Editing Lockheed S-3 Viking (section)

===Iraq War===
The S-3 was an active participant in [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]], the US invasion of Iraq; it largely performed intelligence and reconnaissance missions in support of other coalition assets.<ref name = "desertwarrior 2009"/> On one occasion, in March 2003 a single S-3B Viking from Sea Control Squadron 38 (The "Red Griffins"), piloted by Richard McGrath Jr., from the aircraft carrier {{USS|Constellation|CV-64}} successfully executed a time-sensitive strike, firing a laser-guided Maverick missile that neutralized a significant Iraqi naval and leadership target in the port city of [[Basra]], [[Iraq]].<ref name = "national 2020"/> This was the first time an S-3 launched a laser-guided [[Maverick missile]] in combat.<ref name = "desertwarrior 2009"/> As the conflict progressed, S-3s were regularly used as surveillance aircraft, often to identify [[improvised explosive device]]s (IEDs) and the insurgents who planted them.<ref name = "desertwarrior 2009"/>

[[File:Navy One.jpg|thumb|S-3B Viking "Navy One" on {{USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72|6}}, May 2003]]
On 1 May 2003, US President [[George W. Bush]] flew in the co-pilot seat of a [[VS-35 (1990-2005)|VS-35]] Viking from [[NAS North Island]], California, to the aircraft carrier {{USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72|6}} off the California coast; while the carrier was well within range of helicopters, it is believed that the S-3 was used as a means of setting a desired tone.<ref name = "national 2020"/> Aboard the carrier, he delivered his "[[Mission Accomplished speech|Mission Accomplished]]" speech announcing the end of major combat in the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]].<ref name = "national 2020"/> During the flight, the aircraft used the presidential [[callsign]] of "[[Navy One]]". The aircraft that President Bush flew in was retired shortly thereafter and on 15 July 2003 was accepted as an exhibit at the [[National Museum of Naval Aviation]] at [[NAS Pensacola]], Florida.

Between July and December 2008, the [[VS-22]] Checkmates, the last sea control squadron, operated a detachment of four S-3Bs from the [[Al Asad Airbase]] in [[Al Anbar Governorate|Al Anbar Province]], {{convert|180|mi|km}} west of Baghdad. The planes were fitted with [[LANTIRN]] pods and they performed non-traditional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.<ref name = "national 2020"/> After more than 350 missions, the Checkmates returned to NAS Jacksonville, Florida, on 15 December 2008. The squadron was disestablished on 29 January 2009.<ref name=DID>{{cite news |title = The Final Boat: End of the USN's S-3B Vikings |url = http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/89m-for-fy-2007-support-of-the-usns-s3b-vikings-02777/ |work = Defense Industry Daily |date = 2 February 2009 |access-date = 3 February 2009 }}</ref>