Officially Licensed US Navy VUQ-10 Pathfinders squadron patch.
The Navy's first carrier UAV squadron — MQ-25 Stingrays out of Pax River.
Unmanned Carrier-Launched Multi-Role Squadron 10 (VUQ-10), the "Pathfinders," was established on October 1, 2022 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland as the U.S. Navy's first carrier-based unmanned aircraft squadron and the Fleet Replacement Squadron for the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray. The Pathfinders' job is to man, train, and equip the operators, maintainers, and air vehicle handlers who will fly the MQ-25 — the first unmanned carrier-launched air vehicle in U.S. Navy history. The MQ-25 Stingray is purpose-built for mission tanking — extending the strike range of carrier air wing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, F-35Cs, and E-2Ds well beyond what's possible today — with secondary missions in recovery tanking and ISR for the Carrier Strike Group. Shifting tanker duties from the manned Super Hornet community to the unmanned Stingray lets every CVW carry more ordnance, fly longer strike profiles, and put more lethality on target. The Pathfinders work alongside test squadrons VX-23, UX-24, and VX-1 at Pax River developing the operational and maintenance procedures for the platform, and the squadron will ultimately relocate to NBVC Point Mugu, California. Captain Andrew Gastrell served as the first commanding officer; Commander Emily Mooren took command in February 2024. Two follow-on operational squadrons — VUQ-11 and VUQ-12 — are planned. This squadron patch is the Pathfinders' calling card.
Perfect For: VUQ-10 Pathfinders Sailors and air vehicle operators, MQ-25 Stingray maintainers, NAS Patuxent River and NBVC Point Mugu personnel, naval aviation unmanned systems enthusiasts, VX-23 / UX-24 / VX-1 test community members, and carrier strike group future-of-aviation collectors.
VUQ-10 Pathfinders — first carrier UAV squadron, since October 2022.
