(2nd): 9 Apr 1951-20 Dec 1963
CVW-8 20 Dec 1963-present
Established to receive USNR squadrons activated for the Korean War. Still active, see CVW-8 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section. 1951: E
1957: AJ
CVG-9
(3rd)
CVG-9 (3rd): 26 Mar 1952-20 Dec 1963
CVW-9: 20 Dec 1963-present
Established during the Korean War. Still active, see CVW-9 in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section. 1952: N
1957: NG
CVG-10
(2nd)
CVG-10(2nd): 1 May 1952-20 Dec 1963
CVW-10(1st): 20 Dec 1963-20 Nov 1969
Established during the Korean War. 1952: P
1957: AK
CVG-21
(2nd)
CVG-21(2nd): 1 Jul 1955-20 Dec-1963
CVW-21: 20 Dec 1963-12 Dec 1975
1955: G
1957: NP
CVG-16
(2nd)
CVG-16(2nd): 1 Sep 1960-20 Dec 1963
CVW-16: 20 Dec 1963-30 Jun 1970
1960: AH
CVG-13
(3rd)
CVG-13(3rd): 21 Aug 1961-1 Oct 1962 This was a short lived group being disestablished after only a thirteen month existence 1961: AE
Two letter tail codes with a first letter "A" denote Atlantic Fleet airwings, while "N" denotes Pacific Fleet airwings.

Carrier Air Wings 20 December 1963 to present

[edit]

On 20 December 1963 there were fifteen Carrier Air Groups (CVG) and two Readiness Carrier Air Groups (RCVG) and on that day they were all redesignated Carrier Air Wings (CVW) and Readiness Carrier Air Wings (RCVW). Eight of those seventeen wings are still active and are listed at the top of this article in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section.

Carrier Air Groups redesignated to Carrier Air Wings on 20 December 1963. Listed below are the nine of seventeen CVGs redesignated CVWs on 20 December 1963 which were ultimately disestablished as CVWs.

Wing Insignia Lineage[2] Notes Tail Code
RCVW-4 CVG-4(3rd): 1 Sep 1950-1 Apr 1958
RCVG-4: 1 Apr 1958-20 Dec 1963
RCVW-4: 20 Dec 1963-1 Jun 1970
A training wing consisting of Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS).[bl] Disestablished 1 Jun 1970 with its squadrons ultimately realigning under the Atlantic Fleet type wings which were being established between 1970 and 1973. Its tail code is still used by Atlantic Fleet fixed wing CVW aircraft FRSs. AD
CVW-6
CVG-17(1st): 1 Jan 1943-23 Jan 1946
CVBG-17: 23 Jan 1946-15 Nov 1946
CVBG-5: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-6(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-6: 20 Dec 1963-1 Apr 1993
AE
CVW-10
(1st)
CVG-10(2nd): 1 May 1952-20 Dec 1963
CVW-10(1st): 20 Dec 1963-20 Nov 1969
AK
RCVW-12
CVG-102: 1 Aug 1950-4 Feb 1952
CVG-12(2nd): 5 Feb 1952-1 Apr 1958
RCVG-12: 1 Apr 1958-20 Dec 1963
RCVW-12: 20 Dec 1963-30 Jun 1970
A training wing consisting of Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS).[bm] Disestablished 30 Jun 1970 with its squadrons ultimately realigning under the Pacific Fleet functional wings which were established in 1973. Its tail code is still used by Pacific Fleet fixed wing CVW aircraft FRSs. NJ
CVW-14
CVG-101: 1 Aug 1950-4 Feb 1952
CVG-14(2nd): 4 Feb 1952-20 Dec 1963
CVW-14: 20 Dec 1963-2007
Deactivated 31 March 2017. Had been under-strength in squadrons, had not deployed since 2011 and had been in reduced manning since 1 October 2013. Deactivation was originally begun in 2012 but was halted due to congressional action. Deactivation reinitiated and completed in 2017.[11] NK
CVW-15
CVG-15(3rd): 5 Apr 1951-20 Dec 1963
CVW-15: 20 Dec 1953-31 Mar 1995
Tail code NL is now used by land based "expeditionary" VAQ squadrons of Electronic Attack Wing Pacific.[bn] NL
CVW-16
CVG-16(2nd): 1 Sep 1960-20 Dec 1963
CVW-16: 20 Dec 1963-30 Jun 1970
AH
CVW-19
CVG-19(1st): 1 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946
CVAG-19: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948
CVG-19(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-20 Dec 1963
CVW-19: 20 Dec 1963-30 June 1977
NM
CVW-21
CVG-21(2nd): 1 Jul 1955-20 Dec-1963
CVW-21: 20 Dec 1963-12 Dec 1975[10]
NP

There were five new Carrier Air Wings (CVW) established From 1966 through 1986. Four of those CVWs have been disestablished, the fifth is CVW-17 which was established in 1966 and is still an active air wing. It is listed at the top of the article in the "Current Carrier Air Wings" section.

Carrier Air Wings established after 20 December 1963. The four CVWs which were established after 20 December 1963 and which have been disestablished are listed here in order of establishment date.

Wing Insignia Lineage[2] Notes Tail Code
CVWR-20
CVWR-20: 1 Apr 1970-1 Apr 2007
TSW: 1 Apr 2007-present
Reserve Carrier Air Wing (CVWR). Still exists as Tactical Support Wing (TSW), see "Current Functional Wings" section. AF
CVWR-30
CVWR-30: 1 Apr 1970-31 Dec 1994 Reserve Carrier Air Wing (CVWR). ND
CVW-13
CVW-13: 1 Mar 1984-1 Jan 1991[10] AK
CVW-10
(2nd)
CVW-10(2nd): 7 Nov 1986-1 Jun 1988 Planned for assignment to USS Independence (CV-62) but did not deploy before it was disestablished only a year and a half later. NM
Tail codes with a first letter "A" denote Atlantic Fleet airwings, while "N" denotes Pacific Fleet airwings.

Air Task Groups October 1951 to 19 January 1959

[edit]

Two "Air Task Groups" (ATG) were formed in 1951 to address a shortage of Carrier Air Groups (CVG)s needed for Korean War operations. The number of CVGs was statutorily limited but the Navy needed more of them, the solution was to form two "temporary task groups" by reassigning squadrons from existing CVGs and using them to form an ATG. This reduced the number of squadrons in those CVGs from the then typical five total VF/VA squadrons to four total VF/VA squadrons but it gave the Navy two more "CVGs".[12] They were CVGs in every respect but in name but as temporary task groups they were neither formerly established or disestablished, instead they were "formed" and "disbanded." Though the two ATGs were initially created in response to the Korean War they outlasted the war operating until the end of the decade and they were joined after the war in 1955 by six more ATGs.

Air Task Groups (ATG). Two ATGs were formed in 1951 and six more in 1955. They were all disbanded by 1959.

Wing Insignia Lineage[2] Notes Tail Code
CVG-19X

ATG-2
ATG-2-insignia CVG-19X:1 Aug 1950-Oct 1951
ATG-2: Oct 1951-1 Apr 1958
Split out of CVG-19 and named "CVG-19X" (with CVG-19's Tail Code "B") on 1 Aug 1950, renamed ATG-2 in Oct 1951. 1950 B
1951 W
1957 NB
ATG-1
ATG-1-Insignia
ATG-1-Insignia
ATG-1: Oct 1951-23 Feb 1959 1951 U
1957 NA
ATG-3 ATG-3-insignia ATG-3: 5 Mar 1955-11 Apr 1958 1955 Y
1957 NC
ATG-4 ATG-4-insignia ATG-4: 30 Mar 1955-19 Jan 1959 1955 Z
1957 ND
ATG-181 ATG-181 insignia ATG-181: 5 Mar 1955-15 Aug 1958 1955 I
1957 AM
ATG-182 Air Task Group 182 (United States Navy) insignia, 1957 ATG-182: 1 Jul 1955-Jan 1959 1955 O
1957 AN
ATG-201 ATG-201-Insignia ATG-201: Jun 1955-Nov 1958 1955 J
1957 AP
ATG-202 ATG-202 Insignia ATG-202: 1 Jul 1955-Jan 1959 1955 X
1957 AQ
Tail codes with a first letter "A" denote Atlantic Fleet Air Task Groups, while "N" denotes Pacific Fleet Air Task Groups.

Antisubmarine Carrier Air Groups 1 April 1960 to 30 July 1975

[edit]

In 1960 some WWII Essex class aircraft carriers were converted to "Anti-Submarine Carriers" (CVS) and were paired with newly established "Anti-Submarine Carrier Air Groups" (CVSG). CVSGs initially consisted of one Helicopter Antisubmarine (HS) squadron of HSS-1 Sea Bats (replaced by the mid 1960s by SH-3 Sea Kings) and two Air Antisubmarine (VS) squadrons of S-2 Trackers, along with a detachment of airborne early warning E-1 Tracers from Airborne Early Warning (VAW) squadrons and a detachment of A-4 Skyhawks for defense of the carrier and air group. A second HS and third VS squadron were adde to each group later in the decade when only four of the CVSGs remained. After disestablishment of the last CVSGs the VS and HS squadrons were added to the existing Carrier Air Wings (CVW), one of each to each CVW.

Antisubmarine Carrier Air Groups (CVSG). The CVSGs were not included in the 20 December 1963 redesignation of Carrier Air Groups (CVG)s to Carrier Air Wings (CVW)s and were therefore the last Carrier Air Groups to exist in the U.S. Navy.

Wing Insignia Lineage[2] Notes Tail Code
RCVSG-50
RCVSG-50: 30 Jun 1960-17 Feb 1971 A training group of Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS).[bo] When the group was disestablished the FRSs were realigned under the Atlantic Fleet type wings established from 1970 to 1973. Its tail code remained in use by Atlantic Fleet fixed and rotary wing carrier based ASW aircraft FRSs until 1997 when the last of those squadrons was disestablished. AR
RCVSG-51
RCVSG-51: 30 Jun 1960-30 Jun 1970 A training group of Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS).[bp] When the group was disestablished the FRSs were ultimately realigned under the Pacific Fleet functional wings established in 1973. Its tail code remained in use by Pacific Fleet fixed and rotary wing carrier based ASW aircraft FRSs until 2012 when the last of those squadrons was deactivated. RA
CVSG-52
CVSG-52: 1 Jun 1960-15 Dec 1969 AS
CVSG-53
CVSG-53: 1 Apr 1960-30 Jun 1973[13] NS
CVSG-54
CVSG-54: 18 May 1960-1 Jul 1972 AT
CVSG-55
CVSG-55: 1 Sep 1960-27 Sep 1968 NU
CVSG-56
CVSG-56: 25 May 1960-30 Jun 1973[13] AU
CVSG-57
CVSG-57: 3 Jan 1961-30 Sep 1969 NV
CVSG-58
CVSG-58: 6 Jun 1960-31 May 1966 AV
CVSG-59
CVSG-59: 1 Apr 1960-30 Jun 1973[13] NT
CVSG-60
CVSG-60: 2 May 1960-1 Oct 1968 AW
CVSG-62 CVSG-62: 1 Sep 1961-1 Oct 1962 The last of the CVSGs to be established, it was determined to be excess and was disestablished after only a year. AX
Tail codes with a first letter "A" denoted Atlantic Fleet air groups, while "N" denoted Pacific Fleet air groups. RCVSG 51 was also a Pacific Fleet air group though its tail code was "RA".

On 1 May 1970 the Navy Reserve established two CVSGRs. They were modeled on the four CVGSs which still existed at that time with each CVSGR consisting of three Air Antisubmarine (VS) squadrons and two Helicopter Antisubmarine (HS) squadrons along with an Airborne Early Warning (VAW) squadron and an Antisubmarine Fighter (VSF) squadron.

