Continutiong On a similar theme from my last topic…
How does one decipher the tail codes on modern US Navy\Marine and Airforce aircraft?
It is my understanding that Air National Guard Units use a state abbeviation, for example Alaska is AK. I don’t beleive all of these are not the same state abreviations used by the post office.
For Navy\Marine aircraft is the tailcode a shortened version of it’s aircraft carriers name? This one really perplexes me.
Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks.
Toad
Toad: You have most of it! The Air Force uses an abreviation or shortened version of the name of the base to which the plane is assigned. The Navy has a two letter designation for each carrier or base. This two letter combo may or may not make sence to the casual observer.Of course there are some exceptions but these are the general rules.
Man, I feel like an admin! LOL
I can’t say much about the Air Force’s code system 'cuz I just don’t know all the ins and outs.
I think for some it’s the state (the 138th FS fka “The Boys from Syracuse” nka “The Airpersons from Syracuse” (PC BS) use NY as their tail code, as do/did some others here in New York. The 914th AW here in Niagara Falls is also using that code, if I’m correct)
For some it may have to do with the base or town that the base is situated near? Also, I seem to remember something about codes being assigned as per request on a first-come first-serve basis? I dunno for sure, any info anyone can provide will be most welcome.
Navy birds are fairly easy, the tail code signifies the Air Wing (CVW), Naval Air Station (NAS), Air Group or Command that they’re attached to. Also, Composite Squadrons have their own codes. An example would be Carrier Air Wing One, or CVW-1. The code for this Air Wing was at one time AB and was carried by every aircraft within that wing. It may still be AB, but changes have been known to occur.
Marine birds are a bit more complex, but I think the codes are based on the Marine Air Group (MAG) that a unit is attached to. I dunno for sure how that system works, however.
Also, in the past some Marine units, when deployed onboard a carrier, adopted the Air Wing’s code. Some seemed not to have done so, and, again, I don’t know what the regs are and if they have changed recently.
I’ll look for a website or two that may have more complete info. My own references are somewhat outdated, as I haven’t actively researched NAVAIR, or any other modern birds in general, on a regular basis for a while now.
Fade to Black…
There is only one squadron that I can think of that does not use the tail codes and they are the Silver Lobos in South Dakota. I can’t remember if they are Air Force or Air National Guard. Generally the codes are from where the aircraft are stationed but sometimes they have random letters because the codes they would use have been taken.
There is a magazine called Combat Aircraft that is published in the UK. Every year they publish an issue that has every squadron listed with all their current information. If you are looking for certain squadons, that would be a good place to look or tell me which squad and i can look it up for you.
Semper Fi
Bryce
Actually, to my knowlege, a lot of Air National Gaurd units do not use tail codes, instead having some sort of tail art that reflects the history of the state they reside in. Case in point is the Montana Air Guard, their F-16s have a motif of a bison skull with the plains on one side of it and the mountains on the other, further down on the tail is the state motto “Big Sky Country”
I haven’t seen a Silver Lobos aircraft in a few years, but I saw one of their A-7s at a local airshow shortly before the unit went to F-16s and it had an SD tail code and a black band toward the top of the fin that had a depiction of Mount Rushmore on it.
Generally I would say that Regular service and most reserve units in the U.S. air force do carry tail codes that reflect initials of their base, state or nearest city. In 1987 I visited McChord AFB in Washington state, the fighter unit there at the time (318 FIS I think) had F-15s with two styles of tail markings, I saw some that had a big blue and black compass type design on them with a small white circle in the middle that contained the units “Green Dragon” mascot, while others had a TC tail code.
For a while I was totally mystified by this TC code As I could find no official reference for it. Turns out it was the initials for the nearby city of Tacoma.
I can’t say much for navy and marine tail codes as they have always mystified me totally.
Ah! How could I forget Combat Aircraft!? LOL That is an outstanding and still fairly economic reference for mostly modern military aviation. This just gave me an idea for a new thread… hehe
Fadeto Black…
For AF guard and reserve units it will usually be a geographical code. Two units here in Michigan use differing codes. the 127 Wing uses “MI” while the 110th uses “BC” which is for Battle Creek, MI. Regular acive duty a/c will almost have the name of their home base abreviation. This started with the Tactical Air Command in the 70’s and spread when TAC swallowed up SAC to become the ACC!
