VS-33

• 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.