Topcats End 60 Years Of Service In Ceremony
The US Navy said farewell to the Topcats of Sea Control Squadron
31 (VS-31) in a disestablishment ceremony held March 27, at Naval
Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville.
The Topcats, assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, ended 60
years of distinguished service. The squadron was originally
established during World War II from 1942 to 1945, and was
recommissioned in April 1948.
Guest speaker, retired Navy captain and former commanding
officer, William Carey said he was honored to speak at the
ceremony.
"I'm here because I love being part of the Topcat world and
history," said Carey. "If you look in the audience today and if you
think back through the years, the history and accomplishments of
this fine squadron are really mind-boggling."
Carey went on to highlight some
impressive accomplishments of the squadron and many of it's
achievements. He also spoke of the high level of proficiency and
professionalism of the Sailors. "They make me want to suit up
again," said Carey.
"In 1940 VS-31 became the first Atlantic Fleet VS squadron, one
of many firsts that this squadron has realized. This squadron has
supported many foreign policy decisions and many crises," continued
Carey. "They supported the Suez Canal Crisis and they were the
first squadron to deploy and arrive on station to support Operation
Desert Shield, literally within days of the invasion of Kuwait. And
on 9/11, this squadron simultaneously deployed to two different
aircraft carriers."
Also giving praises to the squadron during the ceremony was
Capt. Sterling Gilliam, commander, CVW-9. "I am honored and
fortunate to be associated with some tremendous S-3 squadrons, but
none of them have come close to the sustained operational
achievements of VS-31."
He also presented VS-31's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Muhammad
Khan with the Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding
meritorious service to the squadron.
Khan then took the podium to thank former Topcats and guests for
attending the ceremony and gave accolades to the remaining third of
his squadron.
"I have been living the dream for the past year," stated Khan.
"For a kid growing up in Pakistan, we heard about the capabilities
of the U.S. military and we were in absolute awe, and then we would
hear about the U.S. Navy in the Indian Ocean, and sometimes see the
aircraft carriers conducting flight operations; I was so impressed.
But never in my wildest dreams would I imagine that I'd be
commanding a U.S. Navy squadron. As a new recruit, I didn't think
that it was possible. But only in this great Navy, can an immigrant
reach as high as the goal he sets for himself. This is truly the
land of opportunity."
The ceremony closed with reading of "The Watch" and the
stand-down of the squadron's last S-3B Viking aircraft.
VS-31 Sailors, past and present, have proudly served the
Jacksonville area since 1973. Previously located at NAS Quonset
Point, RI, the squadron moved to NAS Cecil Field, FL, and
eventually to its current home base of NAS Jacksonville. In August
2007, VS-31 returned from its last deployment in the Persian Gulf
aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in support of Operations Iraqi
and Enduring Freedom.
The S-3B aircraft is being phased out and it's roles are being
assumed by existing helicopter and super hornet squadrons.
The Sailors and officers of the community will transition to
different communities and platforms, and are able to maintain their
same career path. The squadron will exists on paper until the last
Sailor checks out and moves on in late April 2008.
VS-31 was comprised of 190 members with aproximatley eight
aircraft. All but one of their S-3B aircraft have been reassigned
to other VS squadrons. The last remaining aircraft will be flown to
Davis-Mothan Air Force Base in Tucson, Ariz. for preservation in
the war-time ready reserve fleet.
(Aero-News salutes Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class
Toiete Jackson Fleet Public Affairs Center, Det.
Southeast)