Welcome home, 'Topcats'

This deployment marked a change of normalcy for the east coast based S-3B squadron at NAS Jacksonville, one of three remaining squadrons here. Since all S-3B squadrons and the Pacific Wing have been decommissioned, the Topcats were assigned to Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9), a west coast air wing. This meant the squadron would not only have to deal with an already hectic work-up cycle, but would also have to commute 3,000 miles to complete it, but it also allowed them to deploy on a Western Pacific cruise, something rare for an east coast squadron.

VS-31 completed their work-ups without a hitch and once the logistics of running back and forth coast to coast was over, they deployed on board USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in early January. Departing from NAS North Island in San Diego, the Topcats and CVW-9 made their way across the Pacific and to the North Arabian Sea in support of coalition forces engaged in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

Morale remained high during four straight months at sea for the Topcats as the squadron provided support for the air wing in various capacities. VS-31 aircrews engaged

Lt. Cmdr. Chris Levitt of the VS-31 "Topcats" greets his wife, Erica and son, Ethan (2) after arriving home from a six-month deployment.

Welcome home, 'Topcats'in sea surveillance and control (SSC), air wing tanking and general surveillance for the battle group. SSC is a skill inherent and perfected by only S-3B Viking squadrons. Crews provide an overall picture of all surface and subsurface contacts within 200 miles of the aircraft carrier. In missions sometimes lasting more than four hours, aircrews had the daunting task of locating, tracking and assessing every ship in the vicinity.

Upon return from their missions, crews were also tasked with the aerial refueling of fighter/attack aircraft returning home from overland missions. Without fuel, these aircraft would have to find a divert field to land.

In late April, the carrier made its way through the Straits of Hormuz making a port call in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Sailors were given time to relax on the beaches, experience the native culture, contact love ones and get ready for the next mission ahead.

In May, Stennis bounced back and forth from the Arabian Sea to the Arabian Gulf engaging in both OEF in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) over Iraq. It was during OIF that the Topcats added one more skill to their already full bag of tricks. While still retaining tanking and SSC responsibilities, they also engaged in non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance flights over Southern Iraq in support of coalition forces on the ground. Utilizing a new sensor, aircrews aided them in finding improvised explosive devices. VS-31 aircrew also became the eyes in the sky for military convoys.

Family and friends of VS-31 "Topcats" Executive Officer Cmdr. John Stofan (center, kneeling) welcome him home after the deployment.

Later that month, Stennis again pulled into Dubai for some more rest and relaxation.

June and July found the Topcats once again engaged in both the Northern Arabian Gulf and Arabian Sea honing their skills and providing support to the air wing and ground forces. Once again the squadron's aircrew and maintainer's professionalism kept jets in the air flying safely.

At the end of July, the carrier crossed through the Straits of Malacca across the equator allowing Sailors to go through a special ceremony to become "Shellbacks" before visiting Singapore and Hong Kong.

After enjoying the sights of these Asian countries, the battle group participated in the multi-force exercise "Valiant Shield." This exercise consisted of three carrier battle groups as well as Air Force assets all working together for seven days near Guam. During the exercise, Topcat maintainers found themselves supporting close to 20 sorties a day and aircrew who generally fly once or twice a day, were airborne three times each day. One highlight was the sinking of a decommissioned ship. Aircrew used both conventional and smart weapons to send the old vessel down to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean to become a reef for marine life.

Another highlight during the cruise was when VS-31 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Muhammad Muzzafar Khan made his 1000th arrested landing, something very few reach in their careers.

Three-year-old Nathan Jaureguizar and 9-year-old James Dahlke try on their dad's helmets at the homecoming.

While deployed, the Topcats flew 1,483 sorties, totaling more than 3,500 hours and 1,480 arrested landings. VS-31 flew 21 combat missions and 86.3 combat flight hours to assist coalition ground forces engaged in direct combat with the enemy. The squadron also received the Arnold Jay Isbell Award for undersea and surface warfare excellence and were awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

With all that behind them, Stennis and the Topcats steamed across the Pacific and into the port of Pearl Harbor where many crewmembers were greeted by family members and friends. The visitors were also allowed to participate in a Tiger Cruise giving them the opportunity to spend a few days at sea to view what daily life is like on a naval vessel and spend time with their loved ones. During the cruise, VS-31 provided some entertainment with an air demonstration and guests participated in various activities on board the ship.

The cruise ended Monday for the Topcats when the ship pulled into NAS North Island Monday dropping off aircrew en route to its homeport in Washington State.

As VS-31 members arrived home to NAS Jacksonville after their final deployment, they were welcomed by hundreds of family members and friends.VS-31 back from final deployment