This list details some of the abbreviations that you may find when visiting this web site. It also contains other abbreviations that I think will be useful to those interested in US military aviation.
U.S. States
AK | Alaska |
AL | Alabama |
AR | Arkansas |
AZ | Arizona |
CA | California |
CO | Colorado |
CT | Connecticut |
DC | District of Columbia |
DE | Delaware |
FL | Florida |
GA | Georgia |
HI | Hawaii |
IA | Iowa |
ID | Idaho |
IL | Illinois |
IN | Indiana |
KS | Kansas |
KY | Kentucky |
LA | Louisiana |
MA | Massachusetts |
MD | Maryland |
ME | Maine |
MI | Michigan |
MN | Minnesota |
MO | Missouri |
MS | Mississippi |
MT | Montana |
NC | North Carolina |
ND | North Dakota |
NE | Nebraska |
NH | New Hampshire |
NJ | New Jersey |
NM | New Mexico |
NV | Nevada |
NY | New York |
OH | Ohio |
OK | Oklahoma |
OR | Oregon |
PA | Pennsylvania |
RI | Rhode Island |
SC | South Carolina |
SD | South Dakota |
TN | Tennessee |
TX | Texas |
UT | Utah |
VA | Virginia |
VT | Vermont |
WA | Washington |
WI | Wisconsin |
WV | West Virginia |
WY | Wyoming |
U.S. Territories
PR | Puerto Rico |
A-C
AAF | Army Air Field |
ABDR | Aircraft Battle Damage Repair |
ABS | Air Base Squadron |
ABW | Air Base Wing |
ACC | Air Combat Command |
ADC | Aerospace Defense Command |
ADIZ | Air Defense Identification Zones |
ADTC | Armament Development and Test Center |
ADW | Air Defense Wing |
ADWC | Air Defense Weapons Center |
AEW & CS | Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron |
AEW & CW | Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing |
AF | Air Force |
AFAF | Air Force Auxiliary Field |
AFB | Air Force Base |
AFCS | Air Force Communications Service |
AFFTC | Air Force Flight Test Center |
AFLC | Air Force Logistics Command |
AFRES | Air Force Reserve |
AFSC | Air Force Systems Command |
AFSWC | Air Force Special Weapons Center |
ALC | Air Logistics Center |
AMARC | Aerospace Maintenance And Regeneration Center |
ANG | Air National Guard |
ANGB | Air National Guard Base |
ARCOM | Army Reserve Command |
ARDC | Air Research and Development Center |
ARRS | Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron |
ARRW | Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing |
ARS | Air Refuelling Squadron |
ARW | Air Refuelling Wing |
ATC | Air Training Command |
ATS | Air Transport Squadron |
ATTW | Aircrew Training and Test Wing |
ATW | Air Training Wing |
AvnBtn | Aviation Battalion |
AvnCo | Aviation Company |
BG | Bombardment Group |
BS | Bombardment Squadron |
BW | Bombardment Wing |
CAP | Civil Air Patrol |
CCTS | Combat Crew Training Squadron |
CCTW | Combat Crew Training Wing |
CCV | Control Configured Vehicle |
CES | Civil Engineering Squadron |
CGAS | Coast Guard Air Station |
CNAVTRA | Chief of Naval Training |
CS | Composite Squadron |
CSG | Combat Support Group |
CSS | Combat Support Squadron |
CSW | Combat Support Wing |
CVA | Attack Aircraft Carrier |
CVN | Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carrier |
CW | Composite Wing |
D-F
Det | Detachment |
DPDO | Defense Property Disposal Office |
DRMO | Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office |
DSES | Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron |
EWO | Electronic Warfare Officer |
ECM | Electronic Countermeasures |
FAA | Federal Aviation Administration |
FG | Fighter Group |
FIS | Fighter Interceptor Squadron |
FITS | Fighter Interceptor Training Squadron |
FMS | Foreign Military Sales |
FR | Fleet Readiness |
FTW | Flying Training Wing |
FWS | Fighter Weapons School |
G-L
HC | Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (Navy) |
HCT | Helicopter Combat Support Training Squadron (Navy) |
HMA | Attack Helicopter Squadron (Marines) |
