VS-22

Sea Control Squadron 22
Sea Control Squadron 22
	Lockheed S-3B Viking

Sea Control Squadron 22 (VS-22) Checkmates was a carrier-based

Lockheed S-3B Viking and their mission was mining, undersea and surface warfare, electronic reconnaissance and analysis, over the horizon targeting, and aerial refueling. The squadron was last attached to Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) and was the last squadron flying the Viking. VS-22 was disestablished in a ceremony at NAS Jacksonville on 29 January 2009, and officially on 31 March 2009.^[1]

History

Two distinct squadrons have been designated VS-22. The second of these is the main subject of this article. Officially, the US Navy does not recognize a direct lineage with disestablished squadrons if a new squadron is formed with the same designation.[2] Often, the new squadron will assume the nickname, insignia, and traditions of the earlier squadrons.

First VS-22, 1945-1956

The original VS-22 was established as torpedo squadron VT-42 on 19 June 1945 at

NAS Quonset Point

on 1 June 1956. The majority of manpower, material and planes were reassigned to VS-27 at NAS Norfolk.

Second VS-22, 1960-2009

A new anti-submarine squadron VS-22 was established at

Grumman S-2 Tracker

, better known as "Stoof" from its pre-1962 designation "S2F". VS-22 was assigned to Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 54 (CVSG-54) at NAS Quonset Point and operated from Essex-class anti-submarine carriers, mostly in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea:
USS Lake Champlain, June 1960 - May 1965;
USS Essex, June 1967 - August 1967;
USS Wasp, March 1969 - November 1971;
USS Intrepid, March 1972 (as part of CVSG-56).

Besides the typical submarine hunting role for which the aircraft was designed, the Checkmates held a significant role in the United States space program.

Alan B. Shepard's Freedom 7 spacecraft, the United States' first manned spacecraft, was tracked and located by VS-22 on 5 May 1961. In August 1965, while embarked on USS Lake Champlain, VS-22 recovered Gemini 5 astronauts Gordon Cooper and Pete Conrad. Finally, VS-22 was engaged in the recovery of Apollo 7

astronauts while deployed aboard USS Essex.

1970s-80s

Jet transitions started in the summer of 1974 with pilots training in

Douglas TA-4J Skyhawks at NAS Meridian, Mississippi, making VS-22 the first east coast based S-3A squadron. With the retirement of the anti-submarine carriers the anti-submarine squadrons were integrated into the former attack carrier air wings. From 1976 to 2001 VS-22 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3). Between 1976 and 1980 VS-22 made four deployments aboard the USS Saratoga

. After the Saratoga went to drydock in September 1980, CVW-3 transitioned to deployments aboard the USS John F. Kennedy. The squadron transitioned to the S-3B in 1989.

1990s

This was followed by seven cruises aboard

Operation Desert Storm

in 1990/91. Operation "Desert Storm" commenced on 17 January 1991. VS-22 aircrews flew over 1100 combat hours and 324 combat sorties in direct support of the coalition forces. Target information gleaned by VS-22 aircraft played a major role in the suppression of enemy air defences during the first days of Desert Storm. From 22 January 1991 until the cease-fire on 28 February 1991, the Checkmates flew in every CVW-3 strike against Iraq . VS-22 was also employed in support of CJTF-4 counter narcotics operations during the last part of 1991 through the first part of 1992 earned the Checkmates the "Joint Meritorious Unit Award" for locating over 1500 contacts, confirming 50 as suspected offenders. After a long pre-deployment work-up schedule, VS-22 embarked on the carrier USS John F. Kennedy in October 1992. Concentrating on multi-national Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea exercises during the first half of deployment, VS-22 provided initial in-flight refueling training for

Mirage 2000

pilots and practiced ASW skills while leading over 40 multi-national, integrated and air wing exercise strikes against NATO ships. Later VS-22 participated in Operations Provide Comfort and Provide Promise, providing radar locating and command and control information. In February 1994, VS-22 joined CVW-3 and

Operation Desert Fox

, Juniper Stallion and Noble Anvil, mostly providing electronic warfare support.

Al Asad

, Iraq

2000s

In November 2000 VS-22 and CVW-3 embarked on

Iraqi Freedom

, launching missions from the Eastern Mediterranean. October 2004 saw VS-22 deploying with CVW-3 and Harry S. Truman for the last time. VS-22 flew 1170 sorties and 3220 hours in support of "Operation Iraqi Freedom", patrolling the oil infrastructure in the Persian Gulf during "Operation Sea Dragon II" missions.

VS-22 deployed in 2006 on

Al Anbar Province until their return to NAS Jacksonville on 15 December 2008. VS-22 was the last squadron flying the Viking, and was disestablished on 29 January 2009.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b "The Final Boat: End of the USN's S-3B Vikings". Defense Industry Daily. 2 February 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2009.
^ "Naval Aviation Squadron Lineages". www.history.navy.mil. Archived from the original on 26 May 2000.

External links

[DID-1] "The Final Boat: End of the USN's S-3B Vikings". Defense Industry Daily. 2 February 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2009.

[2] "Naval Aviation Squadron Lineages". www.history.navy.mil. Archived from the original on 26 May 2000.

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