Reserve Antisubmarine Carrier Air Groups (CVSGR). The groups existed for six years and upon disestablishment both wings' VS squadrons were disestablished and the Navy Reserve established a type wing, Helicopter Wing Reserve, to receive the four helicopter squadrons.

Wing Insignia Lineage[14] Notes Tail Code
CVSGR-70 CVSGR-70: 1 May 1970-30 Jun 1976 AW
CVSGR-80 CVSGR-80: 1 May 1970-30 Jul 1976 Tail Code was adopted by Helicopter Wing Reserve and is in use today by the sole USNR helicopter squadron. NW

Disestablished functional and type wings 1937 to present

[edit]

The U.S. Navy has operated wings other than carrier air groups/carrier air wings since 1 October 1937 when it established five "Patrol Wings". These wings have been established, disestablished or re-designated as the Navy has operated different aircraft through the years since then. The tables below list the Navy's wings other than carrier air groups/carrier air wings which have been disestablished, they also include previously used or no longer used designations of disestablished or currently active wings. For example, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing FIVE was established in October 1937 as Patrol Wing 5, it was re-designated Fleet Air Wing 5 in November 1942, re-designated back to Patrol Wing FIVE in 1973 and finally redesignated to its last designation of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing FIVE in 1999. It was disestablished in 2009. Patrol Wing 5, Fleet Air Wing 5 and Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing FIVE are not three disestablished wings, they are three designations used during the existence of a single wing which was established in October 1937 and disestablished in 2009. Similarly the currently active Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Atlantic Fleet (HSMWINGLANT) was previously designated Helicopter Anti-Submarine (Light) Wing Atlantic Fleet (HSLWINGLANT), before that it was designated Helicopter Anti-Submarine (Light) Wing ONE (HSLWING ONE) and before that it was designated Helicopter Sea Control Wing THREE (HELSEACONWING THREE). HELSEACONWING THREE, HSLWING ONE and HSLWINGLANT are not three separate disestablished wings as the wing still exists as HSMWINGLANT; they are former designations of the currently active wing which are no longer used.

Fleet Airship Wings 1942 to 1961

[edit]

Source:[15]

Fleet Airship Wings (FASW) were established to operate the airship force that the Navy created in WWII. The Navy operated airships prior to the war but individual airships were assigned to airship stations; the airship force was not organized into squadrons, groups and wings until WWII. Note: the parenthetical (1st) and (2nd) appended to the two FASW 1 entries are not a part of either wing's designation. They are added to indicate that the FASW 1 designation was used to designate two separate unrelated wings, the first was the WWII wing and the second was created after the war to operate the Navy's postwar lighter-than-air fleet.

WWII Atlantic Fleet Airship Groups and Wings

World War II Atlantic Fleet Airship Groups and Wings: 1942 to 1946
Airship Patrol Group, Fleet Airship Groups, Fleet Airship Wing 30 (2 Jan 1942 to 15 Jul 1943)
Group/Wing Insignia Notes
Airship Patrol Group (2 Jan 1942 to 1 Nov 1942): On 2 January 1942 the Atlantic Fleet established Airship Patrol Group 1 at NAS Lakehurst, NJ. to serve as the administrative command for airship squadrons operating along the east coast of the United States.
Airship Patrol Group 1 Established 2 Jan 1942 at NAS Lakehurst, NJ. Redesignated Fleet Airship Group 1 on 1 Nov 1942. Redesignated Fleet Airship Wing 1 on 15 July 1943 and disestablished 16 Jan 1946.
Fleet Airship Groups (1 Nov 1942 to 15 Jul 1943): On 1 November 1942 Airship Patrol Group 1 was redesignated Fleet Airship Group 1. Four months later on 1 March 1943 a second group was established as Fleet Airship Group 2.
Fleet Airship Group 1 Established as Airship Patrol Group 1 at NAS Lakehurst 2 Jan 1942. Redesignated Fleet Airship Group 1 on 1 Nov 1942. Redesignated Fleet Airship Wing 1 on 15 July 1943. Disestablished 16 Jan 1946.
Fleet Airship Group 2 Established on 1 Mar 1943 at NAS Richmond, FL. Redesignated Fleet Airship Wing 2 on 15 Jul 1943. Disestablished on 16 Jun 1945.
Fleet Airship Wing 30 (1 Dec 1942 to 15 Jul 1943): On 1 December 1942 Fleet Airship Wing 30 was established at NAS Lakehurst one echelon above Fleet Airship Groups 1 and 2 to manage those groups. On 15 July 1943 the wing was redesignated Fleet Airships Atlantic and the subordinate groups were redesignated Fleet Airship Wings.
Fleet Airships Atlantic and Fleet Airship Wings 1, 2, 4 and 5 (15 Jul 1943 to 16 Jan 1946)
Group/Wing Insignia Notes
Fleet Airships Atlantic (15 Jul 1943 to 16 Jan 1946): On 1 December 1942 Fleet Airship Wing 30 was established to manage Fleet Airship Groups 1 and 2. On 15 July 1943 the wing was redesignated Fleet Airships Atlantic. This command existed one echelon above Fleet Airship Wings 1, 2, 4 and 5. It was disestablished on 16 Jan 1946.
Fleet Airship Wings (15 Jul 1943 to 16 Jan 1946): On 15 July 1943 Fleet Airship Wing 30 was redesignated Fleet Airships Atlantic and Fleet Airship Groups 1 and 2 were redesignated Fleet Airship Wings 1 and 2. Two and a half weeks later on 2 August 1943 two more Fleet Airship Wings were established as Fleet Airship Wings 4 and 5
Fleet Airship Wing 1(1st) Established as Airship Patrol Group 1 on 2 Jan 1942 at NAS Lakehurst, FL. Redesignated Fleet Airship Group 1 on 1 Nov 1942. Redesignated Fleet Airship Wing 1 on 15 July 1943 and disestablished 16 Jan 1946.
Fleet Airship Wing 2 Established as Fleet Airship Group 2 on 1 Mar 1943. Redesignated Fleet Airship Wing 2 on 15 Jul 1943 and disestablished 15 Jun 1945.
Fleet Airship Wing 4 Established 2 Aug 1943 headquartered at Recife, Brazil. Disestablished 15 Jul 1945.
Fleet Airship Wing 5 Established 2 Aug 1943 headquartered on the Caribbean island of Trinidad. Disestablished 11 Dec 1944.

WWII Pacific Fleet Airship Group/Wing

World War II Pacific Fleet Airship Group/Wing 1942 to 1946
The Pacific Fleet airship force consisted of a single wing which was established 1 October 1942 and disestablished 23 January 1946. During the less than three and a half year course of its existence it carried four designations. It was established as Airship Patrol Group 3 at NAS Moffatt Field on 1 October 1942 and two months later on 1 December 1942 redesignated Fleet Airship Wing 31 when the Atlantic Fleet established Fleet Airship Wing 30. On 15 July 1943 when Fleet Airship Wing 30 was redesignated Fleet Airships Atlantic this wing was again redesignated being dual designated as Fleet Airships Pacific and Fleet Airship Wing 3. It conducted operations under the designation of Fleet Airship Wing 3 and administered the wing's blimp squadrons as Fleet Airships Pacific. The wing was disestablished on 23 January 1946.
Wing Insignia Notes
Airship Patrol Group 3 (1 Oct 42 - 1 Dec 42),
Fleet Airship Wing 31 (1 Dec 42 - 15 Jul 43),
Fleet Airships Pacific/
Fleet Airship Wing 3 (15 Jul 43 - 23 Jan 46)
Established 1 Oct 1942 at NAS Moffatt Field, CA. Disestablished 23 Jan 1946.

Post WWII Airship Wing

Fleet Airship Wing 1949 to 1961
A new wing was established at NAS Lakehurst in 1949 to control the airship squadrons remaining after the post war draw down. It operated until 1961 when the Navy's airship operations came to an end.
Wing Insignia Notes
Fleet Airship Wing 1(2nd) FASW-1 insignia Established as Fleet Airship Wing 1 (second use of the designation) 20 Jan 1949 at NAS Lakehurst, NJ. Disestablished 31 Oct 1961.

Airborne Early Warning Wings (Atlantic and Pacific Barriers) 1955 to 1965

[edit]

From 1955 to 1965 the U.S. Navy operated seaward extensions of the nations Distant Early Warning line (DEW line). These extensions were known as the Atlantic Barrier and the Pacific Barrier and they were patrolled by land based Airborne Early Warning (VW) squadrons flying the WV-2/EC-121K Warning Star.

Disestablished Airborne Early Warning Wings (Atlantic Barrier and Pacific Barrier)
Wing Insignia Notes
Airborne Early Warning Wing,
U.S. Atlantic Fleet
(First use of the designation)
AEWWINGLANT
(First use)
Established 1 Jul 1955[16][17] to operate land based Airborne Early Warning (VW) squadrons. Disestablished by 26 Aug 1965 when the Atlantic Barrier ceased operations.[18] The AEWWINGLANT designation was again used from Sep 1993 to Sep 2005 by a Type Wing which controlled carrier based E-2 aircraft squadrons. This wing and that wing are unrelated though they shared the same designation.
Airborne Early Warning Wing,
U.S. Pacific Fleet
(First use of the designation)
AEWWINGPAC
(First use)
Established 10 Jan 1956[19] to operate land based Airborne Early Warning (VW) squadrons. Disestablished 1 Feb 1960 when the wing and its squadrons were merged into a single squadron designated AEW Barrier Squadron Pacific (AEWBARRONPAC)[20] which was then itself disestablished on 30 June 1965 with the conclusion of the operation of the Pacific Barrier. The AEWWINGPAC designation was again used from Aug 1993 to Sep 2005 by a Type Wing which controlled carrier based E-2 aircraft squadrons. This wing and that wing are unrelated though they shared the same designation.

Training Air Wings 1971 to 1992

[edit]

Prior to the establishment of Training Air Wings, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard flight training was conducted by Training Squadrons organized under the Flag Officers "Chief of Naval Air Basic Training" and "Chief of Naval Air Advanced Training" which were both subordinate to the "Chief of Naval Air Training". In 1971 and 1972 Eight Training Air Wings were established, each under the command of a Captain who reported directly to the Chief of Naval Air Training eliminating the positions of Chief of Naval Air Basic Training and Chief of Naval Air Advanced Training.[21][22] When first established included in the TRAWINGs were the Naval Air Stations from which they operated as well as the Training Squadrons (VT) and (HT). In the 1990s the Navy underwent a reorganization which moved command of shore facilities into chains of command separate from operating forces, that reorganization extended into the Naval Air Training Command and command of the Naval Air Stations from which the TRAWINGs operated was moved into a separate chain of command leaving the TRAWINGS in command of only the training squadrons.

Wing Insignia Lineage Station / Squadrons Notes Tail Code
TRAWING
THREE
TAW-3: 1 Oct 1971-31 Aug 1992[6] NAS Chase Field, TX
(3) Adv Jet training sqdns
Disestablished with the closure of NAS Chase Field and disestablishment of subordinate squadrons.[23] C
TRAWING
SEVEN
TAW-7: 1 Feb 1972-1976[9] NAS Saufely Field, FL
(2) Primary training sqdns
Disestablished with deactivation of the Saufley Field airfield and disestablishment of subordinate squadrons.[24]
TRAWING
EIGHT
TAW-8: 1972-1974[25][9] NAS Glynco, GA
(1) NFO training sqdn
Disestablished with closure of NAS Glynco.[26] Subordinate squadron was relocated to NAS Pensacola and realigned under TRAWING SIX.

