A Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) is a unit of the United States Navy or Marine Corps that trains naval aviators, naval flight officers (NFOs), enlisted naval aircrewmen and maintenance personnel on the specific front-line aircraft they have been assigned to fly or maintain. Students, referred to as Replacement Pilots, Replacement Flight Officers or Replacement Aircrew 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 providing replacement aircraft for fleet squadron attrition, and for standardizing maintenance and aircraft operations.
The U.S. Navy and U.S Marine Corps sometimes share FRSs. For example, up until the recent establishment of an FRS for the Navy's new CMV-22 Osprey aircraft USN personnel were trained by the USMC's VMMT-204, and all USMC F-35C pilots and maintenance personnel are trained by the USN's VFA-125. In the past, USN H-53 students were once trained at the USMC H-53 FRS and F/A-18C/D students of both service were trained in either the USMC F/A-18C/D FRS or by one of the USN's F/A-18C/D FRSs. An FRS which trains students of both services will be staffed with instructors of both services as well.
From 1958 to 1970 the FRSs for carrier based aircraft were organized under Readiness Carrier Air Group FOUR (RCVG-4) or Readiness Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group FIFTY (RCVSG-50) in the Atlantic Fleet and Readiness Carrier Air Group TWELVE (RCVG-12) or Readiness Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group FIFTY ONE (RCVSG-51) in the Pacific Fleet. These Readiness Carrier Air Groups were colloquially called "Readiness Air Groups" or "RAGs" for short. In 1963 RCVG-4 and RCVG-12 were redesignated Readiness Carrier Air Wings RCVW-4 and RCVW-12 which had no affect on the use of the term "RAG" and in 1970 they and RCVSG-50 and 51 were disestablished which also had no affect on the use of the term "RAG" and to this day Fleet Replacement Squadrons are still referred to as "RAGs". When RCVW-4 and 12 and RCVSG-50 and 51 were disestablished in 1970 the Atlantic Fleet Fleet Replacement Squadrons were all realigned under the respective type wings and in the Pacific Fleet under the respective functional wings as they were all established from 1970 through 1973.
Note: The parenthetical (1st) or (2nd) appended to some squadron designations in the tables below are not a part of that squadron's designation. They are added to indicate that the designation was used more than one time during the history of U.S. Naval Aviation and to specify which use of the designation is indicated.
Currently Active USN and USMC Fleet Replacement Squadrons Since the disestablishment of RCVW-4, RCVW-12, RCVSG-50 and RCVSG-51 in 1970 all U.S Navy Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS)s are placed organizationally under the Type Wing commander for the respective aircraft type/model. U.S Marine Corps Fleet Replacement Squadrons are organizationally aligned under a Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) which operates that type/model aircraft.
US Navy Insignia Squadron Designation Squadron LineageOPNAVINST 5030.4G Encl 2 Current AircraftWingNotesHSC-2Fleet AngelsHC-2(2nd): 1 Apr 1987-24 Aug 2005HSC-2: 24 Aug 2005–presentMH-60SSeahawkHelicopterSea Combat Wing,U. S. Atlantic FleetNS Norfolk, VAEstablished 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-3MerlinsHC-3: 1 Sep 1967-31 Oct 2005HSC-3: 31 Oct 2005–presentMH-60SSeahawkHelicopterSea Combat Wing,U. S. Pacific FleetNAS North Island, CAEstablished 1 Sep 1967 as HC-3. Became an FRS in 1982.HSM-40Air WolvesHSL-40: 4 Oct 1985-1 Nov 2009HSM-40: 1 Nov 2009–presentMH-60RSeahawkHelicopterMaritime Strike Wing,U. S. Atlantic FleetNS Mayport, FLEstablished 4 Oct 1985 as HSL-40 as an FRS.HSM-41Sea HawksHSL-41: 21 Jan 1983-8 Dec 2005HSM-41: 8 Dec 