The History of Fighter Squadron THIRTY-THREE
"The Tarsiers"
Fighter Squadron THIRTY-THREE was originally established in September1943 to support the World War It Pacific Theater campaign. Flying the Grumman F6F "Hellcat", Fighting-33 deployed to the Solomon Islands providing much needed fighter air protection for U. S. Army and U. S. Navy heavy bombers, in addition to launching strike attacks on enemy territory. The squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for excellence in combat operations. VF-33 was subsequently disestablished in July 1946 during the massive demobilization effort following hostilities.
VF-33 was re-established on 11 October 1948 at Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Calling themselves "Tarsiers" after a small ferocious jungle animal, the squadron’s first carrier arrested landing was aboard the USS LEYTE (CVA 32) flying the Grumman F8F-lB "Bearcat". VF-33 was involved in intensive Naval training exercises over the next year only to transition to the Chance-Vought F4U "Corsair" on 17 December 1949.
After an accelerated transition phase, VF-33 departed for the Mediterranean Sea onboard USS LEYTE as part of Carrier Air Group THREE on 2 May 1950. Due to increasing hostilities in Korea, the squadron was recalled to Quonset Point after only a four-month cruise to prepare for service in the Pacific.
After a short two-week turnaround, the Tarsiers re-embarked in USS LEYTE at Norfolk, Virginia enroute to the Panama Canal and joined the 7th Fleet on 4 October 1950 at Yokosuka, Japan. One week later, LT Robert H. Thelen was the first to lead a VF-33 aircraft in combat action near Wonsan, Korea. From the Sea of Japan the squadron flew combat air patrol, close air support, and interdiction strikes along enemy communications routes from the coast into the mountains and onto the Yalu River.
On 19 January 1951, with the last recovery complete the USS LEYTE and VF33 departed the Sea of Japan enroute to San Diego concluding a nine-month deployment. The Tarsiers of VF-33 were awarded the Navy Unit Citation for distinguished service during Korean combat operations.
Following the Korean conflict, Fighter Squadron THIRTY-THREE experienced many changes in both organization as well as aircraft. In May 1953, the squadron was reassigned to Carrier Air Group SIX aboard USS MIDWAY (CV 41) and transitioned to the Grumman F9F "Cougar". One and one-half years later, VF-33 changed homeport to Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia and switched aircraft to the North American FJ-3 "Fury". In November1957 the familiar black star and lightning bolt were painted on the squadron’s new supersonic Grumman F11F-1 "Tiger". Following the transition, VF.-33, along with GAG SIX, deployed in USS INTREPID (CV 11) to the Caribbean where she helped protect American interests in the Dominican Republic crisis.
In early 1962, VF-33 was flying the new Chance-Vought F8U-2NE "Crusader" aboard the world’s first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, USS ENTERPRISE (CYN 65), and participated in the blockade of Cuba during October of the same year.
The squadron continued its association with ENTERPRISE by making two consecutive Mediterranean cruises during the periods January, 1963 - September, 1963, and February, 1964- July, 1964. VF-33 was a unit of Carrier Air Wing SIX, then the Navy's largest Carrier Air Wing comprised of seven squadrons and three separate squadron detachments. Both cruises featured numerous fleet and NATO air exercises. One highlight of the 1963 cruise was an air-to-air gunnery deployment to Wheelus Air Base, Libya for one week. This effort was supported by only the ship's COD aircraft and was a success because of the efforts of an approximate 35 man detachment with all hands performing any and all functions from plane captain to maintenance to ordnance regardless of rate. Approximately 120 air-to-air gunnery sorties were flown in six days with zero missed hops. Needless to say, the Air Force types were amazed that such could be accomplished without the benefit of a computerized "Maintenance Requirements" system. Also, the "Boys in Blue" were appalled and "electrified" at the 450 kt, 500' breaks with paddles approaches to all landings.
The second Med deployment was concluded in July, 1964 at which time ENTERPRISE and Air Wing SIX commenced the historic around the world, nuclear task force "Operation Sea Orbit" together with LONG BEACH and BAINBRIDGE. During this two month cruise, VF-33 participated in 32 Air Power demonstrations for millions of spectators in Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America.