Patrol, Fleet Air, and Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings 1937 to present

[edit]

In 1937 the Navy's first wings were created when it established five "Patrol Wings" consisting of squadrons of land based or amphibious patrol aircraft.

There have been twenty-five Patrol Wings/Fleet Air Wings/Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings since the first five Patrol Wings were established in 1937, two of those twenty-five still exist today. Three of those twenty-five were USNR wings, none of which exist today.

The tables in this section list disestablished wings as well as former no longer used designations of the two current Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings. Note: the parenthetical (1st) and (2nd) appended to some wing designations below are not a part of the wing's designation. They are added to indicate that the designation was used more than one time during the history of U.S. Naval Aviation and to specify which use of the designation is indicated. There is not necessarily any connection between Fleet Air Wings and/or Patrol Wings which shared the same designation.

Patrol Wings 1937 to 1942
[edit]

The Navy's first five Patrol Wings were established on 1 Oct 1937. Three more were established in the 12 months prior to the U.S. entry in WWII and four more in the first 11 months of the war.

Wing Insignia Lineage[2] Notes
PATWING ONE
(1st)
PATWING-1(1st): 1 Oct 1937-1 Nov 1942
FAW-1: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1973
PATWING-1(2nd): 30 Jun 1973-1 Jun 1999
PATRECONWING-1: 1 Jun 1999-present
Original 5 PATWINGs
PATWING TWO
(1st)
PATWING TWO-2(1st): 1 Oct 1937-1 Nov 1942
FAW-2: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1973
PATWING-2(2nd): 30 Jun 1973-8 Jun 1993
PATWING THREE PATWING-3: 1 Oct 1937-1 Nov 1942
FAW-3: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1971
PATWING FOUR
(1st)
PATWING-4: 1 Oct 1937-1 Nov 1942
FAW-4: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1970
PATWING FIVE
(1st)
PATWING-5(1st): 1 Oct 1937-1 Nov 1942
FAW-5: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1973
PATWING-5(2nd): 30 Jun 1973-26 Mar 1999
PATRECONWING-5: 26 Mar 1999-2009
PATWING TEN
(1st)
PATWING-10(1st): Dec 1940-1 Nov 1942
FAW-10(1st): 1 Nov 1942-1 Jun 1947
Established within 12 months prior to U.S. entry in WWII
PATWING SEVEN PATWING Support Force: 1 Mar 1941-1 Jul 1941
PATWING-7: 1 Jul 1941-1 Nov 1942
FAW-7: 1 Nov 1942-4 Aug 1945
PATWING EIGHT PATWING-8: 8 Jul 1941-1 Nov 1942
FAW-8(1st): 1 Nov 1942-3 Jul 1946
PATWING NINE PATWING-9: Apr 1942-1 Nov 1942
FAW-9: 1 Nov 1942-19 Jul 1945
Established in the first 11 months of WWII
PATWING ELEVEN
(1st)
PATWING-11(1st): 15 Aug 1942-1 Nov 1942
FAW-11: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1973
PATWING-11(2nd): 30 Jun 1973-26 Mar 1999
PATRECONWING-11: 26 Mar 1999-present
PATWING TWELVE PATWING-12: 16 Sep 1942-1 Nov 1942
FAW-12: 1 Nov 1942-14 Jul 1945
PATWING FOURTEEN PATWING-14: 15 Oct 1942-1 Nov 1942
FAW-14: 1 Nov 1942-1969
Fleet Air Wings 1 November 1942 to 30 June 1973
[edit]

On 1 Nov 1942 all twelve Patrol Wings were redesignated Fleet Air Wings (FAW), five more Fleet Air Wings were established during the remainder of WWII[27] and three more after the war, the last in 1965.

Wing Insignia Lineage[2] Notes
FAW-1
PATWING-1(1st): 1 Oct 1937-1 Nov 1942
FAW-1: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1973
PATWING-1(2nd): 30 Jun 1973-1 Jun 1999
PATRECONWING-1: 1 Jun 1999-present
FAW-2
PATWING TWO-2(1st): 1 Oct 1937-1 Nov 1942
FAW-2: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1973
PATWING-2(2nd): 30 Jun 1973-8 Jun 1993
FAW-3
PATWING-3: 1 Oct 1937-1 Nov 1942
FAW-3: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1971
FAW-4
PATWING-4: 1 Oct 1937-1 Nov 1942
FAW-4: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1970
FAW-5 PATWING-5(1st): 1 Oct 1937-1 Nov 1942
FAW-5: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1973
PATWING-5(2nd): 30 Jun 1973-26 Mar 1999
PATRECONWING-5: 26 Mar 1999-2009
FAW-7 PATWING Support Force: 1 Mar 1941-1 Jul 1941
PATWING-7: 1 Jul 1941-1 Nov 1942
FAW-7: 1 Nov 1942-4 Aug 1945
Disestablished during WWII or the post war drawdown.
FAW-8(1st) PATWING-8: 8 Jul 1941-1 Nov 1942
FAW-8(1st): 1 Nov 1942-3 Jul 1946
Disestablished during WWII or the post war drawdown.
FAW-9 PATWING-9: Apr 1942-1 Nov 1942
FAW-9: 1 Nov 1942-19 Jul 1945
Disestablished during WWII or the post war drawdown.
FAW-10(1st)
PATWING-10(1st): Dec 1940-1 Nov 1942
FAW-10(1st): 1 Nov 1942-1 Jun 1947
Disestablished during WWII or the post war drawdown.
FAW-11
PATWING-11(1st): 15 Aug 1942-1 Nov 1942
FAW-11: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1973
PATWING-11(2nd): 30 Jun 1973-26 Mar 1999
PATRECONWING-11: 26 Mar 1999-present
FAW-12 PATWING-12: 16 Sep 1942-1 Nov 1942
FAW-12: 1 Nov 1942-14 Jul 1945
Disestablished during WWII or the post war drawdown.
FAW-14
PATWING-14: 15 Oct 1942-1 Nov 1942
FAW-14: 1 Nov 1942-1969
FAW-6(1st)
FAW-6: 2 Nov 1942-1 Dec 1945 Disestablished during WWII or the post war drawdown.
FAW-15 FAW-15: 1 Dec 1942-28 Jul 1945 Disestablished during WWII or the post war drawdown.
FAW-16 FAW-16: 16 Feb 1943-27 Jun 1945 Disestablished during WWII or the post war drawdown.
FAW-17 FAW-17: 15 Sep 1943-2 Jan 1946 Disestablished during WWII or the post war drawdown.
FAW-18 FAW-18: 5 May 1945-30 Jun 1947 Disestablished during WWII or the post war drawdown.
FAW-6(2nd) FAW-6:(2nd): 4 Aug 1950-1 Jul 1972 Established during the Korean War
FAW-10(2nd)
FAW-10(2nd): 29 Jun 1963-30 Jun 1973 Established in the 1960s
FAW-8(2nd) FAW-8(2nd): 1 Jul 1965-1 Aug 1972
Patrol Wings 30 June 1973 to 1999
[edit]

On 30 June 1973 Fleet Air Wing 10(2nd) was disestablished leaving only four Fleet Air Wings. Those four on that date were redesignated Patrol Wings. Eight years later in 1981 a new Patrol Wing was established and was designated Patrol Wing TEN(2nd).

Wing Insignia Lineage[2] Notes
PATWING ONE
(2nd)
PATWING-1(1st): 1 Oct 1937-1 Nov 1942
FAW-1: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1973
PATWING-1(2nd): 30 Jun 1973-1 Jun 1999
PATRECONWING-1: 1 Jun 1999-present
NSF Kamiseya, Japan
[bq]
PATWING TWO
(2nd)
PATWING TWO-2(1st): 1 Oct 1937-1 Nov 1942
FAW-2: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1973
PATWING-2(2nd): 30 Jun 1973-8 Jun 1993[28]
NAS Barbers Point, HI
PATWING FIVE
(2nd)
PATWING-5(1st): 1 Oct 1937-1 Nov 1942
FAW-5: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1973
PATWING-5(2nd): 30 Jun 1973-26 Mar 1999
PATRECONWING-5: 26 Mar 1999-2009
NAS Brunswick, ME
PATWING ELEVEN
(2nd)
PATWING-11
PATWING-11
PATWING-11(1st): 15 Aug 1942-1 Nov 1942
FAW-11: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1973
PATWING-11(2nd): 30 Jun 1973-26 Mar 1999
PATRECONWING-11: 26 Mar 1999-present
NAS Jacksonville, FL
PATWING TEN
(2nd)
[br]
PATWING-10(2nd): 1 Jun 1981-1 Jun 1999
PATRECONWING-10: 1 Jun 1999-present
NAS Moffett Field, CA
Moved on 1 July 1994 to
NAS Whidbey Is, WA
Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings 1999 and later
[edit]

In 1999 there were four Patrol Wings still in existence and on that date they were redesignated Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings. Four years later in 2003 a fifth Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing was established and designated Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing TWO.

Wing Insignia Lineage[2] Notes
PATRECONWING
ONE
PATWING-1(1st): 1 Oct 1937-1 Nov 1942
FAW-1: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1973
PATWING-1(2nd): 30 Jun 1973-1 Jun 1999
PATRECONWING-1: 1 Jun 1999-present
NSF Kamiseya, Japan
NAF Misawa, Japan
NAF Atsugi, Japan
A Commander and staff only with no assigned squadrons. Exercises Operational Control of rotational VP squadrons deployed to 7th Fleet.
PATRECONWING
FIVE
PATWING-5(1st): 1 Oct 1937-1 Nov 1942
FAW-5: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1973
PATWING-5(2nd): 30 Jun 1973-26 Mar 1999
PATRECONWING-5: 26 Mar 1999-2009
NAS Brunswick, ME
When disestablished the wing's remaining squadrons were realigned to PATRECONWING ELEVEN
PATRECONWING
TEN
PATWING-10(2nd): 1 Jun 1981-1 Jun 1999
PATRECONWING-10: 1 Jun 1999-present
NAS Whidbey Is, WA
PATRECONWING
ELEVEN
PATWING-11(1st): 15 Aug 1942-1 Nov 1942
FAW-11: 1 Nov 1942-30 Jun 1973
PATWING-11(2nd): 30 Jun 1973-26 Mar 1999
PATRECONWING-11: 26 Mar 1999-present
NAS Jacksonville, FL
PATRECONWING
TWO
[bs]
PATRECONWING-2: Oct 2003-1 May 2017[29] MCAS Kaneohe Bay, HI
When disestablished the wing's remaining squadrons were realigned to PATRECONWING TEN
[edit]

In 1970 the USNR created a wing structure with the establishment of two Fleet Air Reserve Wings (FARW), two Reserve Carrier Air Wings (CVWR) and two Reserve Anti-Submarine Carrier Air Groups (CVSGR). The CVWRs and CVSGRs are detailed in the "Other Functional Wings and Type Wings" section at the end of the article.

Naval Air Reserve Fleet Air Reserve Wings 1970 to 1973

Wing Insignia Lineage[2] Composition Notes
FARW PAC[bt] FARW PAC: 1 Oct 1970-1973[14]
RESPATWINGPAC:[bu] 1973-Jan 1999
West Coast USNR VP sqdns
FARW LANT[bv] FARW LANT: 1 Oct 1970-1973[14]
RESPATWINGLANT:[bw] 1973-Jan 1999
East Coast USNR VP sqdns

Fleet Air Reserve Wings were redesignated Reserve Patrol Wings at the same time that the active component FAWs were redesigned Patrol Wings.

