VS-22
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| Sea Control Squadron 22 | |
|---|---|
| Active | May 18, 1960 - present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Role | In-flight refueling Anti-submarine warfare |
| Homeport | NAS Jacksonville |
| Nickname | "Checkmates" |
| Aircraft | S-3 Viking |
Sea Control Squadron 22 (VS-22) ("The Checkmates") is a Carrier-based United States Navy squadron based out of Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida. The squadron flies the S-3B Viking and their mission is to mine, undersea and surface warfare, electronic reconnaissance and analysis, over the horizon targeting, and aerial refueling. Currently the squadron is attached to Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17).
[edit] History
Quonset Point, Rhode Island marked the location in which VS-22 was established on May 18, 1960. Along with Carrier Antisubmarine Air Group FIFTY FOUR, Quonset Point would be the base from which the Checkmates would conduct operations on notable aircraft carriers such as: USS Essex (CVS-9), USS Intrepid (CVS-11), USS Randloph (CVS-15), USS Wasp (CVS-18), USS Oriskany (CVA-34), and USS Lake Champlain (CVS-39). From 1960 to 1976, the Checkmates flew the Grunman S-2 Tracker, better known as "Stoof". This propeller driven aircraft proved a formidable platform for the Checkmates as they operated in multiple missions and operations through the years.
Besides the typical submarine hunting role for which the aircraft is known the Checkmates held a significant role in the United States Space program. Alan B. Shepard, America's first astronaut and also a Naval Aviator, was tracked and located by the Checkmates on May 5th of 1961. In August 1965 while embarked on USS Lake Champlain recovered Gemini 5 astronauts Gordon Cooper and Pete Conrad. Finally, the Checkmates engaged in the recovery of Apollo 7 astronauts while deployed aboard the USS Essex.
Since its inception Surface Warfare and Sub-surface Warfare is what the Checkmates were formed to do. Throughout the course of the 70's Checkmate aircrews were involved in constant operations which provided the Navy with more data and knowledge in regards to nuclear submarines then ever amassed before.
The 70's also marked a change of home bases and aircraft. April 1, 1973 marked the Checkmates move from Rhode Island to Jacksonville Florida, its current home; however NAS Cecil Field would be their home as opposed to NAS Jacksonville where they reside at this time. Beginning in early January, after twenty two years of flying the S-2, aircrew began the transition to the S-3A Viking.
