VS-22's Checkmates

Established in May 1960 at NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island, VS-22 flew ASW missions in the "Stoof," the S-2 Tracker. It flew the S-2 until it acquired its current aircraft, the S-3 Viking, in 1976..

In 1961, a VS-22 S-2 helped recover astronaut Alan B. Shepard, following his historic space flight. In 1965, the Checkmates participated in other space capsule recoveries: Gemini 5 with astronauts Cooper and Conrad, and Apollo 7 with astronauts Shirra, Eisele, and Cunningham.

In 1973 VS-22 joined Air ASW Wing One, the precursor of Sea Control Wing, Atlantic Fleet. In late 1973, VS-22 transferred to NAS Cecil Field, Florida and in 1976, after 22 years of flying the S-2, the squadron became the first deployed S-3A Viking squadron.

In 1990, following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, VS22 flew the firstever Red Sea/Iraqi Border surveillance and signals collection flights. Su bsequently, the Checkmates flew over 1,100 combat hours and 324 combat sorties in Desert Storm. Target information gleaned by VS-22 aircraft played a major role in the suppression of enemy air defenses. From January 22,1991 until the ceasefire on February 28, 1991, the Checkmates flew in every CVW-3 strike against Iraq.

VS-22 support of counter narcotics operations in 1991-1992 earned the Checkmates the Joint Meritorious Unit Award for identifying over 1,500 contacts and confirming 50 offenders.

During its 1992 deployment to the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas VS22 provided in-flight refueling training for Egyptian Mirage 2000 pilots and practiced SUW skills while leading over 40 multi-national, integrated and air wing exercise strikes against NATO ships. Operations Provide Comfort and Provide Promise followed with VS-22's role shifting to electronic support, becoming the battle group commander's eyes and ears. The Checkmates provided invaluable radar support and Command and Control.

In 1996, the Checkmates flew missions in Southern Watch and Decisive Endeavor. A year later VS-22 became the first S-3B squadron to launch the AGM-65F Maverick missile.

In 1999 the VS-22 Checkmates distinguished themselves in Operation Desert Fox against Iraq. Over the Northern Arabian Gulf and Kuwait, VS-22 excelled as a critical strike support asset operating from USS Enterprise.

The new millenium found the Checkmates onboard USS Harry S. Truman with CVW-3, again supporting Southern Watch. Shortly after returning from this deployment the Checkmates departed on a two-month South American cruise aboard USS Nimitz. More recently, VS - 22 returned from duty in Iraqi Freedom aboard Truman, the 16th different carrier it has operated from since its start.

VS-22 has won 10 Battle Es, 11 AIRLANT Safety Awards, 10 Captain Arnold J. Isabell Trophies for ASW Excellence, the Thach Trophy, four Golden Wrenches for maintenance excellence, and others.

CO of the Checkmates is CDR Michael V. Propseri. XO is CDR Gary R. Schram.

By LTJG Jason Bennett

Copyright Association of Naval Aviation Fall 2003
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