Naval Air Reserve Patrol Wings 1973 to 2007

Wing Insignia Lineage[2] Composition Notes
RESPATWINPAC/
PATWING FOUR(2nd)
[bx]
FARW PAC: 1 Oct 1970-1973[14]
RESPATWINGPAC: 1973-Jan 1999
West Coast USNR VP sqdns Staff merged with staff of RESPATWINGLANT after disestablishment to form RESPATWING
RESPATWINGLANT[by] FARW LANT: 1 Oct 1970-1973[14]
RESPATWINGLANT: 1973-Jan 1999
East Coast USNR VP sqdns Staff merged with staff of RESPATWINGPAC after disestablishment to form RESPATWING
RESPATWING[bz][ca]
RESPATWING: Jan 1999-30 Jun 2007[30] All USNR VP sqdns Single PATWING to control the four USNR VP Squadrons remaining after disestablishment of the majority of USNR squadrons.[cb]

Other Functional Wings and Type Wings 1951 to present

[edit]

The tables in this section list disestablished wings as well as former no longer used designations of current Type Wings. They do not include Fleet Air Wings, Patrol Wings or Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings as they are included in the "Patrol, Fleet Air, and Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings" tables above.

The Navy's first "type wings" were established in the 1950s to provide for the training and readiness of nuclear bomber (Heavy Attack - VAH) squadrons assigned to Carrier Air Groups. In 1967 and 1968 three more such wings were established for the training and readiness of squadrons of specialized aircraft equipped with the emerging technologies of airborne search radar (Carrier Airborne Early Warning - VAW) and electronic warfare (Tactical Electronic Warfare - VAQ). Beginning in 1970 the type wing concept was expanded in the Atlantic Fleet to eventually include all squadrons of Carrier Air Wing type aircraft. It was another two decades after that before the Pacific Fleet fully adopted a type wing organization.

Special Mission Wings 1951 to 1973
[edit]

Carrier Air Groups when not deployed aboard their aircraft carriers were based at Naval Air Stations. From as early as WWII those air groups and the Naval Air Stations at which they were based, along with all the facilities and infrastructure to support them, all fell under the overall command of a Rear Admiral commanded "Fleet Air" command (Fleet Air West Coast, Fleet Air Norfolk, Fleet Air Seattle, etc). Fleet Air commands ensured Carrier Air Groups were equipped, trained, crewed and ready to deploy aboard their aircraft carriers and they managed the entire shore infrastructure necessary for doing so.

In the 1950s the Navy began attaching nuclear bomber squadrons (Heavy Attack Squadron – VAH) to deploying Carrier Air Groups. Because of the specialized nature of the nuclear bombing mission and its unique training and readiness needs, "Heavy Attack Wings" were established under Fleet Air commands to provide the specialized training and upkeep of the aircraft required for the safe and effective conduct of this critical mission. These Heavy Attack Wings were not deployable wings, instead they provided combat ready VAH squadrons to deploying Carrier Air Groups. At the same time, Carrier Airborne Early Warning (VAW) squadrons 11 and 12 were providing detachments of aircraft equipped with the emerging technologies of airborne search radar and electronic warfare systems to deploying Carrier Air Groups, and in 1959 a third VAW squadron (VAW-13) split out of VAW-11 to concentrate on electronic warfare. By 1967 VAW-11 and VAW-12 had grown so large that they were elevated to wing status and their detachments were established as squadrons. In 1968 Tactical Electronic Warfare Wing 13 was established to manage the training and readiness of Tactical Electronic Warfare (VAQ) squadrons which were being established.

These "special mission" Heavy Attack, Carrier Airborne Early Warning, and Electronic Warfare wings were non-deploying "force providers" which ensured their squadrons were ready and capable of executing their unique roles when attached to a Carrier Air Group (Carrier Air Wing after December 1963) for deployment making them the first of what are now called "type wings."

Naval Air Force Atlantic special mission wings 1951 to 1970

Wing Insignia Lineage[2] Composition Notes
HATWING[cc]
ONE
RECONATKWING[cd]
ONE
HATWING-1: 1 Feb 1951-Aug 1964[31] [32]

RECONATKWING-1:Aug 1964-1 Jan 1980
VAH squadrons[ce] Provided VAH squadrons to Carrier Air Groups.[cf]
RVAH squadrons[cg] Provided RVAH squadrons to Carrier Air Wings.[ch]
CAEWWING[ci]
TWELVE
CAEWWING-12: 1 Apr 1967-1 Sep 1993
AEWWINGLANT: 1 Sep 1993-23 Sep 2005[34]
VAW squadrons[cj] Established when VAW-12 was elevated to wing status and its detachments were established as separate squadrons.

Naval Air Force Pacific special mission wings 1956 to 1973

Wing Insignia Lineage[2] Composition Notes
HATWING[ck]
TWO
HATWING-2: 2 July 1956-30 Jun 1959[35][36] VAH squadrons[cl] Provided VAH squadrons to Carrier Air Groups. Squadrons realigned under Fleet Air Whidbey after disestablishment.
CAEWWING[cm]
ELEVEN
CAEWWING-11: 20 Apr 1967-30 Jun 1973 VAW squadrons[cn] Established when VAW-11 was elevated to wing status and its detachments were established as separate squadrons. Squadrons realigned under Fleet Air Miramar after disestablishment.
VAQWING[co]
THIRTEEN
VAQWING-13: 1 Sep 1968-1 Jul 1972[37] VAQ squadrons[cp] Established at NAS Alameda to oversee administrative, operations and maintenance support for the new Tactical Electronic Warfare (VAQ) squadrons [38] Moved to NAS Whidbey Island with the decision to base the new EA-6B Prowler squadrons at NASWI. Squadrons realigned under Fleet Air Whidbey after disestablishment.
Functional and Type Wings 1970 to 1993
[edit]

Between 1970 and 1974 both Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet and Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet underwent reorganizations which replaced Fleet Air commands with wings. Though both fleets each ended up with a wing structure, they went about their reorganizations differently and each ended up with different structures. Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet simply redesignated Flag Officer commanded Fleet Air commands as functional wings essentially leaving the Fleet Air structure in place with a simple name change to wings while Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet created a two tiered wing structure consisting of Flag Officer commanded functional wings with subordinate type wings commanded by Captains. The Functional Wing Commanders reported to the Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet, commanded the former Fleet Air command Naval Air Stations and shore infrastructure and oversaw their subordinate Captain commanded type wings which were directly responsible for the aircraft squadrons.

Naval Air Force Pacific Functional Wings 1973 to 1993. Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet's reorganization began on 30 June 1973 when its single remaining special mission wing (CAEWWING 11) and all but five of its Fleet Air commands were disestablished.[13] The next day, 1 July 1973 the five remaining Fleet Air commands; Fleet Air Miramar, Fleet Air Lemoore, Fleet Air Whidbey, Fleet Air San Diego and Fleet Air Moffett, were renamed wings resulting in a wing structure consisting of five Flag Officer commanded functional wings.[39] These wings continued operating as they had operated when they were Fleet Air commands with responsibility for their assigned Naval Air Stations and aircraft squadrons. Of the five wings only Patrol Wings, Pacific had subordinate wings which were Patrol Wings ONE and TWO both of them having been in existence since 1937.

Wing Insignia Lineage Composition Notes
FITAEWWINGPAC[cq]
FITAEWWINGPAC: 1 Jul 1973-30 Sep 1993[40] VF squadrons[cr]
VAW squadrons[cs]
NAS Miramar
Fleet Air Miramar renamed Fighter AEW Wing, Pacific on 1 July 1973.[39]
LATWINGPAC[ct]

STRIKEFITWINGPAC[cu]
LATWINGPAC:1 Jul 1973-5 Apr 1991

STRIKEFITWINGPAC: 5 Apr 1991-1 Jun 1993
[cv]
VA squadrons[cw]
NAS Lemoore
NAS Fallon
Fleet Air Lemoore renamed LATWINGPAC on 1 Jul 1973.[39]

Redesignated STRIKEFITWINGPAC on 5 April 1991.[42] [cx]
VFA squadrons[cy]
NAS Lemoore
NAS Fallon
MATVAQWINGPAC[cz]
MATVAQWINGPAC: 1 Jul 1973-31 Jan 1993[43] VA squadrons[da]
VAQ squadrons[db]
NAS Whidbey Island
Fleet Air Whidbey renamed MATVAQWINGPAC on 1 July 1973.
ASWWINGPAC[dc]
ASWWINGPAC: 1 Jul 1973-30 Sep 1993[44] VS squadrons[dd]
HS squadrons[de]
HSL squadrons[df]
HC squadrons[dg]
HM squadrons[dh]
VRC squadrons[di]
VR squadrons[dj]
NAS North Island
NALF Imperial Beach
Fleet Air San Diego renamed ASWWINGPAC on 1 July 1973.[39]
PATWINGSPAC[dk] FAWWINGSPAC:[dl] ????-1 Jul 1973
PATWINGSPAC: 1 Jul 1973-????
PATWING TWO
PATWING TEN[dm]
NAS Moffett Field
NAF Adak
Commander Fleet Air Wings Pacific/Fleet Air Moffett renamed Patrol Wings Pacific on 1 July 1973.[45]

Naval Air Force Atlantic Functional Wings 1974 to 1993. On 1 July 1974 Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet completed the replacement of its Fleet Air commands by realigning three existing Flag Officer commands redesignating them as functional wings which assumed command of Atlantic Fleet Naval Air Stations and of eight type wings which had been established between 1970 and 1973 in advance of the Flag Officer functional wings.

Wing Insignia Lineage Composition Notes
TACWINGSLANT[dn]
FITMATAEWWINGSLANT[do]
TACWINGSLANT[dp]
TACWINGSLANT: 1 Jul 1974-1 Oct 1986
FITMATAEWWINGSLANT: 1 Oct 1986-27 Apr 1989
TACWINGSLANT: 27 Apr 1989-30 Sep 1992[46]
RECONATKWING ONE[dq]
CAEWWING TWELVE
LATWING ONE[dr]
FITWING ONE
MATWING ONE
NAS Oceana
NAS Key West[ds]
NAS Norfolk
[dt]
SEABASEDASWWINGSLANT[du]






HELWINGSLANT[dv]
SEABASEDASWWINGSLANT: 1 Jul 1974-1 Oct 1986
HELWINGSLANT: 1 Oct 1986-30 Sep 1992
[48]
AIRANTISUBWING ONE[dw]
HELANTISUBWING ONE
HELSEACONWING ONE
HELSEACONWING THREE[dx]
NAS Jacksonville
NAS Cecil Field[dy]
NS Mayport
[dz]
HELANTISUBWING ONE
HELSEACONWING ONE[ea]
HELSEACONWING THREE[eb]
HELTACWING ONE[ec]
NAS Jacksonville
NS Mayport
NAS Mayport[ed]
PATWINGSLANT[ee] PATWINGSLANT: 1 Jul 1974-30 Sep 1992 PATWING FIVE
PATWING ELEVEN
NAS Brunswick
NAS Bermuda
NAF Lajes, Azors
[ef]
STRIKEFITWINGSLANT[eg] STRIKEFITWINGSLANT: 1 Oct 1986-30 Sep 1992[46] LATWING ONE[eh]
SEASTRIKEWING ONE[ei]
NAS Cecil Field[ej]
NAS Key West[ek]
[el] [em]

Naval Air Force Atlantic Type Wings 1970 to 1993. Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet's reorganization began in 1970 when the first of six new Captain commanded type wings was established to join the two special mission wings (CAEWWING TWELVE and RECONATKWING ONE) already in existence. The other five new type wings along with a Captain commanded functional wing established to organize the combat support logistics and utility squadrons were all established by the summer of 1973. The Type Wings were commanded by Captains and consisted of squadrons of a single type of aircraft (fighter, attack, anti-submarine). These wings would assist in maintenance and equipment support providing operationally ready squadrons to Carrier Air Wings or other operating forces and supervise training when the squadrons were not deployed.[47][51]They would also take control of the Fleet Replacement Squadron for their type aircraft which had been attached to Readiness Carrier Air Wing FOUR (RCVW-4) which was disestablished on 1 June 1970 or to Readiness Carrier Antisubmarine Group FIFTY (RCVSG-50) which was disestablished on 17 February 1971. A seventh type wing was established in 1985 with the introduction of a new aircraft type.

