Fleet Replacement Squadron
A Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), is a unit of the United States Navy and Marine Corps that trains Naval Aviators, Naval Flight Officers (NFOs) and enlisted Naval Aircrewman on the specific front-line aircraft they have been assigned to fly. Students, referred to as Replacement Pilots or Replacement Weapon Systems Officers are either newly winged aviators (Category I), aviators transitioning from one type aircraft to another (Category II), or aviators returning to the cockpit after a period of non-flying (Category III). After completing the training regimen, graduates are assigned to fleet squadrons. Additionally, FRSs are responsible for training aircraft mechanics, providing replacement aircraft for fleet squadron attrition, and standardizing maintenance and aircraft operations.
U.S. Navy and Marine personnel (RPs, instructors, maintainers, etc.) are frequently assigned to other services' FRSs. The FRSs were formerly known as Replacement Air Groups, and are thus commonly called "Rags".
Active
US Navy
Insignia | Squadron Designation | Squadron Lineage[1] | Current Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
AWSTS: 1 Oct 1994-1 Oct 2015 HM-12(2nd): 1 Oct 2015–present |
Established from Airborne Mine Countermeasures Weapon Systems Training School on 1 Oct 2015 as an FRS. There was an earlier squadron designated HM-12 also called the "Sea Dragons" which existed from 1 Apr 1971 to 30 Sep 1994 which was also an FRS. | |||
HC-2(2nd): 1 Apr 1987-24 Aug 2005 HSC-2: 24 Aug 2005–present |
Established 1 Apr 1987 as the second squadron designated HC-2. Became an FRS in 1997. The earlier squadron designated HC-2 also called "Fleet Angels" existed from 1 Apr 1948 to 30 Sep 1977. | |||
HC-3: 1 Sep 1967-31 Oct 2005 HSC-3: 31 Oct 2005–present |
Established 1 Sep 1967 as HC-3. Became an FRS in 1982. | |||
HSL-40: 4 Oct 1985-1 Nov 2009 HSM-40: 1 Nov 2009–present |
Established 4 Oct 1985 as HSL-40 as an FRS. | |||
HSL-41: 21 Jan 1983-8 Dec 2005 HSM-41: 8 Dec 2005–present |
Established 1 Jan 1983 as HSL-41 as an FRS. | |||
VAH-10: 1 May 1961-1 Sep 1970 VAQ-129: 1 Sep 1970–present |
Established 1 May 1961 as VAH-10. Became an FRS in 1971. | |||
RVAW-120: 1 Jul 1967-1 May 1983 VAW-120: 1 May 1983 – present |
Established 1 Jul 1967 as RVAW-120 as an FRS. | |||
VFA-106: 27 Apr 1984–present | Established 27 Apr 1984 as an FRS. Adopted nickname and insignia of VA-106 which had been disestablished in 1969. | |||
VFA-122: 1 Oct 1998–present | Established 1 Oct 1998 as an FRS. Adopted nickname and insignia of VA-122 which had been disestablished in 1991. | |||
VFA-125: 13 Nov 1980–present (inactive 1 Oct 2010-12 Jan 2017) |
Established 13 Nov 1980 as an FRS. Adopted nickname and insignia of VA-125 which had been disestablished in 1977. Deactivated on 1 Oct 2010 as a Hornet FRS and reactivated[2] as a F-35C FRS on 12 Jan 2017. | |||
VP-30: 30 Jun 1960–present | EP-3E Aries II P-8A Poseidon |
Established 30 Jun 1960 as an FRS. | ||
Naval Training Support Unit: 1992-1 Nov 1999 VQ-7: 1 Nov 1999–present |
Established 1 Nov 1999 as an FRS. | |||
US Marine Corps
Insignia | Squadron Designation | Current Aircraft | Station |
---|---|---|---|
Bell UH-1Y Venom |
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Disestablished, Deactivated, Re-designated or otherwise former Fleet Replacement Squadrons
From 1 April 1958 to June 1970 the Navy organized the Fleet Replacement Squadrons for carrier based fighter and attack type aircraft into Readiness Carrier Air Groups (RCVG). On 20 December 1963 when all Carrier Air Groups were redesignated Carrier Air Wings (CVW) the RCVGs were redesignated Readiness Carrier Air Wings (RCVW). From 30 June 1960 to February 1961 it organized the Fleet Replacement Squadrons for carrier based ASW squadrons into Readiness Carrier Air Anti-Submarine Groups (RCVSG). The RCVSGs were not redesignated as wings in 1963 and they remained Readiness Carrier Air Anti-Submarine Groups until they were disestablished in 1970 and 1971. After disestablishment of the RCVWs and RCVSGs the Fleet Replacement Squadrons were placed under the operational control of the aircraft specific type or functional wings but they all retained their former RCVW or RCVSG tail codes. While most squadrons listed below were dedicated Fleet Replacement Squadrons, some such as VAQ-33, VAQ-130, HC-1, HC-2 and HC-16 operated a department which performed as an FRS while the remainder of the squadron performed operational or other fleet support functions.