HMH | Heavy Helicopter Squadron (Marines) |
HML | Light Helicopter Squadron (Marines) |
HMM | Medium Helicopter Squadron (Marines) |
M-O
MAC | Military Airlift Command |
MAG | Military Airlift Group |
MAP | Military Assistance Program |
MARTD | Marine Air Reserve Training Detachment |
MAS | Military Airlift Squadron |
MASDC | Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center |
MATS | Military Air Transport Service |
MAW | Military Airlift Wing |
MCAS | Marine Air Corps Station |
MDS | Mission Design Series |
NAAS | Naval Auxiliary Air Station |
NADC | Naval Air Development Center |
NAEC | Naval Air Engineering Center |
NAF | Naval Air Facility |
NARF | Naval Air Rework Facility |
NARTC | Naval Air Reserve Training Center |
NARU | Naval Air Reserve Unit |
NAS | Naval Air Station |
NASA | National Aeronautics and Space Administration |
NASC | Naval Air Systems Command |
NATC | Naval Air Test Center |
NATF | Naval Air Test Facility |
NATTC | Naval Air Technical Training Center |
NOAA | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |
NTPS | Naval Test Pilots School |
NWC | Naval Weapons Center |
P-S
PACAF | Pacific Air Forces |
PMTC | Pacific Missile Test Center |
RCAF | Royal Canadian Air Force |
RoKAF | Republic of Korea Air Force |
RTS | returned to service |
RVAH | Reconnaissance Attack Squadron (Navy) |
RVAW | Airborne Early Warning Training Squadron (Navy) |
RW | Reconnaissance Wing |
SAC | Strategic Air Command |
SHAPE | Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe |
SMW | Strategic Missile Wing |
SOC | Struck Off Charge |
SOS | Special Operations Squadron |
SOW | Special Operations Wing |
SRW | Strategic Reconnaissance Wing |
T-V
TAG | Tactical Air Command |
TACW | Tactical Air Control Wing |
TAG | Tactical Airlift Group |
TAS | Tactical Airlift Squadron |
TASG | Tactical Air Support Group |
TASS | Tactical Air Support Squadron |
TAW | Tactical Airlift Wing |
TBS | Tactical Bombing Squadron |
TDG | Tactical Drone Group |
TDS | Tactical Drone Squadron |
TEWS | Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron |
TFS | Tactical Fighter Squadron |
TFTS | Tactical Fighter Training Squadron |
TFW | Tactical Fighter Wing |
TFWC | Tactical Fighter Weapons Center |
TRS | Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron |
TRW | Tactical Reconnaissance Wing |
TTC | Technical Training Center |
TTW | Tactical Training Wing |
TW | Training Wing |
USA | United States of America |
USAF | United States Air Force |
USAFE | United States Air Force Europe |
USCG | United States Coast Guard |
USFS | United States Forestry Service |
USMC | United States Marine Corps |
USN | United States Navy |
USS | United States Ship |
V-Z
VA | Attack Squadron (Navy) |
VAH | Heavy Attack Squadron (Navy) |
VAP | Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (Navy) |
VAQ | Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (Navy) |
VAW | Airborne Early Warning Squadron (Navy) |
VC | Composite Squadron (Navy) |
VF | Fighter Squadron (Navy) |
VFC | Fighter Composite Squadron (Navy) |
VFP | Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (Navy) |
VMA | Attack Squadron (Marines) |
VMAQ | Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (Marines) |
VMAT | Attack Training Squadron (Marines) |
VMCJ | Composite Reconnaissance Squadron (Marines) |
VMF | Fighter Squadron (Marines) |
VMFA | Fighter Attack Squadron (Marines) |
VMFAT | Fighter Attack Training Squadron (Marines) |
VMFP | Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (Marines) |
VMGR | Air Refuelling and Transport Squadron (Marines) |
VMJ | Reconnaissance Squadron (Marines) |
VMO | Observation Squadron (Marines) |
VMR | Transport Squadron (Marines) |
VO | Observation Squadron (Navy) |
