VS-37 - Sawbucks:

VS-37 was re-established in 1946 at NAS Oakland, California, as reserve Attack Squadron VA-76E. In 1948, the squadron was re-designated Composite Squadron (VC) 871. In 1949 was re-designated Air Antisubmarine Squadron (VS) 871. On 1 May 1951, the squadron was called to active duty in the Korean War and based at NAS Los Alamitos, California, with TBM-3S/3W Avengers. The squadron deployed to the Korean War Zone in October 1952 on board Bataan (CVL 29), returning in February 1953 aboard Badoeng Strait (CVE 116).

On 24 June 1953, VS-871 was re-designated VS-37 and during the next month was equipped with the Grumman AF-2S/2W Guardian (where the distinctive Rooster Tail / Tail Flash horizontal stabilizer markings were first utilized ) , moving the following year to NAS North Island, San Diego, California.

VS-37 made one deployment to the western Pacific (WESTPAC) on board Princeton(CVS 37) in 1954-1955, helping cover the evacuation of Nationalist Chinese forces from Tachen Island. Upon return, VS-37 switched to the S2F-1 Tracker twin engine anti-submarine aircraft.

In October, 1956, under the command of CDR Neil S. Weary, VS 37 boarded the USS Philippine Sea, CVS 47, for Carrier Qualifications. Two weeks out, COMSINCPAC in response to the Suez crisis, ordered the Philippine Sea, CVS 47, with VS-37 and HS-2 aboard, to make an emergency deployment to Hawaiian waters, where the order of the day was to find, identify and track all unidentified Submarines in the area. For eight weeks, the task force cruised Hawaiian waters tracking suspected Russian Submarines. As the crisis cooled down, the ship and crew returned to San Diego for replenishment and to load all VS-37 Personnel and equipment.

On January 6, 1957, The USS Philippine Sea, CVS 47, with VS-37 and HS-2 aboard, once again departed for Hawaiian waters. The Squadron completed carrier qualifications and in March, 1957, departed for Japan. During the stay in the Far East, the Squadron visited several ports which included Yokosuka, Sasebo, Osaka/Kobe and Okinawa. A visit was also made to Hong Kong. On two occasions, the Squadron off loaded to operate from NAF Atsugi during their stay in Japan.

On August 6, 1957, VS-37 returned to San Diego where men and equipment were off loaded. Immediately following the return, the Squadron was transferred to NAS Los Alamitos.

In 1958, the Squadron made another WESTPAC cruise aboard the USS Yorktown, CVS 10. In May 1960, with S2F-1/1S aircraft, VS-37 began a long association with Hornet (CVS 12), making six deployments to WESTPAC through 1969. After the first, the squadron was split in half, forming VS-35 as a sister squadron, and in 1961 moved back to NAS North Island, San Diego, California, becoming the Navy’s first West Coast squadron to receive the S-2D version.

VS-37 made two cruises with S-2D versions and three Vietnam War cruises with S-2E versions during which the squadron flew patrol and gunfire spotting missions off the coast of Vietnam. On 1 March 1971, VS 37 deployed aboard the USS Ticonderoga, CVS 14, as part of Carrier Anti-Submarine Group 59, returning home 6 July 1971.

VS-37 made another WESTPAC cruise aboard the USS Kitty Hawk from 23 November to 9 July 1974. The squadron was then equipped with the S-2G. A second WESTPAC cruise was made aboard the USS Kitty Hawk from 21 May 1975 to 20 October 1975 as part of CVW-11.

In August 1976 the Navy's last S-2 Tracker aircraft, operating with VS-37, was withdrawn from active service and was replaced by the Lockheed S3 Viking. Many of the pilots who flew the Tracker credit it with being the Navy's most versatile airplane of its era. The S-2 first entered service with VS-26 in February 1954 and provided the Navy with 22 years of active service.

In late 1991, VS-37 aircrew and maintenance personnel transitioned to the latest version, the S-3B.  On June 23, 1994 VS-37 departed aboard USS KITTY HAWK for the squadron's final deployment.  On March 22, 1995, the long history of VS-37 came to an end as the squadron was de-commissioned at NAS North Island.