VS-24 (U.S. Navy)

VS-24 (U.S. Navy)
Unit name	VS-24
Caption	Emblem of VS-24
Dates	1949–2009
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Antisubmarine Warfare
Role	Maritime patrol, antisubmarine warfare
Command structure	Carrier Air Wing One, Fleet Air Forces
Garrison	Naval Air Station Jacksonville
Nickname	Scouts
Colors	Blue and Gold

VS-24 (U.S. Navy) was a United States Navy fixed-wing antisubmarine squadron established in 1949 and disestablished in 2009. The squadron operated carrier-based patrol and antisubmarine warfare aircraft, supporting United States Pacific Fleet, United States Atlantic Fleet, and joint operations with allied navies. VS-24 participated in Cold War patrols, Vietnam War deployments, and post-Cold War maritime security operations aboard numerous aircraft carriers.

History

VS-24 was established in 1949 during the early Cold War era and traced lineage through squadron redesignations and air group assignments linked to Carrier Air Group 5, Carrier Air Wing 1, and Commander, Patrol Wings Atlantic. The squadron transitioned through aircraft types in response to advances in antisubmarine warfare technology developed during tensions with the Soviet Union and in coordination with NATO partners such as the Royal Navy and French Navy. VS-24 deployed to support operations during the Korean War periphery, conducted surveillance during crises such as the Berlin Crisis of 1961, and sustained presence during the Vietnam War aboard carriers operating in the Gulf of Tonkin. In the later Cold War period VS-24 operated in the Atlantic and Mediterranean in support of Sixth Fleet operations, responding to incidents involving the Soviet Navy and conducting tracking missions near contested waters like the Barents Sea approaches. Post-Cold War, VS-24 shifted focus toward counter-narcotics support for United States Southern Command and maritime interdiction operations in coordination with United States Coast Guard detachments.

Aircraft and Equipment

VS-24 flew a series of carrier-capable antisubmarine aircraft including early piston and turboprop types such as the Grumman TBM Avenger derivative ASW platforms and later the S-2 Tracker family developed by Grumman Aerospace. The squadron transitioned to the jet-assisted Lockheed S-3 Viking in the 1970s, operating S-3A and S-3B variants equipped with sonar buoys, magnetic anomaly detectors, and tactical data systems interoperable with platforms like the E-2 Hawkeye and F-14 Tomcat. VS-24 integrated weapons and sensors including the Mk 46 torpedo, sonobuoy families standardized by NATO STANAGs, and data links compatible with Naval Tactical Data System upgrades. Maintenance and logistics were supported by shore facilities at Naval Air Station North Island and Naval Air Station Jacksonville, and by carrier maintenance crews aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65), USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) among others.

Deployments and Operations

VS-24 deployed aboard multiple aircraft carriers for extended Western Pacific, Mediterranean, and Atlantic cruises, participating in scheduled exercises such as RIMPAC, Exercise Display Determination, and Ocean Safari. The squadron conducted forward-deployed patrols during the Vietnam War combat operations from carriers on Yankee Station, integrating with strike packages including units from Carrier Air Wing Five and coordinating with Carrier Air Wing 15. During Cold War incidents VS-24 crews executed submarine detection and tracking missions in coordination with Fourteenth Fleet assets and antisubmarine escorts including USS Long Beach (CGN-9). In the 1980s and 1990s VS-24 supported freedom of navigation and contingency operations alongside Sixth Fleet and Fifth Fleet commitments, and provided airborne surface surveillance in support of multinational embargo and maritime interdiction efforts tied to Operation Sharp Guard and later Operation Enduring Freedom maritime patrols. VS-24 also contributed to humanitarian assistance logistics with carrier battle groups responding to regional crises such as relief efforts following natural disasters impacting areas served by United States 3rd Fleet and United States 7th Fleet.

Home Bases and Assignments

Throughout its existence VS-24 was assigned to home stations including Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Air Station North Island, and transient detachments at Naval Air Station Keflavik for Atlantic patrol rotations. The squadron was attached to carrier air wings operating from carriers such as USS Enterprise (CVN-65), USS America (CV-66), USS Saratoga (CV-60), and USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), reflecting reassignment between Carrier Air Wing One and other air wing organizations. Training and readiness cycles were conducted under the oversight of commands like Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic and coordinated with shore-based antisubmarine training units at Naval Station Mayport.

Insignia and Traditions

VS-24 adopted the nickname "Scouts" and squadron insignia featuring maritime motifs consistent with naval aviation heraldry recognized by Chief of Naval Operations directives. Squadron patches and flight jackets bore iconography linked to Naval Aviation culture and commemorated deployments through cruise patches produced in collaboration with unit historians and veterans' associations. VS-24 observed naval ceremonies such as change of command, Tailhook safety briefings associated with carrier aviation, and flight deck lineage traditions practiced aboard carriers including line-crossing ceremonies tied to Atlantic Fleet and Pacific Fleet customs.

Notable Personnel and Commanders

Commanding officers and squadron leaders from VS-24 advanced to senior leadership positions within Naval Aviation and Fleet staffs, with alumni serving in billets at Naval Air Systems Command, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, and as commanders of carrier air wings and carrier strike groups. VS-24 produced aviators who later flew in joint assignments with NATO forces and within combined commands under United States Central Command and United States European Command. The squadron roster included decorated aviators recognized by awards issued through Department of the Navy administrative processes.

Awards and Citations

VS-24 received unit awards and commendations reflecting operational excellence, safety records, and mission performance evaluated by authorities including Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic and Secretary of the Navy review boards. The squadron earned recognition in exercises such as GLOBAL PATRIOT collaborations and received campaign ribbons for service during the Vietnam War era as designated by Department of Defense campaign criteria. Individual aircrew and maintenance personnel from VS-24 were recipients of decorations administered under Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual protocols.

Category:United States Navy squadrons