made its final move, to NAS Key West. A P-3A Orion replaced their NC-121K, which had become the last "Connie" in the Navy. During its last dozen years, VAQ-33 continued a high tempo of operations supporting the fleet. It was one of the few U.S. Navy Squadrons to utilize 'autonomous maintenance units’ or ‘AMU’s. The AMU’s performed as specific type squadrons within the main squadron. AMU-1 performed maintenance on the A-3 Sky Warriors (known as ‘Whales’). Between 1988 and until the retirement of the Whale, VAQ-33 became a clearing house for some A-3 aircraft to be evaluated prior to dispensation to Davis Mothan AFB or Museum. AMU-2 performed maintenance on the EA-6A and EA-6A Recap Electric Intruders. AMU-3 would perform maintenance on A-1 Sky Raiders, to be replaced by A-4 Sky Hawks, which was replaced by TA-7C and TA-7Z Corsair II aircraft. The TA-7Z Corsair II was an in-house avionics and airframe modification to support the squadrons electronic warfare mission, being capable of carrying a suite of electronic warfare pods. AMU-4 performed maintenance on P-3 Orion aircraft of several variants from P-3 (airframe #3) to P-3B which would go through Depot Level maintenance to convert it to the EP-3J being specifically made to support the squadrons mission. AMU-5 performed maintenance on F-4 Phantom II aircraft. AMU-6 performed intermediate level maintenance on the electronic warfare pods the aircraft carried. The EA-6A became its only jet aircraft, while it retained three turboprop Orions. The squadron's success in its mission was shown by the establishment in 1983 of VAQ-34 at NAS Point Mugu and in 1991 of VAQ-35 at NAS Whidbey Island. Its role as an A-3 FRS ended with the retirement of the Whale in 1991. The electronic aggressor mission was eventually transferred to the Navy Reserve, and VAQ-33 wound down operations during 1993. In keeping with its "last to fly this airplane" tradition, its EA-6As were the last of their kind retired from service. The squadron was disestablished on 1 October 1993. See also History of the United States Navy List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons References Electronic attack squadrons of the United States Navy