Wing Insignia Lineage[2] Composition Notes
CAEWWING[en]
TWELVE
CAEWWING-12: 1 Apr 1967-1 Sep 1993
AEWWINGLANT: 1 Sep 1993-23 Sep 2005[34]
Carrier Airborne Early Warning (VAW) squadrons[eo] Assigned to TACWINGSLANT
RECONATKWING[ep]
ONE
HATWING-1: 1 Feb 1951-Aug 1964[52] [32]
RECONATKWING-1: Aug 1964-1 Jan 1980
Reconnaissance Attack (RVAH) squadrons Assigned to TACWINGSLANT [eq]
LATWING[er]
ONE
LATWING-1: 1 Jun 1970-1 Sep 1993[53]
STRIKEFITWINGLANT: 1 Sep 1993-present[34]
Attack (VA) squadrons [es] [et] Assigned to TACWINGSLANT

Transferred to STRIKEFITWINGSLANT on 1 Oct 1986
FITWING[eu]
ONE
FITWING-1: 16 Jul 1971-1 Sep 1993[47]
FITWINGLANT: 1 Sep 1993-1 Oct 2004[34]
Fighter (VF) squadrons Assigned to TACWINGSLANT
MATWING[ev]
ONE
MATWING-1: 1 Oct 1971-1 Sep 1993[47]
ATKWINGLANT: 1 Sep 1993-30 Jun 1997[34]
Attack (VA) squadrons[ew] Assigned to TACWINGSLANT
AIRANTISUBWING[ex]
ONE

SEASTRKWING[ey]
ONE
VS Wing ONE
VS Wing ONE
AIRANTISUBWING-1: 1 Apr 1973-May 1987[54]
SEASTRKWING-1: May 1987-1 Sep 1993

SEACONWINGLANT: 1 Sep 1993-30 Jan 2009[34]
Air Antisubmarine (VS) squadrons[ez] Assigned to SEABASEDASWWINGSLANT

Transferred to STRIKEFITWINGSLANT on 1 Oct 1986 and redesignated SEASTKWING ONE
HELANTISUBWING[fa]
ONE
HELANTISUBWING-1: 1 Apr 1973-1 Sep 1993[54]
HELANTISUBWINGLANT: 1 Sep 1993-1 Apr 2005[34]
Helicopter Antisubmarine (HS) squadrons[fb] Assigned to SEABASEDASWWINGSLANT/
HELWINGSLANT after 1 Oct 1986
HELSEACONWING[fc]
ONE
HELSEACONWING-1: Jun 1973-1 Jul 1992 -Helicopter Antisubmarine (Light) (HSL) squadrons[fd][fe]
-Helicopter Mine Countermeasures (HM) squadrons[ff][fg]
Assigned to SEABASEDASWWINGSLANT/
HELWINGSLANT after 1 Oct 1986
HELSEACONWING[fh]
THREE

HSLWING[fi]
ONE
HELSEACONWING THREE
HELSEACONWING THREE
HELSEACONWING-3: Mar 1985-1 Jul 1992
HSLWING-1: 1 Jul 1992-1 Sep 1993

HSLWINGLANT: 1 Sep 1993-1 Jul 2006
HSMWINGLANT: 1 Jul 2006-present
Helicopter Antisubmarine (Light) (HSL) squadrons[fj] Assigned to SEABASEDASWWINGSLANT/
HELWINGSLANT after 1 Oct 1986

Naval Air Force Atlantic logistics functional wings 1973 to 1993. In 1973 a wing was established as a Captain commanded functional wing consisting of nine squadrons of various types of fixed wing aircraft and helicopters to command the Atlantic Fleet's logistics, utility and other support aircraft squadrons[55] and in 1982 a Captain commanded helicopter functional wing was established to organize logistics, mine countermeasures and utility squadrons.[56]

Wing Insignia Lineage[2] Composition Notes
FLTTACSUPWING[fk]
ONE
FLTTACSUPWING-1: 1 Jul 1973-1 Oct 1989[13] Fixed wing, helicopter and drone utility and logistics squadrons[55][fl] Reported directly to CNAL[fm]
[fn]
HELTACWING[fo]
ONE
HELTACWING-1: 1 Oct 1982-1 Sep 1993
HELTACWINGLANT: 1 Sep 1993-1 Apr 2005
HSCWINGLANT: 1 Apr 2005-present
Helicopter logistics, mine countermeasures and utility squadrons[fp] Reported directly to CNAL[fq] until 1 Oct 1986 when it was realigned under HELWINGSLANT
Type Wings 1993 to 2009
[edit]

In 1993 both Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet and Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet underwent major reorganization as part of a larger Navy reorganization that began moving command of the shore establishment away from the operating forces. All Flag Officer commanded Functional Wings were disestablished and command of Naval Air Stations and other shore based infrastructure was moved to Flag Officer commands in a chain of command separate from that of aircraft wings. Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet established type wings[fr] which mirrored those of Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet and all type wing commanders reported directly to either the Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet or Commander, Naval Air force Atlantic Fleet.

Naval Air Force Atlantic and Naval Air Force Pacific wings 1993 to 2009. A uniform type wing structure was created across both fleets with wings designated AEWWINGLANT & AEWWINGPAC, HSWINGLANT & HSWINGPAC, FITWINGLANT & FITWINGPAC etc.... The exception to this balanced organization was Electronic Combat Wing, Pacific (VAQWINGPAC) which had no Atlantic Fleet counterpart as there had never been an Electronic Warfare Wing in the Atlantic Fleet and MATVAQWINGPAC had provided squadrons to both Pacific and Atlantic Fleet Carrier Air Wings.

Wing Insignia Lineage[2] Composition Notes
*VAQWINGPAC[fs]
VAQWINGPAC: 1 Feb 1993-present VAQ squadrons[ft][fu] Established to receive the disestablished MATVAQWINGPAC's Tactical Electronic Warfare (VAQ) squadrons.[43]
AEWWINGLANT[fv]
(2nd)[fw]
CAEWWING-12: 1 Apr 1967-1 Sep 1993
AEWWINGLANT(2nd): 1 Sep 1993-23 Sep 2005[34]
VAW squadrons[fx][fy]
VRC squadron[fz][ga]
On disestablishment squadrons were realigned to AEWWINGPAC which was then redesignated ACCLOGWING.
AEWWINGPAC[gb]
(2nd)[gc]
AEWWINGPAC(2nd): 1 Aug 1993-23 Sep 2005
ACCLOGWING:[gd] 23 Sep 2005-present
VAW squadrons[ge][gf]
VRC squadron[gg][gh]
Established to receive the disestablishing FITAEWWINGPAC's Airborne Early Warning (VAW) squadrons and ASWWINGPAC's Logistics Support (VRC) squadron.[40]
FITWINGLANT[gi]
FITWING-1: 16 Jul 1971-1 Sep 1993[47]
FITWINGLANT: 1 Sep 1993-1 Oct 2004[58]
VF squadrons[gj][gk] Upon disestablishment remaining F-14 Tomcat squadrons realigned under STRKFITWINGLANT and eventually transitioned to the F/A-18F Super Hornet.
FITWINGPAC[gl]
FITWINGPAC: 1 Aug 1993-17 Dec 1996[59] VF squadrons[gm][gn] Established to receive the disestablishing FITAEWWINGPAC's Fighter (VF) squadrons.[40] [go]
ATKWINGLANT[gp]
MATWING-1: 1 Oct 1971-1 Sep 1993[47]
ATKWINGLANT: 1 Sep 1993-30 Jun 1997[34][60]
VA squadrons[gq][gr] Disestablished with the retirement of the A-6 Intruder.
ATKWINGPAC[gs]
ATKWINGPAC: 1 Feb 1993-30 Apr 1997[60] VA squadrons[gt][gu] Established to receive the disestablished MATVAQWINGPAC's Attack (VA) squadrons.[43] [gv]
*STRKFITWINGLANT[gw]
LATWING-1: 1 Jun 1970-1 Sep 1993[61]
STRKFITWINGLANT: 1 Sep 1993-present[34]
VFA squadrons[gx][gy] LATWING-1 redesignated with replacement of the A-7 Corsair II by the F/A-18 Hornet in the Atlantic Fleet.[34]
*STRKFITWINGPAC[gz]
LATWINGPAC: 1 Jul 1973-5 Apr 1991
[ha]STRKFITWINGPAC: 5 Apr 1991-present
VFA squadrons[hb][hc] Converted from a Flag Officer commanded Functional Wing to a Captain commanded Type Wing on 1 June 1993.
SEACONWINGLANT[hd]
AIRANTISUBWING-1: 1 Apr 1973-May 1987[54]
SEASTRKWING-1: May 1987-1 Sep 1993
SEACONWINGLANT: 1 Sep 1993-30 Jan 2009[34]
VS squadrons[he][hf]
VQ squadron[hg][hh]
Disestablished with retirement of the S-3 Viking.
SEACONWINGPAC[hi]
SEACONWINGPAC: 22 Apr 1993-19 Aug 2005 VS squadrons[hj][hk]
VQ squadron[hl][hm]
Established to receive Sea Control (VS) squadrons from the disestablishing ASWWINGPAC.[44] [hn]
HSWINGLANT[ho]
HSWING-1: 1 Apr 1973-1 Sep 1993[54]
HSWINGLANT: 1 Sep 1993-1 Apr 2005[34]
HS squadrons[hp][hq] Upon disestablishment squadrons were realigned under HSCWINGLANT in advance of their transitions to the MH-60S Seahawk and redesignation to Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) squadrons.
HSWINGPAC[hr]
HSWINGPAC: 1 Jul 1993-Apr 2005 HS squadrons[hs][ht] Established to receive Helicopter Anti-Submarine (HS) squadrons from the disestablishing ASWWINGPAC.[62] [hu]
HSLWINGLANT[hv]
HELSEACONWING-3: Mar 1985-1 Jul 1992
HSLWING-1: 1 Jul 1992-1 Sep 1993
HSLWINGLANT: 1 Sep 1993-1 Jul 2006
HSMWINGLANT:[hw] 1 Jul 2006-present
HSL squadrons[hx][hy] Redesignated HSMWINGLANT with the transition from the SH-60B Seahawk to the MH-60R Seahawk.[63]
HSLWINGPAC[hz]
HSLWINGPAC: 5 May 1993-1 Nov 2004
HSMWINGPAC:[ia] 1 Nov 2004-present
HSL squadrons[ib][ic] Established to receive Helicopter Anti-Submarine (Light) (HSL) squadrons from the disestablishing ASWWINGPAC.[62] [id]
HELTACWINGLANT[ie]
HELTACWING-1: 1 Oct 1982-1 Sep 1993
HELTACWINGLANT: 1 Sep 1993-1 Apr 2005
HSCWINGLANT:[if] 1 Apr 2005-present
HC squadrons[ig][ih]
HM squadrons[ii][ij]
Redesignated HSCWINGLANT with the redesignation of Helicopter Combat Support (HC) squadrons to Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) squadrons.[64]
HELTACWINGPAC[ik]
HELTACWINGPAC: 1 Jul 1993-1 Apr 2005
HSCWINGPAC:[il] 1 Apr 2005-present
HC squadrons[im][in]
HM squadrons[io][ip]
Established to receive Helicopter Mine Countermeasures (HM) and Helicopter Combat Support (HC) squadrons from the disestablishing ASWWINGPAC.[62] [iq]

*VAQWINGPAC, STRKFITWINGLANT and STRKFITWINGPAC are not disestablished wings, nor are they former designations of currently active wings. They are included in this table to present a complete picture of the type wing structure as it existed as a result of the 1993 reorganization.

