Squadron Names
Navy aircraft squadrons can be properly referred to by three different names. The names can give an indication of the squadron’s mission and type of aircraft.
- The ‘’’Formal name’’’ (e.g., Strike Fighter Squadron EIGHT SIX) indicates the mission.
- A subset of the formal name is a Navy acronym format in capital letters, e.g., STKFITRON EIGHT SIX
- The ‘’’Informal name’’’ (e.g., VFA-86) also indicates the type and mission, as each of the letters has a meaning. In this case, "V" stands for fixed wing, "F" stands for fighter, and "A" stands for attack.
- Nickname – e.g., "Sidewinders”.
Read more about this topic: List Of United States Navy Aircraft Squadrons
Famous quotes containing the words squadron and/or names:
“Well gentlemen, this is it. This is what we’ve been waiting for. Tonight your target is Tokyo. And you’re gonna play ‘em the Star Spangled Banner with two-ton bombs. All you’ve got to do is to remember what you’ve learned and follow your squadron leaders. They’ll get you in, and they’ll get you out. Any questions? All right that’s all. Good luck to you. Give ‘em hell.”
—Dudley Nichols (1895–1960)
““Well then, it’s Granny speaking: ‘I dunnow!
Mebbe I’m wrong to take it as I do.
There ain’t no names quite like the old ones, though,
Nor never will be to my way of thinking.
One mustn’t bear too hard on the newcomers,
But there’s a dite too many of them for comfort....’””
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)