Last modified Wed., July 18, 2007 - 04:55 PM
Originally created Thursday, July 19, 2007

'Topcats' approach Pacific sundown

By Lt. Blackford Huntington, VS-31

Photo by MC3 Jon Hyde A S-3B Viking from the "Topcats" of VS-31 lands on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis and Carrier Air Wing 9, as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, are on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and maritime operations. Maritime operations help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations.

The "Topcats" of VS-31 are nearing the end of the S-3 Viking community's final deployment to the Western Pacific on board USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).

While VS-31 is conducting their sundown cruise embarked Stennis and part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, VS-31 continues to support ground forces in Afghanistan and Iraq and conduct maritime operations. By providing surface surveillance, reconnaissance and providing in-flight refueling to other aircraft, the Topcats are invaluable to accomplishing success in the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of operations.

Prior to deploying aboard Stennis, VS-31 flew cross-country to embark the West Coast-based Stennis for the squadron's farewell deployment and last S-3 Viking deployment to the Pacific. "It is a great opportunity to be part of the final Western Pacific deployment," said Lt. John Kovalsky. "The entire squadron is proactive and focused on keeping our jets flying safe and making this deployment the best one to date."

Stennis and CVW-9 entered the Fifth Fleet area of operations Feb. 19 and have been conducting missions in support of coalition forces operating on the ground in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom for five months.

"Of course we miss our children, our wives, and the pleasures of home," said Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Levitt.

"However, to be flying over Iraq one day, providing late night tanker support the next, we are certainly keeping ourselves busy.

From the squadron's home away from home, Ready Room 7, Levitt spoke about the high morale of the squadron and its flexibility and professionalism over the past five months.

"Couple that with the outstanding advancement and reenlistment rate of the Sailors within our squadron, I'd say that makes for a cruise with accolades that cannot be challenged," he said.

Several Topcats are also chasing many career milestones this deployment. VS-31's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Mohammad Khan is 40 arrested landings away from 1,000 and Lt. Robert Chandler is close to 1,000 hours in the S-3 Viking, a rare feat among junior officers.

In all, four S-3 Viking squadrons remain, all based at NAS Jacksonville. One squadron is set to retire this spring, followed by VS-31 in March 2008, a third later in 2008 and the final squadron bidding adieu in early part of 2009.

While the sundown for the S-3 Viking's last Western Pacific deployment is heartbreaking to the pilots and crew who fly it, their contribution remains invaluable to CVW-9 and Stennis.