Jump to content

VS-21: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
link
lead, Navy slang removed, info added
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= Sea Control Squadron TWENTY ONE<br>(VS-21)
|unit_name= Sea Control Squadron 21 (VS-21)
|image=USN VT-41 emblem 1945.png
|image=Sea Control Squadron 21 (US Navy) insignia 1999.png
|caption= Original VS-41 insignia
|caption=
|dates= 26 March 1945 - 28 February 2005
|dates= 26 March 1945 - 28 February 2005
|country= [[United States]]
|country= [[United States]]
Line 9: Line 9:
|type=
|type=
|role= [[Anti-submarine warfare]]
|role= [[Anti-submarine warfare]]
|size= [[squadron (aviation)|Squadron]]
|size= [[squadron (aviation)|squadron]]
|command_structure=
|command_structure=
|garrison=
|garrison= [[Naval Station Puget Sound|NAS Seattle]]<br>[[Naval Air Station North Island|NAS San Diego]]<br>[[Naval Air Facility Atsugi|NAF Atsugi]]
|garrison_label= Home Port
|garrison_label= Home Port
|equipment= [[Grumman TBF Avenger|TBM-3 Avenger]]<br>[[Lockheed S-3 Viking|S-3 Viking]]
|equipment= [[Grumman TBF Avenger|TBM-3 Avenger]]<br>[[Grumman S-2 Tracker|S-2 Tracker]]<br>[[Lockheed S-3 Viking|S-3 Viking]]
|equipment_label= Aircraft
|equipment_label=
|nickname=Fighting Red Tails
|nickname=Fighting Red Tails
|patron=
|patron=
Line 35: Line 35:
|notable_commanders=
|notable_commanders=
<!-- Insignia -->
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol=[[File:Vs21s.jpg|100x100px]]
|identification_symbol=[[File:USN VT-41 emblem 1945.png|100x100px]]
|identification_symbol_label=VS-21 (1955)
|identification_symbol_label=VT-41
|identification_symbol_2=[[File:Vs-21.jpg|100x100px]]
|identification_symbol_2=[[File:Anti-Submarine Squadron 21 (US Navy) isignia c1977.png|100x100px]]
|identification_symbol_2_label=VS-21
|identification_symbol_2_label=VS-21 (1955)
|identification_symbol_3=[[File:USN VT-41 emblem 1945.png|100x100px]]
|identification_symbol_3=
|identification_symbol_3_label=VT-41
|identification_symbol_3_label=
}}
}}
'''Sea Control Squadron 21 (VS-21)''' was an [[Military aviation|aviation]] [[squadron (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 carrier|aircraft carriers]].
'''Sea Control Squadron TWENTY ONE (SEACONRON 21 or VS-21)''', previously designated '''Air Anti-Submarine Squadron TWENTY ONE (AIRASRON 21)''', '''Composite Squadron TWENTY ONE (VC-21)''', '''Attack Squadron ONE E (VA-1E)''', and '''Torpedo Squadron FORTY ONE (VT-41)''', was a [[United States Navy]] [[anti-submarine warfare|anti-submarine]] (ASW) [[squadron (aviation)|squadron]] established in the final year of [[World War II]], which served after the war aboard {{USS|Badoeng Strait|CVE-116|2}} helping to develop hunter-killer ASW tactics for the Navy, and ultimately operated from full-size [[aircraft carrier]]s in the sea control role, capable of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. It was the only squadron to receive the designations VA-1E, VC-21, or VS-21.<ref name="Danas">{{cite DANAS |volume=1 |article=VA-1E |page=17 |section=va-1-23}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The squadron was established as '''Torpedo Squadron FORTY ONE''' (VT-41) at [[Naval Air Station Seattle]], Washington, under the command of [[Lieutenant (navy)|Lieutenant]] Joseph P. Keigher, with the [[General Motors]]-built [[Grumman TBF Avenger|TBM-1, TBM-1C, and TBM-3 Avenger]] torpedo bomber as part of Escort Carrier Air Group FORTY ONE (CVEG-41). Commander Air Force Pacific Fleet had designated the squadron upon formation as having antisubmarine warfare as its primary mission. On 15 November 1946, as part of a service-wide reorganization, VT-41 was redesignated '''Attack Squadron ONE E''' (VA-1E), which was translated into "1st attack squadron ("VA-1") based on escort carriers ("E")", while CVEG-41 was simultaneously redesignated Escort Carrier Air Group ONE (CVEG-1). The Group, which consisted of VA-1E and its sister fighter squadron VF-1E, was assigned on 4 December 1946, to the escort carrier ''Badoeng Strait'', and 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 US West Coast and the [[Pacific ocean|Western Pacific]]. The squadron saw extensive service in ASW trials and tactics development aboard ''Badoeng Strait''.<ref name="Danas" />
VS-21 was previously designated Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 21 (VS-21), Composite Squadron 21 (VC-21), Attack Squadron 1E (VA-1E), and Torpedo Squadron 41 (VT-41). It was established in the final year of [[World War II]], and served after the war aboard {{USS|Badoeng Strait|CVE-116|2}} helping to develop hunter-killer ASW tactics for the U.S. Navy, and ultimately operated from full-size [[aircraft carrier]]s in the sea control role, capable of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. It was the only squadron to receive the designations VA-1E, VC-21, or VS-21.<ref name="Danas">{{cite DANAS |volume=1 |article=VA-1E |page=17 |section=va-1-23}}</ref>
The squadron was established as Torpedo Squadron 41 (VT-41) at [[Naval Air Station Seattle]], Washington (USA), under the command of [[Lieutenant (navy)|Lieutenant]] Joseph P. Keigher, with the [[General Motors]]-built [[Grumman TBF Avenger|TBM-1, TBM-1C, and TBM-3 Avenger]] torpedo bomber as part of Escort Carrier Air Group 41 (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 Attack Squadron 1E (VA-1E). This was translated into "1st attack squadron ("VA-1") based on escort carriers ("E")", while CVEG-41 was simultaneously redesignated Escort Carrier Air Group 1 (CVEG-1). The group, which consisted of VA-1E and fighter squadron VF-1E, was assigned on 4 December 1946, to the escort carrier {{USS|Badoeng Strait|CVE-116|2}}. 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 [[Pacific Ocean|Western Pacific]]. The squadron saw extensive service in ASW trials and tactics development aboard ''Badoeng Strait''.<ref name="Danas" />
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. The squadron was redesignated '''Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 21''' (AIRASRON 21 or VS-21) and obtained the nickname '''"Redtails"''' on 23 April 1950. 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). 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>
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. The squadron was redesignated Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 21 (VS-21) and obtained the nickname "Redtails" on 23 April 1950. 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). 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>