Gentleman,
There is a lil correction, the “Silver Lobos” are not a SD unit. They are out of Holloman AFB NM flying F-4Fs. Its a Ger training unit(20thFS) The S. Dakota unit is the “Lobos” (114thFG) flying of course the “electric jet”.
Most of the reserve units as like the active squadrons use a letter code sys as to the state or base that their on. Guard units use some sort of art/design that is symbolic to the city/state that they are in. (Ex: the ol Phantoms that flew w/ the 107th FIG,they were known as the "Rainbow Warriors due to a rainbow(in color) on their rudder. Also known as “ZZ Top” for their double Z’s on the tail. This was at the end of their stay before going to ADF-16s and now gas passers)
Sorry but than again I am “Pro Air Force”[:D] Flaps up, Mike
Uh Wolf, the 914th’s tail code is “NF” as in Niagara Falls but then again some have only a Dk blue,white, light blue stripe across the top of the fin like the 107ths ARW. Also a lil more info the C-130’s had nose art of the local “pro teams” LMAO…!!!
U’r bud [:D]
Ah, that’s it! NF, leave it to good 'ole Butz. He should know, he spends every night in a sleeping bag and a pup tent just outside the base! How many arrests this month? LMAO!
And as far as the local “pro” hockey team, the way they’re going they’ll be an AHL club in no time! LOL
Thanks for setting me straight!
Fade to Black…
ZZ or “Double Zilch” is and has always been at Kadina A.B. Okinawa and the 18 th FW. Their wing patch is a chicken.
Some units ID code does not match their location. Such as FF which is the Fighting First out of Langley AFB Va and what used to be the 31st TFS at Homestead with ZF tail codes. I was told the ZF stood for “Zone Florida” a hold over from WW ll. They could not take the HS, as Holliman AFB had it at the time.
Another example is WP for the 8 th FW “Wolf Pack”.
The “ZZ” Butz was referring to was the stylized waterfall on the tail of the 136th’s Phantoms. The art looked like two letter “Z”'s. He wasn’t saying that they carried a code of “ZZ” like the Eagles from Kadena. I’ll find a photo and post it. LOL
Fade to Black…
Berny
“ZZ” on the Phantoms tail was not a letter code but more of a copy from the grp ZZ TOP(light green/mid blue). Sorry if the info got ya off guard.
Our Air Guard unit patch was an “Electric Chiken” riding a bolt of lightning.
Flaps up,Mike PS I’ll e-mail you a pic of the Phantoms if you would like
Okay, here we are. The first pic is poor quality, but shows the stylized waterfall. On the starboard it looked like “SS” and on the port it looked like “ZZ”. I guess he already emailed stuff to you tho, but anyhoo… LOL
Second pic is of the Chicken Emblem that Butz mentioned.
Third shot is of the old Rainbow tail markings taken in '84.
Fade to Black…
Navy tailcodes start with eith A or N (A being east coast (Atlantic) squadrons and N being west coast squadrons.(They did not use P, as that was designated for Photo Squadrons). Having spent all my time with Marine squadrons, I have NO idea how the Marines came up with their tail codes! All I know is that the Reserve squadrons start with M, at least all of the ones I’ve seen. Marines will, however, use the appropriate A or N tailcode when aboard ship.
Ah, yes. How did I forget the Atlantic-Pacific deal?
I shall go sit in the box for two minutes and feel shame! LOL
Fade to Black…
Sorry 'bout that. [:I] Jumped the gun on that one.[B)]
Berny
No prob, I’ll forgive ya this time LOL…!!! Your off the hook. Flaps up,Mike
Yea, I know. Just don’t let it happen again, right?
Berny,
Did u recieve the 16 pics that I e-mailed u?? The F-4 will be along during the course of the weekend. Have a good one bud. Flaps up Mike
Butz
Yes, I got them. Very nice, thanks.