U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Aircraft Tail Codes

Tail codes on the U.S. Navy aircraft are the markings that help to identify the aircraft's unit and/or base assignment. These codes comprise one or two letters or digits painted on both sides of the vertical stabilizer, on the top right and on the bottom left wings near the tip. Although located both on the vertical stabilizer and the wings from their inception in July 1945, these identification markings are commonly referred as tail codes. It is important to note that tail codes are meant to identify units and assignments, not individual aircraft. For all aircraft of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps unique identification is provided by bureau numbers.

The U.S. Navy introduced the identification system of tail and wing letter codes for its aircraft in July 1945. This system was intended to replace the set of geometrical symbols employed for the similar purpose since January 1945. When introduced, tail codes were only given to aircraft carriers. New directives issued in 1946 and in 1948 assigned tail codes to individual Navy and Marine Corps squadrons as well as for Carrier Air Groups. And although the association between particular tail codes and units undergoes changes from time to time, the system as a whole is still in use to present day.

Re-designated CVW-1, Carrier Air Wing 1

Re-designated VP-1

Re-designated CVW-3, Carrier Air Wing 3

Re-designated VMA-322

Re-designated RCVW-4, Readiness Carrier Air Wing 4

Re-designated VMA-211

CVG-6, Carrier Air Group 6

Re-designated CVW-7, Carrier Air Wing 7

Re-designated CVW-16, Carrier Air Wing 16

Re-designated VMF-533

Re-designated CVW-8, Carrier Air Wing 8

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