The squadron flew the Lockheed S-3B Viking and their mission was mining, undersea and surface warfare, electronic reconnaissance and analysis, over the horizon targeting, and aerial refueling.

The original VS-22 was established as torpedo squadron VT-42 on 19 June 1945 at NAS Brunswick, Maine (USA), also named "Checkmates".

In August 1965, while embarked on USS Lake Champlain, VS-22 recovered Gemini 5 astronauts Gordon Cooper and Pete Conrad.

Jet transitions started in the summer of 1974 with pilots training in Rockwell T-2C Buckeyes and Douglas TA-4J Skyhawks at NAS Meridian, Mississippi, making VS-22 the first east coast based S-3A squadron.

Target information gleaned by VS-22 aircraft played a major role in the suppression of enemy air defences during the first days of Desert Storm.

After a long pre-deployment work-up schedule, VS-22 embarked on the carrier USS John F. Kennedy in October 1992.

Concentrating on multi-national Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea exercises during the first half of deployment, VS-22 provided initial in-flight refueling training for Egyptian Air Force Mirage 2000 pilots and practiced ASW skills while leading over 40 multi-national, integrated and air wing exercise strikes against NATO ships.

On 26 November 1996, VS-22 deployed on board USS Theodore Roosevelt to the Mediterranean and the North Persian Gulf.

On 21 April 1997, in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Checkmates became the first S-3B squadron to launch the AGM-65F Infrared Maverick missile while deployed.

VS-22 participated in various exercises such as Operation Desert Fox, Juniper Stallion and Noble Anvil, mostly providing electronic warfare support.

VS-22 last carrier embark was from 7 April to 27 May 2008, aboard George Washington for the transit from Norfolk around South America to San Diego, California.