Insignia | Squadron Designation | Squadron Lineage | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Squadrons of RCVG-4/RCVW-4 | (Tail Code AD) | RCVG-4/RCVW-4: 1 Apr 58 - 1 Jun 70 | ||
(Grim Reapers) |
VF-101: 1 May 1952 – 1 May 2012 (inactive 30 Sep 2005-1 May 2012) VFA-101: 1 May 2012 – present[1] (inactive 1 Jul 2019–present) |
F3H Demon F-4 Phantom II F-14 Tomcat |
VF FRS from Apr 1958 to deactivation Deactivated then later Reactivated and Redesignated VFA-101 | |
(Hellrazors) |
VB-81: 1 Mar 1944-15 Nov 1946 VA-13A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VA-134(1st): 2 Aug 1948-15 Feb 1950 VF-174: 15 Feb 1950-1 Jul 1966 VA-174(2nd): 1 Jul 1966-30 Jun 1988 |
VF FRS from 1 May 1958 to redesignation Redesignated VA-174 1 Jul 1966 | ||
(Hellrazors) |
VB-81: 1 Mar 1944-15 Nov 1946 VA-13A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VA-134(1st): 2 Aug 1948-15 Feb 1950 VF-174: 15 Feb 1950-1 Jul 1966 VA-174(2nd): 1 Jul 1966-30 Jun 1988 |
VA FRS from redesignation to disestablishment Disestablished 30 Jun 1988 | ||
(1992) |
(Green Pawns) (Thunderbolts) - 1992 |
VF-42(4th): 1 Sep 1950-1 Nov 1953 VA-42: 1 Nov 1953-30 Sep 1994 |
A-6 Intruder |
FRS from 24 Oct 1958 to disestablishment Disestablished 30 Sep 1994 |
(Challengers) |
VF-74A: 1 May 1945-1 Aug 1945 VF-74(2nd): 1 Aug 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-1B(3rd): 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948 VF-21(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-1 Jul 1959 VA-43: 1 Jul 1959-1 Jun 1973 VF-43(5th): 1 Jun 1973-1 Jul 1994 |
FRS from 1 Jul 1959 to redesignation Redesignated VF-43 1 Jun 1973 | ||
(Hornets) |
VF-44(2nd): 1 Sep 1950-1 Jan 1956 VA-44(2nd): 1 Jan 1956-1 May 1970 |
A4D/A-4 Skyhawk |
NAS Cecil Field FRS from 1 Jun 1958 to disestablishment Disestablished 1 May 1970 | |
(Blackbirds) |
VA-45(3rd): 15 Feb 1963-7 Feb 1985 VF-45(2nd): 7 Feb 1985-31 Mar 1996 |
FRS from Feb 1963 to retirement of the A-1 (Split out of VA-44 to continue A-1 training to allow VA-44 to conduct A-4 only training). Flew the A-4 as an adversary squadron after retirement of the A-1 until redesignation Redesignated VF-45 7 Feb 1985 | ||
RVAH-3 (Sea Dragons) |
VAH-3: 14 Jun 1956-1 Jul 1964 RVAH-3: 1 Jul 1964-17 Aug 1979 |
A3J/A-5 Vigilante RVAH-3: RA-5C Vigilante |
NAS Albany, GA NAS Key West FRS from mid 1958 to disestablishment Distesablished 17 Aug 1979 | |
RVAW-120: 1 Jul 1967-1 May 1983 VAW-120: 1 May 1983 – present |
E-2 Hawkeye |
FRS from establishment to present Redesignated VAW-120 | ||
Squadrons of RCVG-12/RCVW-12 | (Tail Code NJ) | RCVG-12/RCVW-12: 1 Apr 58 - 30 Jun 70 | ||
(Pacemakers) |
VF-781: 1950-4 Feb 1953 VF-121: 4 Feb 1953-30 Sep 1980 |
F11F-1 Tiger F-4 Phantom II |
NAS Miramar FRS from Apr 1958 to disestablishment Disestablished 30 Sep 1980 | |
(Flying Eagles) |
VC-35(2nd): 25 May 1950-1 Jul 1956 VA(AW)-35: 1 Jul 1956-29 Jun 1959 VA-122: 29 Jun 1959-31 May 1991 |
A-7 Corsair II |
