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

InsigniaSquadron DesignationSquadron Lineage[1]Current AircraftNotes
HM-12(2nd)
Sea Dragons
AWSTS: 1 Oct 1994-1 Oct 2015
HM-12(2nd): 1 Oct 2015–present
MH-53E Sea Dragon
NS Norfolk, VA
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.
HSC-2
Fleet Angels
HC-2(2nd): 1 Apr 1987-24 Aug 2005
HSC-2: 24 Aug 2005–present
MH-60S Seahawk
NS Norfolk, VA
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.
HSC-3
Merlins
HC-3: 1 Sep 1967-31 Oct 2005
HSC-3: 31 Oct 2005–present
MH-60S Seahawk
NAS North Island, CA
Established 1 Sep 1967 as HC-3. Became an FRS in 1982.
HSM-40
Air Wolves
HSL-40: 4 Oct 1985-1 Nov 2009
HSM-40: 1 Nov 2009–present
MH-60R Seahawk
NS Mayport, FL
Established 4 Oct 1985 as HSL-40 as an FRS.
HSM-41
Sea Hawks
HSL-41: 21 Jan 1983-8 Dec 2005
HSM-41: 8 Dec 2005–present
MH-60R Seahawk
NAS North Island, CA
Established 1 Jan 1983 as HSL-41 as an FRS.
VAQ-129
Vikings
VAH-10: 1 May 1961-1 Sep 1970
VAQ-129: 1 Sep 1970–present
EA-18G Growler
NAS Whidbey Island, WA
Established 1 May 1961 as VAH-10. Became an FRS in 1971.
VAW-120
Grey Hawks
RVAW-120: 1 Jul 1967-1 May 1983
VAW-120: 1 May 1983 – present
E-2C Hawkeye
E-2D Advanced Hawkeye
C-2A Greyhound
NAS Norfolk, VA
Established 1 Jul 1967 as RVAW-120 as an FRS.
VFA-106
Gladiators
VFA-106: 27 Apr 1984–present
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
NAS Oceana, VA
Established 27 Apr 1984 as an FRS.
Adopted nickname and insignia of VA-106 which had been disestablished in 1969.
VFA-122
Flying Eagles
VFA-122: 1 Oct 1998–present
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
NAS Lemoore, CA
Established 1 Oct 1998 as an FRS.
Adopted nickname and insignia of VA-122 which had been disestablished in 1991.
VFA-125
Rough Raiders
VFA-125: 13 Nov 1980–present
(inactive 1 Oct 2010-12 Jan 2017)
F-35C Lightning II
NAS Lemoore, CA
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
Pro's Nest
VP-30: 30 Jun 1960–present
P-3C Orion
EP-3E Aries II
P-8A Poseidon
NAS Jacksonville, FL
Established 30 Jun 1960 as an FRS.
VQ-7
Roughnecks
Naval Training Support Unit: 1992-1 Nov 1999
VQ-7: 1 Nov 1999–present
E-6B Mercury
Naval Air Facility Tinker AFB, OK
Established 1 Nov 1999 as an FRS.

US Marine Corps

InsigniaSquadron DesignationCurrent AircraftStation
HMHT-302
CH-53 Super Stallion
MCAS New River, NC
HMLAT-303
Bell AH-1Z Viper
Bell UH-1Y Venom
MCAS Camp Pendleton, CA
VMMT-204
MV-22 Osprey
MCAS New River, NC
VMAT-203
AV-8 Harrier II
MCAS Cherry Point, NC
VMFAT-101
F/A-18C/D Hornet
MCAS Miramar, CA
VMFAT-501
F-35B Lightning II
MCAS Beaufort, SC

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.

