VS-29

Last updated

Sea Control Squadron 29
Anti-Submarine Squadron 29 (United States Navy) insignia, 1990.png
Active1 April 1960 – 30 April 2004
Country United States of America
Branch United States Navy
Garrison/HQ NAS North Island
Nickname(s)Dragonfires
Equipment Grumman S-2 Tracker Lockheed S-3A/B Viking
Engagements Cold War

Vietnam War Operation Southern Watch Operation Desert Fox Operation Enduring Freedom

Contents

Operation Iraqi Freedom

Sea Control Squadron 29 (VS-29) or the "Dragonfires" was a former Sea Control and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) squadron of the US Navy that existed between 1960 and 2004. [1]

History

As the Tromboners (1960–1975)

VS-29 was originally commissioned on 1 April 1960 as the Tromboners by splitting VS-21 in two, [2] the squadron making 12 small deployments in the East Pacific between July 1960 and May 1964 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge as part of CVSG-53 [1] which included the recovery of the NASA Mercury capsules. [3] From 19 June 1964 to 16 December 1964, they made their first Vietnam War cruise on Kearsarge with Grumman S-2F Trackers followed by three more Vietnam cruises on the carrier in 1966, 1968 and 1969. VS-29 made their first Atlantic deployment which was short-lived between September and November 1971 on USS Wasp. On September 1972, VS-29 made their last deployment with the Grumman Tracker (S-2E) on USS Ticonderoga as part of CVSG-53.[ citation needed ]

VS-29 on the maiden deployment of the S-3 Viking in 1976. Lockheed S-3A Viking of VS-29 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65) on 2 March 1976 (428-GX-1166979).jpg
VS-29 on the maiden deployment of the S-3 Viking in 1976.

First years of using the S-3 Viking (1975–1982)

In 1975, the squadron transitioned to the Lockheed S-3A Viking before making the first West Pacific S-3 Viking deployment [3] as part of CVW-14 on USS Enterprise between 30 July 1976 and 28 March 1977. [1] Two more deployments (including one Westpac deployment) followed on USS Ranger as part of CVW-2. This was followed in 1981 by the first deployment of many that VS-29 would make with CVW-15, this time on USS Kitty Hawk.[ citation needed ]

USS Carl Vinson and CVW-15 (1983–1990)

After a shakedown cruise in 1982, VS-29 made history by joining the nuclear-powered carrier USS Carl Vinson on her maiden deployment, a round the world cruise [4] from Norfolk, Virginia to NAS Alameda, California. Seven more deployments followed which included taking part in the RIMPAC 1984 and RIMPAC 1986 naval exercises. On 31 July 1990, the squadron returned from their last cruise with CVW-15 and the S-3A Viking. [1]

An S-3A Viking from VS-29 on USS Carl Vinson in 1985. S-3A of VS-29 on USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) in 1985.JPEG
An S-3A Viking from VS-29 on USS Carl Vinson in 1985.

CVW-11 and final years (1991–2004)

VS-29 joined CVW-11 on USS Abraham Lincoln in September 1990 on its transit to the West Coast before taking part in the ship's maiden cruise on 28 May 1991 taking part in Operation Fiery Vigil in the Philippines before arriving in the Persian Gulf just after the Gulf War ended. This was the first deployment that VS-29 deployed with the S-3B Viking. [5]

Three more deployments to the Persian Gulf followed for VS-29 between 1992 and 1995 aboard Abraham Lincoln followed by one Persian Gulf deployment between 1996 and 1997 on Kitty Hawk. After moving with CVW-11 back to Carl Vinson, VS-29 took part in RIMPAC '98 before deploying to the Persian Gulf in November 1998. [1] During this deployment, Operation Desert Fox took place with VS-29 delivering 51,000 lb (23,000 kg) of fuel to CVW-11 twenty aircraft strike force from Carl Vinson. [6]

During Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, they became the first Viking squadron to be used in combat during the conflict. [7] After completing their last deployment on USS Nimitz on 5 November 2003 which included taking part in Operation Iraqi Freedom, [8] VS-29 held a decommissioning ceremony on 17 April 2004, [3] before being finally decommissioned on 30 April 2004. [1]

Related Research Articles

<i>Nimitz</i>-class aircraft carrier US Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier class

The Nimitz class is a class of ten nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in service with the United States Navy. The lead ship of the class is named after World War II United States Pacific Fleet commander Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, who was the last living U.S. Navy officer to hold the rank. With an overall length of 1,092 ft (333 m) and a full-load displacement of over 100,000 long tons (100,000 t), the Nimitz-class ships were the largest warships built and in service until USS Gerald R. Ford entered the fleet in 2017.

