VS-34 was decommissioned on Oct 1st 1968 Air anti-submarine
squadron thirty-four was commissioned on May 2nd 1960 with CDR. Sam
Sparks as first commanding officer. Since commissioning “The Proud
Tigers” has been an Essex squadron. The squadron was commissioned
with the S2-A Tracker, the first carrier-based aircraft capable of
both search and attack against enemy submarines. In the fall of
1961 CDR. D.M. Saunders. VS-34 second commanding officer, landed at
NAS with the first Quonset Point S2-D. A period of transition and
extensive ASW crew training began. This new Tracker with its
complete weapon system greatly expanded the carrier-based aircrafts
role in hunter-killer task force operations. The squadron was
wholly committed to the S2-D in the spring of 1962. Embarked on
Essex in early fall the “Tigers” eagerly resumed their mission of
carriers-based all-weather anti-submarine operations. Due to early
transition, VS-34 participated in the development of new S2-D ASW
tactics The squadron won both the NAVAIRLANT “E” for battle
excellence and the Captain Arnold J. Isbell trophy for outstanding
performance in ASW, fiscal year 1961. Commander Naval Air Force
Atlantic Fleet presented a special award to the squadron in 1962
for 15,000 hours of accident free aviation since commissioning. The
“Tigers” played a vital role in the Cuban Quarantine, conducting
extensive surface surveillance and ASW operations. Commander
Carrier Division Eighteen letters of commendation were awarded to
all flight and selected ground personnel on June 1963, for
outstanding performance of duty, during the quarantine. VS-34 was
awarded their third consecutive CMNAVAIRLANT citation of special
recognition for meritorious achievement in aviation safety for
fiscal year 1963. CDR. Harold Cody, Commanding officer, accepted
the award for the “Tigers” in September of 1963. The “Tigers” are
proud to be a member of the unbeatable team of CVSG-60's “Sub
Busters” and Essex. Through combined efforts, such as these, the
United States Navy will continue to maintain the sea-lanes open to
the free world. S-2D/S2F-3 In the early 1960s the first of 100
factory fresh S--2D's entered service with the US Navy. This
version showed many major changes. The radome on the forward
fuselage was gone and the engines were replaced by new R1820-82A
engine with larger intake on top. An enlarged weapons bay was no
longer needed due to the introduction of smaller nuclear depth
charges. The forward fuselage for extended 0.5 meter, making this
Tracker more comfortable to the crew and adding space for more
fuel. The wing tips were rounded and fitted with ECM equipment. The
end of the engine nacelles was slightly redesigned to increase the
sonobuoy capacity. Not visible were the stronger weapons pylons
under the wings. All ASW equipment was modernized. For more VS-34
history go to.
http://www.vpnavy.com/vs34.html