Operation Sea Orbit, Airwing SIX, VF-33 Embarked
Click photo above for a larger version.
Commanding Officers during this period included Cdr Larry N. Smith, Cdr Wiley A. Scott, and Cdr Royce Williams.
In spite of the operational demands of 15 months of carrier ops in an 18 month period, the squadron earned its third consecutive Aviation Safety Award at the end of Fiscal 1964.
Once again transitioning aircraft, this time to the McDonnell F4B "Phantom II" in 1964, the squadron set the NAVAIRLANT record for receiving the CNO safety award during four consecutive years.
After changing to the up-graded F-4J in September 1967, Fighter THIRTY-THREE was once again summoned to combat duty; this time to Southeast Asia aboard USS AMERICA (CV 66). The year ahead proved to be banner one for the Tarsiers as the squadron won its fifth CNO Safety Award and the Airlant Battle "E" for readiness.
On 10 July 1968, "Rootbeer 212" flown by LT Roy Cash and LTJG J. Edward Kain succeeded in downing a MIG-2lC with a Sidewinder missile after a brief engagement near the city of Vinh, North Vietnam. This kill was not only the first for the Tarsiers but also the first for the USS AMERICA, the F-4J, and an Atlantic Fleet Fighter Squadron.
After flying nearly 4000 combat hours in five months and delivering over 3 million pounds of ordnance, the Navy Unit Commendation was awarded to "Fighting 33’ for distinguished combat operations.
For the next two years, VF-33 continued to dominate the East Coast fighter community by winning AIRLANT Battle "E’s" and the CNO Safety Awards in 1969 and 1970. In January 1970, VF-33 was presented the Meritorious Unit Commendation for achievement during the 1967-68 Fleet Combat introduction of the F-4J/ AWG-10 weapon system. Fighting-33 received its second Meritorious Unit Commendation for support of U. S. SIXTH FLEET operations during the Jordanian Crisis.
In June 1972 Lieutenant Commander F. C. Staudenmayer, a Radar Intercept Officer (RIO), took the Tarsier helm. In doing so, he became the first RIO to command an East Coast operational Navy aircraft squadron. In March 1973, VF-33 was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for establishing a sustained fighter mishap free aviation record.
Two months later, 21 June 1973, the Tarsiers deployed in USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) with CVW-7 to the Mediterranean Sea. Sixth Fleet operations were highlighted by exercise Deep Furrow and the Arab-Israeli conflict. VF-33 contributed to the United States’ presence during the conflict by flying 800 sorties, intercepting and identifying numerous communist block cargo aircraft, and demonstrating its combat readiness and ability to react during a time of potential hostilities. Following this deployment, VF-33 changed its tactical call sign from "Root Beer" to "Starfighter."
During the 1975-76 Mediterranean Cruise aboard the USS INDEPENDENCE, Fighter Squadron THIRTY-THREE received the Golden Tailhook Award for carrier landing excellence. In 1978, VF-33 and the CVW-7 team became the first operational airwing to deploy aboard the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, USS EISENHOWER (CV-69). In 1979, the Tarsiers moved back to "INDY" with CVW-6 for a Mediterranean cruise where the squadron set records for flight hours and sorties. The squadron celebrated the last deployment of the "Starfighter Phantoms" when the CVW-6/INDY team cruised "Gonzo Station" off the coast of Iran when President Reagan announced the release of the American Hostages.
In June 1981, VF-33’s days of flying the venerable "Phantom II" came to a close, as the Grumman F-14A "Tomcat" became the next aircraft to bear the star and lightning bolt.
The squadron’s first cruise with the mighty Tomcat was early 1983 on board USS AMERICA (CV 66). Two years later, VF - 33 received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for service while conducting operations in the North Atlantic Ocean and Norwegian Sea in support of United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organization objectives during exercise OCEAN SAFARI.
