A Marine Corps Squadron contains the same basic designator except it always includes a M for Marine Corps.

So, a USMC Strike-Fighter Squadron would be a VFMA-## instead of VFA-## for a Navy Squadron. Both are elements of Naval Aviation and follow the same Operating Instructions.

I think i should make one more clarification regarding the designation letters for military aircraft.

T= Trainer

Any letter located after the number in an airplane designator is a model modifier.

A-7E...the E means it is the E model of that particular aircraft type. So to put it more simply there were:

A models...Navy, first model used
B Models...Navy...improvements made to A model type design
C Model...Navy/Airforce...used as trainers (TA-7C) or Electronic Warfare
D Model...Air Force... Type Design modifications for USAF usage
E Model... Navy...Type Design with improvements over all other A-7 models

The same concept can be used for any of the other military aircraft as well.

F/A-18 A Single seat Strike-Fighter (initial introduction Navy Airplane, and first replacement aircraft for A-7E's)
F/A-18B Dual Seat Strike-Fighter, mostly used as a Trainers in Training Squadrons

F/A-18C Single Seat Replacement for the F/A-18A
F/A-18D Dual Seat replacement for the F/A-18B

F/A-18F Single seat replacement for the F-14 Tomcat
F/A-18G Super Hornet Dual Seat Replacement for F-14 Tomcat

SH-60B- LAMPS model Anti-Submarine, maritime patrol Helo for Small Ships like Cruisers, Frigates, and I think Destroyers)

SH-60F SAR, Anti-Submarine Helo replaced the SH-3 Sea King

Sorry about all of this information, but sometimes I can't stop myself.


@ Freespool, I worked the Line and Airframes...was that a Reserve Outfit?