Official VUQ-10 Pathfinders flag patch set.
The Navy's first carrier-based unmanned squadron — Pathfinders carry the colors.
Unmanned Carrier-Launched Multi-Role Squadron 10 (VUQ-10), the "Pathfinders," is the U.S. Navy's first carrier-based unmanned aircraft squadron, established on October 1, 2022 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland — and the squadron that's standing up the future of carrier aviation. As the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) for the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray, VUQ-10's mission is to man, train, and equip the personnel who will operate the Navy's first unmanned carrier-launched air vehicle. The MQ-25's primary role is mission tanking — passing the gas to F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, F-35Cs, and E-2Ds to extend strike range well beyond what a carrier air wing can achieve today — with secondary roles in recovery tanking and ISR for the Carrier Strike Group. By shifting refueling duties from the Super Hornet community to the unmanned Stingray, the MQ-25 frees up Super Hornet ordnance capacity and dramatically increases the lethality of every CVW. The Pathfinders currently work alongside test squadrons VX-23, UX-24, and VX-1 at Pax River to develop the operational and maintenance procedures for the new platform, and the squadron will ultimately relocate to Naval Base Ventura County / Point Mugu, California. Captain Andrew Gastrell served as the first commanding officer; Commander Emily Mooren took command in February 2024. Two follow-on operational units — VUQ-11 and VUQ-12 — are planned. This flag set carries the Pathfinders' colors as the Navy enters the unmanned carrier aviation era.
Perfect For: VUQ-10 Pathfinders Sailors and air vehicle operators, MQ-25 Stingray pilots and maintainers, NAS Patuxent River and Point Mugu personnel, VX-23 / UX-24 / VX-1 test community members, naval aviation unmanned systems enthusiasts, and Carrier Strike Group future-of-CVW collectors.
Pathfinders — Navy's first carrier UAV squadron, colors flying.
