VS-29

• Established in 1960: Sea Control Squadron 29 (VS-29), also known as the “Dragonfires,” was established on April 1, 1960, at NAS North Island, California. • Anti-Submarine Warfare Focus: The squadron specialized in anti-submarine warfare (ASW), using aircraft to detect and track enemy submarines during the Cold War. • S2 Tracker to S-3 Viking: VS-29 initially flew the Grumman S2F Tracker before transitioning to the Lockheed S-3A Viking in 1975—a major leap in ASW technology. • Vietnam War Service: The squadron deployed aboard aircraft carriers such as the USS Kearsarge and USS Ticonderoga, supporting operations off the coast of Vietnam in the 1960s and early 1970s. • Desert Storm Operations: VS-29 participated in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, providing sea control and surveillance from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). • Carrier Deployments: The squadron served on multiple aircraft carriers, including USS Enterprise, USS Ranger, USS Carl Vinson, and USS Nimitz, supporting fleet operations worldwide. • Dragonfire Insignia: VS-29’s distinctive insignia featured a dragon breathing fire, symbolizing the unit’s power and vigilance. • Final Operations: In the 1990s and early 2000s, VS-29 took part in numerous exercises and overseas deployments, supporting naval operations in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. • Sundown and Disestablishment: The squadron was officially disestablished on April 23, 2004, as part of the Navy’s decommissioning of the S-3 Viking fleet. • Legacy: Many former VS-29 personnel went on to serve in other aviation and naval roles, and the squadron’s history is celebrated at reunions and in naval aviation museums.