Maulers Make Final Homecoming
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian Smarr, Fleet Public Affairs Center Det. Southeast
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- The "Maulers" of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 32 ended their final deployment aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) by returning to Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Fla., Dec. 15.
The arrival back to NAS Jacksonville marks the last deployment for an S-3 Viking squadron, as the aircraft will be phased out of service at the end of 2008.
VS-32 Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Doug Walker, was impressed with the squadron's performance during their deployment.
"For us it meant a lot to be able to be that last deployer," he said. "We were proud to go out there and do the missions that Vikings do everyday."
While VS-32 conducted their sunset cruise embarked on Enterprise as a component of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) One, they supported ground forces in Afghanistan and Iraq by conducting maritime security operations.
During the deployment, the squadron made several career milestones. They flew 960 sorties, which totaled more than 2,200 flight hours with more than 950 carrier landings and were at sea for 180 days with only 13 days in port.