InsigniaSquadron DesignationSquadron LineageAircraftNotes
Squadrons of RCVG-4/RCVW-4(Tail Code AD)RCVG-4/RCVW-4: 1 Apr 58 - 1 Jun 70
VF-101
(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)
F4D Skyray
F3H Demon
F-4 Phantom II
F-14 Tomcat
NAS Oceana
VF FRS from Apr 1958 to deactivation
Deactivated then later Reactivated and Redesignated VFA-101
VF-174
(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
F8U/F-8 Crusader
NAS Cecil Field
VF FRS from 1 May 1958 to redesignation
Redesignated VA-174 1 Jul 1966
VA-174
(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
A-7 Corsair II
NAS Cecil Field
VA FRS from redesignation to disestablishment
Disestablished 30 Jun 1988


(1992)
VA-42
(Green Pawns)
(Thunderbolts) - 1992
VF-42(4th): 1 Sep 1950-1 Nov 1953
VA-42: 1 Nov 1953-30 Sep 1994
AD/A-1 Skyraider
A-6 Intruder
NAS Oceana
FRS from 24 Oct 1958 to disestablishment
Disestablished 30 Sep 1994
VA-43
(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
A4D/A-4 Skyhawk
NAS Oceana
FRS from 1 Jul 1959 to redesignation
Redesignated VF-43 1 Jun 1973
VA-44
(Hornets)
VF-44(2nd): 1 Sep 1950-1 Jan 1956
VA-44(2nd): 1 Jan 1956-1 May 1970
AD/A-1 Skyraider
A4D/A-4 Skyhawk
NAS Jacksonville
NAS Cecil Field
FRS from 1 Jun 1958 to disestablishment
Disestablished 1 May 1970
VA-45
(Blackbirds)
VA-45(3rd): 15 Feb 1963-7 Feb 1985
VF-45(2nd): 7 Feb 1985-31 Mar 1996
A-1 Skyraider
NAS Cecil Field
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
VAH-3
RVAH-3

