About this Unit
VS-33, known as the “Screwbirds,” was a United States Navy anti-submarine squadron established in 1949. Initially flying the Grumman TBM Avenger, the squadron transitioned over the years to aircraft such as the S-2 Tracker and later the S-3 Viking. VS-33 was actively deployed with various carrier air wings, participating in key Cold War operations and deployments in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The squadron was ultimately disestablished in 1997, following the U.S. Navy’s restructuring and retirement of carrier-based anti-submarine warfare squadrons.
Historical Facts
•
Origin and Designation: VS-33, also known as "Screwbirds," was a U.S. Navy Sea Control Squadron with the official designation “VS” for “Air Anti-Submarine Squadron.”
•
Date Established: The current lineage of VS-33 was established on April 1, 1960, though earlier squadrons bore the same number in World War II.
•
Aircraft Operated: VS-33 operated the S-2 Tracker in its early years and transitioned to the S-3A Viking and later the upgraded S-3B Viking, both specialized for anti-submarine warfare (ASW).
•
Nickname "Screwbirds": The unit was affectionately known as the "Screwbirds," a reference to the distinctive propellers (“screws”) of their early S-2 Tracker aircraft.
•
Vietnam War Service: VS-33 saw action during the Vietnam War, conducting anti-submarine, surveillance, and sea control missions from aircraft carriers.
•
Aircraft Carrier Deployments: VS-33 was deployed on several famous aircraft carriers, including USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), USS Enterprise (CVN-65), and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74).
•
Participation in the Gulf War: The squadron took part in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, providing maritime patrol and surveillance in the Persian Gulf.
•
Technology and Upgrades: The S-3B Viking, the squadron's final aircraft, was equipped with advanced sensors for anti-submarine warfare, electronic surveillance, and later, aerial refueling and surface strike capabilities.
•
Deactivation: VS-33 was officially decommissioned on April 30, 2004, as the Navy phased out the S-3 Viking and restructured its ASW assets.
•
Legacy and Honors: Over its decades of service, VS-33 earned multiple unit citations and campaign medals, and its alumni remain active in Navy veteran organizations, preserving the “Screwbirds” legacy.
