VAQ-33

Electronic Attack Squadron 33 (VAQ-33), known as the "Firebirds," traces its origins to World War II, originally established as VAW-33 in 1949. The squadron initially served as an anti-submarine and utility unit before transitioning to an electronic warfare mission, redesignated as VAQ-33 in 1968. Throughout the Cold War, VAQ-33 played a pivotal role in electronic countermeasures training for U.S. Navy fleet units, simulating enemy radar and missile threats. Based at NAS Key West and later NAS Oceana, the Firebirds operated a variety of modified aircraft—including the A-3 Skywarrior, P-2 Neptune, and EA-6A Intruder—until their deactivation in 1993.