VS-38 Red Griffins US Navy Sea Control Squadron Patch

Formations & Origins
Sea Control Squadron 38 (VS-38), known as the “Red Griffins,” was originally commissioned in 1950 and served continuously until its deactivation in 2004. The squadron began its life flying the TBM Avenger and S-2 Tracker before transitioning to the jet-powered S-3A Viking and eventually the upgraded S-3B Viking. Based aboard U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, VS-38’s mission centered around sea control, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), surface surveillance, and aerial refueling.

Notable Commanders
VS-38 was led by highly experienced naval aviators and tacticians who played a key role in integrating airborne surveillance and ASW capabilities into modern carrier strike group operations. The unit’s success relied on precise coordination, technical mastery, and leadership that bridged Cold War-era doctrine with evolving 21st-century missions.

Major Campaigns/Operations
Over its decades of service, VS-38 participated in multiple key operations, including deployments during the Vietnam War, the Cold War patrol era, Operation Desert Storm, and post-9/11 maritime security missions. Flying from the decks of aircraft carriers in the Pacific and Middle East, the Red Griffins provided ASW coverage, surface threat tracking, maritime patrol, and in-flight refueling capabilities essential to extended naval operations.

Specialized Role/Equipment
The squadron operated the S-3 Viking, a twin-engine, carrier-based jet designed for long-range ASW, sea surveillance, and later, aerial refueling. Outfitted with sonobuoys, magnetic anomaly detectors, torpedoes, radar, and camera systems, the Viking allowed VS-38 to detect and engage submarine threats while supporting broader carrier air operations. In its later years, the squadron also served as an organic refueling platform for carrier-based aircraft.

Acts of Heroism
Though not a frontline fighter unit, VS-38 crews operated in high-tempo, high-risk maritime environments—often flying extended missions in difficult sea and weather conditions. Crews conducted night launches, surveillance flights over contested waters, and supported combat air operations with in-flight refueling during major conflicts. Their quiet professionalism and operational precision kept strike groups safe and effective around the globe.

Legacy & Notable Achievements
VS-38 “Red Griffins” holds the distinction of being one of the last operational Viking squadrons in U.S. Navy service. Its legacy is marked by five decades of support to carrier air wings, from Cold War deterrence to modern maritime security. The squadron’s Latin motto, “Cum Grano Salis”—“With a Grain of Salt”—reflected the sharp judgment, technical discipline, and clear-eyed pragmatism of a squadron trusted with safeguarding the fleet. This patch commemorates their storied role in naval aviation history.

Keywords: VS-38 patch, Red Griffins Navy patch, S-3 Viking squadron insignia, Sea Control Squadron 38 patch, anti-submarine warfare patch, naval aviation patch, Cum Grano Salis motto, U.S. Navy carrier squadron.