page_title: VS-24
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: VS-24 / History
caption_attribution_description: A U.S. Navy Curtiss SB2C-1 Helldiver of Bombing Squadron 17 (VB-17) takes a wave-off during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) in the Caribbean, in 1943. The first squadron to recive the Helldiver, VB-17 experienced some growing pains with the type, losing numerous aircraft while operating from shore and aboard Bunker Hill during the carrier's shakedown cruise. While flying from Bunker Hill on 11 November 1943, the squadron introduced the aircraft to combat during a raid on Rabaul, and continued flying missions from the carrier until March 1944. After reforming, VB-17 completed a second combat cruise, this time aboard USS Hornet (CV-12) during the period February-June 1945. Among their combat missions were attacks against Tokyo and the Japanese battleship Yamato.
context_page_description: Sea Control Squadron 24 was a squadron of the United States Navy. Originally established as VB-17 on 1 January 1943, it was redesignated as VA-5B on 15 November 1946, redesignated as VA-64 on 27 July 1948, redesignated as VC-24 on 8 April 1949 and redesignated as VS-24 on 20 April 1950, it was disestablished on 1 June 1956.
context_section_description: VB-17 based on USS Bunker Hill, used the SB2C Helldiver in its combat debut, attacking Rabaul on 11 November 1943.
  VB-17 formed part of Carrier Air Group 17 (CVG-17) and operated from USS Hornet from February-June 1945.
  VS-24 became the first fleet squadron to operate the AF-2S/W Guardian, receiving its first aircraft on 27 September 1950.
  In 1991 the Scouts deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation DESERT STORM; VS-24 crews were responsible for the first S-3B land strike over enemy territory and the first sea strike against a hostile patrol craft. Following the war, Sea Control Squadron TWENTY-FOUR participated in Operation PROVIDE COMFORT rendering aid to Kurdish refugees fleeing Iraq.
caption: VB-17 SB2C-1 waves off a landing on USS Bunker Hill in 1943
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