[edit]

In 1970 the USNR created a wing structure with the establishment of two Reserve Carrier Air Wings (CVWR), two Reserve Anti-Submarine Carrier Air Groups (CVSGR) and two Fleet Air Reserve Wings (detailed in the Fleet Air Wings section above). All of its Carrier Air Wing type squadrons were attached to a CVWR or CVSGR. CVWRs and CVSGRs were capable of embarking aboard an aircraft carrier for training but their function was to ensure their squadrons were manned, trained and equipped for operational employment if necessary; the same function as that of the active component type wings.

Naval Air Reserve Carrier Air Wings and Antisubmarine Carrier Air Groups

Wing Insignia Lineage[2] Composition Notes Tail Code
CVWR-20[ir]
CVWR-20: 1 Apr 1970-1 Apr 2007[14]
TSW:[is] 1 Apr 2007-present
VF sqdns[it]
VA sqdns[iu]
VAQ sqdn[iv]
VAW sqdn[iw]
VFP sqdn[ix]
VAK sqdn[iy]
By 2007 the Wing consisted of only one VFA, one VAQ, one VAW and three aggressor sqdns.[iz] It was redesignated Tactical Support Wing (TSW) AF
CVWR-30[ja]
CVWR-30: 1 Apr 1970-31 Dec 1994[14] VF sqdns[jb]
VA sqdns[jc]
VAQ sqdn[jd]
VAW sqdn[je]
VFP sqdn[jf]
VAK sqdn[jg]
ND
CVSGR-70[jh] CVSGR-70: 1 May 1970-30 Jun 1976[14] VS sqdns[ji]
HS sqdns[jj]
VAW sqdn[jk]
VSF sqdn[jl]
When disestablished the VS and VSF sqdns were disestablished, the VAW sqdn moved to CVWR-20 and the HS sqdns to HELWINGRES. AW
CVSGR-80[jm] CVSGR-80: 1 May 1970-30 Jul 1976'[14] VS sqdns[jn]
HS sqdns[jo]
VAW sqdn[jp]
VSF sqdn[jq]
When disestablished the VS and VSF sqdns were disestablished, the VAW sqdn moved to CVWR-30 and the HS sqdns to HELWINGRES. NW

In 1974 and 1975 the Naval Air Reserve established a wing for its land based logistics squadrons and squadrons which flew fighters as aggressors in support of fleet training. In 1975 it established a helicopter wing to organize its helicopter squadrons in advance of the disestablishment in 1976 of the Anti-Submarine Carrier Air Groups (CVSGR) to which the helicopter squadrons were attached.