2005–presentMH-60RSeahawkHelicopterMaritime Strike Wing,U. S. Pacific FleetNAS North Island, CAEstablished 1 Jan 1983 as HSL-41 as an FRS.VAQ-129VikingsVAH-10: 1 May 1961-1 Sep 1970VAQ-129: 1 Sep 1970–presentEA-18GGrowlerElectronic Attack Wing,U.S. Pacific FleetNAS Whidbey Island, WAEstablished 1 May 1961 as VAH-10. Became an FRS in 1971.VAW-120Grey HawksRVAW-120: 1 Jul 1967-1 May 1983VAW-120: 1 May 1983 – presentE-2C,DHawkeyeAirborne Command &Control and Logistics WingNAS Norfolk, VAEstablished 1 Jul 1967 as RVAW-120 as an FRS.VFA-106GladiatorsVFA-106: 27 Apr 1984–presentF/A-18E, F/A-18FSuper HornetStrike Fighter Wing,U.S. Atlantic FleetNAS Oceana, VAEstablished 27 Apr 1984 as an FRS.Adopted nickname and insignia of VA-106 which had been disestablished in 1969.VFA-122Flying EaglesVFA-122: 1 Oct 1998–presentF/A-18E, F/A-18FSuper HornetStrike Fighter Wing,U.S. Pacific FleetNAS Lemoore, CAEstablished 1 Oct 1998 as an FRS.Adopted nickname and insignia of VA-122 which had been disestablished in 1991.VFA-125Rough RaidersVFA-125: 13 Nov 1980–present(inactive 1 Oct 2010 – 12 Jan 2017)F-35CLightning IIJoint Strike Fighter WingNAS Lemoore, CAEstablished 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 reactivatedOPNAVINST 5030.4G as a F-35C FRS on 12 Jan 2017.VP-30Pro's NestVP-30: 30 Jun 1960–presentP-8APoseidonMQ-4CTritonCommander, Patrol and Reconnaissance GroupNAS Jacksonville, FLEstablished 30 Jun 1960 as an FRS.VQ-7RoughnecksNaval Training Support Unit: 1992-1 Nov 1999VQ-7: 1 Nov 1999–presentE-6BMercuryStrategic Communications Wing ONENaval Air Facility Tinker AFB, OKEstablished 1 Nov 1999 as an FRS.VRM-50SunhawksVRM-50: 1 Oct 2019 – presentOPNAVNOTE 5400 22 Apr 2019CMV-22BOspreyFleet Logistics Multi-Mission WingNAS North Island, CAEstablished 1 Oct 2019 as an FRSVUQ-10 PathfindersVUQ-10: 1 Oct 2022-presentMQ-25 StingrayAirborne Command & Controland Logistics WingNAS Patuxent River, MDEngaged with VX-23, UX-24 and VX-1 to test, train and develop operational and maintenance procedures for the MQ-25 Stingray.To relocate to NAVBASE Ventura County Point Mugu, CA by 2026 to begin operations as an FRS
US Marine Corps Insignia Squadron Designation Current Aircraft Marine Aircraft GroupStationHMHT-302 CH-53E Super StallionCH-53K King StallionMAG-29MCAS New River, NCHMLAT-303Bell UH-1Y VenomBell AH-1Z ViperMAG-39MCAS Camp Pendleton, CAVMMT-204MV-22B OspreyMAG-26MCAS New River, NCVMFAT-501 F-35B Lightning IIMAG-31MCAS Beaufort, SCVMFAT-502 F-35B Lightning IIMAG-11MCAS Miramar, CAVMUT-2 MQ-9A ReaperMAG-14MCAS Cherry Point, NC
Disestablished, Deactivated, Re-designated or otherwise former Fleet Replacement Squadrons Beginning 1 April 1958 the Navy organized the training squadrons for its carrier based aircraft into Readiness Carrier Air Groups (RCVG) (later renamed Readiness Carrier Air Wings (RCVW)) or Readiness Anti-Submarine Carrier Air Groups (RCVSG). The training squadrons for non-carrier based aircraft operated separately from the RCVGs/RCVWs and RCVSGs. 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. The tables below list the former Fleet Replacement Squadrons of the U.S Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.
Squadrons of former Readiness Carrier Air Group FOUR (RCVG-4)/Readiness Carrier Air Wing FOUR (RCVW-4) On 1 April 1958 Carrier Air Group FOUR (tail code AD) was re-tasked as the Atlantic Fleet's training air group and it was redesignated Readiness Carrier Air Group FOUR (RCVG-4). On 20 December 1963 all Carrier Air Groups were redesignated as Carrier Air Wings and RCVG-4 became Readiness Carrier Air Wing FOUR (RCVW-4). RCVW-4 was disestablished on 1 June 1970 and its squadrons were placed under the control of the respective Type Wing for each squadron's aircraft. The squadrons of the disestablished RCVW-4 retained the AD tail code after their realignment to their Type Wings.
