VS-28 - Gamblers:

Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 28 was commissioned on 1 June 1960 at Naval Air Station, Quonest point, Rhode Island. Presently home-based at Naval Air Station, Cecil Field, Florida, the squadron mission remains to provide an organic carrier based, all weather, airborne force dedicated to counter the enemy submarine threat. Operations in the 1960’s aboard USS WASP (CVS-18) and USS INTREPID (CVS-11) as part of the ASW “Hunter-Killer” Task Group earned VS-28 its nickname “The World Famous Hukkers.” This nickname was further enhanced through numerous successful operational deployments in the Caribbean, North Atlantic and Mediterranean.

VS-28 was recognized for service rendered during the 1960 crisis in Guatemala and the 1962 quarantine of Cuba. The squadron also provided valuable air surveillance for the Project Mercury and Gemini capsule recoveries. In 1967, VS-28 began; accumulating an impressive number of awards and citations with the receipt of the “E” for Excellence in Combat Readiness from Commander Naval Air Force, Atlantic Fleet (COMNAVAIRLANT), as well as the Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy for excellence in anti-submarine warfare. The COMNAVAIRLANT Aviation Safety Award was received in 1969, and in 1970 the squadron earned the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award.

In 1971, VS-28 was se1ected to evaluate the All-Purpose Carrier (CV) concept aboard USS SARATOGA (CVA-60) as part of Carrier Air Wing THREE. Tests and exercises were conducted throughout the summer in the Mediterranean Sea. In December of that year, VS-¬ 28 was again awarded the Isbell Trophy for ASW operations aboard SARATOGA.

In June 1973, VS-28 deployed to the Mediterranean Sea aboard the USS INDEPENDENCE (CVA-62) to further evaluate the CV concept. For this deployment, the squadron was again presented the Isbel1 Trophy for excellence.

In January 1974, the squadron returned from deployment to a new, homeport, Naval Air Station, Cecil Field, Florida. ln 1975, VS-28 completed transition to the S3A Viking aircraft and was assigned to Carrier Air Wing SIX aboard USS AMERICA (CV-66), and in late 1978 was reassigned to USS INPEPENDENCE (CV-62). From 1975 to 1978, VS-28 completed two major Mediterranean deployments, a South American cruise and numerous other embarked training evolutions. The squadron's 1979 Mediterranean deployment was highlighted by Participation in Exercises National Week XIV, "Display Determination" and "Isle D 'or. "

In 1980 Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 28 received recognition for its outstanding achievements of the previous year with an impressive string' of awards. The squadron won the Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy for ASW excellence; was named the Commander Sea Based ASW Wings Atlantic, VS Squadron of the Year; finished Navy-wide runner up for the Admiral Jimmy Thach Award for carrier-based ASW excellence; and received the CNO Aviation Safety Award.

In November 1980, the squadron deployed, to the Indian Ocean embarked in USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62) as part of Carrier Air Wing SIX. Throughout 1981, the squadron provided valuable ASW surveillance and logistic support for Carrier Group EIGHT and earned the "Golden Wrench" award from Lockheed California Corporation for the best east coast VS maintenance effort. After transiting the Suez Canal, VS-28 returned to NAS Cecil Field, completing a highly successful seven month deployment.

The latter half of 1982 saw the squadron deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean in support of U.S. Marines in Beirut. On 12 September 1983, VS-28 completed its twenty-third consecutive year of major accident-free flight. This record encompassed over 97,000 flight hours and 19,500 carrier landings-both records for an Atlantic Fleet, carrier-based squadron.

On 18 October 1983, VS-28 again sailed with USS INDEPENDENCE (V-62) for another Eastern Mediterranean deployment. The ship, Carrier Air Wing SIX and VS-28 however, were diverted after three days at sea to the island of Grenada. The squadron flew around¬ the clock surveillance for five days in support of Operation Urgent Fury. Following the Grenada action, IN DEPENDENCE steamed to the Eastern Mediterranean where Air Wing SIX and VS-28 provided air support for the Multi-National Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon and the Battle Force Afloat.

In March 1984, VS-28 participated in the largest NATO exercise in history, Team-Work ‘84 off the coast of Norway. Around the clock ASW operations above the Arctic Circle inducted the squadron into the Royal Order of the Blue Noses and were highlighted by the first S3 contact on a new class Soviet submarine.

The Squadron deployed on 17 October 1984 on a four month Mediterranean/Indian Ocean cruise aboard the USS INDEPENDENCE. The ship, Carrier Air Wing SIX and VS-28 participated in Operation Seawind, the first joint Egyptian – U.S. Naval exercise before transiting the Suez Canal into the Indian Ocean. After re1ieving the USS ENTERPRISE on station, the squadron and INDEPENDENCE began the bulk of their cruise. During their stay in the Indian Ocean, the carrier, Air Wing and VS-28 participated in two Beacon Flash exercises with the Sultan of the Oman Air Force and had a port visit in Singapore. The last week in January 1985 found the squadron back in the Mediterranean participating in National Week and DASIX exercises with the USS EISENHOWER battle group. After a port visit in Palma, the squadron and INDEPENDENCE returned stateside on 19 February 1985.

