Two distinct squadrons have been designated VS-22. The second of these is the main subject of this article. Officially, the US Navy does not recognize a direct lineage with disestablished squadrons if a new squadron is formed with the same designation. Often, the new squadron will assume the nickname, insignia, and traditions of the earlier squadrons.
First VS-22, 1945-1956 from
USS Block Island in 1953. The original VS-22 was established as torpedo squadron
VT-42 on 19 June 1945 at
NAS Brunswick,
Maine (USA), also named "Checkmates". It was equipped with the
Grumman TBM-3E/-3W/-3S Avenger. It was redesignated attack squadron
VA-2E on 15 November 1946 at
NAS Oceana,
Virginia, and to composite squadron VC-22 on 15 September 1948. Finally the squadron became anti-submarine squadron
VS-22 on 20 April 1950 at
NAS Norfolk, Virginia. In the early 1950s the squadron transitioned to the
Grumman AF-2S/-2W Guardian and was identified by the tail code "SL". The squadron served aboard the following carriers: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and the . The first VS-22 was disestablished at
NAS Quonset Point on 1 June 1956. The majority of manpower, material and planes were reassigned to VS-27 at NAS Norfolk.
Second VS-22, 1960-2009 A new anti-submarine squadron VS-22 was established at
NAS Quonset Point,
Rhode Island (USA), on 18 May 1960. From 1960 to 1976, the
Checkmates flew the
Grumman S-2 Tracker, better known as "Stoof" from its pre-1962 designation "S2F". VS-22 was assigned to
Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 54 (CVSG-54) at NAS Quonset Point and operated from anti-submarine carriers, mostly in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea: , June 1960 - May 1965; , June 1967 - August 1967; , March 1969 - November 1971; , March 1972 (as part of CVSG-56). Besides the typical submarine hunting role for which the aircraft was designed, the
Checkmates held a significant role in the United States space program.
Naval aviator Alan B. Shepard's
Freedom 7 spacecraft, the United States' first manned spacecraft, was tracked and located by VS-22 on 5 May 1961. In August 1965, while embarked on USS
Lake Champlain, VS-22 recovered
Gemini 5 astronauts Gordon Cooper and Pete Conrad. Finally, VS-22 was engaged in the recovery of
Apollo 7 astronauts while deployed aboard USS
Essex.
1970s-80s Jet transitions started in the summer of 1974 with pilots training in
Rockwell T-2C Buckeyes and
Douglas TA-4J Skyhawks at
NAS Meridian,
Mississippi, making VS-22 the first east coast based S-3A squadron. With the retirement of the anti-submarine carriers the anti-submarine squadrons were integrated into the former attack carrier air wings. From 1976 to 2001 VS-22 was assigned to
Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3). Between 1976 and 1980 VS-22 made four deployments aboard the . After the Saratoga went to drydock in September 1980, CVW-3 transitioned to deployments aboard the USS
John F. Kennedy. The squadron transitioned to the S-3B in 1989.
1990s This was followed by seven cruises aboard , including participation in
Operation Desert Shield and
Operation Desert Storm in 1990/91. Operation "Desert Storm" commenced on 17 January 1991. VS-22 aircrews flew over 1100 combat hours and 324 combat sorties in direct support of the coalition forces. Target information gleaned by VS-22 aircraft played a major role in the suppression of enemy air defences during the first days of Desert Storm. From 22 January 1991 until the cease-fire on 28 February 1991, the
Checkmates flew in every CVW-3 strike against Iraq . VS-22 was also employed in support of CJTF-4 counter narcotics operations during the last part of 1991 through the first part of 1992 earned the
Checkmates the "Joint Meritorious Unit Award" for locating over 1500 contacts, confirming 50 as suspected offenders. After a long pre-deployment work-up schedule, VS-22 embarked on the carrier USS
John F. Kennedy in October 1992. Concentrating on multi-national Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea exercises during the first half of deployment, VS-22 provided initial in-flight refueling training for
Egyptian Air Force Mirage 2000 pilots and practiced ASW skills while leading over 40 multi-national, integrated and air wing exercise strikes against NATO ships. Later VS-22 participated in Operations Provide Comfort and Provide Promise, providing radar locating and command and control information. In February 1994, VS-22 joined
CVW-3 and . It was at this time that
United States Congress passed laws permitting the embarkation of women in combat units. VS-22 had the distinction of being the first S-3B command to be assigned female sailors. Additionally, VS-22 orchestrated the addition of the AGM-65F Maverick into the S-3B capabilities enabling control of SLAM/Walleye. On 16 April 1995, VS-22 returned from their Mediterranean deployment on board
Dwight D. Eisenhower. On 26 November 1996, VS-22 deployed on board to the Mediterranean and the North Persian Gulf. VS-22 participated in operations "Southern Watch" and "Decisive Endeavor" as well as numerous other joint exercises. On 21 April 1997, in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Checkmates became the first S-3B squadron to launch the
AGM-65F Infrared Maverick missile while deployed. VS-22 next deployed on board . VS-22 participated in various exercises such as
Operation Desert Fox,
Juniper Stallion and
Noble Anvil, mostly providing electronic warfare support. , Iraq during Exercise Red Flag - Alaska, July 2007.
2000s In November 2000 VS-22 and
CVW-3 embarked on s maiden deployment. On 16 February 2001, CVW-3 participated in strikes against Iraq as a part of
Operation Southern Watch. The
Checkmates deployed for a second time with the
Truman in December 2002, this time participating in Operations
Enduring Freedom and
Iraqi Freedom, launching missions from the Eastern Mediterranean. October 2004 saw VS-22 deploying with CVW-3 and
Harry S. Truman for the last time. VS-22 flew 1170 sorties and 3220 hours in support of "Operation Iraqi Freedom", patrolling the oil infrastructure in the Persian Gulf during "Operation Sea Dragon II" missions. VS-22 deployed in 2006 on , being assigned to
CVW-17. VS-22 last carrier embark was from 7 April to 27 May 2008, aboard
George Washington for the transit from Norfolk around South America to
San Diego,
California. Less than a week after returning from
GW, VS-22 was ordered to deploy to Iraq as a land based squadron. The squadron operated from
Al Asad Air Base in
Al Anbar Province until their return to NAS Jacksonville on 15 December 2008. VS-22 was the last squadron flying the
Viking, and was disestablished on 29 January 2009. ==See also==