VAW-33 "Nighthawks" was established in 1949 as Composite Squadron VC-33 at NAS Norfolk, operating the TBM-3E/N/Q Avenger and a few SNB-5 Texans. Initially tasked with antisubmarine warfare (ASW), it relocated to NAS Atlantic City in 1950, shifting its focus to night attack missions. During the Korean War, the squadron deployed three detachments aboard carriers, earning recognition for its expertise in night attack and electronic countermeasure (ECM) operations.

In 1952, the squadron adopted the nickname "Nighthawks." By 1956, it was redesignated as All-Weather Attack Squadron VA(AW)-33. Two years later, it moved to NAS Quonset Point and became Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron VAW-33. Starting in 1961, the squadron provided ASW detachments for Atlantic Fleet antisubmarine carriers. A detachment played a role in recovering the Gemini IX spacecraft in 1966. From 1967 to 1968, VAW-33 supported carrier-based ECM missions during the Vietnam War.