Manpower and Organization
UNIT DESIGNATIONS
1. Heritage is an important element in unit prestige, pride, and morale. It, therefore, impacts readiness and operational effectiveness. A H denotes revision from previous edition.
2. The Air Force regularly activates and inactivates units as a result of force structure and organizational changes. Throughout this process, we must take care to preserve those units with the richest heritage by keeping them in active status. This may require transferring a unit designation from one location to another.
3. Priorities. Use the following priorities to assign unit designations. Give:
3.1. First priority to preserving units that trace their heritage to the original (pre-1939) Air Force formations.
3.2. Second priority to units with records of unique historical achievements.
3.3. Third priority to units which have gained the most years of service, unit decorations, and specific accomplishments.
4. Responsibilities. The directive establishes the following responsibilities and authorities:
4.1. The Secretary of the Air Force organizes the Air Force. The Air Staff, under the direction of the Chief of Staff, discharges this responsibility. This includes designating Air Force organizations.
4.2. The Director of Programs and Evaluation (HQ USAF/PE), in coordination with the Directorate of Information Management (SAF/AAI), maintains, updates and publishes a Chief of Staff of the Air Force (CSAF)-approved list of unit nomenclature in an attachment to this directive. HQ USAF/PE reviews all proposals to designate Air Force units, certifies compliance with guidelines and, if required, explains any exceptions. HQ USAF/PE sends all proposals to the Chief of Staff for approval.
4.3. The Air Force Historical Research Agency maintains, updates, and distributes a master, CSAF-approved heritage ranking of Air Force wings and mission squadrons based on the priorities in paragraph 3.
4.4. Major commands (MAJCOM) use the approved nomenclature and heritage lists when they propose unit designations. Exceptions may be appropriate, but MAJCOMs must justify them to HQ USAF/PE and explain them in the proposal forwarded to the Chief of Staff.
5. The measure for compliance with this policy is maintained in the Office of the Chief of Staff.
A1.2. Guidelines. Apply the following guidelines when naming a unit:
A1.2.1. Generally, units require a specific organization title or designation made up of a number or name, a "kind" (nomenclature), and a "type" (organizational level) indicator. An example of a numbered unit designation is:
Title: 2nd Bomb Wing
Number: 2
Unit Kind: Bomb
Unit Type: Wing
An example of a named unit designation is:
Title: Ogden Air Logistics Center
Name: Ogden
Unit Kind: Air Logistics
Unit Type: Center
A1.2.2. Unit Number:
A1.2.2.1. A numbered unit is assigned a number of no more than three numerals (for example, 305th Air Mobility Wing).
A1.2.2.2. Do not use Arabic or Roman numerals in designating Numbered Air Forces (e.g., Seventh Air Force).
A1.2.2.3. Use unit numbers as low in sequence as possible.
A1.2.2.4. Reserve numbers 101 through 300 for Air National Guard units.
A1.2.2.7. Do not normally give mission squadrons assigned to groups or wings the same number as their parent organizations. When otherwise convenient, use sequential numbers for mission squadrons within the same wing.
A1.2.2.8. You will not normally need to redesignate a unit numerically.
A1.2.3. Unit Kind:
A1.2.3.1. Assign to a unit nomenclature that describes its assigned mission. Do not construct unit titles that restrict another unit with a like mission from using that nomenclature.
A1.2.3.2. Do not designate composite wings or composite independent groups by "kind" designation (for example, 3rd Wing).
A1.2.3.3. Keep unit "kinds" (nomenclature) and type attributes short and simple. Use more specific nomenclature at lower organizational levels, but keep the number of different titles to a minimum.
A1.2.3.4. HQ USAF/PE maintains a CSAF-approved list of unit nomenclature for use in evaluating all proposals to designate Air Force units. Attachments 2 to 4 contain current, approved nomenclature lists for wings, groups, and squadrons. You must get approval from CSAF for any deviations to approved nomenclature (see paragraph A1.2.3.6. and A1.2.4.4.). For available unit "kinds" (nomenclatures) see the Air Force Information Resources Dictionary System (AFI-IRDS). Each unit "kind" has a general description to help in selecting the appropriate nomenclature.
A1.2.3.5. AFI 38-101, Air Force Organization, Chapter 2 (formerly AFR 26-2), describes unit types.
A1.2.3.6. If an unusual factor such as a special mission suggests a deviation from the standard organization nomenclature, a MAJCOM may request new nomenclature from HQ USAF/PE. Include in these requests the proposed nomenclature (unit kind), type (level), command to which restricted (if any), and a definition of the mission implied by the nomenclature. Also include the justification or rationale for the proposed nomenclature. For example:
Proposed Unit Kind: Fighter Training
Proposed Unit Type: Squadron
Command Restriction: None.
A1.2.4. Procedures for Unit Designation: Units are regularly activated, inactivated, or redesignated for reasons specified in paragraph 2 of this directive. Designation actions will conform to policy criteria outlined in paragraphs 1 to 4 and procedural criteria documented in this attachment.
A1.2.4.1. Do not designate or redesignate a unit with the exact number, name, and type of another active or inactive unit.
A1.2.4.2. You may use an inactive unit to form a new unit of the same number, name, or similar function. A new unit formed from an inactive unit inherits the lineage and honors of the former unit.
A1.2.4.3. A unit retains its lineage, honors, and history through all activations, inactivations, and redesignations. AFI 84-101, Historical Products, Services, and Requirements (formerly AFRs 20-49, 210-1, 210-2, and 210-3), describes the effect an organizational action will have on inheriting the lineage, honors, and history of a unit. Upon request, the Air Force Historical Research Agency will provide MAJCOMs with a list of qualified inactive units for possible activation.
A1.2.4.4. MAJCOMs will use approved nomenclature and heritage lists to propose unit designations. Submit these proposals to HQ USAF/PE for evaluation and certification of compliance with procedural guidelines, according to AFI 38-101. If MAJCOMs wish to deviate from the guidelines in this attachment they must provide explicit justification in a request for approval of an organizational variance. HQ USAF/PE sends all proposals to the Chief of Staff for approval.
Aerial Port Squadron APS
Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron AES
Aeromedical Staging Squadron ASTS
Title Abbreviation
Fighter Weapons Squadron FWS
Flight Test Squadron FLTS
Flying Training Squadron FTS
Helicopter Squadron HS
Intelligence Squadron IS
Logistics Squadron LS
Logistics Support Squadron LSS
Maintenance Squadron MXS
Materiel Squadron MATS
Materiel Maintenance Squadron MMS
Medical Squadron MDS
Medical Operations Squadron MDOS
Medical Support Squadron MDSS
Missile Squadron MS
Mission Support Squadron MSS
Munitions Squadron MUNS
Munitions Support Squadron MUNSS
Operations Squadron OS
Operations Support Squadron OSS
Range Squadron RANS
Reconnaissance Squadron RS
Recruiting Squadron RCS
Red Horse Squadron RHS
Regional Support Squadron RSS
Rescue Squadron RQS
Security Police Squadron SPS
Services Squadron SVS