FRS from 29 Jun 1959 to disestablishment Disestablished 31 May 1991 | |
(Pros) |
Heavy Attack Training Unit Pacific: 15 Jun 1957-29 Jun 1959 VAH-123: 29 Jun 1959-1 Feb 1971 |
A-6 Intruder |
FRS from 15 Jun 1957 to disestablishment Disestablished 1 Feb 1971 | |
(Gunfighters) |
VF-53(2nd): 16 Aug 1948-11 Apr 1958 VF-124(2nd): 11 Apr 1958-30 Sep 1994 |
F-14 Tomcat |
FRS from 11 Apr 1958 to disestablishment Disestablished 30 Sep 1994 | |
(Rough Raiders) |
VA-26: 30 Jun 1956-11 Apr 1958 VA-125(2nd): 11 Apr 1958-1 Oct 1977 |
A-7 Corsair II |
FRS from 11 Apr 1958 to disestablishment Disestablished 1 Oct 1977 | |
(Nulli Secondus) |
VA-126: 6 Apr 1956-15 Oct 1965 VF-126: 15 Oct 1965-1 Apr 1994 |
A4D/A-4 Skyhawk |
FRS from 6 Apr 1956 to redesignation Redesignated VF-126 15 Oct 1963 | |
(Royal Blues) |
VA-127: 15 Jun 1962-1 Mar 1987 VFA-127: 1 Mar 1987-23 Mar 1996 |
TA-4 Skyhawk |
FRS from 15 Jun 1962 to 1975 Redesignated VFA-127 1 Mar 1987 | |
(Golden Intruders) |
VA-128: 1 Sep 1967-29 Sep 1995 | FRS from 1 Sep 1967 to disestablishment Disestablished Sep 1995 | ||
VAW-110 (Firebirds) |
RVAW-110: 20 Apr 1967-May 1983 VAW-110: May 1983-1 Sep 1994 |
E-2 Hawkeye |
FRS from 20 Apr 1967 to disestablishment Disestablished Sep 1994 | |
Squadrons of RCVSG-50 | (Tail Code AR) | RCVSG-50: 30 Jun 60 - 17 Feb 71 | ||
(Sea Horses) |
HS-1: 3 Oct 1951-30 Jun 1997 | HSS-2/SH-3 Sea King SH-60F Seahawk |
FRS from 30 Sep 1960 to disestablishment Disestablished 30 Jun 1997 | |
(Diamond Cutters) |
VS-801: 9 Apr 1951-4 Feb 1953 VS-30: 4 Feb 1953–present[3] (inactive 20 Apr 2007–present) |
FRS from Jun 1960 to Apr 1976 Deactivated 20 Apr 2007 (official) Deactivation ceremony was 9 Dec 2005 | ||
Squadrons of RCVSG-51 | (Tail Code RA) | RCVG-51: 30 Jun 60 - 30 Jun 70 | ||
(Task Masters) (Warhawks) - 1990s |
HS-10: 1 July 1960 – present (inactive 12 Jul 2012–present) |
HSS-2/SH-3 Sea King SH-60F Seahawk |
FRS from 1 Jul 1960 to deactivation Deactivated 12 Jun 2012 | |
(Shamrocks) |
VS-41: 30 June 1960 – present[3] (inactive 30 Sep 2006–present) |
S-3 Viking |
FRS from 30 Jun 1960 to deactivation Deactivated 30 Sep 2006 | |
Other USN FRSs | (Tail Code sqdn specific) | |||
VF-101: 1 May 1952 – 1 May 2012 (inactive 30 Sep 2005-1 May 2012) VFA-101: 1 May 2012 – present (inactive 1 July 2019 – present) |
Established 1 May 1952 as VF-101, became an FRS in 1958. Deactivated on 30 Sep 2005 as a Tomcat FRS and reactivated as a F-35C FRS on 1 May 2012. Deactivated a second time (as an F-35C FRS) on 1 Jul 2019 | |||
(Aces) |
VF-171(2nd): 8 Aug 1977-1 Jun 1984 | VF FRS from Aug 1977 to disestablishment Disestablished 1 Jun 1984 (Split out of VF-101 to continue F-4 training when VF-101 began F-14 training) | ||
(Genies) (Black Lightnings) - 1971 |
VP-31(2nd): 30 Jun 1960-1 Nov 1993[4] | P5M/P-5 Marlin R5D/C-54 Skymaster R7V/C-121 Constellation UF-1/U-16 Albatross P-3 Orion |
FRS from 30 Jun 1960 to disestablishment Disestablished 1 Nov 1993 | |
