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Two of the US Navy's West Coast S-3B squadrons, VS-29 and VS-38, were disestablished in ceremonies at NAS North Island, California, on 17 April. The Navy's S-3B Sundown Plan calls for the gradual disestablishment of Viking squadrons as the number of operational carrier-based squadrons flying the F/A-18E/F increases. The F/A-18 will take over the aerial tanking role from the S-3. The Viking is scheduled for retirement in 2009. VS-38, known as the Red Griffins, was established in 1950 and later became the first designated carrier-based antisubmarine warfare squadron. The unit transitioned to the S-3 in 1973. VS-29, known as the Dragonfires, was commissioned in 1960 and had flown the Viking since 1975.
Photo By Phaan Mark Rebilas and USN
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