Naval Air Reserve Logistics and Helicopter wings

Wing Insignia Lineage[2] Composition Notes Tail Code
RESTACSUPWING[jr] RESTACSUPWING: 1974-1983
FLSW:[js] 1983-present[66]
VR sqdns[jt]
VC sqdns[ju] [jv]
HELWINGRES[jw]
HELWINGRES: Jun 1975-31 May 2007[67] [jx]
HS sqdns[jy]
HSL sqdns[jz]
HC sqdns[ka]
HAL sqdns[kb]
HCS sqnds[kc]
HM sqdns[kd]
When disestablished the remaining two sqdns realigned under active component wings but continued to display tail code NW. NW[ke]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ squadrons operating from USS Ranger (CV-4) had been informally called "Ranger Air Group" beginning 17 Aug 1934 but the air group was not established as a unit until 1 July 1938
  2. ^ squadrons operating from USS Saratoga (CV-3) had been informally called "Saratoga Air Group" beginning 6 Jan 1928 but the air group was not established as a unit until 1 July 1938
  3. ^ established as an Atlantic Fleet air wing (AA) and transferred to the Pacific Fleet (NA) in 2012
  4. ^ Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic
  5. ^ Lightg Attack Wing 1
  6. ^ Strike Fighter Wing Pcific
  7. ^ Light Attack Wing Pacific
  8. ^ Joint Strike Fighter Wing
  9. ^ Long form: Electronic Attack Wing Pacific. Short form: VAQ Wing Pacific
  10. ^ Electronic Combat Wing Pacific
  11. ^ Electronic Attack Wing Pacific
  12. ^ land based "expeditionary" squadrons. These squadrons deploy to airfields ashore.
  13. ^ Airborne Command & Control and Logistics Wing
  14. ^ being replaced by E-2D
  15. ^ Airborne Early Warning Wing Pacific Fleet
  16. ^ Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (C-2A Greyhound)
  17. ^ VUQ-10 established on 1 October 2021[3] at NAS Patuxent River. It is currently 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 FRS
  18. ^ Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Wing
  19. ^ Provides detahments to CVWs
  20. ^ Provides detahments to CVWs
  21. ^ with one detachment at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
  22. ^ Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic
  23. ^ Helicopter Tactical Wing ONE
  24. ^ Helicopter Tactical Wing Atlantic
  25. ^ Land based squadrons which provide MH-60S detachments to surface force ships or for land based operations
  26. ^ HM: Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MH-53E)
  27. ^ Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific
  28. ^ Helicopter Tactical Wing Pacific
  29. ^ Land based squadrons which provide MH-60S and/or MQ-8C detachments to surface force ships or for land based operations
  30. ^ Land based squadron which provides MH-60S detachments to surface force ships or for land based operations
  31. ^ Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Atlantic
  32. ^ Helicopter Sea Control Wing THREE
  33. ^ Helicopter Anti-Submarine (Light) Wing ONE
  34. ^ Helicopter Anti-Submarine (Light) Wing Atlantic
  35. ^ Land based squadrons which provide MH-60R detachments to surface force ships
  36. ^ Land based squadron which provides MH-60R detachments to surface force ships
  37. ^ Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific
  38. ^ Helicopter Antisubmarine (Light) Wing Pacific
  39. ^ Land based squadron which provides MH-60R detachments to surface force ships
  40. ^ Land based squadron which provides MH-60R detachments to surface force ships
  41. ^ Land based squadrons which provide MH-60R detachments to surface force ships
  42. ^ The fixed wing FRSs all carry tail codes which belonged to one of two "Readiness Carrier Air Wings" (RCVW) which before June 1970 were training wings made up of FRSs. Those wings were disestablished in June 1970 and each FRS was reassigned to what became today's type wings each retaining it's old RCVW tail code
  43. ^ When CVW-15 was disestablished in 1995 its VAQ squadron rather than being disestablished with the wing was instead re-purposed as the first expeditionary squadron. The CVW-15 tail code "NL" remained painted on the squadron's aircraft and from that point forward each new expeditionary squadron has been marked with that tail code
  44. ^ Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Group is "dual hatted" as Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group Pacific
  45. ^ FAW: Fleet Air Wing
  46. ^ The VUP squadron command and control center from where the aircraft are flown is at NAS Jacksonville but its aircraft are based at Naval Station Mayport or are forward deployed to operating locations
  47. ^ Tactical Support Wing
  48. ^ Retains tail code AF from its former existence as Reserve Carrier Air Wing TWENTY (CVWR-20)
  49. ^ Maritime Support Wing
  50. ^ When it was established the wing also included two Helicopter Sea Combat Squadrons (HSC) which were disestablished in 2016 and 2023
  51. ^ Fleet Logistics Support Wing
  52. ^ Executive Transport Detachment
  53. ^ AVPs pilot the unmanned aerial Vehicle MQ-25 Stingray
  54. ^ Replacing T-44C beginning 2024
  55. ^ Replacing TH-57B and TH-57C 2022-2026
  56. ^ established to control training activities at NAS Whiting Field and NAS Ellyson Field, FL[9] (training operations ceased at Ellyson Field in Dec 1973)
  57. ^ Advaced training for SNFOs destined for F/A-18F and EA-18G aircraft
  58. ^ Advanced training for AVPs and for SNFOs destined for E-6, P-8 and E-2 aircraft
  59. ^ Naval Test Wing Atlantic
  60. ^ Naval Test Wing Pacific
  61. ^ There were only 26 CVEGs established but the Navy operated over 100 Escort Carriers (CVE)s. Only the largest CVEs were paired with CVEGs while most CVEs were paired with a single Composite Squadron (VC) which consisted of both fighters and torpedo bombers in place of a CVEG.
  62. ^ Trained replacement aircrew and maintenance personnel for the squadrons of the deploying Pacific Fleet Carrier Air Groups
  63. ^ Trained replacement aircrew and maintenance personnel for the squadrons of the deploying Atlantic Fleet Carrier Air Groups
  64. ^ Trained replacement aircrew and maintenance personnel for the squadrons of Atlantic Fleet Carrier Air Wings
  65. ^ Trained replacement aircrew and maintenance personnel for the squadrons of Pacific Fleet Carrier Air Wings
  66. ^ When the wing was disestablished its VAQ squadron was repurposed as the first expeditionary VAQ squadron. The 'NL' tail code remained painted on that squadron's aircraft and from that point on it was assigned to all new expeditionary VAQ squadrons
  67. ^ Trained replacement aircrew and maintenance personnel for the squadrons of Atlantic Fleet CVSGs
  68. ^ Trained replacement aircrew and maintenance personnel for the squadrons of Pacific Fleet CVSGs
  69. ^ On 30 June 1973 the wing was based at NAF Naha, Okinawa A month later it relocated to Naval Support Facility Kamiseya, Japan where it assumed the role of a headquarters staff, with no squadrons permanently assigned which exercised operational control of VP squadrons deployed to 7th Fleet as Commander, Task Force 72. In 1995 when U.S. Fifth Fleet was established to conduct operations in the Middle East, PATWING ONE assumed the same role for 5th Fleet as CTF-57
  70. ^ Though this wing's insignia is based on that of Fleet Air Wing 10 it does not share a lineage with either the first Patrol Wing 10 which was disestablished as Fleet Air Wing 10(1st) on 7 June 1947 or with the second Fleet Air Wing 10 which was disestablished eight years prior to the establishment of this wing
  71. ^ adopted the insignia from the previously disestablished Patrol Wing TWO. This wing does not share a lineage with the former Patrol Wing TWO as that wing was disestablished ten years before the establishment of this wing.
  72. ^ Fleet Air Reserve Wing Pacific
  73. ^ Reserve Patrol Wing Pacific
  74. ^ Fleet Air Reserve Wing Atlantic
  75. ^ Reserve Patrol Wing Atlantic
  76. ^ Reserve Patrol Wing Pacific (dual designated as Patrol Wing FOUR)
  77. ^ Reserve Patrol Wing Atlantic
  78. ^ Reserve Patrol Wing
  79. ^ This wing retained the "PATWING" designation when in March and June of 1999 the active component PATWINGS were redesignated PATRECONWINGs
  80. ^ when this wing was disestablished in 2007 the remaining USNR VP Squadrons were realigned under Active Duty Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings
  81. ^ Heavy Attack Wing
  82. ^ Reconnaissance Attack Wing
  83. ^ Heavy Attack (VAH) squadrons flew nuclear bomber AJ aircraft. Squadrons ultimately transitioned to A-3 then A-5 aircraft
  84. ^ In August 1964 the Navy ended its involvement in strategic nuclear bombing in favor of developing its submarine launched ballistic missile force and converted its A-5 Vigilante nuclear bomber squadrons (VAH) to RA-5C Vigilante reconnaissance squadrons (RVAH) and HATWING ONE was redesignated RECONATKWING ONE
  85. ^ Reconnaissance Attack (RVAH) squadrons flew RA-5C Vigilante photographic reconnaissance aircraft
  86. ^ Disestablished 7 Jan 1980 with the retirement of the RA-5C Vigilante and disestablishment of RVAH squadrons.[33]
  87. ^ Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing
  88. ^ Carrier Airborne Early Warning (VAW) squadrons
  89. ^ Heavy Attack Wing
  90. ^ Heavy Attack (VAH) squadrons flew nuclear bomber A-3 aircraft
  91. ^ Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing
  92. ^ Carrier Airborne Early Warning (VAW) squadrons
  93. ^ Tactical Electronic Warfare Wing
  94. ^ Tactical Electronic Warfare (VAQ) squadrons flew the EKA-3B Skywarrior and provided detachments to Carrier Air Wings
  95. ^ Fighter Airborne Early Warning Wing, Pacific or Fighter AEW Wing, Pacific
  96. ^ Fighter squadrons
  97. ^ Carrier Airborne Early Warning squadrons
  98. ^ Light Attack Wing, Pacific
  99. ^ Strike Fighter Wing, Pacific
  100. ^ On 1 June 1993 this Flag Officer commanded Functional Wing ceased operating as such and it was converted to a Captain commanded type wing.[41] That Captain commanded type wing still exists
  101. ^ Attack (VA) squadrons flying the "light attack" A-7 aircraft
  102. ^ Thought the Flag Officer commanded functional wing no longer exists the wing does still exist as the Captain commanded Type Wing STRIKEFITWINGPAC
  103. ^ Fighter Attack (VFA) squadrons until 1993 then Strike Fighter (VFA) squadrons. Flew the F/A-18 Hornet
  104. ^ Medium Attack Tactical Electronic Warfare Wing, Pacific
  105. ^ Attack (VA) squadrons flying the "medium attack" A-6 Intruder aircraft
  106. ^ Tactical Electronic Warfare (VAQ) squadrons flying the EA-6B Prowler
  107. ^ Anti-Submarine Warfare Wing, Pacific
  108. ^ Air Antisubmarine (VS) squadrons
  109. ^ Helicopter Antisubmarine (HS) squadrons
  110. ^ Helicopter Antisubmarine (Light) (HSL) squadrons
  111. ^ Helicopter Combat Support (HC) squadrons (logistics squadrons)
  112. ^ Helicopter Mine Countermeasures (HM) squadrons
  113. ^ Fleet Logistics Suppport (VRC) squadrons
  114. ^ Fleet Logistics Support (VR) squadrons
  115. ^ Patrol Wings, Pacific
  116. ^ Fleet Air Wings, Pacific (was also "dual hatted" as Fleet Air Moffett
  117. ^ established in 1981
  118. ^ Tactical Wings, Atlantic
  119. ^ Fighter, Medium Attack, Airborne Early Warning Wings, Atlantic
  120. ^ redesignated back to "Tactical Wings, Atlantic after two and a half years
  121. ^ until its disestablishment on 7 Jun 1980
  122. ^ Until 1 Oct 1986 when it was moved to the newly established STRIKEFITWINGSLANT
  123. ^ Until 1 Oct 1986 when it was moved to the newly established STRIKEFITWINGSLANT
  124. ^ In 1971 Fleet Air Norfolk was absorbed into the staff of Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic. On 1 Apr 1973 the Deputy Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic/Commander Tactical Air, Atlantic assumed the former Fleet Air Norfolk responsibilities and on 1 July 1974 was designated "Commander Tactical Wings, Atlantic"[47]
  125. ^ Sea Based Anti-Submarine Warfare Wings, Atlantic. This wing was colloquially called "Sea Bear"
  126. ^ Helicopter Wings, Atlantic
  127. ^ Transferred to STRIKEFITWINGSLANT on 1 October 1986 when SEABASEDASWWINGSLANT was redesignated HELWINGSLANT
  128. ^ This wing was established in Mar 1985 and added upon its establishment
  129. ^ Transferred to STRIKEFITWINGSLANT when it was established on 1 October 1986
  130. ^ Deputy Commander Naval Air Force Atlantic/Commander Sea Control Group One was designated "Commander Sea Based Anti-Submarine Warfare Wings, Atlantic" on 1 Jul 1974 replacing Fleet Air Jacksonville which was disestablished.[49] "Commander Sea Based Anti-Submarine Warfare Wings, Atlantic" was redesignated "Commander Helicopter Wings, Atlantic" on 1 Oct 1986 transferring AIRASWWING ONE and NAS Cecil Field to the newly established Strike-Fighter Wings, Atlantic and receiving Helicopter Tactical Wing ONE into the wing
  131. ^ until its disestablishment on 1 Jul 1992
  132. ^ redesignated HSLWING ONE on 1 Jul 1992
  133. ^ added upon SEABASEDASWWINGSLANT redesignation to HELWINGSLANT
  134. ^ In 1988 the airfield at Naval Station Mayport was established as a separate command called NAS Mayport
  135. ^ Patrol Wings, Atlantic
  136. ^ Fleet Air Brunswick/Commander Patrol Wings, Atlantic was redesignated Commander Patrol Wings, Atlantic/Commander Patrol Wing FIVE in Jul 1973. On 1 July 1974 Commander Patrol Wings, Atlantic and Patrol Wing FIVE separated into separate commands with Patrol Wings Atlantic (PATWINGSLANT) being the third Naval Air Force functional wing with Patrol Wing FIVE being one of its subordinate wings. "Patrol Wings Atlantic" was disestablished on 30 Sep 1992.[48] A new Commander Patrol Wings, Atlantic was established two years later in Oct 1994 which exists today as Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Group/Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Group Pacific.[50]
  137. ^ Strike-Fighter Wings, Atlantic
  138. ^ transferred from TACWINGSLANT
  139. ^ AIRANTISUBWING ONE transferred from SEABASEDASWWINGSLANT and was redesignated "Sea Strike Wing ONE"
  140. ^ Transferred from SEABASEDASWWINGSLANT
  141. ^ Transferred from TACWINGSLANT
  142. ^ Established 1 Oct 1986 by transferring LATWING ONE and NAS Key West from TACWINGSLANT and NAS Cecil Field and AIRASWWING ONE from SEABASEDASWWINGSLANT
  143. ^ Note: This wing "Strike-Fighter Wings, Atlantic" and the future "Strike Fighter Wing, Atlantic" are two separate wings. This wing was a Flag Officer commanded functional wing which existed for only six years from 1986 to 1992 and the other is a Captain commanded type wing established in 1970 as Light Attack Wing ONE (LATWING ONE) and redesignated Strike Fighter Wing, Atlantic in 1993 and which still exists today as Strike Fighter Wing, Atlantic. That type wing was a subordinate wing of this functional wing from 1986 to 1992
  144. ^ Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing
  145. ^ after 1 Oct 1989 the wing also included Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 which flew the C-2A COD when FLTTACSUPWING ONE was disetatablished and VRC-40 was transferred from it to this wing
  146. ^ Reconnaissance Attack Wing
  147. ^ Disestablished 7 Jan 1980 with the retirement of the RA-5C Vigilante and disestablishment of RVAH squadrons.[33]
  148. ^ Light Attack Wing
  149. ^ Attack squadrons flying the "light attack" A-7 aircraft
  150. ^ squadrons transitioned from the A-7 to the F/A-18 and were redeisgnated Fighter Attack (VFA) (later Strike Fighter (VFA)) squadrons beginning in the late 1980s
  151. ^ Fighter Wing
  152. ^ Medium Attack Wing
  153. ^ Attack (VA) squadrons flying the "medium attack" A-6 Intruder aircraft
  154. ^ Air Anti-Submarine Wing
  155. ^ Sea Strike Wing
  156. ^ Squadrons flew the S-2 Tracker transitioning to the S-3 Viking before 1980
  157. ^ Helicopter Anti-Submarine Wing
  158. ^ squadrons flew the SH-3 Sea King. Squadrons began transition to the SH-60F and HH-60H Seahawk in the 1990s
  159. ^ Helicopter Sea Control Wing
  160. ^ squadrons flew the SH-2 Sea Sprite from Cruisers, Destroyers and Frigates
  161. ^ squadrons re-aligned under Helicopter Anti-Submarine (Light) Wing ONE (HSLWING ONE) upon the wing's disestablishment
  162. ^ RH-53D later MH-53E minesweeping helicopters
  163. ^ squadrons moved to HELTACWING ONE when it was established on 1 Oct 1982
  164. ^ Helicopter Sea Control Wing
  165. ^ Helicopter Antisubmarine (Light) Wing
  166. ^ Squadrons flying the then new SH-60B Seahawk. After 1 July 1992 also included squadrons realigned from the disestablished HELSEACONWING ONE still flying the SH-2 Sea Sprite until the SH-2 to SH-60B transition was complete
  167. ^ Fleet Tactical Support Wing
  168. ^ There were at least fourteen squadrons which belonged to the wing for some period of its existence. It was established with nine squadrons and disestablished with nine squadrons but only four of them had been in the wing since its establishment
  169. ^ Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic
  170. ^ Its squadrons were reassigned to six different wings or organizations on its disestablishment [57]
  171. ^ Helicopter Tactical Wing
  172. ^ Established 1 Oct 1982 from Fleet Tactical Support Wing ONE's Helicopter squadron, a Naval Air Training Command helicopter squadron supporting training command activities and three Helicopter Mine Countermeasures (HM) squadrons from Helicopter Sea Control Wing ONE.[56]
  173. ^ Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic
  174. ^ On 31 Jan 1993 MATVAQWINGPAC was disestablished and Attack Wing, Pacific (ATTKWINGPAC) and Electronic Combat Wing, Pacific (VAQWINGPAC) were established the next day. On 1 June 1993 Strike Fighter Wing, Pacific gave up command of its Naval Air Stations, the Flag Officer commander was replaced by a captain and it shifted from being a functional wing to being a type wing. From April to July 1993 Sea Control Wing, Pacific (SEACONWINGPAC); Helicopter Anti-Submarine (Light) Wing, Pacific (HSLWINGPAC); Helicopter Anti-Submarine Wing, Pacific (HSWINPAC) and Helicopter Tactical Wing, Pacific (HELTACWINGPAC) were established in advance of ASWWINGSPAC's disestablishment on 30 September 1993. Finally on 1 August 1993 Fighter Wing, Pacific (FITWINGPAC) and Airborne Early Warning Wing, Pacific (AEWWINGPAC) were established in advance of FITAEWWINGPAC's disestablishment on 30 September 1993.
  175. ^ Electronic Combat Wing, Pacific until 30 March 1998. After 30 March 1998 VAQWINGPAC designated "Electronic Attack Wing Pacific"
  176. ^ Tactical Electronic Warfare (VAQ) until 30 March 1998 then Electronic Attack (VAQ)
  177. ^ EA-6B Prowler replaced by EA-18G Growler beginning 2008
  178. ^ Airborne Early Warning Wing, Atlantic
  179. ^ the first use of the AEWWINGLANT designationwas 1 July 1955 to 26 August 1965. It was a wing of land based early warning aircraft flying the "Atlantic Barrier" which was a seaward extension of the nation's DEW Line
  180. ^ Carrier Airborne Early Warning
  181. ^ E-2 Hawkeye
  182. ^ Fleet Logistics Support
  183. ^ C2A Greyhound
  184. ^ Airborne Early Warning Wing, Pacific
  185. ^ the first use of the AEWWINGPAC designationwas 10 Jan 1956 to 1 Feb 1960. It was a wing of land based early warning aircraft flying the "Pacific Barrier" which was a seaward extension of the nation's DEW Line
  186. ^ Airborne Command & Control and Logistics Wing
  187. ^ Carrier Airborne Early Warning
  188. ^ E-2 Hawkeye
  189. ^ Fleet Logistics Support
  190. ^ C2A Greyhound
  191. ^ Fighter Wing, Atlantic
  192. ^ Fighter
  193. ^ F-14 Tomcat
  194. ^ Fighter Wing, Pacific
  195. ^ Fighter
  196. ^ F-14 Tomcat
  197. ^ F-14 Tomcat squadrons still remaining when the wing was disestablished were realigned under Fighter Wing, U. S. Atlantic Fleet
  198. ^ Attack Wing, Atlantic
  199. ^ Attack
  200. ^ A-6 Intruder/KA-6 Intruder
  201. ^ Attack Wing, Pacific
  202. ^ Attack
  203. ^ A-6 Intruder/KA-6 Intruder
  204. ^ Disestablished with the retirement of the A-6E Intruder
  205. ^ Strike Fighter Wing, Atlantic
  206. ^ Strike Fighter
  207. ^ F/A-18 Hornet replaced by F/A-18 Super Hornet beginning 2001
  208. ^ Strike Fighter Wing, Pacific
  209. ^ Redesignated Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet 5 Apr 1991 with replacement of the A-7 Corsair II by the F/A-18 Hornet in the Pacific Fleet.[42]
  210. ^ Strike Fighter
  211. ^ F/A-18 Hornet replaced by F/A-18 Super Hornet beginning 2001
  212. ^ Sea Control Wing, Atlantic
  213. ^ Air Antisbumbarine (VS) squadrons were redesignated Sea Control (VS) squadrons when SEASTRKWING-1 was redesignated SEACONWINGLANT
  214. ^ S-3 Viking
  215. ^ Fleet Air Reconnaissance
  216. ^ ES-3A Shadow
  217. ^ Sea Control Wing, Pacific
  218. ^ Air Antisbumbarine (VS) squadrons were redesignated Sea Control (VS) squadrons when SEACONWINGPAC was established
  219. ^ S-3 Viking
  220. ^ Fleet Air Reconnaissance
  221. ^ ES-3A Shadow
  222. ^ Squadrons remaining when the wing was disestablished were re-aligned under SECONWINGLANT
  223. ^ Helicopter Antisubmarine Wing, Atlantic
  224. ^ Helicopter Antisubmarine
  225. ^ SH-60F & HH-60H
  226. ^ Helicopter Antisubmarine Wing, Pacific
  227. ^ Helicopter Antisubmarine
  228. ^ SH-60F & HH-60H
  229. ^ Upon the wing's disestablishment its squadrons were realigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Wing, Pacific in advance of their transitions to the MH-60S Seahawk and redesignation as Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) squadrons
  230. ^ Helicopter Anti-Submarine (Light) Wing, Atlantic
  231. ^ Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, Atlantic
  232. ^ Helicopter Antisubmarine (Light)
  233. ^ SH-60B
  234. ^ Helicopter Antisubmarine (Light) Wing, Pacific
  235. ^ Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, Pacific
  236. ^ Helicopter Antisubmarine (Light)
  237. ^ SH-60B
  238. ^ Redesignated HSMWINGPAC with the transition of the HSL squadrons flying the SH-60B Seahawk to HSM squadrons flying the MH-60R Seahawk
  239. ^ Helicopter Tactical Wing, Atlantic
  240. ^ Helicopter Sea Combat Wing, Atlantic
  241. ^ Helicopter Combat Support
  242. ^ Most HC squadrons: CH-46 Sea Knight replaced by MH-60S Seahwak beginning early 2000s. Other HC squadrons: CH-53E or VH-3 or UH-3 logistics or utility helicopters
  243. ^ Helicopter Mine Countermeasures
  244. ^ MH-53E Sea Dragon
  245. ^ Helicopter Tactical Wing, Pacific
  246. ^ Helicopter Sea Combat Wing, Pacific
  247. ^ Helicopter Combat Support
  248. ^ Most HC squadrons: CH-46 Sea Knight replaced by MH-60S Seahwak beginning early 2000s. Other HC squadrons: CH-53E or VH-3 or UH-3 logistics or utility helicopters
  249. ^ Helicopter Mine Countermeasures
  250. ^ MH-53E Sea Dragon
  251. ^ Redesignated HSCWINGPAC with the redesignation of Pacific Fleet Combat Support (HC) squadrons to Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) squadrons and their transitions to the MH-60S Seahawk[65]
  252. ^ Carrier Air Wing Reserve TWENTY
  253. ^ Tactical Support Wing
  254. ^ Fighter
  255. ^ Attack
  256. ^ Tactical Electronic Warfare
  257. ^ Carrier Airborne Early Warning
  258. ^ Light Photographic Reconnaissance
  259. ^ Tactical Aerial Refueling
  260. ^ two aggressor squadrons had been transferred from FLSW in 1992, the third was established in 2006
  261. ^ Carrier Air Wing Reserve THIRTY
  262. ^ Fighter
  263. ^ Attack
  264. ^ Tactical Electronic Warfare
  265. ^ Carrier Airborne Early Warning
  266. ^ Light Photographic Reconnaissance
  267. ^ Tactical Aerial Refueling
  268. ^ Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group Reserve SEVENTY
  269. ^ Air Antisubmarine
  270. ^ Helicopter Antisubmarine
  271. ^ Carrier Airborne Early Warning
  272. ^ Antisubmarine Fighter
  273. ^ Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group Reserve EIGHTY
  274. ^ Air Antisubmarine
  275. ^ Helicopter Antisubmarine
  276. ^ Carrier Airborne Early Warning
  277. ^ Antisubmarine Fighter
  278. ^ Reserve Tactical Support Wing
  279. ^ Fleet Logistics Support Wing
  280. ^ Fleet Logistics Support
  281. ^ Fleet Composite (Aggressor squadrons)
  282. ^ the aggressor squadrons were ultimately transferred to CVWR-20 in 1992 after this wing had been redesignated to FLSW
  283. ^ Helicopter Wing Reserve
  284. ^ The wing was established with four squadrons, grew to consist of ten squadrons at its maximum size and shrunk to two squadrons by its disestablishment
  285. ^ Helicopter Antisubmarine
  286. ^ Helicopter Antisubmarine (Light)
  287. ^ Helicopter Combat Support
  288. ^ Helicopter Light Attack
  289. ^ Helicopter Combat Support (Special)
  290. ^ Helicopter Mine Countermeasures
  291. ^ adopted from the disestablished CVSGR-80