(Zappers) |
VAW-13: 1 Sep 1959-1 Oct 1968 VAQ-130: 1 Oct 1968–present[5] |
FRS from 1971 to 1974 Assumed A-3 FRS responsibilities from VAH-123 upon its disestablishment until VAQ-130's transition to the EA-6B Still exists, however not as an FRS | ||
(Nighthawks) (Firebirds) - 1970 |
VC-33(2nd): 31 May 1949-2 Jul 1956 VA(AW)-33: 2 Jul 1956-30 Jan 1959 VAW-33: 30 Jan 1959-1 Feb 1968 VAQ-33: 1 Feb 1968-1 Oct 1993[6] |
NAS Oceana NAS Key West FRS from 1977 to 1991 Distesablished 1 Oct 1993 | ||
(Sea Wolves) |
VS-27: 22 Jan 1987-30 Sep 1994[7] | FRS from 22 Jan 1987 to disestablishment Disestablished 30 Sep 1994 | ||
(Neptune's Horsemen) |
HU-4: 1 July 1960 – 4 July 1965 HC-4(1st): 4 July 1965-Mar 1972 HSL-30: Mar 1972-30 Sep 1993 |
SH-2 Seasprite |
FRS from Mar 1972 to disestablishment Disestablished 30 Sep 1993 | |
(Arch Angels) |
HC-5(1st): 1 Sep 1967-Mar 1972 HSL-31: Mar 1972-31 July 1992 |
SH-2 Seasprite |
FRS from Mar 1972 to disestablishment Disestablished 31 Jul 1992 | |
HSL-40: 4 Oct 1985-1 Nov 2009 HSM-40: 1 Nov 2009–present[1] |
SH-60B FRS from 4 Oct 1985 to redesignation Redesignated HSM-40 | |||
HSL-41: 21 Jan 1983-8 Dec 2005 HSM-41: 8 Dec 2005–present[1] |
SH-60B FRS from 1 Jan 1983 to redesignation Redesignated HSM-41 | |||
(Sea Dragons) |
HM-12(1st): 1 Apr 1971-30 Sep 1994 | CH-53E Super Stallion, MH-53E Sea Dragon |
FRS from Apr 1971 to disestablishment Disestablished 30 Sep 1994 | |
Airborne Mine Countermeasures Weapon Systems Training School (AWSTS): 1 Oct 1994-1 Oct 2015 HM-12(2nd): 1 Oct 2015–present |
A "FRS" from 1 Oct 1994 to redesignation Conducted classroom and simulator training for replacement aircrew after their on aircraft training at HMT-302 Redesignated HM-12(2nd) 1 Oct 2015 | |||
(Fleet Angels) |
HU-1: 1 Apr 1948-4 Jul 1965 HC-1: 4 Jul 1965-29 Apr 1994 |
H-3 FRS from Jun 1989 to Mar 1993 Disestablished 29 Apr 1994 | ||
(Fleet Angels) |
HC-2(2nd): 1 Apr 1987-1 Jan 2006 HSC-2: 1 Jan 2006–present[1] |
H-3 FRS from 1997 to redesignation Redesignated HSC-2 | ||
(Packrats) |
HC-3: 1 Sep 1967-1 Apr 2005 HSC-3: 1 Apr 2005–present[1] |
H-46 FRS from Feb 1982 to redesignation Redesignated HSC-3 | ||
(Bullfrogs) |
HCT-16: 1 Nov 1974-May 1977 HC-16: May 1977-1 Apr 1994 |
H-1N Huey |
FRS Jun 1977 to disestablishment Disestablished 1 Apr 1994 | |
USMC FRSs | (Tail Code sqdn specific) | |||
FRS from 1 Oct 1986 to deactivation Deactivated 14 Sep 2006 | ||||
FRS from 2013 to deactivation Deactivated Apr 2016 | ||||
FRS from Feb 1999 to redesignation Redesignated VMM-164 | ||||
(Wind Talkers) |
||||
(Phoenix) |
See also
References
- OPNAVINST 5030.4G Encl 2
- OPNAVINST 5030.4G
- OPNAVINST 5030.4G Encl (2)
- Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol II App 7
- OPNAVINST 5030.4G encl (2)
- Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol I, app 6
- "Category:Anti-Submarine Squadron 27 (United States Navy) - Wikimedia Commons". commons.wikimedia.org. Retrieved 6 June 2017.