OK, dumb question. Does anyone know why the squadrons embarked with Carrier Air Wings use side numbers x00 through x07, always seem to skip x08, and x09, and then pick back up again at x10??

For example, the lowest numbered F-14 squadron would be have 100, 101, 102 etc, and skip 108 and 109, and then pick back up again with 110. Same with be true with the other squadrons. I've seen that "gap" with every squadron in every airwing covering the last 20 years, so it's clearly by intent.

Anybody know why?

Tom

Simple.... too hard to read and distinguish 8 and 9 from a distance. Especially through salt stained windows of the bridge and air boss stations, was also difficult through binoculars.
We also never said 5 or 9 or 0 on the sound powered phones... it was 5 and 9er, and zero.... 5 and 9 sounded the same on these.

Thanks, Dave. I started wondering as I was doing the Air Wing for my 1/350 Enterprise, and noticed this pattern in every squadron in every wing as I did my research.

It was either some sort of "tradition" or for practical reasons, and I figured the latter.

Tom