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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
EngagementsKorean War
Vietnam War
Operation Earnest Will
Operation Praying Mantis
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
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. 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").

A TBM-3S in VA-1E colors

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]

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. [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

In 1971, VS-21 was reassigned to the USS Saratoga CV-60 to validate the ability to operate ASW units with an Attack Carrier (the CV Concept). This test was deemed successfully and as a result, the Attack Carriers (CVA) became Carriers (CV).[2] VS-21 made it's last deployment with CVSG-53 and it's last Vietnam War deployment between 17 May and 29 July 1972.[3]

Profile of an S-3A during the squadron's service aboard the USS Constellation

1974 saw the squadron being selected to become the first squadron in the US Navy to operate the Lockheed S-3A Viking.[2] That same year, the squadron changed it's name from the Lightning Bolts to the Fighting Red Tails. Between 28 June 1975 and 27 January 1976, VS-21 made the first S-3 Viking deployment as part of CVW-1 assigned to the USS John F Kennedy CV-67, sailing to the Mediterranean Sea.[3] The squadron also won a Battle E award as well as a CNO Safety Award CAPT. Arnold J. Isbell Trophy for ASW excellence in 1975.[2]

After being reassigned to CVW-9 and the USS Constellation CV-64, the squadron deployed on 12 April 1977 to the West Pacific, returning back on 21 November. On 30 May 1979, VS-21 deployed with CVW-15 aboard the USS Kitty Hawk CV-63 with the addition of the US-3A Viking COD aircraft, returning back on 25 February 1980.[3]

1980s

VS-21 made one operational deployment with the USS Ranger CV-61 between 7 April and 18 October 1982 before being reassigned to CVW-11. Beginning in May 1984, VS-21 made five operation cruises with CVW-11 between 1984 and 1990 onboard the USS Enterprise CVN-65, including a 1986 World Cruise through the Suez Canal[5] and taking part in Operation Earnest Will.

NH706, an S-3A Viking assigned to VS-21 landing onboard the Enterprise in August 1988.
NH706, an S-3A Viking assigned to VS-21 landing onboard the Enterprise in August 1988.

After leaving for another cruise on 5 January 1988, VS-21 and her air wing replaced the USS Midway and her air wing on 14-15 February before arriving in the Persian Gulf for Earnest Will on 18 February. Between 18 February to 10 March and then from 19 March and 22 May, VS-21 and CVW-11 conducted operations in the Persian Gulf which included taking part in a supporting role during Operation Praying Mantis on 18 April. During their transit to British Hong Kong, on 5-6 June, one of their S-3A Vikings during take off rolled to left and crashed into the sea. Despite ejecting, 3 of the 4 crew onboard perished including VS-21's CO.[6] VS-21 returned back to the States on 1 July 1988.[7]

VS-21, CVW-11 and the Enterprise left NAS Alameda for a World Cruise on 25 July 1989. After taking part in PACEX '89 with the Carl Vinson and Constellation Battlegroups, VS-21 took part in several war games in the Sea of Japan, Western Pacific and off Okinawa with 48 vessels including the Carl Vinson, the Battleships USS New Jersey BB-62 and USS Missouri BB-64 as well as several vessels of the JMSDF.[8]

More exercises with the Carl Vinson and her air wing occurred with VS-21 and CVW-11 while in coordination with the ROK Armed Forces off South Korea between 18 to 28 October. After making port calls in British Hong Kong and Subic Bay as well as avoiding Typhoon Hunt in late November, VS-21 and Enterprise's Battlegroup conducted operations with Midway Battlegroup as part of Operation Classic Resolve during the 1989 Philippines coup attempt. The final operations for VS-21 in 1989 brought them to Singapore as well taking part in war games with the Royal Malaysian Navy[8]

1990s

On 27 January 1990, NH704, one of VS-21's S-3As; had to divert to RAFO Masirah due to partial loss of flight control movement. The aircraft later returned back to Enterprise on 31 January. After conducting anti-drug interdiction operations with the air wing's E-2Cs on 2 March, Enterprise and arrived at Norfolk, Virginia on 17 May 1990 before VS-21 and CVW-11 returned back to bases between 24-29 May. Around December 1990, VS-21 began receive the S-3B Viking with the tailcode of CVW-5, the air wing they would move to 1991.[9]

Temporarily assigned to CVW-14, VS-21 departed with the USS Independence CV-62 on 5 August 1991 from NAS North Island.[10][11] Arriving at Pearl Harbor on 22 August, most of CVW-14's squadrons including VS-21 were officially reassigned to CVW-5, while some of CVW-14 and CVW-5 moved to the older Midway as it got replaced.[11] VS-21, CVW-5 and the Independence then departed Pearl Harbor for US Fleet Activities Yokosuka on 28 August 1991, arriving in Japan on 11 September.[3]

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.[12]

Aircraft Assignment

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. ^ a b c d e f g "VS 21 Redtails". vs29.org. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "VS-21". gonavy.jp. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  4. ^ USS Kearsarge (CVS 33) WestPac Cruise Book 1964. United States Navy. 1965. p. 36.
  5. ^ Archives, L. A. Times (1986-07-01). "Enterprise, Two Escorts Ordered to Bypass Suez Canal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  6. ^ "Accident Lockheed S-3A Viking 160164, 05 Jun 1988". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  7. ^ USS Enterprise CVN-65 - 1988 Command Operations Report (PDF). United States Navy. 1989.
  8. ^ a b USS Enterprise CVN-65 1989 Command Operation Report (PDF). United States Navy. 1990.
  9. ^ "Aircraft Photo of 159416 | Lockheed S-3A Viking | USA - Navy | AirHistory.net #202334". AirHistory.net. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  10. ^ "CVW-14(NK)". gonavy.jp. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  11. ^ a b "November ~ December 1991 Naval Aviation News - 1991 Carrier Swap-Ex Article". 1991.
  12. ^ Donald, David; Lake, Jon (1992). US Navy & Marine Corps Air Power Directory. Aerospace Publishing.
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