VP | Patrol Squadron (Navy) |
VQ | Fleet Reconnaissance Squadron (Navy) |
VR | Logistic Support Squadron (Navy) |
VRC | Carrier Transport Squadron (Navy) |
VSTOL | Vertical/Short Take Off and Landing |
VS | Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron (Navy) |
VT | Training Squadron (Navy) |
VW | Airborne Early Warning/Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (Navy) |
VX | Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (Navy) |
VXE | Antarctic Development Squadron (Navy) |
VXN | Oceanographic Development Squadron (Navy) |
WRS | Weather Reconnaissance Squadron |
30 September 1950
30 September 1950
LOCATION | TOTAL | BOMBER | FIGHTER | CARGO | TRAINER | MISC. | ||||||||||||
SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | |
Alameda | 116 | 116 | ||||||||||||||||
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base | 104 | 382 | 54 | 243 | 4 | 39 | 139 | 7 | ||||||||||
Dobbins Air Force Base | 59 | 59 | ||||||||||||||||
Hill Air Force Base | 498 | 288 | 19 | 2 | 185 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Kelly Air Force Base | 1,424 | 19 | 261 | 4 | 1,131 | 9 | ||||||||||||
Long Beach Air Force Base | 32 | 32 | ||||||||||||||||
McClellan Air Force Base | 416 | 35 | 263 | 30 | 83 | 1 | 31 | 5 | 38 | |||||||||
Norton Air Force Base | 208 | 2 | 170 | 36 | ||||||||||||||
Pyote Air Force Base | 917 | 49 | 623 | 42 | 22 | 264 | 7 | 8 | ||||||||||
Robins Air Force Base | 174 | 156 | 83 | 109 | 51 | 1 | 17 | 47 | 22 | |||||||||
Tinker Air Force Base | 1,122 | 27 | 81 | 627 | 25 | 1 | 394 | 1 | 20 | |||||||||
Erding Air Force Base | 73 | 6 | 30 | 12 | 10 | 15 | ||||||||||||
Feamcom Air Force Base | 22 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 11 | |||||||||||
Kizarazu Air Field | 66 | 112 | 25 | 101 | 10 | 31 | ||||||||||||
Naha Air Field | 17 | 1 | 16 | |||||||||||||||
Other | 7 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | |||||||||||
TOTAL | 5,223 | 766 | 32 | 1,424 | 456 | 0 | 1,104 | 101 | 25 | 53 | 0 | 3 | 2,258 | 198 | 1 | 384 | 11 | 3 |
SC - Cocooned Storage.
SS - Uncocooned Storage.
XS - Excess.
31 December 1950
31 December 1950
LOCATION | TOTAL | BOMBER | FIGHTER | CARGO | TRAINER | MISC. | ||||||||||||
SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | |
Alameda | 25 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base | 90 | 382 | 54 | 243 | 31 | 139 | 5 | |||||||||||
Dobbins Air Force Base | 59 | 59 | ||||||||||||||||
Goodfellow Air Force Base | 22 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||
Hill Air Force Base | 483 | 273 | 19 | 186 | 5 | |||||||||||||
Kelly Air Force Base | 1,389 | 33 | 226 | 4 | 1,099 | 27 | ||||||||||||
Long Beach Air Force Base | 19 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||
McClellan Air Force Base | 327 | 35 | 203 | 30 | 76 | 1 | 24 | 5 | 23 | |||||||||
Norton Air Force Base | 202 | 2 | 170 | 30 | ||||||||||||||
Pyote Air Force Base | 863 | 48 | 588 | 41 | 14 | 260 | 7 | 1 | ||||||||||
Robins Air Force Base | 156 | 151 | 66 | 106 | 55 | 1 | 19 | 45 | 15 | |||||||||
Tinker Air Force Base | 1,126 | 1 | 80 | 648 | 1 | 397 | 1 | |||||||||||
Erding Air Force Base | 17 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 1 | ||||||||||
Feamcom Air Force Base | 23 | 14 | 1 | 5 | 3 | |||||||||||||
Kizarazu Air Field | 34 | 48 | 6 | 37 | 10 | 18 | 11 | |||||||||||
Furstenfeldbruck AB | 21 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||
Other | 9 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | ||||||||||||
TOTAL | 4,846 | 683 | 4 | 1,322 | 439 | 1 | 1,052 | 37 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 2,225 | 196 | 0 | 220 | 11 | 2 |
SC - Cocooned Storage.
SS - Uncocooned Storage.
XS - Excess.
