VS-21
| Attack Squadron 1E | |
|---|---|
 VT-41 insignia | |
| Active | 26 March 1945 - 1 September 1948 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Role | Anti-submarine warfare |
| Homeport | NAS San Diego |
| Aircraft | Grumman TBM-3 Avenger |
Attack Squadron 1E (VA-1E) was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. It had been established on 26 March 1945 as Torpedo Squadron 41 (VT-41) and was redesignated "VA-1E" on 15 November 1946. The squadron was disestablished on 1 September 1948. It was the only squadron to be designated VA-1E.
History
VT-41 was established as a torpedo squadron, flying the Grumman TBF-1 Avenger torpedo bomber at Naval Air Station Seattle, Washington (USA), but it was relocated to NAS San Diego, California (USA) in May 1945. VT-41 was assigned to Escort Carrier Air Group 41 (CVEG-41) (redesignated CVEG-1 in 1946). After working up of the squadron in the late stages of the Second World War, the Commander Air Force Pacific Fleet designated anti-submarine warfare as the primary mission of VT-41 in March 1946. On 15 November 1946 VT-41 became VA-1E, which was translated into "1st attack squadron ("VA-1") based on escort carriers ("E")". On 4 December 1946, Escort Carrier Air Group 1 (CVEG-1) was assigned to the escort carrier USS Badoeng Strait, and VA-1E was identified by the tail code "BS" (call sign "Beef Steak"). In 1947-48 VA-1E conducted regular ASW exercises aboard the Badoeng Strait between the U.S. West Coast and the Western Pacific. The squadron saw extensive service in ASW trials and tactics development aboard the Badoeng Strait. When the U.S. 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), and VA-1E and VF-1E were disestablished on 1 September 1948. VC-21 was one of six new anti-submarine squadrons. It was redesignated Anti-Submarine Squadron 21 (VS-21) on 23 April 1950, and Sea Control Squadron 21 (VS-21) on 1 October 1993. VS-21 was finally disestablished on 28 February 2005.
Commanding officers
- Lt. Charles A. Collins: 29 April 1945
- LCdr. Kent M. Cushman: 14 September 1946
- LCdr. Harold A. Robinson: 24 November 1947
Aircraft Assignment
- TBF-1, TBM-1/-1C, TBM-3: March 1945
- TBM-3E: May 1945
- TBM-3S: 1948
Air Wing Assignments
- CVEG-1: 26 March 1945 (CVEG-41 was redesignated CVEG-1 on 15 November 1946).