VS-32 home for holidays

After successfully qualifying their pilots they endured the Sea Control Advanced Readiness Program, Tailored Ships Training Availability, a NAS Fallon Air Wing detachment and Composite Unit Training Exercise.

On May 4, the squadron deployed on board USS Enterprise (CVN 65) with six S-3B Viking aircraft and headed for the Persian Gulf. After qualifying all of the pilots in two days, they started the six-day trip across the Atlantic. Upon arrival in the Mediterranean Sea they

were able to enjoy a couple of European port calls including Split, Croatia, and Souda Bay, Crete. The ''Big E'' then started the trek through the Suez Canal, Red Sea, and the Straights of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf.

After arriving in the Persian Gulf, the VS-32 flawlessly executed the responsibilities of their platform, the S-3B Viking. They continued to excel at assisting the carrier with gaining a picture of all local shipping activity taking place throughout the Gulf, as well as all recovery tanking responsibilities, preventing low fuel state air wing aircraft from diverting to local airfields. These missions directly contributed to the security and stability of Persian Gulf oil fields and theater cooperation efforts.

Lt. Cmdr. James Reynolds gives a long-awaited hug to his sons, Andrew, 7, and Michael, 5, after a six-month deployment with VS-32. Photo by MC3 David Didier

The Maulers continued to strive to exceed their normal responsibilities and immediately began looking to further assist the air wing in the support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. VS-32 Commanding Officer Cmdr. John Breast's foresight saw that the S-3B's capabilities ranged far beyond tanking and surface search responsibilities. As a result, the Maulers started daily operations over Iraq in early June. Their new expanded mission involved flying over Iraq supporting both British and Australian troops on the ground through non-traditional intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance throughout the next several weeks. The squadron flew 214 direct combat support missions over Iraq accumulating 692.6 combat hours, which contributed to the historic implementation of Iraqi nationwide elections and the standup of a new Iraqi government.

Following the rewarding missions involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom, VS-32 continued east to the South China Sea. It afforded the squadron the opportunity to experience the wonderful Asian ports that are rarely seen by East Coast squadrons. The Maulers spent nearly two months exploring this beautiful part of the world. ''The Big E'' made stops in South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Operationally, VS-32 led Carrier Air Wing One in dependability. They displayed a tremendous work-ethic and tremendous motivation in getting their jets airborne to support the troops on the ground, as well as the traditional missions. Over six months, the Mauler's Maintenance Department only missed two sorties, achieving an amazing 98 percent sortie completion rate.

Several VS-32 aviators were awarded Top Hook awards for their graded landings on the carrier. Lts. Brian Skotko, John Hilburn, and Brad Whittington were each awarded Top Five Nugget for their ball flying around the ship. Overall, the Mauler aviators did an exceptional job and were at the top of the air wing with their ball flying skills compiling a 96 percent boarding rate.

Three-year-old Rebecca Salat, kicks back and waits for her loved one, AOC John Schumm of VS-32 to come home. Photo by MC1(SW/AW) Heather Ewton

After more than six full months of combat operation, the squadron began their long journey home. Throughout the deployment, the Maulers have experienced the stress and excitement of combat operations and have been exposed to the cultures of many foreign countries.