The Navy Bids Farewell to VS-31

An S-3B Viking, from the "Top Cats" of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 31, launches from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis is on a scheduled deployment to promote peace, regional cooperation and stability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paul J. Perkins)
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Toiete Jackson Fleet Public Affairs Center, Det. Southeast

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- The Navy said farewell to the Topcats of Sea Control Squadron 31 (VS-31) in a disestablishment ceremony held March 27, aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville.

The Topcats, assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, ended 60 years of distinguished service. The squadron was originally established during World War II from 1942 to 1945, and was recommissioned in April 1948.

Guest speaker, retired Navy captain and former commanding officer, William Carey said he was honored to speak at the ceremony.

"I'm here because I love being part of the Topcat world and history," said Carey. "If you look in the audience today and if you think back through the years, the history and accomplishments of this fine squadron are really mind-boggling."

Carey went on to highlight some impressive accomplishments of the squadron and many of it's achievements. He also spoke of the high level of proficiency and professionalism of the Sailors. "They make me want to suit up again," said Carey.

"In 1940 VS-31 became the first Atlantic Fleet VS squadron, one of many firsts that this squadron has realized. This squadron has supported many foreign policy decisions and many crises," continued Carey. "They supported the Suez Canal Crisis and they were the first squadron to deploy and arrive on station to support Operation Desert Shield, literally within days of the invasion of Kuwait. And on 9/11, this squadron simultaneously deployed to two different aircraft carriers."

Also giving praises to the squadron during the ceremony was Capt. Sterling Gilliam, commander, CVW-9. "I am honored and fortunate to be associated with some tremendous S-3 squadrons, but none of them have come close to the sustained operational achievements of VS-31."

He also presented VS-31's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Muhammad Khan with the Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding meritorious service to the squadron.

Khan then took the podium to thank former Topcats and guests for attending the ceremony and gave accolades to the remaining third of his squadron.

"I have been living the dream for the past year," stated Khan. "For a kid growing up in Pakistan, we heard about the capabilities of the U.S. military and we were in absolute awe, and then we would hear about the U.S. Navy in the Indian Ocean, and sometimes see the aircraft carriers conducting flight operations; I was so impressed. But never in my wildest dreams would I imagine that I'd be commanding a U.S. Navy squadron. As a new recruit, I didn't think that it was possible. But only in this great Navy, can an immigrant reach as high as the goal he sets for himself. This is truly the land of opportunity."

The ceremony closed with reading of "The Watch" and the stand-down of the squadron's last S-3B Viking aircraft.

VS-31 Sailors, past and present, have proudly served the Jacksonville area since 1973. Previously located at NAS Quonset Point, R.I., the squadron moved to NAS Cecil Field, Fla., and eventually to its current home base of NAS Jacksonville. In August 2007, VS-31 returned from its last deployment in the Persian Gulf aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

The S-3B aircraft is being phased out and it's roles are being assumed by existing helicopter and super hornet squadrons.

The Sailors and officers of the community will transition to different communities and platforms, and are able to maintain their same career path. The squadron will exists on paper until the last Sailor checks out and moves on in late April 2008.

VS-31 was comprised of 190 members with aproximatley eight aircraft. All but one of their S-3B aircraft have been reassigned to other VS squadrons. The last remaining aircraft will be flown to Davis-Mothan Air Force Base in Tucson, Ariz. for preservation in the war-time ready reserve fleet.

“Top Cats” Approach Pacific Sundown

An S-3B Viking, attached the "Top Cats" of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 31, lands on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jon Hyde

By Lt. Blackford Huntington, Sea Control Squadron 31 Public Affairs

USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea (NNS) -- The “Top Cats” of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 31 are nearing the end of the S-3 Viking community’s final deployment to the Western Pacific aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).

While VS-31 is conducting their sundown cruise embarked on Stennis as part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, the "Top Cats" continue to support ground forces in Afghanistan and Iraq conducting maritime security operations. By providing surface surveillance, reconnaissance and in-flight refueling to other aircraft, the "Top Cats" are invaluable to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO).

Prior to deploying aboard Stennis, VS-31 flew cross-country to embark the West Coast-based carrier for the squadron’s farewell deployment, and last S-3 Viking deployment to the Pacific.

“It is a great opportunity to be part of the final western Pacific deployment,” said Lt. John Kovalsky. “The entire squadron is proactive and focused on keeping our jets flying safe and making this deployment the best one to date.”

Stennis and CVW-9 entered the 5th Fleet AOO on Feb. 19 and have been conducting missions in support of coalition forces operating on the ground in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

“Of course we miss our children, our wives, and the pleasures of home,” said Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Levitt. “However, to be flying over Iraq one day, providing late night tanker support the next, we are certainly keeping ourselves busy."

From the "Top Cat’s" home away from home, ready room 7, Levitt spoke about the positive morale of the squadron and its flexibility and professionalism over the past five months.

“Couple that with the outstanding advancement and reenlistment rate of the Sailors within our squadron, I’d say that makes for a cruise with accolades that cannot be challenged,” he said.

Several "Top Cats" are also chasing many career milestones this deployment. VS-31’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Mohammad Khan is 40 arrested landings away from reaching 1,000 and Lt. Robert Chandler is close to 1,000 hours in the S-3 Viking, a rare feat among junior officers.

Four S-3 Viking squadrons remain, all based in Jacksonville, Fla. One squadron is set to retire this spring, followed by VS-31 in March 2008, a third later in 2008, and the final squadron bidding adieu in early part of 2009.