Now operating officially under the new call sign of GAMBLER, VS-28 started turnaround training almost immediately including participation Operation Solid Shield. In April of 1985, VS-28's effective safety program and safe operations were recognized with the receipt of the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award for 1984. In May of 1985 the squadron, as part of Carrier Air Wing SIX, officially chopped from the INDEPENDENCE to USS FORRESTAL (CV-59) and was on board most of the summer for the carrier's post SLEP shakedown cruise.

VS-28 began 1986 at sea embarked in USS FORRESTAL (CV-59) for ISE (Independent Steaming Exercises). Returning to NAS Cecil Field, the Gamblers commenced a series of dedicated ASW exercises with submarines from COMSUBRON Sixteen. Aimed at basic tactical development these MOU (Memorandum of Understanding), operations established a new baseline for VS-28 ASW expertise. The MOU ASW operations continued into March when VS-28 embarked in (CV-59) for CV Phase I/IA training.

Sandwiched between lSE, CQ (Carrier Qualification) and during CV-59 REFTRA (Refresher Training) the Gamblers set the standard for S-3A, aerial mining. Delivering more than 30 airborne anti-shipping mines in February, VS-28 scored a 100% COMINEWARCOM graded weapon qualification rate. Most important, VS-28 briefed and lead the 1986 CVW-6 MRCI (Mine Readiness Certification Inspection) TAV. During the TAV VS-28 became the first ever S-3A squadron to deploy an operational MK-60 "CAPTOR" minefield using radar offset mining and scored “E’s” doing it.

March and April were marked by intensive at-sea operations in CV-59. During two short in-port periods, the Gamblers won the coveted VS Wing One Crew of the Quarter competition besting the best of VS Wing One and completed a zero discrepancy ADMAT (Administrative/Material) inspection. At sea, the CVW-6 S-3A flight element in the 1986 M RCI posted flawless results: all flight crews earned qualifying scores. Fleetex 2-86 tested the training of VS-28, the Gamblers were up to the task. Flying over 721 hours between 9 and 21 April, the Gamblers attacked every exercise submarine before they could attack the Carrier Battle Group. MED 86 started in June. The VS-28/CVW-6/CV-59 team had been tested and was ready to meet the challenge. , During the Atlantic transit, the Gamblers aided in the validation of the Harvard Oceanographic Prediction Model and skillfully plyed their honed ASW skills against various non-us submarines.

Praise by COMCARGRU SIX followed a "most successful VS-28 S-3A prosecution of a Soviet SSN" during Med-86 inchop. VS-28's string of ASW contacts reads like a list of "what sub was in the Med from June, to October 1986. In fact, the sum of VS-28's Soviet sub contacts totaled more contact time than the two previously Mediterranean-deployed S-3A squadrons combined. The Gamblers detected and tracked submarines from eight nations including the Soviet Union, Libya, Spain, France, Egypt, Turkey, Italy and the United States.

The deployment wasn't just ASW. The Gamblers conceived, planned and implemented the first-ever Mediterranean theater VS/VP Minex. Coordinating with VP-24 deployed to NAS Signonella, Italy, VS-28 led the strike that literally carpeted Pachino Target with aerial mines. Using the sophisticated S-3A/P-3C on-line computer weapons delivery systems, the Gamblers and the Ratmen delivered more than 50 weapons on-target in a single attack run lasting less than two minutes. This landmark mine warfare mission highlighted the interoperability and effectiveness off the aircraft, squadrons and crews of VS-28 and VP-24. From EMCON CV-59 launch, to open-ocean S-3A/P-3C join-up, to attack and CV-59 EMCON recovery, the minex was a flawless success.

Following a successful TransLant by three S-3As via CFB Greenwood, Canada, 31 October 1 November, the remainder of the squadron flew into Cecil Field 9 November. Home again, VS-28 immediately got to work preparing for future operations. In December VS-28 started turnaround training with a weapon/torpex detachment to Nav Sta Roosevelt Roads, PR. At Roosevelt Roads the Gamblers were able to attain numerous Quals on the St. Croix Underwater Tracking Range. On this detachment Gamblers became the first fleet S- 3A Squadron to deliver live M K-84 2000 pound bombs.

The beginning of 1987 found VS-28 on the step with a very successful detachment to CFB Greenwood, Canada. Operating with Canadian CP-140 Aurora the Gamblers were able to learn and exchange much, with this ASW platform that is very similar in avionics capabilities to the S-3A. After completing a successful REFTRA on USS Forrestal (CV-59) in May, the Gamblers detached to NAS Fallon, Nevada for a CVW-6 weapons det. July was marked by an intensive Advanced phased Training at - sea period in CV-59 in preparation for Ocean Safari. Ocean Safari 87 began in late August with the Gamblers providing continuous coverage for an opposed transit to Vestfjord, Norway. The exercise gave the Gamblers another chance to show the multi-mission capabilities of the Viking. Surveillance and over the horizon targeting in the outer zone greatly enhanced the capabilities of the Battle Group.