VS-21: Difference between revisions
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:VS-21}} |
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{{Infobox military unit |
{{Infobox military unit |
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| unit_name = Sea Control Squadron 21 (VS-21) |
| unit_name = Sea Control Squadron 21 (VS-21) |
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VC-21 was redesignated VS-21 (Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 21) on 23 April 1950. The squadron became the first US Navy ASW Squadron to depart from the US on a deployment in response to the [[Korean War]] on 4 July that year onboard the [[USS Sicily|USS ''Sicily'' CVE-118]]. During the cruise, they were responsible for the evacuation of wounded US Marine service members from Koto-ri Airfield during the [[Battle of Chosin Reservoir]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=VS 21 Redtails |url=https://vs29.org/History/VS21/VS21.htm |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=vs29.org}}</ref> |
VC-21 was redesignated VS-21 (Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 21) on 23 April 1950. The squadron became the first US Navy ASW Squadron to depart from the US on a deployment in response to the [[Korean War]] on 4 July that year onboard the [[USS Sicily|USS ''Sicily'' CVE-118]]. During the cruise, they were responsible for the evacuation of wounded US Marine service members from Koto-ri Airfield during the [[Battle of Chosin Reservoir]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=VS 21 Redtails |url=https://vs29.org/History/VS21/VS21.htm |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=vs29.org}}</ref> |
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On 3 December, the squadron transferred during the deployment to the [[USS Bairoko|USS ''Bairoko'' CVE-115]], moving from the TBM-3E to the TBM-3S ASW aircraft before returning back to on 16 February 1951. Another Korean War deployment with the ''Bairoko'' took place between 3 February to 8 May 1953. This was VS-21's first deployment the [[Grumman AF Guardian|Grumman AF-2S/2W Guardian]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=VS-21 |url=http://gonavy.jp/navy/sqn/VS21.html |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=gonavy.jp}}</ref> [[File:S2F-1 Tracker of VS-21 in flight in 1956.jpg|right|thumb|A squadron S2F-2 in flight]]In December 1954, VS-21 began to operate the Grumman S2F-1 Tracker. In 1955, the squadron began to display the red lighting bolt on their engine and later tailfins of their aircraft. <ref name=":0" /> The following year, the squadron made deployment to the West Pacific and Indian Ocean onboard the [[USS Princeton (CV-37)|USS ''Princeton'' CV-37]], becoming the first Pacific Fleet VS squadron to win the [[Battle Effectiveness Award|Battle E award]]. This was followed by deployment in 1958 onboard the ''[[USS Philippine Sea (CV-47)|Philippine Sea]]'' and in late 1959 to early 1960 on the ''[[USS Kearsarge (CV-33)|Kearsarge]] |
On 3 December, the squadron transferred during the deployment to the [[USS Bairoko|USS ''Bairoko'' CVE-115]], moving from the TBM-3E to the TBM-3S ASW aircraft before returning back to on 16 February 1951. Another Korean War deployment with the ''Bairoko'' took place between 3 February to 8 May 1953. This was VS-21's first deployment the [[Grumman AF Guardian|Grumman AF-2S/2W Guardian]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=VS-21 |url=http://gonavy.jp/navy/sqn/VS21.html |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=gonavy.jp}}</ref> [[File:S2F-1 Tracker of VS-21 in flight in 1956.jpg|right|thumb|A squadron S2F-2 in flight]]In December 1954, VS-21 began to operate the Grumman S2F-1 Tracker. In 1955, the squadron began to display the red lighting bolt on their engine and later tailfins of their aircraft. <ref name=":0" /> The following year, the squadron made deployment to the West Pacific and Indian Ocean onboard the [[USS Princeton (CV-37)|USS ''Princeton'' CV-37]], becoming the first Pacific Fleet VS squadron to win the [[Battle Effectiveness Award|Battle E award]]. This was followed by deployment in 1958 onboard the ''[[USS Philippine Sea (CV-47)|Philippine Sea]]'' and in late 1959 to early 1960 on the ''[[USS Kearsarge (CV-33)|Kearsarge]]'', both of these with addition of the S2F-2 variant for the first time.<ref name=":1" /> |
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=== 1960s === |
=== 1960s === |
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After returning from it's 1959 deployment, in April 1960, the squadron was split in two, with one half continuing as VS-21 while the other half became [[VS-29]]. Both VS-21 and VS-29 along with the Helicopter ASW squadron [[HS-6]] were assigned to CVSG-53, embarking on the air group's first cruise in 1961 with the ''Kearsarge.'' Another deployment in 1962 took the squadron to the [[Western Range (USSF)#Navy's Pacific Missile Range (PMR)|Pacific Missile Range]], deploying the S2F-1 and 1S and 1S1 aircraft. During this cruise, the squadron supported the recovery of [[Mercury-Atlas 8]] on October 3 1962.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> |