(Sea Dragons)
VAH-3: 14 Jun 1956-1 Jul 1964
RVAH-3: 1 Jul 1964-17 Aug 1979
VAH-3: A3D/A-3 Skywarrior
A3J/A-5 Vigilante
RVAH-3: RA-5C Vigilante
NAS Sanford, FL
NAS Albany, GA
NAS Key West
FRS from mid 1958 to disestablishment
Distesablished 17 Aug 1979
RVAW-120
Grey Hawks
RVAW-120: 1 Jul 1967-1 May 1983
VAW-120: 1 May 1983 – present
E-1 Tracer
E-2 Hawkeye
NAS Norfolk
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
VF-121
(Pacemakers)
VF-781: 1950-4 Feb 1953
VF-121: 4 Feb 1953-30 Sep 1980
F3H-2N Demon
F11F-1 Tiger
F-4 Phantom II
NAS North Island
NAS Miramar
FRS from Apr 1958 to disestablishment
Disestablished 30 Sep 1980
VA-122
(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
AD/A-1 Skyraider
A-7 Corsair II
NAS Lemoore
FRS from 29 Jun 1959 to disestablishment
Disestablished 31 May 1991
VAH-123
(Pros)
Heavy Attack
Training Unit Pacific: 15 Jun 1957-29 Jun 1959
VAH-123: 29 Jun 1959-1 Feb 1971
A3D/A-3 Skywarrior
A-6 Intruder
NAS Whidbey Island
FRS from 15 Jun 1957 to disestablishment
Disestablished 1 Feb 1971
VF-124(2nd)
(Gunfighters)
VF-53(2nd): 16 Aug 1948-11 Apr 1958
VF-124(2nd): 11 Apr 1958-30 Sep 1994
F8U/F-8 Crusader
F-14 Tomcat
NAS Miramar
FRS from 11 Apr 1958 to disestablishment
Disestablished 30 Sep 1994
VA-125(2nd)
(Rough Raiders)
VA-26: 30 Jun 1956-11 Apr 1958
VA-125(2nd): 11 Apr 1958-1 Oct 1977
A4D/A-4 Skyhawk
A-7 Corsair II
NAS Lemoore
FRS from 11 Apr 1958 to disestablishment
Disestablished 1 Oct 1977
VA-126
(Nulli Secondus)
VA-126: 6 Apr 1956-15 Oct 1965
VF-126: 15 Oct 1965-1 Apr 1994
F9F-8T/TF-9J Cougar
A4D/A-4 Skyhawk
NAS Miramar
FRS from 6 Apr 1956 to redesignation
Redesignated VF-126 15 Oct 1963
VA-127
(Royal Blues)
VA-127: 15 Jun 1962-1 Mar 1987
VFA-127: 1 Mar 1987-23 Mar 1996
F9F-8T/TF-9J Cougar
TA-4 Skyhawk
NAS Lemoore
FRS from 15 Jun 1962 to 1975
Redesignated VFA-127 1 Mar 1987
VA-128
(Golden Intruders)
VA-128: 1 Sep 1967-29 Sep 1995
A-6 Intruder
NAS Whidbey Island
FRS from 1 Sep 1967 to disestablishment
Disestablished Sep 1995
RVAW-110
VAW-110
(Firebirds)
RVAW-110: 20 Apr 1967-May 1983
VAW-110: May 1983-1 Sep 1994
E-1 Tracer
E-2 Hawkeye
NAS Miramar
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
HS-1
(Sea Horses)
HS-1: 3 Oct 1951-30 Jun 1997
HSS-1/SH-34 Seabat
HSS-2/SH-3 Sea King
SH-60F Seahawk
NAS Jacksonville
FRS from 30 Sep 1960 to disestablishment
Disestablished 30 Jun 1997
VS-30
(Diamond Cutters)
VS-801: 9 Apr 1951-4 Feb 1953
VS-30: 4 Feb 1953–present[3]
(inactive 20 Apr 2007–present)
S2F-1/S-2 Tracker
NAS Cecil Field
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
HS-10
(Task Masters)
(Warhawks) - 1990s
HS-10: 1 July 1960 – present
(inactive 12 Jul 2012–present)
HSS-1/SH-34 Seabat
HSS-2/SH-3 Sea King
SH-60F Seahawk
NAS North Island
FRS from 1 Jul 1960 to deactivation
Deactivated 12 Jun 2012
VS-41
(Shamrocks)
VS-41: 30 June 1960 – present[3]
(inactive 30 Sep 2006–present)
S2F-1/S-2 Tracker
S-3 Viking
NAS North Island
FRS from 30 Jun 1960 to deactivation
Deactivated 30 Sep 2006
Other USN FRSs(Tail Code sqdn specific)
VFA-101
(Grim Reapers)
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)
F-35C Lightning II
Eglin Air Force Base, FL
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
VF-171(2nd)
(Aces)
VF-171(2nd): 8 Aug 1977-1 Jun 1984
F-4 Phantom II
NAS Oceana
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)
VP-31(2nd)
(Genies)
(Black Lightnings) - 1971
VP-31(2nd): 30 Jun 1960-1 Nov 1993[4]
P2V/P-2 Neptune
P5M/P-5 Marlin
R5D/C-54 Skymaster
R7V/C-121 Constellation
UF-1/U-16 Albatross
P-3 Orion
NAS Moffett Field
FRS from 30 Jun 1960 to disestablishment
Disestablished 1 Nov 1993
VAQ-130
(Zappers)
VAW-13: 1 Sep 1959-1 Oct 1968
VAQ-130: 1 Oct 1968–present[5]
A-3 Skywarrior
NAS Alameda
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
VAQ-33
(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]
A-3 Skywarrior
NS Norfolk
NAS Oceana
NAS Key West
FRS from 1977 to 1991
Distesablished 1 Oct 1993
VS-27
(Sea Wolves)
VS-27: 22 Jan 1987-30 Sep 1994[7]
S-3A Viking
NAS Cecil Field
FRS from 22 Jan 1987 to disestablishment
Disestablished 30 Sep 1994
HSL-30
(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
HH-2 Seasprite
SH-2 Seasprite
NAS Norfolk
FRS from Mar 1972 to disestablishment
Disestablished 30 Sep 1993
HSL-31
(Arch Angels)
HC-5(1st): 1 Sep 1967-Mar 1972
HSL-31: Mar 1972-31 July 1992
HH-2 Seasprite
SH-2 Seasprite
NAS North Island
FRS from Mar 1972 to disestablishment
Disestablished 31 Jul 1992
HSL-40
Air Wolves
HSL-40: 4 Oct 1985-1 Nov 2009
HSM-40: 1 Nov 2009–present[1]
SH-60B Seahawk
NS Mayport
SH-60B FRS from 4 Oct 1985 to redesignation
Redesignated HSM-40
HSL-41
Sea Hawks
HSL-41: 21 Jan 1983-8 Dec 2005
HSM-41: 8 Dec 2005–present[1]
SH-60B Seahawk
NAS North Island
SH-60B FRS from 1 Jan 1983 to redesignation
Redesignated HSM-41
HM-12(1st)
(Sea Dragons)
HM-12(1st): 1 Apr 1971-30 Sep 1994
RH-53D Sea Stallion
CH-53E Super Stallion, MH-53E Sea Dragon
NAS Norfolk
FRS from Apr 1971 to disestablishment
Disestablished 30 Sep 1994
AWSTS
Airborne Mine Countermeasures Weapon Systems Training School (AWSTS):
1 Oct 1994-1 Oct 2015

