VS-21

• Long Service History: VS-21, or Sea Control Squadron 21, was originally established as VS-931 on 28 August 1948 and redesignated VS-21 on 4 February 1953, serving for over 50 years until its disestablishment on 31 March 2005. • Korean War Beginnings: The squadron was mobilized during the Korean War and initially operated the Grumman TBM-3E Avenger, performing anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions. • Nickname "Fighting Redtails": VS-21 was commonly known as the "Fighting Redtails" due to the distinctive red tails on their aircraft. • Transition to S-3 Viking: In 1974, VS-21 became the first Pacific Fleet squadron to transition to the Lockheed S-3A Viking, a carrier-based ASW aircraft, marking a significant technological leap. • Vietnam War Operations: Throughout the Vietnam War, VS-21 conducted anti-submarine operations from aircraft carriers, providing critical protection against potential Soviet submarine threats. • Operation Desert Storm: VS-21 participated in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, flying from USS Nimitz (CVN-68), conducting surveillance, surface search, and tanker missions. • Global Deployments: The squadron completed multiple deployments across the Pacific and Indian Oceans, operating from numerous aircraft carriers, including USS Midway, USS Independence, and USS Kitty Hawk. • Role Expansion: In the 1990s, the S-3 Vikings' mission expanded beyond ASW to include surface surveillance, electronic warfare, and aerial refueling. • Final Deployment: VS-21's last operational deployment was aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) in 2004, supporting operations in the Western Pacific and the Global War on Terror. • Legacy and Disestablishment: VS-21 was the last active S-3 Viking squadron in the U.S. Navy and was disestablished at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, in 2005, ending an era of anti-submarine carrier aviation.