'Scouts' disestablished after 47 years of service

Since their move to NAS Jacksonville, the Scouts have deployed five times with their last deployment in March 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The squadron officially deactivates March 31.

A Proud History

VS-24 has an eclectic yet distinguished two part history that dates back to Bombing Squadron 17 (VB-17) which was established Jan. 1, 1943. Embarked aboard USS Bunker Hill (CVS-17) and USS Hornet (CVS-12), VB-17 flew the Curtiss SB2C-1 Helldiver into combat throughout World War II. VB-17 was re-designated VA-5B Nov. 15, 1946 and then VA-64 April 27, 1948. Less than a year later on April 8, 1949, the squadron traded their Douglas AD-1 Skyraiders for less glamorous Grumman TBM-3/3W/3S Avengers and was redesignated VC-24 when their mission changed to ASW. The squadron became VS-24 on April 20, 1950 when it transitioned to the Grumman AF-2W/2S Guardian followed shortly thereafter by the Grumman S2F-1/2 Tracker. After participating in numerous ASW exercises conducted off small deck CVE's, CVL's and straight deck Essex-class carriers the squadron deactivated on July 1, 1956.

VS-24 began as VB-17 during World War II flying the Curtiss SB2C-1 Helldiver into combat throughout the Pacific campaign. Photo courtesy of VS-24

Congress resurrected VS-24 on May 25, 1960 when it divided VS-27 into two squadrons. These two squadrons along with HS-3 and a detachment from VAW-12, formed the newly established CVSG-56. The Scouts spent the next 13 years assigned to CVSG-56 and deployed aboard USS Valley Forge (CVS-45), USS Essex (CVS-9), USS Randolph (CVS-15), USS Yorktown (CVS-10) and USS Intrepid (CVS-11). During the CVS years VS-24 honed its ASW skills during day and night all-weather operations in the Caribbean, Atlantic and Mediterranean flying the S2F, S-2E and S-2G models of the Tracker, keeping tabs on U.S., allied and Soviet submarines.

Before its transition to the S-3A, VS-24 made a couple of lasting achievements in the ASW community. In May 1973, the Scouts returned from the last East Coast CVSG/CVS deployment aboard Intrepid. That summer VS-24 along with all of the Atlantic Fleet VS squadrons bid farewell to NAS Quonset Point, R.I. and headed to NAS Cecil Field. A year later, the squadron embarked on the last Atlantic S-2G deployment with CVW-3 aboard USS Saratoga (CV-60) from September 1974 to March 1975, closing one chapter and beginning another in the squadron's long and distinguished history.

In July 1976, VS-24 completed a year-long transition to the more capable turbofan powered Lockheed S-3A Viking and in 1977, joined Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8), beginning a partnership that has lasted for 29 years. Since 1978, the VS-24/CVW-8 team has operated its S-3's off USS Nimitz (CVN-68), USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).

During operations in the S-3A, VS-24 participated in numerous U.S. and allied exercises while operating in the Mediterranean, Arctic, Caribbean, and Arabian Seas and the North Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The Scouts were also present during the Iranian hostage rescue attempt, Gulf of Sidra action and Lebanon crisis.

In the late 80s and early 90s, VS-24 put an indelible stamp on the evolution of the S-3 into an effective multi-role aircraft by achieving several of many Viking "firsts." In September 1989, the squadron transitioned to the more advanced and capable S-3B, enhancing the squadron's ability to support the air wing in electronic warfare, over-the-horizon targeting, strike support, anti-surface warfare, ASW and organic refueling.

VS-24 officers and Sailors on board USS Theodore Roosevelt get together for a squadron picture on their final deployment in 2006. The Scouts came home in March 2006 after a very successful deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo courtesy of VS-24

VS-24 deployed with the new aircraft on board USS Theodore Roosevelt in December 1990 to the Arabian Gulf for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During the deployment, the squadron flew 449 combat sorties and realized ground breaking successes for VS squadrons including the first overland S-3B strikes that targeted two AAA sites and a Silkworm site, the first tactical air launch decoy employment as part of an integrated strike and the first war-at-sea strike against an enemy patrol boat. After Desert Storm, VS-24 participated in Operation Provide Comfort rendering aid to fleeing Iraqi Kurdish refugees before returning home in June 1991. The culmination of these achievements led to VS-24's re-designation as a sea control squadron in December 1993 to more accurately reflect the broad spectrum of its missions.

