Welcome to the Viking SENSO Association
To honor the legacy of our past and present Shipmates and contribute to the general camaraderie and philanthropy of this group via local/regional special events and/or biennial National convention/reunion.
Click on the squadron patch to see group shots of some SENSO warriors. We are still looking for VS-30 and VS-27 group shots. If you have some photos you would like to add please send them to us at vikingsensoassociation@gmail.com
National Viking SENSO Reunion
7-10 August 2025 San Diego, CA
The 2025 National Viking SENSO Reunion was a spectacular success. The turnout was amazing, with SENSOs coming from all over the country and one coming all the way from Perth, Australia. Four days of events both on and off base created a long weekend of reconnection, reflection and rejoicing.
Back To Where It All Began
The 2025 reunion was an incredible success. We went back to North Island where most passed through Bldg 797 while learning to be a SENSO at VS-41. We held multiple events in and around Naval Air Station North Island, including a Sunday morning group shot at Flag Circle.
Honoring Those Who Left Too Soon
We honored those SENSOs and their family members who have taken the final flight. A white rose representing each person who has passed was placed in a wreath. Later that wreath was offered to the sea.
A Historic Gathering
About 120 attended the plaque dedication and wreath ceremony at Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial on Saturday, 9 August 2025.
How We Got Here
The Story Behind the Story
Read how a couple of old SENSOs got together for drinks one night and, well, you can’t make this stuff up……
What is the Viking SENSO Association?
The Viking SENSO Association (VSA) will be a national Veteran’s non-profit (501 c19) association (approval pending from IRS). As outlined in the Articles of Incorporation, the VSA is being launched “To represent and facilitate this Veterans organization of U. S. Navy carrier-based S-3 Viking enlisted Sensor Operators (SENSOs) of the AW rating, promote the general public education and history of this specialized and elite group of Naval Aircrewmen, perpetuate the memory of our past and present Shipmates, and contribute to the general camaraderie and philanthropy of this group via local/regional special events and/or biennial National conventions/reunions.” Basically, we were so thrilled and humbled by the amazing turnout of the instructor reunion in 2023 that we wanted to do it again and make it bigger and better for all SENSOs. We decided the best way to do that was to form a non-profit which would aid in providing opportunities for a more enriching and memorable event for all who attend. As we move forward toward the August 2025 reunion, we will maintain full transparency in just how the VSA contributes to the best reunion ever.
Positive Ripples
The Mount Soledad Project
As part of the 2025 Reunion in San Diego, there was a ceremony at the Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial during which we unveiled a granite plaque forever commemorating the Viking SENSO and the critical part we played in the defense of our nation during the Cold War years.
The plaque is now on display at Mount Soledad. A heartfelt thanks goes out to Tom Taylor for his initial idea of placing a plaque at Mount Soledad and his generous donation that covered the cost of the plaque.
The Viking SENSO Video Project
We have been capturing some sENSOs on video talking about their time in the s-3. Take a look at the SENSO Chronicles and conversations with Ed Heim and Killer Hendricks.
- Double Angel Donors ($2000 or more)
- Patrick and Susan Lalor
- Tom Taylor
- Angel Donors ($1000 and more)
- Jay Blinn and Susan Collier
- Greg Bules and Sandy Bise
- Ken Foster
- Joe and Jan Keith
- Mike and Karen Maule
- Scott McCollum
- Randy Tyle
- Distinguished Donors ($500 and more)
- Daryl and Donna Douglass
- Michael Farmer
- Tom and Cheryl Gibson
- Mark and Sharon Hall
- Mark “Killer” Hendricks
- Jeff and Carol Hinson
- Bruce Korn
- Jeff and Anita Rians
- Greg and Amy Rivard
- Jorge Rodriguez
- Roy and Rhonda Rutledge
- Jim and Linda Sanders
- Anonymous Donors
- Several at all levels above