'Maulers' return home after last S-3 combat operations

The cruise marked the end of an era for the S-3 "War Hoover" as VS-32 completed the last operational combat deployment for the venerable aircraft, which the Navy began flying in 1974 and will be retired from the fleet in 2009.

Cmdr. Doug Walker, commanding officer of VS-32 said, "I find this moment bittersweet. Although I am absolutely honored to bring the last Viking combat deployment to an end, I am very sad to see the carrier battle group lose such a capable platform."

Twenty-four aircrew returned home Dec. 15 when they flew a six-plane division from the Enterprise off the coast of Florida into NAS Jacksonville. More than 100 eagerly awaiting family and friends greeted the returning heroes to an abundance of smiles and a few tears of joy.

The next day, the 150 remaining members of VS-32 pulled into NS Mayport on board the "Big E", greeted by hundreds of friends,

family members and onlookers. Christmas definitely came early to the Mauler families as they greeted their loved ones who had been away since the first week of July. A few Sailors met their newborn children for the first time as three Maulers became new fathers while on cruise. Having deployed for seven months in 2006, VS-32 personnel have lived overseas for nearly 13 of the last 18 months.

Lt. Cmdr. Rick Piechota holds his daughter, Addison, after returning home from a six-month deployment with VS-32.

Command Master Chief Adrian Andrews remarked, "President John F. Kennedy once said, 'Ask not what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your country.' The Sailor's of VS-32 lived up to this challenge in completing back-to-back deployments supporting our country's rights to liberty and freedom. Each Sailor assigned to VS-32 has talked the talk and walked the walk in doing their part for their country."

Fifteen Mauler Sailors had more than pictures of life aboard the aircraft carrier to share as they took 29 friends and family members aboard the ship for a three-day Tiger Cruise to Norfolk, Va. Those Sailors returned home to Jacksonville Dec. 19. In addition to experiencing the difficulties of shipboard life, from the cramped racks to the confined dining facilities, the Tigers were also treated to a rare demonstration of naval air power from the flight deck.

The Maulers had a busy combat cruise. After achieving carrier qualifications for 10 pilots and conducting a brief sustainment exercise off the Eastern seaboard, the "Big E" crossed the Atlantic Ocean and spent nearly two weeks in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Enterprise transited the Suez Canal Aug. 1 and reached its station in the Arabian Gulf to begin its support of Operation Iraqi Freedom Aug. 10. If you are ever thinking about visiting the Middle East in the summer, as AT2 Aaron Clifford can attest, the Maulers recommend you avoid it. "The stretch in August was some of the most brutal heat, I've ever felt," said Clifford. "Daily temperatures on the flight deck climbed to over 110 degrees before jet engines started turning. With up to 15 aircraft engines online, temperatures routinely reached 130 degrees and higher."

Brian Worthington greets his fiance, Lt. Helen Watson, after she returns home.

VS-32 brought newly fitted low altitude navigation and targeting infrared for night pods to the fight with their six jets, which offered unprecedented infrared sensor capabilities for the S-3B Viking in theatre. In addition to fulfilling its role as Carrier Air Wing One's (CVW-1) primary organic tanker, providing more than 800,000 pounds of fuel to the air wing, the Maulers provided essential surface, search and reconnaissance to the carrier battle group, ensuring the ship was safe from any potential threats.

VS-32 played a vital role in monitoring Iranian naval activity, as well as searching and identifying high value targets in the global war on terrorism. These missions, as well as daily presence patrols, directly contributed to the security and stability of the free trade of oil and theatre cooperation efforts.

In addition, the squadron detached an aircraft, four aircrew and maintenance support to join some of its air wing F/A-18s to Shaikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain to provide aerial refueling support for Nautical Artist, a weeklong air-to-air exercise with the Royal Saudi and Bahraini Air Forces.

The Maulers only enjoyed four port calls on their deployment, spending 13 days on land over their six months at sea. VS-32 first stopped in Cannes, France for two nights and three days July 26-28. Although the famed film festival did not overlap with the Maulers visit, the French Riviera did not disappoint as many Sailors took Morale, Welfare and Recreation-sponsored tours to Nice and Monte Carlo. Lt. Cmdr. Scott Giles even checked out an exciting Pyrenees mountain stage of the famous Tour De France, riding his bicycle up the mountain leg just hours before the race.

VS-32 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Doug Walker hugs his family after returning home from a six-month deployment on board USS Enterprise.

The Maulers visited Dubai in the United Arab Emirates three times between September and November, providing some much needed rest and relaxation from a rigorous operational schedule. Popular activities included desert safaris, camel rides, indoor snow skiing at the Mall of the Emirates, the Wild Wadi Water Park and tours of the Burj Al Arab hotel. Many Sailors were spotted shopping for Persian carpets and looking for bargains in the gold and spice souks.

The "Big E" completed its combat operations Nov. 24 and headed out the way it came, through the Straits of Hormuz, Red Sea, Suez Canal, Mediterranean Sea, Straits of Gibraltar and finally across the Atlantic for its return home celebration.

VS-32 flew more hours and traps per pilot and per aircraft than any other squadron in CVW-1, completing more than 960 sorties, 2,100 flight hours and 940 traps (558 at night). Mauler pilots recorded a remarkable 97.4 percent combat boarding rate, the highest in CVW-1. Lt. Cmdr. James Reynolds, Lt. Brad Whittington and Lt. John Hilburn were awarded Top Ten Hook awards for their superior carrier landing performances.

VS-32 maintenance personnel displayed tireless dedication and hard work in getting the oldest aircraft on the flight deck airborne consistently, fixing more than 20,000 aircraft discrepancies and achieving a phenomenal 97.5 percent sortie completion rate.

Thirty-five Maulers earned their enlisted aviation warfare pin and 17 more earned their enlisted surface warfare specialty designation. In addition, the Maulers pinned four new chiefs and 27 Maulers were promoted to E-4 through E-6.

As the end of deployment marked the last time VS-32 aircrew would trap aboard an aircraft carrier in an S-3, some officers looked ahead to flying newer, more technologically advanced platforms, but every Mauler looked back nostalgically upon their time flying the "Hoov" off of aircraft carriers.

It seemed Lt John Hilburn got it right, "As much as we are happy to be home, we will all cherish our time flying the old S-3 and will miss it."