Message posted by Ron Walters (Member since 07/25/2009) on October 19, 2023 at 15:03:37 PST:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=714367924057480&set=pcb.714388657388740 New code, who dis?
Since the 1960s, US Air Force Major Commands have used 2-letter codes to identify the assigned unit and home station for Air Force tactical aircraft. Initially, the practice was not standardized, and different organizations marked their aircraft using differing rule sets. By the late 1960s and into early 1970, these markings generally conformed to a standard set by Pacific Air Forces, where the first letter identified the assigned Wing, and the second would identify a squadron or subordinate unit. At Nellis, under the Fighter Weapons School, the tail code ‘W’ was followed by A, B, C, D. Examples include F-100s of the 4536th Fighter Weapons Squadron carrying WB, F-105s of the 4537th carrying WC, F-4s of the 4538th wearing WD, and F-111s of the 4539th wearing WF.
In 1972, when the Air Force consolidate Maintenance into a Wing-level functional oversight program, this chaotic system was replaced with a single two-letter identifier per Wing, and this practice remains the standard today, with the 57th Wing flying under “WA,” the 53rd Wing representing its Operational Test mission while sporting “OT” fin flashes, and the now inactive 474th Tactical Fighter Wing flying under the “NA” tail code.
The 926th Wing was originally established at Naval Air Station New Orleans in 1963 as the 926th Troop Carrier Group, and later transitioned to a Tactical Fighter Group in 1977, initially flying the A-37 Dragonfly, and later transitioning to the A-10, then the F-16, and back to the A-10 while operating out of Louisiana. During this timeframe, the unit wore the “NO” tail code. Even after the Wing’s divestiture of aircraft in 2005 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure actions, the “NO” tail code remained the 926th Wing’s assigned tail code, although it possessed no aircraft upon which to place the identifier. When the 926th relocated to Nellis AFB in 2007, its Airmen began associating with a wide range of missions at Nellis, and have performed a range of high-end test, training, and exercise roles not just at Nellis, but in support of missions at Creech AFB, NV; Holloman AFB, NM; Hurlburt Field, FL; Eglin AFB, FL; and, until recently, at Schriever Space Force Base, CO.
With the Wing now re-equipping with assigned aircraft, members of the 926 WG assigned to Nellis desired an identifier that reflected their new location, mission, and community. As Reserve Citizen Airmen, members of the 926th Wing are part of the Vegas community, sharing civilian businesses, employment, schools, and talent with the great city of Las Vegas. “LV” seemed a natural fit to recognize the 926th Wing’s enduring commitment to Vegas, Nellis AFB, and the critical mission to train Airmen for the high-end fight. It also allows the Wing to preserve some of the rich Air Force heritage and key history of innovation and cutting-edge tactics synonymous with Nellis AFB.
The “LV” tail code was previously used by the 4450th Tactical Group, and was flown on its assigned A-7D/K Corsair-II aircraft from 1981-1989. These aircraft provided proficiency and continuity training for pilots assigned to the 4450th’s secret mission to operate the F-117 Nighthawk. The A-7s routinely flew from Nellis AFB, and were a common sight in the Las Vegas valley. This October, the 926th Wing was approved to resume flying under the “LV” tail code.
With Air Combat Command’s redesignation approval, the 926th Wing assumes the honor of this heritage, while preserving our own unit identity with the same red tail band and gold fleur-de-lis markings worn by our aircraft back in Louisiana. We’re excited to be here Vegas! S#ReserveCitizenAirmen
(U.S. Air Force photo 1 by A1C Jordan McCoy; photo 2 from 926 WG archives; and photo 3 by Mr. Dirk Dijksman)
#DesertCajuns #RiseUp #ReserveReady #ReserveResilient #ReserveCitizenAirmen
In Reply to: 706th Aggressor Squadron activates at Nellis AFB posted by Ron on October 19, 2023 at 14:55:45 PST:
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