Well, now I am confused.

Not sure if anyone here can help but……

I noticed a VFA-86 E model in the pattern with the tail code AG. My memory from when I was a kid building scale models of F-14’s and A-7’s was that an A tail code was east code and an N tail code was west coast.

Is this no longer the case or was this squadron visiting?

Also, VFA-86 was a strike squadron in the past but is now flying the single seat Hornet which I assume to be more of a fighter role.

And VFA-2 was a fighter squadron in the past but is now flying the two seat Hornet which I assume is a strike aircraft?

Does each squadron have a mix of single and two seaters and does each squadron fly the same multi role mission or is there some specialization that occurs?

Cheers and thanks if anyone has the time to answer.

F/A-18

Fighter / Attack

All hornets are dual-role, F and A. Two seaters are probably better at attack (and some F roles), but I'm sure some single seat pilot will be along to explain how the backseater is dead weight on all missions.

The E/A-18 growler is always two-seat, and does electronic warfare/attack only (not based at Lemoore).

Squadrons are dedicated to either single or two-seat, since they will have slightly different mission emphasis.

Two seaters are used for training.

FWIW the A and N letters still meant East and West coast when I retired about 10 years ago. I doubt it’s changed because it’s been that way forever. The second letter, G in this case, designated the specific air wing. I was in CAG 7 (East coast airwing) way back when and that was AG back then.


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thanks for the info folks, cheers

Nice photos

thanks v much