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After another deployment in 1963, VS-21 and the ''Kearsarge'' left what was to become a major Westpac deployment on 19 June 1964.<ref name=":1" /> On 5 August 1964, while carrier was inport at [[United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka|Yokosuka]], Japan; the ship was ordered to provide ASW protection for US Navy Attack Carriers in the South China Sea near [[North Vietnam]], as a result of the [[Gulf of Tonkin incident|Gulf of Tonkin Incident]]. By that afternoon, VS-21 and the rest of CVSG-53, which been temporarily based at [[Naval Air Facility Atsugi|NAF Atsugi]]; had returned back to the carrier.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv33-64/index.html |title=USS Kearsarge (CVS 33) WestPac Cruise Book 1964 |publisher=[[United States Navy]] |year=1965 |pages=36}}</ref> In 1965, the squadron transferred to the S-2E Tracker and became the first VS squadron to operationally employ the [[AGM-12 Bullpup]].<ref name=":0" /> Three more deployments to the Vietnam War in 1966, 1968 and 1969 also took place, all as part of CVSG-53, operating onboard the ''Kearsage.''<ref name=":1" /> |
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=== 1970s === |
=== 1970s === |
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=== 1980s === |
=== 1980s === |
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=== 1990s === |
=== 1990s === |
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After putting the [[Lockheed S-3 Viking|S-3B Viking]] into service in 1991, on 1 October 1993, the squadron was redesignated Sea Control Squadron 21 (retaining the abbreviated form VS-21). |
After putting the [[Lockheed S-3 Viking|S-3B Viking]] into service in 1991, on 1 October 1993, the squadron was redesignated Sea Control Squadron 21 (retaining the abbreviated form VS-21). |
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=== 2000s === |
=== 2000s === |
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VS-21 was finally disestablished on 28 February 2005.<ref name="apd">{{cite book|first=David|last=Donald|first2=Jon|last2=Lake|title=US Navy & Marine Corps Air Power Directory|publisher=Aerospace Publishing|date=1992}}</ref> |
VS-21 was finally disestablished on 28 February 2005.<ref name="apd">{{cite book|first=David|last=Donald|first2=Jon|last2=Lake|title=US Navy & Marine Corps Air Power Directory|publisher=Aerospace Publishing|date=1992}}</ref> |
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==Commanding officers== |
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* Lt. Joseph P. Keigher: 26 March 1945 (acting commander) |
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* Lt. Charles A. Collins: 29 April 1945 |
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* LCdr. Kent M. Cushman: 14 September 1946 |
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* LCdr. Harold A. Robinson: 24 November 1947 |
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==Aircraft Assignment== |
==Aircraft Assignment== |
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* [[Grumman TBF Avenger|TBM-1 Avenger]] from March 1945 |
* [[Grumman TBF Avenger|TBM-1 Avenger]] from March 1945 |
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* [[Grumman TBF Avenger|TBM-1C Avenger]] from March 1945 |
* [[Grumman TBF Avenger|TBM-1C Avenger]] from March 1945 |
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* [[Lockheed S-3 Viking|S-3A Viking]] |
* [[Lockheed S-3 Viking|S-3A Viking]] |
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* [[Lockheed S-3 Viking|S-3B Viking]] from 1991 |
* [[Lockheed S-3 Viking|S-3B Viking]] from 1991 |
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==Air Wing Assignments== |
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* Escort Carrier Air Group 41 (CVEG-41) from 26 March 1945 to 15 November 1946 |
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* Escort Carrier Air Group 1 (CVEG-1) from 15 November 1946 |
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* Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 53 (CVSG-53) (1960-1972) |
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* Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 59 (CVSG-53) (1970) |
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* [[Carrier Air Wing One]] (CVW-1) (1974 - 1976) |
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* [[Carrier Air Wing Nine]] (CVW-1) (1977) |
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* [[Carrier Air Wing Fifteen]] (CVW-15) (1979 - 1980) |
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* [[Carrier Air Wing Two]] (CVW-2) (1982) |
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* [[Carrier Air Wing Eleven]] (CVW-11) (1984-1990) |
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* [[Carrier Air Wing Five]] (CVW-5) (1991-2005) |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1950]] |
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1950]] |
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[[Category:Anti-submarine squadrons of the United States Navy|001E]] |
[[Category:Anti-submarine squadrons of the United States Navy|001E]] |
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[[Category:Sea control squadrons of the United States Navy]] |
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Revision as of 06:33, 22 January 2023
| Sea Control Squadron 21 (VS-21) | |
|---|---|
_insignia_1999.png) | |
| Active | 26 March 1945 - 28 February 2005 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Role | Anti-submarine warfare |
| Size | squadron |
| Nickname(s) | Fighting Red Tails |
| Equipment | TBM-3 Avenger S-2 Tracker S-3 Viking |
| Engagements | Korean War Vietnam War Operation Southern Watch Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Insignia | |
| VT-41 |  |
| VS-21 (1955) | _isignia_c1977.png) |
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.[1]
History
World War II
The squadron originally as VT-41 established in the final year of World War II, and served after the war aboard USS Badoeng Strait CVE-116 helping to develop hunter-killer ASW tactics for the U.S. Navy, and ultimately operated from full-size aircraft carriers in the sea control role, capable of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.
