VS-35
| Sea Control Squadron 35 | |
|---|---|
 VS-35 Insignia | |
| Country |
 United States of America |
| Branch |
 United States Navy |
| Role |
In-flight refueling Anti-surface warfare |
| Homeport | NAS North Island |
| Nickname | "Blue Wolves" |
| Aircraft | Lockheed S-3B Viking |
VS-35, Sea Control Squadron 35, known as the Blue Wolves was a carrier-based United States Navy squadron based out of Naval Air Station North Island in California. The squadron flew the Lockheed Lockheed S-3B Viking and their mission was mining, undersea and surface warfare, electronic reconnaissance and analysis, over the horizon targeting, and aerial refueling. The squadron was last attached to Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14). VS-35 was disestablished in a ceremony at NAS North Island on March 24, 2005, and officially on March 31, 2005.
History
The squadron was established on January 3, 1961 at Naval Air Station Los Alamitos, California and named the "Boomerangers", composing of eleven S2F-1 Tracker aircraft. In July 1961, the squadron transition to the S2F-3, which would later be desiginated the S-2D. In 1962, the squadron was relocated to NAS North Island, California and deployed for the first time as part of Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group Fifty-Seven (CVSG-57) on board the USS Hornet (CVS-12) and again in 1963.
In August 1965 to March 1966, the squadron again deployed aboard the USS Hornet in combat operations in Vietnam. The Boomerangers maintained surface and subsurface surveillance in the Gulf of Tonkin. Later that year, they assisted the USS Hornet in the recovery of the first Apollo capsule. The squadron's fourth and fifth deployments in 1967 and 1968-1969 saw them return to the Gulf of Tonkin for combat operations.
After their fifth deployment, the USS Hornet was decommissioned and VS-35 was reassigned as part of CVSG-53 and in May 1970 deployed in the Atlantic on the USS Wasp (CVS-18). On May 17, 1972, VS-35 deployed with CVSG-53 on board the USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14) to the Pacific and participated in the mining of Haiphong Harbor in North Vietnam. The squadron was officially disestablished on June 30, 1973. In October 1976, preparations were made to reestablish VS-35 to fly the new turbine powered S-3A, but fiscal constraits prevented completion of this plan and the second VS-35 was disestablished on March 30, 1977.
On September 10, 1986, a pre-establishment detachment was set up and the Boomerangers were officially established on March 3, 1987. They were assigned to the newly created Carrier Air Wing Ten (CVW-10), but fiscal constraints disestablished the 18-month old CVW-10 on September 30, 1988. After just one brief sea period on board the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), VS-35 was disestablished for the third time on June 1, 1988.
The rebirth of VS-35 began on October 3, 1990 as a pre-establishment detachment with the official establishment on April 4, 1991. The fourth VS-35 adopted the nickname "Blue Wolves", flew the S-3A, and were assigned to Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) on board the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) on October 10, 1991. The Blue Wolves transitioned to the S-3B in December 1992.
For the first time since 1972, the Blue Wolves deployed on February 17, 1994 on board the USS Carl Vinson to the western Pacific in support of Operation Southern Watch. In 1996, the squadron deployed again on board the USS Carl Vinson and in support of Operation Southern Watch. In June 1998, Carrier Air Wing Fourteen was reattched to the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and deployed in June 1998 to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch and again in 2000.
In July 2002, the squadron deployed on board the USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. After an overall period in Perth, Australia for the USS Abraham Lincoln, the Blue Wolves returned to the Persian Gulf to commence combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The squadron returned home on May 2, 2003, after nearly ten months away, the longest for a United States Aircraft Carrier since the Vietnam War.
Upon returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom, on May 1, 2003, the squadron flew President George W. Bush on board the USS Abraham Lincoln for his "Mission Accomplished" Speech. The Blue Wolves have the distinction of being the only Navy squadron with the desiginator Navy One.
In May 2004, VS-35 departed for their final deployment on board the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). Upon returning in October 2004, the squadron began preparations for disestablishment. Official disestablishment occurred on March 31, 2005.
Mission
Over land employ the LANTIRN Targeting System to localize enemies and track them until given the authority to kill them. Use laser guided maverick missiles or buddy laze in order for others to use laser guided weapons on enemies. Pass precise coordinates to allied forces on the ground or in the air to deliver precision guided munitions to bear. Over the sea, use Automated Information System, Data Link, ESM, Radar, ISAR, NVDs, and Infrared systems to find ships. Pass their position to surface ships who will board and detain the enemy. Overhead the ship, use refueling stores. The maintenance team will get the Vikings airborne and the aircrew will put the jets in position for expeditious rendezvous in the tanker pattern.
See also
- History of the United States Navy
- List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
- List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
