VFC-12

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Fighter Squadron Composite Twelve


caption= VFC-12 Insignia
dates= October 6, 1943 - present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Navy
type=
role=
size=
command_structure= Tactical Support Wing
current_commander=
garrison= Naval Air Station Oceana
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= "Fighting Omars"
patron=
motto= Ready and Fully Intergrated
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
anniversaries=

Fighter Squadron Composite Twelve (VFC-12) is a US Navy Reserve fighter squadron based at NAS Oceana, providing adversary training to East Coast air wings.

History

Fighter Squadron Composite Twelve was originally commissioned VC-12 on October 6, 1943 at NAS Sand Point, Seattle, Washington. The squadron operated the F4F "Wildcat" and TBM-1 "Avenger" aboard USS|Card|CVE-11 in the western pacific until the carrier changed homeport to Norfolk, Virginia in 1944. In the Atlantic theater, VC-12 flew combat missions against German U-boats logging 34 engagements in 1944. On June 7, 1945, VC-12 was decommissioned.

On 1 September 1948, Carrier Air Early Warning Squadron Two, based at NAS Norfolk, was redesignated Fleet Composite Squadron Twelve. VC-12 operated TBM-3 "Avengers" from active Atlantic Fleet carriers. During the Korean conflict, VC-12 once again saw combat while operating from USS|Bon Homme Richard|CV-31. VC-12 was again decommissioned on September 9, 1953.On September 1, 1973, at NAF Detroit, Michigan, VC-12 was recommissioned as the first Reserve Fleet Composite Squadron in naval history. In 1975, VC-12 moved to its current home at NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach, Virginia. In June 1988, VC-12 was designated Fighter Squadron Composite Twelve (VFC-12) to more accurately describe the squadron's mission as prescribed by Commander, Naval Air Reserve Force (COMNAVAIRESFOR), of Dissimilar Air Combat Training. Employing the venerable A-4F "Superfox" and the TA-4J, the squadron provided multiple support services including air intercept and dissimilar air combat maneuvering (ACM) training for Atlantic and Pacific fleet units. The "Omars" often averaged more than 200 days a year on detachments earning the name "The Road Gang" and a reputation for always being able to get the job done any time, any where. That reputation is even stronger today as the squadron, now a member of Tactical Support Wing, leads the COMNAVAIRESFOR contributory support effort via the Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program (SFARP) and ACM training for F-14 and F/A-18 fleet replacement squadrons.

In 1994 the unit transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet and was designated VFC-12. The twelve Hornets of The Fighting Omars wear a unique adversary camouflage, their F/A-18C models wear a two-tone blue scheme. Recently VFC-12 has traded their old F/A-18 A+ and B models to F/A-18C's from VFA-87 and have implemented a new paint scheme while bringing back the red star on their jets.

External Links

[http://navyreserve.navy.mil/Public/Staff/Centers/Forces+Command/Centers/Commander+Tactical+Support+Wing/Centers/VFC-12/WelcomeAboard/default.htm VFC-12 Official Website]