USN F/A-18 Squadron Information.
This is a listing of all the F/A-18 Hornet Squadron's assigned to the different Carrier Air Wings. Squadrons are frequently rotated between different Carrier Wings. If you have any updates or information to add to this page please click
here. From 1995 onwards the Navy's Carrier Wings have been in a state of transition, as the old A-6 aircraft were being retired from service (the last A-6 squadron flew until February 1997). To make up for this, each wing gained a third F/A-18 squadron, the squadrons either being ex-USMC units, brand new squadrons or old A-6 squadrons that had been re-equipped. All the USN squadron's currently served by F/A-18C's will be re-equipped once the new F/A-18E Super Hornet has been inducted into service, starting from 2001.Each plane in a squadron is assigned a unique number, a 'modex', this is painted on the nose and other areas of the plane allowing easy visual identification of each plane on the crowded and noisy carrier deck. Generally each squadron in an Air Wing will have a series of x00-x15 assigned to it, although specialist aircraft such as the ES-3A do not always follow this pattern. At present it seems that the third F/A-18 squadrons are taking the 200 series, which used to be the domain of the second Tomcat squadron, as opposed to the 500 series, which were assigned to the A-6 squadron.
Each Air Wing has a unique tailcode assigned to it, which all aircraft in the Wing carry. Thus as aircraft are moved between wings their tailcode will vary.
Atlantic Fleet Air Wings.
CVW-1 Tailcode 'AB'
|
VMFA-251 Thunderbolts |
F/A-18C(N) |
200-215 (208-209 not used) |
|
VFA-82 Marauders |
F/A-18C(N) |
300-315 (308-309 not used) |
|
VFA-86 Sidewinders |
F/A-18C(N) |
400-415 (408-409 not used) |
CVW-3 Tailcode 'AC'
|
VMFA-312 Checkerboards |
F/A-18C(N) |
200-213 (208-209 not used) |
|
VFA-37 Bulls |
F/A-18C(N) |
300-314 (308-309 not used) |
|
VFA-105 Gunslingers |
F/A-18C(N) |
400-413 (408-409 not used) |
CVW-7 Tailcode 'AG'
|
VFA-136 Warhawks |
F/A-18C(N) |
300-312 (308-309 not used) |
|
VFA-131 Wildcats |
F/A-18C(N) |
400-412 (408-409 not used) |
CVW-8 Tailcode 'AJ'
|
VFA-15 Valions |
F/A-18C(N) |
300-314 (308-309 not used) |
|
VFA-87 Golden Warriors |
F/A-18C(N) |
400-415 (408-409 not used) |
CVW-17 Tailcode 'AA'
|
VFA-34 Blue Blasters |
F/A-18C |
200-215 |
|
VFA-83 Rampagers |
F/A-18C(N) |
300-314 (308-309 not used) |
|
VFA-81 Sunliners |
F/A-18C |
400-412 (408-409 not used) |
Pacific Fleet Air Wings.
CVW-2 Tailcode 'NE'
|
VMFA-323 Death Rattlers |
F/A-18C(N) |
200-214 (208-209 not used) |
|
VFA-151 Vigilantes |
F/A-18C(N) |
300-313 (308-309 not used) |
|
VFA-137 Kestrals |
F/A-18C(N) |
400-414 (408-409 not used) |
CVW-5 Tailcode 'NF'
|
VFA-27 Chargers |
F/A-18C(N) |
200-214 (208-209 not used) |
|
VFA-192 Golden Dragons |
F/A-18C |
300-312 (306, 308-309 not used) |
|
VFA-195 Dambusters |
F/A-18C |
400-412 (408-409 not used) |
CVW-9 Tailcode 'NG'
|
VMFA-314 Black Knights |
F/A-18C(N) |
200-214 (208-209 not used) |
|
VFA-146 Blue Diamonds |
F/A-18C(N) |
300-312 (308-309 not used) |
|
VFA-147 Argonauts |
F/A-18C(N) |
400-412 (408-409 not used) |
CVW-11 Tailcode 'NH'
|
VFA-97 Warhawks |
F/A-18A |
200-214 (208-209, 213 not used) |
|
VFA-22 Fighting Redcocks |
F/A-18C(N) |
300-314 (308-309, 313 not used) |
|
VFA-94 Mighty Shrikes |
F/A-18C(N) |
400-413 (408-409 not used) |
CVW-14 Tailcode 'NK'
|
VFA-115 Black Eagles |
F/A-18C |
200-211 (208-209 not used) |
|
VFA-113 Stingers |
F/A-18C(N) |
300-311 (308-309 not used) |
|
VFA-25 Fist of the Fleet |
F/A-18C(N) |
400-412 (408-409 not used) |
Navy Reserve Air Wing
CVWR-20 Tailcode 'AF'
|
VMFA-142 |
F/A-18A |
200+ |
|
VFA-203 Blue Dolphins |
F/A-18A |
300-320 (308-309, 312-314 and 318-319 not used) |
|
VFA-204 River Rattlers |
F/A-18A |
400-415 (408-409 not used) |