USS <i>Carl Vinson</i> US Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is the United States Navy's third Nimitz-class supercarrier. She is named for Carl Vinson (1883-1981), a congressman from Georgia, in recognition of his contributions to the U.S. Navy. The ship was launched during Vinson's lifetime in 1980, undertook her maiden voyage in 1983, and underwent refueling and overhaul between 2005 and 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sea Control Squadron 21</span> Military unit

Sea Control Squadron 21 (VS-21) was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. It served from 1945 to 2005 and was mainly tasked with anti-submarine warfare while operating from aircraft carriers. It was the only squadron to receive the designations VA-1E, VC-21, or VS-21.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAQ-135</span> Military unit

Electromagnetic Attack Squadron 135 (VAQ-135), known as the "Black Ravens", is a United States Navy electromagnetic attack squadron that currently operates the EA-18G Growler carrier-based electromagnetic warfare jet aircraft. The squadron is permanently stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island with a radio callsign of "Thunder".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VFA-147</span> Military unit

Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147), also known as the "Argonauts," is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California (USA). VFA-147 was established on 1 February 1967 and flies the F-35C Lightning II, becoming the first non-training F-35 squadron in the U.S. Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrier Air Wing Nine</span> Military unit

Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Lemoore. The Air Wing is currently assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). The Tail Code of aircraft assigned to CVW-9 is NG.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VFA-146</span> Military unit

Strike Fighter Squadron 146 (VFA-146) also known as the "Blue Diamonds" is a United States Navy operational fleet strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore California. They fly the F/A-18E Super Hornet and are attached to Carrier Air Wing 17, deployed aboard USS Nimitz. Their tailcode is NA and their radio callsign is Diamond.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VFA-34</span> Military unit

Strike Fighter Squadron 34 (VFA-34), also known as the "Blue Blasters", is a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing 11 and are attached to the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. Their tail code is NH and their radio call sign is "Joker".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrier Air Wing Two</span> Military unit

Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Lemoore. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrier Air Wing Eleven</span> Military unit

Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrier Air Wing Fourteen</span> Military unit

Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14), was a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HSC-4</span> Military unit

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Four (HSC-4), also known as the Black Knights, is a multi-role combat helicopter squadron of the United States Navy based at Naval Air Station North Island which operates Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk helicopters deployed aboard aircraft carriers. The squadron was originally established as HS-4 on 30 June 1952 at U.S. Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Imperial Beach with the Sikorsky HO3S-1 and was redesignated HSC-4 on March 29, 2012. It is currently assigned to Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) which deploys aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAW-117</span> Military unit

Airborne Command & Control Squadron 117 (VAW-117) is an airborne early warning (AEW) and command and control (C2) squadron. Nicknamed "The Wallbangers,” it flies the E-2D Hawkeye, the only carrier-capable command and control aircraft. The squadron is based in NAS Point Mugu and deploys as part of Carrier Air Wing 9 (CVW-9) on board USS Abraham Lincoln.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VS-22</span> Military unit

Sea Control Squadron 22 (VS-22) Checkmates was a carrier-based United States Navy squadron based out of Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida. The squadron flew the Lockheed S-3B Viking and their mission was mining, undersea and surface warfare, electronic reconnaissance and analysis, over the horizon targeting, and aerial refueling. The squadron was last attached to Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) and was the last squadron flying the Viking. VS-22 was disestablished in a ceremony at NAS Jacksonville on January 29, 2009, and officially on March 31, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAW-113</span> Military unit

Airborne Command & Control Squadron 113 (VAW-113), known as "Black Eagles", was established on 20 April 1967 flying the E-2A Hawkeye.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HSC-6</span> Military unit

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron SIX (HSC-6), is a helicopter squadron of the United States Navy. It was established as Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron SIX (HS-6) on 1 June 1956. Its nickname is Screamin’ Indians. On 8 July 2011 it was redesignated Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron SIX (HSC-6). It is based at Naval Air Station North Island, is part of Carrier Air Wing 17 and deploys aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrier Air Wing Fifteen</span> Military unit

Carrier Air Wing Fifteen (CVW-15) is a former United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing that was decommissioned on March 31, 1995. It was previously known as Carrier Air Group Fifteen (CVG-15) before 1963 before being renamed in December of that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VQ-5</span> Inactive US Navy aerial recon squadron

Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 5 (VQ-5) was a former squadron of the U.S. Navy that was established on August 15, 1991. During its short-lived career, it was one of two squadrons assigned in the U.S. Navy to operate the ES-3A Shadow, which was a specialised version of the S-3 Viking used for over-horizon tracking and electronic intelligence.

The United States Navy sent their naval forces in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf including six Aircraft Carriers to take part in Operation Desert Storm, including others that arrived before or after the war started and ended.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VS-38</span> United States Navy Anti-Submarine Warfare

Sea Control Squadron 38 or VS-38, nicknamed the "Red Griffins" was a former United States Navy Anti-Submarine Warfare and later Sea-Control squadron between 1950 and 2004. During its service life, they took part in the Korean War, Vietnam War, the 1991 Gulf War and the 2003 Invasion of Iraq.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "VS-29". gonavy.jp. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  2. ↑ "VS 21 Redtails". vs29.org. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 "Articles". vs29.org. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  4. ↑ USS Carl Vinson CVN-70 - 1983 Cruise Book. United States Navy. 1983. p. 412.
  5. ↑ USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Maiden Cruise Book 1991. Walsworth Publishing Company. 1991.
  6. ↑ "Articles". vs29.org. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  7. ↑ USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) WestPac Cruise Book 2001-02. 2002.
  8. ↑ USS Nimitz (CVN 68) WestPac and Arabian Sea Cruise Book 2003. 2003.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.