References

[edit]
  • Roy A. Grossnick (ed.), United States Naval Aviation 1910–1995, [1]
  1. ^ a b "Organization and Development of Patrol Wings (Fleet Air Wings) 1918–Present" (PDF). Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad "Air Wings of the US Navy". www.wings-aviation.ch.
  3. ^ OPNAVNOTE 5400 dated 20 Aug 2020
  4. ^ Naval Aviation News July–August 1992 pg4
  5. ^ OPNAVNOTE 5400 dated 9 July 2015
  6. ^ a b c Naval Aviation News Feb 1972 pg 18
  7. ^ a b c Naval Aviation News October 1971 pg 23
  8. ^ "Training Air Wing Four". www.cnatra.navy.mil.
  9. ^ a b c d e Naval Aviation News April 1972 pg 3
  10. ^ a b c Roy A. Grossnick (ed.), United States Naval Aviation 1910–1995, Appendix 15 Archived 16 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine, accessed May 2012
  11. ^ "Defense News".
  12. ^ Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol I pg 30
  13. ^ a b c d e Naval Aviation News Feb 1974 pg 19
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i Naval Aviation News Feb 1971 pg 15
  15. ^ Grossnick, Roy A. Kite Balloons to Airships...the Navy's Lighter-than-air Experience. Washington DC. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare). 1986"
  16. ^ "Atlantic Barrier". Archived from the original on 16 December 2001.
  17. ^ Naval Aviation News May 1957 pg 1
  18. ^ Naval Aviation News Feb 1966 pg 10
  19. ^ Naval Aviation News Jan 1957 pg 3
  20. ^ Naval Aviation News April 1960 pg 38
  21. ^ Naval Aviation News Oct 1971, pg 22
  22. ^ Naval Aviation News Feb 1972 pg 17
  23. ^ Naval Aviation News November–December 1992 pg 7
  24. ^ Naval Aviation News June 1977 pg 34.
  25. ^ Naval Aviation News Oct 1971 pg 23
  26. ^ Naval Aviation News November 1974 pg 29
  27. ^ Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol II App 13
  28. ^ Naval Aviation News July-Aug 1993 page 7
  29. ^ OPNAVNOTE 5400 dated 10 May 2016
  30. ^ "VPNAVY – Commander, Patrol Wing Main Summary Page – VP Patrol Squadron". www.vpnavy.com.
  31. ^ United States Naval Aviation 1910–2010 chap 7 pg 262
  32. ^ a b Naval Aviation News Feb 1965 pg10
  33. ^ a b Naval Aviation News May 1980 pg 4
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Naval Aviation News May/June 1994 pg 6
  35. ^ Naval Aviation News Jan 1957 pg 5
  36. ^ Naval Aviation News Feb 1960 pg10
  37. ^ United States Naval Aviation 1910–1995 pg 297. Roy A. Grossnick, Mark Llewellyn Evans, published June 2001
  38. ^ The Hook; Journal of Naval Aviation Spring 2002 pg 23
  39. ^ a b c d Naval Aviation News Sep 1973 pg 3
  40. ^ a b c Naval Aviation News May/June 1994 pg 8
  41. ^ Naval Aviation News July-Aug 1993 page 6
  42. ^ a b Naval Aviation News July/Aug 1993 pg 6
  43. ^ a b c Naval Aviation News May/Jun 1993 pg 7
  44. ^ a b Naval Aviation News May/Jun 1994 pg 8
  45. ^ Naval Aviation News Sep 1972 page 3
  46. ^ a b Naval Aviation News, March/April 1993 page 10
  47. ^ a b c d e f Naval Aviation News Feb 1972 pg 13
  48. ^ a b Naval Aviation News, March/April 1993 page 9
  49. ^ Naval Aviation News March-Apr 1993 pg 9
  50. ^ navy.mil
  51. ^ Naval Aviation News Dec 1971 pg 5
  52. ^ United States Naval Aviation 1910–2010 chap 7 pg 262
  53. ^ Naval Aviation News Feb 1971 pg15
  54. ^ a b c d Naval Aviation News Feb 1974 pg 12
  55. ^ a b Naval Aviation News Nov 1974 pg 34
  56. ^ a b Naval Aviation News Jan 1983 pg 43
  57. ^ Naval Aviation News November–December 1989 pg4
  58. ^ Naval Aviation News Jan-Feb 2005 pg6
  59. ^ "Oceana Commands". militarynews.com.
  60. ^ a b Naval Aviation News Sep/Oct 1997 pg22
  61. ^ Naval Aviation News Feb 1971 pg15
  62. ^ a b c Naval Aviation News May/Jun 1994 pg 9
  63. ^ "Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, Atlantic – Naval Helicopter Association Historical Society". nhahistoricalsociety.org.
  64. ^ https://www.nhahistoricalsociety.org/commanding-officer-history-listing/usn-co-history-list/hscwinglant/
  65. ^ Naval Aviation News July–August 2005 pg50
  66. ^ "CFLSW". Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  67. ^ "Helicopter Wing Reserve – Disestablished – Naval Helicopter Association Historical Society". nhahistoricalsociety.org.