31 March 1951
31 March 1951
LOCATION | TOTAL | BOMBER | FIGHTER | CARGO | TRAINER | MISC. | ||||||||||||
SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | |
Alameda | 25 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base | 93 | 325 | 56 | 200 | 32 | 125 | 5 | |||||||||||
Dobbins Air Force Base | 59 | 59 | ||||||||||||||||
Hill Air Force Base | 440 | 238 | 19 | 179 | 4 | |||||||||||||
Kelly Air Force Base | 1,125 | 28 | 53 | 1,025 | 19 | |||||||||||||
McClellan Air Force Base | 247 | 34 | 147 | 29 | 53 | 23 | 5 | 24 | ||||||||||
Norton Air Force Base | 202 | 2 | 170 | 30 | ||||||||||||||
Pyote Air Force Base | 802 | 45 | 550 | 38 | 3 | 248 | 7 | 1 | ||||||||||
Robins Air Force Base | 160 | 144 | 71 | 99 | 55 | 1 | 18 | 45 | 15 | |||||||||
Tinker Air Force Base | 1,091 | 76 | 642 | 372 | 1 | |||||||||||||
Erding Air Force Base | 11 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 1 | |||||||||||||
Feamcom Air Force Base | 28 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||||
Kizarazu Air Field | 4 | 119 | 119 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
Other | 18 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | ||||||||
TOTAL | 4,305 | 674 | 2 | 1,179 | 373 | 0 | 841 | 119 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 2,078 | 182 | 1 | 190 | 0 | 1 |
SC - Cocooned Storage.
SS - Uncocooned Storage.
XS - Excess.
30 June 1951
30 June 1951
LOCATION | TOTAL | BOMBER | FIGHTER | CARGO | TRAINER | MISC. | ||||||||||||
SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | SS | SC | XS | |
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base | 82 | 228 | 46 | 145 | 31 | 83 | 5 | |||||||||||
Dobbins Air Force Base | 59 | 59 | ||||||||||||||||
Hill Air Force Base | 422 | 232 | 19 | 159 | 12 | |||||||||||||
Kelly Air Force Base | 1,002 | 26 | 1 | 956 | 19 | |||||||||||||
McClellan Air Force Base | 254 | 34 | 147 | 29 | 53 | 1 | 5 | 53 | ||||||||||
Norton Air Force Base | 161 | 131 | 30 | |||||||||||||||
Pyote Air Force Base | 708 | 45 | 476 | 38 | 3 | 228 | 7 | 1 | ||||||||||
Robins Air Force Base | 80 | 120 | 53 | 75 | 1 | 11 | 45 | 15 | ||||||||||
Stewart Air Force Base | 12 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||
Tinker Air Force Base | 877 | 64 | 571 | 241 | 1 | |||||||||||||
Eniwetok | 10 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||
Feamcom Air Force Base | 32 | 9 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Kizarazu Air Field | 12 | 53 | 6 | 53 | 6 | |||||||||||||
Other | 13 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | |||||||||||
TOTAL | 3,724 | 480 | 1 | 1,058 | 287 | 0 | 663 | 53 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1,765 | 140 | 0 | 230 | 0 | 1 |
SC - Cocooned Storage.
SS - Uncocooned Storage.
XS - Excess.
Source: Material Statistics Division, Directorate of Statistical Services, DCS/C.
30 September 1951
30 September 1951
LOCATION | TOTAL | BOMBER | FIGHTER | CARGO | TRAINER | MISC. | ||||||
SS | SC | SS | SC | SS | SC | SS | SC | SS | SC | SS | SC | |
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base | 65 | 202 | 33 | 120 | 28 | 82 | 4 | |||||
Hill Air Force Base | 390 | 203 | 19 | 159 | 9 | |||||||
Kelly Air Force Base | 1,020 | 26 | 1 | 980 | 13 | |||||||
McClellan Air Force Base | 258 | 34 | 151 | 29 | 53 | 1 | 5 | 53 | ||||
Norton Air Force Base | 260 | 1 | 230 | 29 | ||||||||
Pyote Air Force Base | 628 | 21 | 416 | 20 | 3 | 209 | 1 | |||||
Robins Air Force Base | 78 | 102 | 55 | 58 | 1 | 12 | 44 | 10 | ||||
Sewart Air Force Base | 10 | 10 | ||||||||||
Tinker Air Force Base | 941 | 64 | 642 | 235 | ||||||||
Feamcom Air Force Base | 23 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | ||||||
Other | 22 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 12 | |||||||
TOTAL | 3,695 | 359 | 964 | 227 | 724 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1,859 | 132 | 141 | 0 |
SC - Cocooned Storage.