==Commanding officers==
==Commanding officers==
Line 72: Line 74:


==Air Wing Assignments==
==Air Wing Assignments==
* Escort Carrier Air Group FORTY ONE (CVEG-41) from 26 March 1945 to 15 November 1946
* Escort Carrier Air Group 41 (CVEG-41) from 26 March 1945 to 15 November 1946
* Escort Carrier Air Group ONE (CVEG-1) from 15 November 1946
* Escort Carrier Air Group 1 (CVEG-1) from 15 November 1946
* Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 53 (CVSG-53) (1960-1972)
* Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 59 (CVSG-53) (1970)
* [[Carrier Air Wing One]] (CVW-1) (1974 - 1976)
* [[Carrier Air Wing One]] (CVW-1) (1974 - 1976)
* [[Carrier Air Wing Fifteen]] (CVW-15) (1978 - 1980)
* [[Carrier Air Wing Nine]] (CVW-1) (1977)
* [[Carrier Air Wing Two]] (CVW-2) (1981 - ?)
* [[Carrier Air Wing Fifteen]] (CVW-15) (1979 - 1980)
* [[Carrier Air Wing Five]] (CVW-5)
* [[Carrier Air Wing Two]] (CVW-2) (1982)
* [[Carrier Air Wing Eleven]] (CVW-11) (1984-1990)
* [[Carrier Air Wing Five]] (CVW-5) (1991-2005)


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 07:48, 17 December 2017

Sea Control Squadron 21 (VS-21)
Active26 March 1945 - 28 February 2005
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Navy
RoleAnti-submarine warfare
Sizesquadron
Nickname(s)Fighting Red Tails
EquipmentTBM-3 Avenger
S-2 Tracker
S-3 Viking
Insignia
VT-41
VS-21 (1955)

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.

History

VS-21 was previously designated Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 21 (VS-21), Composite Squadron 21 (VC-21), Attack Squadron 1E (VA-1E), and Torpedo Squadron 41 (VT-41). It was established in the final year of World War II, and served after the war aboard Badoeng Strait 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. It was the only squadron to receive the designations VA-1E, VC-21, or VS-21.[1]

The squadron was established as Torpedo Squadron 41 (VT-41) at Naval Air Station Seattle, Washington (USA), under the command of Lieutenant Joseph P. Keigher, with the General Motors-built TBM-1, TBM-1C, and TBM-3 Avenger torpedo bomber as part of Escort Carrier Air Group 41 (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 Attack Squadron 1E (VA-1E). This was translated into "1st attack squadron ("VA-1") based on escort carriers ("E")", while CVEG-41 was simultaneously redesignated Escort Carrier Air Group 1 (CVEG-1). The group, which consisted of VA-1E and fighter squadron VF-1E, was assigned on 4 December 1946, to the escort carrier 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. The squadron was redesignated Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 21 (VS-21) and obtained the nickname "Redtails" on 23 April 1950. 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). VS-21 was finally disestablished on 28 February 2005.[2]

Commanding officers

  • Lt. Joseph P. Keigher: 26 March 1945 (acting commander)
  • Lt. Charles A. Collins: 29 April 1945
  • LCdr. Kent M. Cushman: 14 September 1946
  • LCdr. Harold A. Robinson: 24 November 1947

Aircraft Assignment

A TBM-3S in VA-1E colors
A squadron S2F-1 in flight
Profile of an S-3A during the squadron's service aboard the USS Constellation

Air Wing Assignments

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sea Control Squadron 21 (United States Navy).

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons.

  1. ^ a b Grossnick, Roy A. (1995). "VA-1E" (pdf). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons. Vol. 1. Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center. p. 17.
  2. ^ Donald, David; Lake, Jon (1992). US Navy & Marine Corps Air Power Directory. Aerospace Publishing.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=VS-21&oldid=815807330"