The squadron continued to meet the multi-faceted needs of many different battle groups throughout the decade and into the new millennium. In 1995, VS-24 deployed on board USS Theodore Roosevelt to the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch, the Adriatic in support of Operation Deny Flight and to the Eastern Mediterranean flying 130 combat sorties in support of NATO strikes during Operation Deliberate Force against Bosnian-Serb military targets.

This S-3B Viking has been repainted to match the original paint job of the squadron when it was first established. The insignia on the nose of the aircraft is also an original. It was the patch worn by personnel when the squadron was known as VB-17 and pilots were flying the 2B2C Helldiver. Photo by MC1(SW/AW) Heather Ewton

The Scouts returned to the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf in 1997 on board USS John F. Kennedy to support Operation Southern Watch and then the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas to participate in Operation Deliberate Guard. Both of these operations made significant use of the S-3B's surface and electronic surveillance capabilities. Moving back on board USS Theodore Roosevelt in 1999, the squadron once again went into harm's way by supporting NATO Operation Nobile Anvil providing antisurface warfare and ESM support and aerial refueling for strike aircraft flying combat missions over Kosovo.

In 2001, USS Enterprise housed VS-24 as it participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, supporting joint air strikes in Afghanistan against terrorist targets. Despite heavy combat operations, VS-24 did not miss a single scheduled sortie. The Scouts finally ended their nomadic tendencies by returning to the ship of their longest tenure on board USS Theodore Roosevelt in 2003. This time the squadron supported the high tempo combat operations of Iraqi Freedom, transferring more than 900,000 pounds of fuel to strike assets and directly contributing to the expenditure of more than 500 tons of ordnance on Iraqi targets.

The Scouts punctuated a proud history of excellence in the VS community with another "first" from the deck of its long-time partner host USS Theodore Roosevelt. VS-24 deployed for the last time in September 2005 demonstrating the amazing versatility of the S-3B by flying non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions over Southern Iraq. This quelled the tremendous need of British-led coalition ground forces for airborne surveillance and propelled the VS community into another historic role. VS-24's success led to a modification that allows F-14 LANTIRN pods to be carried on the S-3B, improving its surveillance capability and opening the door to a myriad of tactical possibilities such as laser designating targets and forward air controller-airborne. The Scouts returned from their final deployment March 9, 2006 after completing what can be called their most successful cruise ever. Breaking ground in NTISR, VS-24 flew more than 220 overland surveillance missions while being the sole provider of recovery fueling for the air wing. Through its outstanding maintenance practices the squadron posted a 99.7 percent sortie completion rate throughout the entire cruise making it the most reliable squadron in the air wing. VS-24 hit a grand slam its last time at bat, rounding up the Battle "E" Efficiency, Safety "S", Retention Excellence and CVW-8 Golden Wrench Awards as a result of their accomplishments on the 2005-06 deployment.

A Time Honored Tradition

Before disestablishing the first time, VS-24 started the "Duty Cat" tradition that lives today. In 1948, on a dark and stormy night on board USS Wright (CVL-27), a squadron junior officer drew a cartoon of a lightning struck feline on the ready room blackboard before flight operations began.

All of the flight crews returned safely and it was soon decreed that henceforth the Duty Cat would always be on duty before flight operations commenced. The Duty Cat later became the squadron's symbol of night carrier qualification. Today VS-24 aircrew must accrue 10 day and six night traps (in deference to the days when nuggets completed their initial day and night carrier qualifications in their fleet squadron) before they are authorized to wear the Duty Cat insignia.