S-3 Vikings in the Gulf

[airgator]

I have seen alot of clips lately of vikings on carriers. CSPAN did a special from the Kitty Hawk last nite and I saw numerous S-3's taking off and on the deck. I always thought they were predominently anti-sub. Seeing that Iraq isn't exactly a naval powerhouse, what are S-3's being used for these days?

 

[firstthird]

Tankers. They usually are taking off with extra gas which they then proceed to give to the other guys.

They may be flying some armed SUCAP protecting the carriers from small boats, but that is speculation.

 

[Pintarski]

Tankers yes, but more...

S-3s are great tankers - always a buddy store on the left wing, but in theater we carry ordnance on the right wing. In fact, a S-3 destroyed a target in the gulf within the last week using a precision guided munition. Too bad the mighty Hoov will only last a few more years.

 

[vschip]

heres the info Pintarski was talking about, a first for the hoov..


U.S. Naval Forces Central Command

U.S. FIFTH Fleet

Office of Public Affairs

FPO AE 09501-6008

For Immediate Release March 26, 2003



USS CONSTELLATION AIR WING TWO HITS SIGNIFICANT IRAQI NAVAL TARGETS NEAR BASRA



Aircraft from two squadrons with Carrier Air Wing TWO, USS Constellation Battle Group, successfully destroyed three significant Iraqi naval targets on March 25, 2003. The aircraft involved received short-order tasking for a time-sensitive strike to engage several naval targets in the vicinity of Basra.



Two F/A 18Cs from VFA 151, "The Vigilantes", one of three F/A 18 squadrons on board, participated in the strikes with one aircraft from VS-38, "The Red Griffins", the S-3B Viking squadron, on board Constellation. One F/A 18 Hornet independently identified and destroyed two naval targets. The second hornet assisted the S-3B Viking with the third target.



The S-3B Viking, working in conjunction with the second F/A 18C, as the laser designator, destroyed its target by firing a laser guided missile, the AGM - 65E, Maverick. The F/A 18 provides laser illumination throughout target engagements.



This event was the first time the Navy's S-3 has received tasking for overland strikes in its thirty year history. In addition, it is also the first time the S-3 has fired a laser-guided missile in combat. The S-3 B Viking performs multiple missions to include: tanking support, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), electronic support measures and precision and general purpose strike.



The F/A 18 Hornet, a multi-mission fighter/attack aircraft provides air to air and air to ground strike capabilities.



Air Wing TWO with USS Constellation (CV 64) is currently deployed in the Northern Arabian Gulf and is serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.



For more information on USS Constellation, please see http://www.navy.mil/homepages/cv64/.

For more information on the S-3B Viking and the F/A 18 Hornet, please see the Navy's Fact File Reference, available at http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/ffiletop.html.



For further questions, please contact NAVCENT/FIFTH FLEET Public Affairs at 011-973-724-027 or email [email protected].

 

[LR25]

Growing up in JAX for the most part, I sure miss seeing the A-4's, F-4's, F-8's, A-3's, A-7's, A-6's, T-28's, and I can even remember the occasional S-2, I think.

Now I get excited when I see the S-3's, becuase I know they will be gone to, and the EA-6B.

 

[Chunk]

There are a *few* S-3's set up for Maverick-F's. Besides that, all free fall weaponry can be carried. SLAM-ER targeting pods are a relatively recent edition. Harpoons can be carried, but there isn't a call for them in the gulf...too many friendlies around.

'Course, I bet it's busy in there with only 3 guys....

Chunk

 

[Chunk]

Bunch of S-2's @ VTBU as well....you can still see A-7's flying around there too.