Editing Lockheed S-3 Viking (section)

===Electronic surveillance===
The first ES-3A was delivered during 1991 and entered front-line service after two years of testing. The U.S. Navy established two squadrons, each equipped with eight ES-3As, stationed in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets to provide detachments of typically two aircraft, ten officers, and 55 enlisted aircrew, maintenance and support personnel (which comprised/supported four complete aircrews) to deploying carrier air wings. The Pacific Fleet squadron, [[VQ-5|Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron FIVE (VQ-5)]], the "Sea Shadows," was originally based at the former [[Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport|NAS Agana]], Guam but later relocated to [[Naval Air Station North Island|NAS North Island]] in [[San Diego, California]], with the Pacific Fleet S-3 Viking squadrons when NAS Agana closed in 1995 as a result of a 1993 [[Base Realignment and Closure]] (BRAC) decision. The Atlantic Fleet squadron, the [[VQ-6|VQ-6 "Black Ravens]]," were originally based with all Atlantic Fleet S-3 Vikings at the former NAS Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Florida, but later moved to [[Naval Air Station Jacksonville|NAS Jacksonville]], approximately {{convert|10|mi|km}} to the east, when NAS Cecil Field was closed in 1999 as a result of the same 1993 BRAC decision that closed NAS Agana.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}

[[File:S-3 Viking in-flight refueling.jpg|thumb|After the [[Grumman A-6 Intruder#KA-6D|KA-6D]] retirement the S-3B became the main aerial refueling aircraft]]
The ES-3A operated primarily with [[carrier battle group]]s, providing organic 'Indications and Warning' support to the group and joint theater commanders. In addition to their warning and reconnaissance roles, and their extraordinarily stable handling characteristics and range, Shadows were a preferred recovery tanker (aircraft that provide refueling for returning aircraft). They were also deployed to active combat zones, seeing use over [[Yugoslavia]] to identify targets, as well as to enforce the [[no-fly zone]] over Iraq.<ref name = "national 2020"/> The Shadows reportedly averaged over 100 flight hours per month while deployed. Excessive utilization caused earlier than expected equipment replacement when Naval aviation funds were limited, making them an easy target for budget-driven decision makers. The type was also deemed by some officials to be too costly to continue operating.<ref name = "desertwarrior 2009"/> In 1999, both ES-3A squadrons and all 16 aircraft were decommissioned and the ES-3A inventory placed in [[Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group]] (AMARG) storage at [[Davis-Monthan AFB]], Arizona.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}