The Starfighters deployed to the coast of Libya in March 1986 on board USS AMERICA as part of the CVW-1 Team. This exercise demonstrated the United States’ resolve to fly in internationally recognized airspace. The U.S. Fighters were virtually unchallenged by Libyan Fighters south of Khadafy’s "Line of Death." When fired upon by Libyan gunboats and SAM sites, our own attack aircraft quickly and efficiently neutralized the threat.
Less than a month later, VF33 was called upon to establish fighter combat air patrol in support of U.S Navy and U.S. Air Force strikes on Libyan terrorist staging sites in Tripoli and Bengazi. Again, the Starfighter performance was flawless in contributing to this highly successful mission against state supported terrorism.
The Starfighters opened 1987 by deploying for six weeks onboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) for her shakedown cruise. A multitude of missions was flown with special emphasis on developing F-14/FA-18 mixed section tactics. Later in the year, the squadron dropped the Tarsier nickname and the "Bug-eatin’ Minky" emblem that served the squadron for over 40 years; it adopted a new insignia, a forward view of a Tomcat on a star and lightning bolt background. The tactical call sign, Starfighter, now doubled as the squadron’s nickname.
The Starfighters spent early 1989 on board the USS AMERICA in the Caribbean Sea for FLEETEX and north to the Vestfjord of Norway for North Star 89, only to deploy to the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean later that year. VF-33 was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for operational excellence while deployed in the North Arabian Sea.
February 1990 found the Starfighters once again flying over the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The squadron joined CVW-9 on board the USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) for a two and one-half month South American Transit. The Starfighters performed escort duties and combined air operations with several South American countries as the USS CONSTELLATION transited from her homeport in San Diego to Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for a Service Life Extension Period (SLEP).
While again embarked in USS AMERICA, Operation Desert Storm beckoned the Starfighters to action in January 1991. VF-33, along with the Carrier Air Wing ONE team, participated in combat action from both the Red Sea and North Arabian Gulf. The unrelenting air strikes ensured the allied ground forces swift victory in the liberation of Kuwait. The Starfighters flew in excess of 200 combat missions logging over 700 hours, and were once again awarded the Navy Unit Commendation Medal.
VF-33 returned from the Middle East during the spring of 1991 to a hero’s welcome at the annual Fleet Week festivities held in New York City. In anticipation of an immediate Mediterranean deployment, the Starfighters were tasked to complete an unprecedented turn-around schedule to prepare for deployment four months later.
In December 1991, the VF33/CVW-1 team was back aboard the USS AMERICA for the third Suez Canal transit of the year. As part of the first airwing to re-deploy in support of Operation Desert Storm, the Starfighters maintained fleet air defense and combat air patrol in the North Arabian Gulf and Mediterranean Sea until their return in June 1992.
In September 1992, the Starfighters were tasked with an accelerated work-up schedule in anticipation of an early Mediterranean cruise due to increased Middle Eastern hostilities. This challenging pre-cruise training cycle was punctuated by intense strike training, which resulted in all aircrew becoming qualified in the delivery of air-to-ground weapons in the Tomcat. After completing Operation Ocean Venture in May 1993, VF-33 was notified to begin disestablishment proceedings to comply with the accelerated force level reductions sweeping the U. S. Navy. The last Starfighter "Trap" was logged 15 May 1993, on USS AMERICA by then Commanding Officer Commander A. R. Reade.
The last aircraft to bear the star and lightning bolt of the VF-33 Starfighters took to the skies on 11 August 1993, bringing an end to nearly half a century of distinguished Naval service. The pilot of Starfighter 207 on the historic flight was Lieutenant M. E. Bannon and RIO Commander S. C. Schlientz, Commanding Officer.
Another chapter in Naval Aviation History will close on I October 1993, when the Starfighters officially disestablish. The "Fightin’ Thirty-Third" operated nine aircraft types on seven aircraft carriers, from the Vestfjord of Norway to the southern tip of South America and participated in combat action in the Solomon Islands, Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, Libya, Iraq and Kuwait. Fighting THIRTY-THREE played a vital role in protecting our nation’s interests while deployed to every major ocean and sea throughout the world for over 45 years, always on the cutting edge of the sword of freedom.
May the sword forever remain razor sharp.