Squadron Abbreviations

[ctangus]

Anyone have a source for what certain US Navy & Marine squadron abbreviations mean? VF, VMF, VMR, VMSB, VQDEGUDKIDR, etc.?

I've gotten as far as figuring out that F stands for fighter, M for Marines and R for Recon, but beyond that I'm clueless.

[Dereck]

ORIGINAL: ctangus

Anyone have a source for what certain US Navy & Marine squadron abbreviations mean? VF, VMF, VMR, VMSB, VQDEGUDKIDR, etc.?

I've gotten as far as figuring out that F stands for fighter, M for Marines and R for Recon, but beyond that I'm clueless.

Not a complete list by far ...

VF = Fighter
VFN = Night fighter
VB = Bomber (dive bomber and level bomber like PB4Y)
VBF = Fighter/Bomber
VT = Torpedo
VP = Patrol

The above are Navy. If there is an "M" after the "V" then it is a Marine squadron. I.E., VF-12 is Navy Fighter squadron 12, VMF-12 would be Marine Fighter squadron 12.

There's others like VCF which are fighters or VCT which are torpedo planes. Just check the type of aircraft being flown.

[Tankerace]

VF- Navy FIghter
VMF- Marine Fighter
VB- Navy Bomber
VBF- Navy Fighter Bomber
VS- Navy Scouting Squadron
VMSB - Marine Scouting/Bombing Squadron (Uses Scout/Dive Bombers)
VT - Navy Torpedo Squadron
VMTB - Marine Torpedo Bomber
VR - Navy Replenishment (not recon).
VMR - Marine Replinishment (don't think this exists).
VP - Navy Patrol
VO - Navy Battleship Observation Squadron
VCS - Navy Cruiser Observation Squadron
VC - Navy Composite Squadron (can be of bombers of torpedo bombers)
VCF - Navy Composite Fighter
VCT - Navy Composite Torpedo
VFN - Navy Night Fighter
VTN - Navy Night Torpedo
VMD - Marine Patrol Squadron
VMO - Marine Observation Squadron
VMF(N) - Marine Night Fighter Squadron
VMB - Marine Bomber Squadron (NOT Scout/Dive bomber)

Hope that helps.

[Feinder]

All the abbreviations you ever wanted to know, but were afraid to ask...


Naval Abbreviation Index

And the "V" means "heavier than air", as in not a dirigible.

-F-

[ctangus]

Any idea why the "V"?

While certainly not that important, I've had a question about it for years. My best guess so far is "Venereal" but I don't think that quite covers it. [:)]

[Feinder]

See above.

-F-

[Tankerace]

One theory is that when the US Navy created new aircraft squadron designations, it made blimps and dirigible use the letter "Z" from Zepplin, and heavier than air squadrons the letter "V" from the French word "Volplane", which means winged aircraft.

Edit: Thus, VO-3 is Heavier than Air Observation Squadron Number 3.
VF-4 Is Heavier than Air Fighter Squadron Number 4, etc.

[ctangus]

You answered my question before I asked it.

Any idea why the "V" for heavier than air? Do you know what the airship abbreviations were?

By the way, thanks all.

[Tankerace]

See above. Z for Zepplin, V for "Volplane" (Winged Aircraft).

[Feinder]

See above (again).

[:D]

This is amusing. Would you like us to read your mind again?

-F-

[Tankerace]

fThe answer to your next question is trout [:D]

[Feinder]

42

-F-

[ctangus]

Tankerace - you answered my question b4 I asked it too. I need to learn to type faster. [&:]

[ctangus]

LOL [:D]

What's the next winning number for the Mega Millions?

[Feinder]

"Please phrase your answer in the form of a question..."

so that we can answer it before you ask it.



-F-

[YankeeAirRat]

Because the USN has associated the letter Z with dirgiables and other lighter then air units. Primarly since they had recieved a couple of thier intial dirgiables as war prizes following World War 1 from the Zepplin company.

[ctangus]

What is my favorite fish?

What year did the P-38G arrive in the Pacific?

EDIT: Looks like you answered those too.

[:D]

[GaryChildress]

Hi ctangus, check out the link below almost at the bottom of the page is a comprehensive list of Marine and Navy air classifications.

http://members.aol.com/brimiljeep/WebPa ... SMCPg.html

Gary

[TheElf]

With the advent of the Helicopter in more modern times the "V" took on the meaning "Fixed-wing" as opposed to "H" meaning "rotary-wing". "Heavier than air" thus not being used anymore,

or is it...

I read an article in a professional periodical at work the other day that says we, the Navy, are bringing back the lighter than air community. Scary.

[Feinder]

Yeah, I saw the same article Elf (courtesy of Knavey). Scarey... Funny...

It's all the same.
-F-