Insignia Squadron Designation Squadron Lineage Aircraft NotesVF-101 (Grim Reapers)VF-101: 1 May 1952 – 1 May 2012(inactive 30 Sep 2005 – 1 May 2012)VFA-101: 1 May 2012 – 1 Jul 2019(inactive 1 Jul 2019–present)F4D SkyrayF3H DemonF-4 Phantom IIF-14 TomcatNAS OceanaVF FRS from Apr 1958 to deactivationDeactivated then later Reactivated and Redesignated VFA-101VF-174(Hellrazors)VB-81: 1 Mar 1944-15 Nov 1946VA-13A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948VA-134(1st): 2 Aug 1948-15 Feb 1950VF-174: 15 Feb 1950 – 1 Jul 1966VA-174(2nd): 1 Jul 1966 – 30 Jun 1988F8U/F-8 CrusaderNAS Cecil FieldVF FRS from 1 May 1958 to redesignationRedesignated VA-174 1 Jul 1966VA-174(Hellrazors)VB-81: 1 Mar 1944-15 Nov 1946VA-13A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948VA-134(1st): 2 Aug 1948-15 Feb 1950VF-174: 15 Feb 1950-1 Jul 1966VA-174(2nd): 1 Jul 1966 – 30 Jun 1988A-7 Corsair IINAS Cecil FieldVA FRS from redesignation to disestablishmentDisestablished 30 Jun 1988(1992)VA-42(Green Pawns)(Thunderbolts) - 1992VF-42(4th): 1 Sep 1950-1 Nov 1953VA-42: 1 Nov 1953 – 30 Sep 1994AD/A-1 SkyraiderA-6 IntruderNAS OceanaFRS from 24 Oct 1958 to disestablishmentDisestablished 30 Sep 1994VA-43(Challengers)VF-74A: 1 May 1945-1 Aug 1945VF-74(2nd): 1 Aug 1945-15 Nov 1946VF-1B(3rd): 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948VF-21(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-1 Jul 1959VA-43: 1 Jul 1959 – 1 Jun 1973VF-43(5th): 1 Jun 1973 – 1 Jul 1994A4D/A-4 SkyhawkNAS OceanaFRS from 1 Jul 1959 to redesignationRedesignated VF-43 1 Jun 1973VA-44(Hornets)VF-44(2nd): 1 Sep 1950-1 Jan 1956VA-44(2nd): 1 Jan 1956 – 1 May 1970AD/A-1 SkyraiderA4D/A-4 SkyhawkNAS JacksonvilleNAS Cecil FieldFRS from 1 Jun 1958 to disestablishmentDisestablished 1 May 1970VA-45(Blackbirds)VA-45(3rd): 15 Feb 1963 – 7 Feb 1985VF-45(2nd): 7 Feb 1985 – 31 Mar 1996A-1 SkyraiderNAS Cecil FieldFRS 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 redesignationRedesignated VF-45 7 Feb 1985VAH-3RVAH-3(Sea Dragons)VAH-3: 14 Jun 1956 – 1 Jul 1964RVAH-3: 1 Jul 1964 – 17 Aug 1979VAH-3: A3D/A-3 SkywarriorA3J/A-5 VigilanteRVAH-3: RA-5C VigilanteNAS Sanford, FLNAS Albany, GANAS Key WestFRS from mid 1958 to disestablishmentDistesablished 17 Aug 1979RVAW-120Grey HawksRVAW-120: 1 Jul 1967 – 1 May 1983VAW-120: 1 May 1983 – presentE-1 TracerE-2 HawkeyeNAS NorfolkFRS from establishment to presentRedesignated VAW-120
Squadrons of former Readiness Carrier Air Group TWELVE (RCVG-12)/Readiness Carrier Air Wing TWELVE (RCVW-12) On 1 April 1958 Carrier Air Group TWELVE (tail code NJ) was re-tasked as the Pacific Fleet's training air group and it was redesignated Readiness Carrier Air Group TWELVE (RCVG-12). On 20 December 1963 all Carrier Air Groups were redesignated as Carrier Air Wings and RCVG-12 became Readiness Carrier Air Wing TWELVE (RCVW-12). RCVW-12 was disestablished on 30 June 1970 and its squadrons were placed under the control of the respective Type Wing for each squadron's aircraft. The squadrons of the disestablished RCVW-12 retained the NJ tail code after their realignment to their Type Wings.