Late 1940s
The squadron was established as VT-41 at Naval Air Station Seattle, Washington (USA), under the command of LT. Joseph P. Keigher, with the General Motors-built TBM-1, TBM-1C, and TBM-3 Avenger torpedo bomber as part of CVEG-41. Commander Air Force Pacific Fleet had designated the squadron upon formation as having anti-submarine warfare as its primary mission.
On 15 November 1946, as part of a service-wide reorganization, VT-41 was redesignated VA-1E, while CVEG-41 was simultaneously redesignated CVEG-1. The group, which consisted of VA-1E and fighter squadron VF-1E, was assigned on 4 December 1946, on the Badoeng Strait. VA-1E was identified by the tail code "BS" (call sign "Beef Steak").
In 1947-1948, VA-1E conducted regular ASW exercises aboard Badoeng Strait between the U.S. West Coast and the Western Pacific. The squadron saw extensive service in ASW trials and tactics development aboard Badoeng Strait.[1]
When the US Navy turned back to the designation system used before November 1946, both CVEG-1 squadrons VA-1E and VF-1E were merged into Composite Squadron 21 (VC-21) on 1 September 1948, creating one of six new anti-submarine squadrons.
1950s
VC-21 was redesignated VS-21 (Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 21) on 23 April 1950. The squadron became the first US Navy ASW Squadron to depart from the US on a deployment in response to the Korean War on 4 July that year onboard the USS Sicily CVE-118. During the cruise, they were responsible for the evacuation of wounded US Marine service members from Koto-ri Airfield during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.[2]
On 3 December, the squadron transferred during the deployment to the USS Bairoko CVE-115, moving from the TBM-3E to the TBM-3S ASW aircraft before returning back to on 16 February 1951. Another Korean War deployment with the Bairoko took place between 3 February to 8 May 1953. This was VS-21's first deployment the Grumman AF-2S/2W Guardian.[3]
In December 1954, VS-21 began to operate the Grumman S2F-1 Tracker. In 1955, the squadron began to display the red lighting bolt on their engine and later tailfins of their aircraft. [2] The following year, the squadron made deployment to the West Pacific and Indian Ocean onboard the USS Princeton CV-37, becoming the first Pacific Fleet VS squadron to win the Battle E award. This was followed by deployment in 1958 onboard the Philippine Sea and in late 1959 to early 1960 on the Kearsarge, both of these with addition of the S2F-2 variant for the first time.[3]
1960s
After returning from it's 1959 deployment, in April 1960, the squadron was split in two, with one half continuing as VS-21 while the other half became VS-29. Both VS-21 and VS-29 along with the Helicopter ASW squadron HS-6 were assigned to CVSG-53, embarking on the air group's first cruise in 1961 with the Kearsarge. Another deployment in 1962 took the squadron to the Pacific Missile Range, deploying the S2F-1 and 1S and 1S1 aircraft. During this cruise, the squadron supported the recovery of Mercury-Atlas 8 on October 3 1962.[2][3]
After another deployment in 1963, VS-21 and the Kearsarge left what was to become a major Westpac deployment on 19 June 1964.[3] On 5 August 1964, while carrier was inport at Yokosuka, Japan; the ship was ordered to provide ASW protection for US Navy Attack Carriers in the South China Sea near North Vietnam, as a result of the Gulf of Tonkin Incident. By that afternoon, VS-21 and the rest of CVSG-53, which been temporarily based at NAF Atsugi; had returned back to the carrier.[4] In 1965, the squadron transferred to the S-2E Tracker and became the first VS squadron to operationally employ the AGM-12 Bullpup.[2] Three more deployments to the Vietnam War in 1966, 1968 and 1969 also took place, all as part of CVSG-53, operating onboard the Kearsage.[3]
1970s
1980s
1990s
After putting the S-3B Viking into service in 1991, on 1 October 1993, the squadron was redesignated Sea Control Squadron 21 (retaining the abbreviated form VS-21).
2000s
VS-21 was finally disestablished on 28 February 2005.[5]
Aircraft Assignment
- TBM-1 Avenger from March 1945
- TBM-1C Avenger from March 1945
- TBM-3 Avenger from March 1945
- TBF-1 Avenger from April 1945
- TBM-3E Avenger from May 1945
- TBM-3S Avenger from 1948
- AF-2 Guardian
- S2F-1 Tracker
- S2F-2 Tracker
- S-2E Tracker
- S-3A Viking
- S-3B Viking from 1991
See also
- History of the United States Navy
- List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
- List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
References
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons.
- ^ a b Grossnick, Roy A. (1995). "VA-1E" (pdf). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons. Vol. 1. Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center. p. 17.
- ^ a b c d "VS 21 Redtails". vs29.org. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
- ^ a b c d e "VS-21". gonavy.jp. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
- ^ USS Kearsarge (CVS 33) WestPac Cruise Book 1964. United States Navy. 1965. p. 36.
- ^ Donald, David; Lake, Jon (1992). US Navy & Marine Corps Air Power Directory. Aerospace Publishing.
