Attack Squadron 12 (ATKRON 12) VA-12 ‘Flying Ubangis/Clinchers’
STATUS:		established as Bomber-Fighter Squadron FOUR (VBF-4) on May 12, 1945 VBF-4 redesignated Fighter Squadron TWO A (VF-2A) on November 15, 1946 VF-2A redesignated Fighter Squadron TWELVE (VF-12) on August 2, 1948 VF-12 redesignated Attack Squadron TWELVE (VA-12) on August 1, 1955 VA-12 disestablished: October 1, 1986 Nickname: Flying Ubangis -1982 / Clinchers: 1982-1986
AIRCRAFT:		Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawk (1957-63) Douglas A-4C/D/E Skyhawk (1963-70) Ling-Temco-Vought A-7E Corsair II (1971-86)
DEPLOYMENTS:		October 1957 - December 1957 with CVG-8 aboard USS Midway (CVA 41) July 1958 - March 1959 with CVG-10 aboard USS Forrestal (CVA 59) June 1960 - November 1960 with CVG-10 aboard USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) February 1961 - August 1961 with CVG-1 aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42) February 1962 - April 1962 with CVG-1 aboard USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) July 1962 - April 1963 with CVG-1 aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42) November 1963 - December 1963 with CVG-1 aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42) April 1964 - December 1964 with CVW-1 aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42) June 1965 - February 1966 with CVW-1 aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42) June 1966 - February 1967 with CVW-1 aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42) August 1967 - May 1968 with CVW-1 aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42) October 1968 - December 1968 with CVW-8 aboard USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) January 1969 - July 1969 with CVW-8 aboard USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) October 1969 - November 1969 with CVW-8 aboard USS Shangri-La (CVS 38) March 1970 - December 1970 with CVW-8 aboard USS Shangri-La (CVS 38) September 1971 - March 1972 with CVW-7 aboard USS Independence (CVA 62) June 1973 - January 1974 with CVW-7 aboard USS Independence (CVA 62) July 1974 - January 1975 with CVW-7 aboard USS Independence (CVA 62) October 1975 - May 1976 with CVW-7 aboard USS Independence (CV 62) March 1977 - October 1977 with CVW-7 aboard USS Independence (CV 62) January 1979 - July 1979 with CVW-7 aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) April 1980 - December 1980 with CVW-7 aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) August 1980 - October 1980 with CVW-7 aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) January 1982 - July 1982 with CVW-7 aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) April 1983 - December 1983 with CVW-7 aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) May 1984 - June 1984 with CVW-7 aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) October 1984 - May 1985 with CVW-7 aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)
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A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1985 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1985 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1985 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1984 (courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1980’s A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1980’s A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1980’s (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1980’s (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1980’s (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1980’s (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1980’s A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1980’s A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1980’s A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1980’s A-7E Corsair II - 1980’s A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1980’s (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1980’s (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1980’s (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1981 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1981 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1980’s (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1980’s (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1978 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - circa 1978 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1978 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - circa 1978 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - circa 1978 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - circa 1978 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) refuels a F-14A Tomcat of VF-143 - 1978 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1978 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1978 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1978 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1978 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) refuels an KA-6D Intruder from VA-65 - 1978 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) with AGM-45 Shrike and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles - 1978 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) with AGM-45 Shrike and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles - 1978 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) with AGM-45 Shrike and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles - 1978 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) with AGM-45 Shrike and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles - 1978 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) with AGM-45 Shrike and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles - 1978 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1978 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) during aerial refueling - 1978 A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Independence (CV 62) - 1975 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Independence (CV 62) - 1970’s (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Independence (CV 62) - (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Independence (CV 62) - 1971 (NNAM) A-7E Corsair II (VA-12 / CVW-7) embarked on USS Independence (CV 62) - 1971 (NNAM) A-4C Skyhawk (VA-12 / CVW-8) embarked on USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) - late 1960’s (NNAM) A-4C Skyhawk (VA-12 / CVW-8) embarked on USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) - late 1960’s (NNAM) A-4E Skyhawk (VA-12 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) - 1960’s (NNAM) A-4C Skyhawk (VA-12 / CVW-1) aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) - early 1960’s A-4C Skyhawk (VA-12 / CVW-1) aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) - 1960’s (NNAM) A-4E Skyhawk (VA-12 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) - 1960’s (NNAM) A-4E Skyhawk (VA-12 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) - 1960’s (NNAM) A-4E Skyhawk (VA-12 / CVW-1) aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) - 1960’s (NNAM) A-4C Skyhawks (VA-12 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) - 1960’s (NNAM) A4D-2 Skyhawks (VA-12 / CVG-10) being loaded on USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) - early 1960’s (NNAM) A4D-2 Skyhawks (VA-12 / CVG-10) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona - 1959 (NNAM) A4D-2 Skyhawk (VA-12 / CVG-10) aboard USS Forrestal (CVA 59) - 1958/59 (NNAM) A4D-2 Skyhawk (VA-12 / CVG-10) - undated (NNAM) A4D-2 Skyhawk (VA-12 / CVG-10) - undated (NNAM) A4D-2 Skyhawk (VA-12 / CVG-10) - undated (NNAM) A4D-2 Skyhawk (VA-12 / CVG-10) - undated (NNAM)
history
Chronology of Significant Events: 5 Oct 1945: The squadron participated in an aerial parade over Washington, D.C., in honor of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. It also engaged in several other air parades and exhibition flights during the month of October. 6 Oct 1945: VBF-4’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Lackey, was killed during a training flight in an SNJ. 21 Aug–19 Sep and Nov–Dec 1946: The squadron operated ashore at Kobler Field, Saipan. Conducted training and preparations for special fleet exercises while shore based. 26 Apr 1952: The squadron was embarked in Wasp (CV 18) en route to the Mediterranean when the carrier collided with the Hobson (DMS 26) which sank along with her 176 men. There were no injuries to squadron personnel. The squadron’s F2H-2s remained aboard until Wasp entered dry dock at New York to repair her catapults which were damaged in the collision. 19 Aug 1953: While operating from Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42) in the Mediterranean Sea, the squadron’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Breen, was lost at sea. Feb 1955: VA-12 supported the evacuation of Chinese Nationalist civilians and military personnel from the Tachen Islands which were being bombarded by the People’s Republic of China. 1 Aug 1955: With the redesignation of VF-12 to VA-12 and the acquisition of a new type of aircraft in December 1955, the F7U Cutlass, the squadron’s mission changed from jet intercept to special weapons attack. 14–27 Nov 1960: VA-12, embarked in Shangri-La (CVA 38), was part of the task force ordered to the coast of Central America to counter the infiltration of Cubans into Guatemala and Nicaragua. 21–27 Nov 1961: VA-12, embarked in Franklin D. Roosevelt, operated off the coast of the Dominican Republic to support the newly established democratic government. Apr 1962: VA-12 was selected by CNO to conduct “Operation Trap,” a test firing of Bullpup missiles toevaluate their usefulness to the Navy. The test firings took place while the squadron was based at their home port of NAS Cecil Field. Jul–Aug 1963: A-4C detachments from the squadron operated aboard Essex (CVS 9) and Intrepid (CVS 11) as fighter support for antisubmarine exercises. These operations were also used to help develop and evaluate ASW tactics and doctrine. 8–29 Aug 1964: Franklin D. Roosevelt and her air wing were ordered to operated in the vicinity of Cyprus after fighting escalated between Turkish and Greek forces on the island. Aug 1966: VA-12 flew its first combat sortie since its establishment 21 years earlier. The squadron completed its Vietnam deployment in December 1966 without sustaining any combat damage to its aircraft. 12 Nov 1966: VA-12’s commanding officer, Commander Robert C. Frosio, was lost at sea during flight operations from Franklin D. Roosevelt. 14 Dec 1966: Commander Barnett, commanding officer of VA-12, led a 42-plane strike against a heavily defended target in North Vietnam and for which he was awarded the Silver Star. Oct–Dec 1973: Independence (CV 62) and VA-12 took station southeast of Crete after the outbreak of war between Israel, Egypt and Syria on 6 October 1973. During this period of operations the squadron conducted surveillance flights against a large Soviet fleet that had sortied from the Black Sea. Aug 1974: As a result of the crisis on Cyprus, Independence, with VA-12 aboard, was stationed off the coast of Crete. Tensions increased significantly on 19 August when the American Ambassador to Cyprus, Roger Davies, was killed by a Cypriot mob. The squadron prepared for possible assistance in the evacuation of American nationals. It flew surveillance of Greek, Turkish and Soviet naval and merchant activity in the area. 7 Sep 1974: The squadron participated in the search for victims of a TWA airliner crash in the Ionian Sea. No survivors were located. 15 Apr 1980: VA-12 deployed aboard Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) to the Indian Ocean in response to the Iran-American Embassy hostage situation. The squadron was at sea for 254 days with only one port call during the entire eight and one-half month deployment. Jun, Aug and Sep 1983: VA-12 operated from Dwight D. Eisenhower while on station off the coast of Lebanon. The squadron flew in support of the multinational peacekeeping force stationed in Beirut. 23 Oct 1983: Dwight D. Eisenhower and her air wing returned to the coast of Beirut after 241 Marines died in a terrorist-suicide attack there. 1 Oct 1986: VA-12 was disestablished, bringing to a close the long history of the squadron and its motto “Kiss of Death.”
patches
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