Last modified Wed., December 17, 2008 - 03:47 PM
Originally created Thursday, December 18, 2008

First shore-based combat deployment of S-3B Viking is also its last

By Clark Pierce, Editor

Photos courtesy VS-22 (From left) AD3 Andrea Chesterman, PR1 Jose Ramos, AD3 Harvey Mangalindan, AM3 Randy Diaz, AO3 Aaron Newby, AM3 Kyle Knous, AO2 Darrell Smith, AD2 Craig Vandervoord, AT1 David Prestridge, PR2 Joshua Jost, AO2 Jaclyn Reynolds, AO3 Michelle Costa, AD3 Omar Vieraclass, AD1 Jeffery Henry stand ready to secure the area in the VS-22 hardened aircraft shelter (HAS) at Al Asad, Iraq.

Their recent boots-on-the-ground and eyes-in-the-sky deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, required that VS-22 pilots, aircrew and maintainers prepare for a dangerous environment unlike any Navy aircraft carrier. Each of the 205 "Checkmates" completed anti-terrorism and desert survival training, in addition to qualifying with the M-16 rifle and M-9 pistol.

The large Al Asad Air Base (formerly Saddam Hussein's premier MiG-25 Foxbat air base) is located south of the Euphrates River in the volatile, largely Sunni, Al Anbar Province in western Iraq.

Living conditions at the base are far from luxurious. Sailors paired up in temporary living units called "cans," which were only furnished with beds and lockers.

Wind-whipped sand filters the sun to create a surreal portrait of VS-22 aircraft 700 in Al Asad, Iraq.

Navy personnel are required to keep a firearm and body armor on or near their person at all times.

The squadron brought four S-3B Vikings to Al Asad, each equipped with the latest LANTIRN (Low Altitude Navigation Targeting Infrared for Night) navigation pod. LANTIRN is a terrain-following radar that enables pilots to maneuver and surveill at low altitudes during daylight or at night. According to VS-22 Public Affairs Officer Lt. Jason Tarrant, the squadron flew about 80 percent of its non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (NTISR) combat missions at night.

"The Viking's LANTIRN infrared capability was invaluable for taking away the cover of darkness from enemy combatants," said Tarrant.

"The Checkmates routinely detected heat signatures of vehicles, shelters, people and IEDs (improvised explosive devices) -and relayed that information to convoys and combat teams in the affected area."

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.

The Checkmates flew an average of three sorties a day. "Our VS-22 maintenance personnel displayed tireless dedication to keep these soon-to-be-retired birds mission ready. As far as I know, we sustained a 100 percent sortie completion record," said Tarrant.

VS-22 is the Navy's last S-3B Viking squadron. Disestablishment activities are scheduled for Jan. 28-30. Details can be found at www.vs22.navy.mil.

Lt. Cmdr. William White, VS-22 maintenance material control officer, checks out the landscaping in Al Asad, Iraq.

Looking from the squadronÕs HAS at an approaching sand storm one morning at Al Asad, Iraq.

AD3 Brandon Haynie and ADC Matthew Schons brave the sand storm, awaiting the safe return their S-3B Vikings.