Forum: Air Force Life

BTW - the ZZ tailcode is just a holdover due to the age of the unit. Historically in the USAF there have been a number of units that used a Z* series. It just happened to get the last one.

F-16.net Sponsor

True. I didn't think about that one, but you're right. The 31st TFW at Homestead used to be "ZF" before becoming "HS". They even had the ZF tailcode when the first Vipers arrived there.

As for the 18th, the "Never Return to CONUS" myth is also debunked. The 18th has never served stateside to begin with. However, they have come to the States several times to participate in competitions, like William Tell. Kadena also comes to Tyndall every once in awhile for Combat Archer WSEP missions.

BTW, the 1st FW has only been at Langley since 1975. They were at MacDill before that, and also spent many years in California.

Beers and MiGs were made to be pounded!

the 12FS used to be here but was transferred to elmendorf, alaska so technically its not stateside but is on US soil. We (67th and 44th) make yearly trips to Red Flag and WSEP at tyndall.

All true, but that's why I said "Story/urbanlegend/rumor/fact"

Quote:

What did the 1st FW do to be stuck at Langley since WW 1?

It keeps them out of trouble.

That leads it the other tailcodes and what they "might" mean:

GA (George AFB) Always meant Ground Abort.
FF (Langley AFB) F***ing First or First to Flee (take your pick)
WW (Wild Weasel) Why Worry

any others come to mind?

AV (Aviano AB) All Vipers?

Thanks folks for correcting me on FF history at Langley. Thought they had been there longer.

ooo....got another one:

UH: Upper Hemmoroid

Maybe you guys answered this earlier, or maybe it is in the links that I cannot get to, but why is ZZ subdued on all of Kadena's jets. Well, except the Commander's jets 'n such, I think there are not subdued. When I say subdued, I mean the ZZ letters are grey with NO black border. I've never seen this pattern of tailcodes with any other Air Force unit, care to explain?

Gear it down, you're guard dude.

all PACAF aircraft have subdued tails, why i couldnt tell you.

Quote:

all PACAF aircraft have subdued tails, why i couldnt tell you.

So they're harder to spot during Air Combat Manuvering. Doh

I have heard this story as well. My instructor at Sheppard told me this story; especially regarding that ZZ tail flash. I had heard they were given that designation because the were the "lowest of the low" after leaving the crew chiefs to be hung with safety wire

ViperKeeper2070 wrote:

I have heard this story as well. My instructor at Sheppard told me this story; especially regarding that ZZ tail flash. I had heard they were given that designation because the were the "lowest of the low" after leaving the crew chiefs to be hung with safety wire

And the Urban Legend continues....

falconfixer860261 wrote:

Wish I could find those people - I'd get rich selling them Pseudo Gold Plated Electric Dog Polishers.....

ROFL! Those things aren't real?

I once heard that every air force base has a nuclear reactor to keep the power up if local power got knocked out during a war.

'FF' = First Fighter

As for Langley itself..many people get confused with the base history vs. Wing/Squadron histories. Langley is the oldest Air Force Base, currently home to the oldest fighter squadron (27th). Hope this helps, Check.

Kadena's F-4C Wild Weasels flew combat missions during the Vietnam War - with the "ZG" tailcode. Back then the First letter was assigned to the Home Base/Wing and the second letter the squadron. You'll see 4TFW had SC and SJ tailcodes back during linebacker.

18WG jets went to the subdued tailmarkings when the MOD Eagle scheme came - the 18WG, 18OG, and the squadron commanders birds carry the white shades on their letter markings. Back when they flew with compass grey schemes they had the black letters and also one of the more colorful tail fins on the F-15s with all three squadron colors in a triangle shape with the assigned squadron on the outer band. Don't forget that the Shogun head is applied to the inner tails - I believe that has been moved to the outside of the tails between the ZZ and PACAF badge.

Kadena F-15Cs sat alert at Osan and also in Keflavik, Iceland. Kadena F-15Cs were the last F-15s to be at PSAB as they finished OSW and flew during the opening weeks of OIF before returning home.

Forum: Air Force Life

Kadena chicken story