SS - Uncocooned Storage.
31 December 1951
31 December 1951
LOCATION | TOTAL | BOMBER | FIGHTER | CARGO | TRAINER | MISC. | ||||||
SS | SC | SS | SC | SS | SC | SS | SC | SS | SC | SS | SC | |
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base | 65 | 174 | 33 | 96 | 28 | 78 | 4 | |||||
Hill Air Force Base | 194 | 155 | 31 | 8 | ||||||||
Kelly Air Force Base | 826 | 23 | 1 | 789 | 13 | |||||||
McClellan Air Force Base | 194 | 24 | 141 | 20 | 2 | 4 | 51 | |||||
Norton Air Force Base | 276 | 1 | 246 | 29 | ||||||||
Pyote Air Force Base | 508 | 315 | 3 | 190 | ||||||||
Robins Air Force Base | 89 | 78 | 55 | 46 | 24 | 32 | 10 | |||||
Tinker Air Force Base | 839 | 60 | 595 | 184 | ||||||||
Feamcom Air Force Base | 44 | 7 | 25 | 7 | 2 | 3 | ||||||
Kisarazu Air Force Base | 21 | 20 | 1 | |||||||||
Other | 18 | 4 | 4 | 10 | ||||||||
TOTAL | 3,074 | 276 | 794 | 162 | 641 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 1,500 | 114 | 129 | 0 |
SC - Cocooned Storage.
SS - Uncocooned Storage.
31 March 1952
31 March 1952
LOCATION | TOTAL | BOMBER | FIGHTER | CARGO | TRAINER | MISC. | ||||||
SS | SC | SS | SC | SS | SC | SS | SC | SS | SC | SS | SC | |
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base | 65 | 162 | 33 | 92 | 28 | 70 | 4 | |||||
Hill Air Force Base | 156 | 126 | 22 | 8 | ||||||||
Kelly Air Force Base | 640 | 23 | 1 | 585 | 31 | |||||||
McClellan Air Force Base | 158 | 24 | 108 | 20 | 1 | 4 | 49 | |||||
Norton Air Force Base | 284 | 1 | 239 | 44 | ||||||||
Pyote Air Force Base | 473 | 311 | 3 | 159 | ||||||||
Robins Air Force Base | 77 | 78 | 52 | 46 | 15 | 32 | 10 | |||||
Tinker Air Force Base | 746 | 58 | 521 | 166 | 1 | |||||||
Erding Air Force Base | 33 | 3 | 3 | 27 | ||||||||
Feamcom Air Force Base | 29 | 2 | 12 | 8 | 1 | 6 | ||||||
Kisarazu Air Force Base | 18 | 18 | ||||||||||
Other | 12 | 4 | 8 | |||||||||
TOTAL | 2,673 | 282 | 717 | 158 | 534 | 18 | 15 | 0 | 1,219 | 106 | 188 | 0 |
SC - Cocooned Storage.
SS - Uncocooned Storage.
30 June 1952
30 June 1952
LOCATION | TOTAL | BOMBER | FIGHTER | CARGO | TRAINER | MISC. | ||||||
SS | SC | SS | SC | SS | SC | SS | SC | SS | SC | SS | SC | |
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base | 66 | 136 | 28 | 81 | 38 | 55 | ||||||
Hill Air Force Base | 126 | 96 | 21 | 9 | ||||||||
Kelly Air Force Base | 446 | 25 | 371 | 50 | ||||||||
McClellan Air Force Base | 121 | 19 | 71 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 49 | |||||
Norton Air Force Base | 264 | 1 | 203 | 60 | ||||||||
Pyote Air Force Base | 431 | 295 | 2 | 134 | ||||||||
Robins Air Force Base | 76 | 52 | 45 | 36 | 1 | 21 | 16 | 9 | ||||
Tinker Air Force Base | 406 | 54 | 216 | 135 | 1 | |||||||
Erding Air Force Base | 34 | 2 | 32 | |||||||||
Feamcom Air Force Base | 39 | 7 | 14 | 12 | 1 | 5 | ||||||
Other | 16 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 9 | ||||
TOTAL | 2,025 | 209 | 625 | 133 | 233 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 926 | 76 | 224 | 0 |
SC - Cocooned Storage.
SS - Uncocooned Storage.
Source: Material Statistics Division, Directorate of Statistical Services, DCS/C.