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.

In October 1976, preparations were made to reestablish VS-35 to fly the new turbine-powered S-3A, but fiscal constraints prevented completion of this plan and the second VS-35 was disestablished on 30 March 1977.

For the first time since 1972, the Blue Wolves deployed to sea on 17 February 1994, on board USS Carl Vinson to the western Pacific in support of Operation Southern Watch.

In June 1998, Carrier Air Wing Fourteen was reattached to USS Abraham Lincoln and deployed in June 1998 to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch and again in 2000.In July 2002, the squadron deployed on board USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch.

Upon returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom, on 1 May 2003, the squadron flew President George W. Bush on board USS Abraham Lincoln for his "Mission Accomplished" speech.

During a naval exercise on 10 August 2024, one of their S-3B Viking aircraft crashed into North Iwo Jima, an uninhabited island, killing the four members on board.