HM-12(2nd): 1 Oct 2015–present
MH-53E Sea Dragon
NAS Norfolk
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
HC-1
(Fleet Angels)
HU-1: 1 Apr 1948-4 Jul 1965
HC-1: 4 Jul 1965-29 Apr 1994
UH-3 Sea King
NAS North Island
H-3 FRS from Jun 1989 to Mar 1993
Disestablished 29 Apr 1994
HC-2(2nd)
(Fleet Angels)
HC-2(2nd): 1 Apr 1987-1 Jan 2006
HSC-2: 1 Jan 2006–present[1]
UH-3 Sea King
NAS Norfolk
H-3 FRS from 1997 to redesignation
Redesignated HSC-2
HC-3
(Packrats)
HC-3: 1 Sep 1967-1 Apr 2005
HSC-3: 1 Apr 2005–present[1]
H-46 Sea Knight
NAS North Island
H-46 FRS from Feb 1982 to redesignation
Redesignated HSC-3
HC-16
(Bullfrogs)
HCT-16: 1 Nov 1974-May 1977
HC-16: May 1977-1 Apr 1994
H-46 Sea Knight
H-1N Huey
NAS Pensacola
FRS Jun 1977 to disestablishment
Disestablished 1 Apr 1994
USMC FRSs(Tail Code sqdn specific)
VMGRT-253
KC-130 Hercules
MCAS Cherry Point
FRS from 1 Oct 1986 to deactivation
Deactivated 14 Sep 2006
VMAQT-1
EA-6B Prowler
MCAS Cherry Point
FRS from 2013 to deactivation
Deactivated Apr 2016
HMMT-164
CH-46 Sea Knight
MCAS Camp Pendleton
FRS from Feb 1999 to redesignation
Redesignated VMM-164
HMMT-301
Redesignated HMT-301
HMT-301
(Wind Talkers)
Deactivated 3 Jun 2005
HMMT-302
Redesignated HMT-302
HMT-302
(Phoenix)
Redesignated HMHT-302 in 2010

See also

References

  1. OPNAVINST 5030.4G Encl 2
  2. OPNAVINST 5030.4G
  3. OPNAVINST 5030.4G Encl (2)
  4. Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol II App 7
  5. OPNAVINST 5030.4G encl (2)
  6. Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol I, app 6
  7. "Category:Anti-Submarine Squadron 27 (United States Navy) - Wikimedia Commons". commons.wikimedia.org. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
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