VS-22 pathway to disestablishment

Established May 18, 1960 at NAS Quonset Point, R.I., the VS-22 "Checkmates" have been at the forefront of naval aviation anti-submarine operations. For its first 16 years, VS-22 flew the venerable Grumman S-2 Tracker, best known in the VS community as the "Stoof."

As part of Carrier Antisubmarine Air Group 54 (composed of VS-22, VS-32, HS-5 and a VAW-12 detachment), the Checkmates operated from the decks of legendary carriers, including: USS Essex (CVS-9), USS Intrepid (CVS-11), USS Randolph (CVS-15), USS Wasp (CVS-18), USS Oriskany (CVA-34), USS Lake Champlain (CVS-39), USS Saratoga (CV-60), USS Independence (CV-62), USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), USS Enterprise (CVN-65), USS America (CV-66), USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), and USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75).

A highlight of 1961 was participating in the recovery of America 's first astronaut, Alan Shepard, after his pioneering space flight on May 5. In August 1965, VS-22 embarked on USS Lake Champlain for the recovery of Gemini 5 astronauts Gordon Cooper and "Pete" Conrad. On board USS Essex, VS-22 participated in the recovery of Apollo 7 with astronauts Shirra, Eisele and Cunningham.

Two S-3B Vikings assigned to the VS-22 "Checkmates" conduct an airborne refueling during routine flight operations from aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) in May 2006. They supported Partnership of the Americas, a maritime training and readiness deployment of the U.S. Naval Forces with Caribbean and Latin American countries in partnership with the U.S. Southern Command. U.S. Navy photo by PH3 Christopher Stephens

While on CVS-9 in 1966, VS-22 traded in its older S-2A (S2F-1/1S) for the more capable S-2E model of the Stoof. In February 1969, CVSG-54 moved to Wasp (CVS-18) to continue its Atlantic ASW operations.

In 1970, VS-22 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations provided more data and tactical experience in hunting nuclear submarines than had ever been accomplished.

In 1973, the Checkmates joined Air Antisubmarine Wing One, the precursor of Sea Control Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In November, facing the imminent closure of NAS Quonset Point, VS-22 transferred to NAS Cecil Field.

The squadron's jet transition started in 1974 with pilots training in T-2s and A-4s at NAS Meridian, Miss. VS-22 was the first operational east coast

S-3A "Viking" squadron.On Jan. 6, 1976, VS-22 sailed from NS Mayport to the Mediterranean on board USS Saratoga as the first deployed S-3A Viking squadron.

In August 1990, due to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the USS John F. Kennedy responded with a no-notice deployment to the Red Sea.Checkmate aircrews flew the first-ever Commander, Battle Force Red Sea, Iraqi border surveillance and signals collection flights.

An S-3B Viking assigned to the ÒCheckmatesÓ of VS-22 lands on the flight deck aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) in November 2003. U.S. Navy photo by PH3 Joshua Karsten PH3 Joshua Karsten

Operation Desert Storm commenced the liberation of Kuwait Jan. 17, 1991.Checkmate aircrews flew over 1,100 combat hours and 324 combat sorties in direct support of coalition forces.Target information gleaned by VS-22 aircraft played a major role in the suppression of enemy air defenses during the first days of Desert Storm. From Jan. 22, 1991 until the cease-fire on Feb. 28, 1991, the Checkmates flew in every CVW-3 strike against Iraq.

VS-22 tactical innovation did not end with the war.Support of CJTF-4 Counter Narcotics Operations from 1991 to 1992 earned the Checkmates the Joint Meritorious Unit Award for locating over 1500 contacts and confirming 50 as suspected offenders.

After a long pre-deployment work-up schedule, VS-22 deployed on board 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 Egyptian Mirage 2000 pilots. They also practiced ASUW skills while leading more than 40 multi-national, integrated and air wing exercise strikes against NATO ships.

Operations Provide Comfort and Provide Promise brought a shift in VS-22's role as the battle group commander's eyes and ears in another potentially hostile environment. While conducting air wing proficiency operations during Provide Promise, the Checkmates provided invaluable command and control information while U.S. Air Force assets dropped relief supplies throughout a dense electronic warfare environment.

In February 1994, VS-22 joined CVW-3 and the crew of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. It was at this time that Congress passed laws permitting the embarkation of women in combat units.VS-22 had the distinction of being the first S-3B command to be assigned female Sailors.On April 16, 1995, VS-22 returned from their Mediterranean deployment onboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

On Nov. 26, 1996, the Checkmates deployed with CVW-3 on board USS Theodore Roosevelt to the Mediterranean/North Arabian Gulf.VS-22 participated in Operations Southern Watch and Decisive Endeavor.

Sand storms frequently attacked the Checkmates' four VS-22 S-3B Vikings, shown here with protective covers and parked outside the HAS (hardened aircraft shelter) at Al Asad, Iraq in 2008.

On April 21, 1997, in the eastern Mediterranean, the Checkmates became the first S-3B squadron to launch the AGM-65F Infrared Maverick missile.

VS-22 next deployed on board USS Enterprise where the Checkmates distinguished themselves in Operation Desert Fox. Over the northern Arabian Gulf and Kuwait, VS-22 excelled as a critical strike support asset. During Operation Juniper Stallion, VS-22 became the first S-3B squadron to fire a live AGM-65F Maverick missile against a land target - scoring a direct hit.

In November 2000, VS-22 and CVW-3 embarked on the inaugural deployment of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). In February 2001, CVW-3 participated in strikes against Iraq as a part of Operation Southern Watch.

The Checkmates deployed for a second time with the Truman in December 2002, participating in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.Launching missions from the eastern Mediterranean, CVW-3 strike assets played a pivotal role in support of ground forces and the Checkmates were critical to the air wing's ability to execute those missions.

October 2004 saw VS-22 deploy with CVW-3 and the USS Harry S. Truman for the last time.The Checkmates flew 1,170 sorties and 3,220 hours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, patrolling the oil infrastructure in the Arabian Gulf during Operation Sea Dragon II missions.

Their final four-plane mission in July 2008 to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, was the first (and last) land-based combat deployment of a VS squadron. The Checkmates spent almost five months flying non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

With daytime temperatures reaching 120 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime lows in the 30s, the operational environment of this deployment was unlike anything the squadron had previously experienced.

VS-22 deployed July 26 to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq in response to the Secretary of DefenseÕs requirement for increased intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets. The Checkmates accomplished the first shore-based combat deployment of the S-3B Viking. It was also the final deployment of VS-22 and the S-3B Viking -- the squadron's disestablishment is scheduled for Jan. 29, 2009 at NAS Jacksonville.

Each aircraft flew with the latest LANTIRN navigation pod (terrain-following radar that enables pilots to maneuver at low altitudes during daylight or at night) to provide crucial intelligence that included convoy support, improvised explosive device detection and target development. The Checkmates conducted more than 380 combat-support missions encompassing over 1,700 hours. They returned home on Dec. 15, 2008.

The Checkmates earned nine Battle Efficiency awards.The 1981 award made VS-22 the first east coast S-3A squadron to win back-to-back Battle "E"s.Other squadron awards include five COMNAVAIRLANT Aviation Safety Awards, seven Captain Arnold J. Isbell Trophies for ASW Excellence, three Navy Unit Commendations, and five Meritorious Unit Commendations.The Checkmates also won several Golden Wrench awards for excellence in maintenance performance, as well as back-to-back command retention awards.

The VS-22 disestablishment ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Jan. 29 at NAS Jacksonville Hangar 117. Go to www.vs22.navy.mil for more information.