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US Navy - Fighter Squadron Composite 12 VFC-12 'Fighting Omars' |
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| 05/25 | ||||||
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 F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFC-12) at NAS Oceana, Virginia - August 2023  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFC-12) at NAS Oceana, Virginia - August 2023  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFC-12) over NAS Key West, Florida - June 2021  F/A-18B Hornet (VFC-12) over NAS Oceana, Virginia - February 2021  F/A-18B Hornet (VFC-12) over NAS Key West, Florida - November 2020  F/A-18A+ Hornet (VFC-12) over NAS Key West, Florida - November 2020  F/A-18A Hornet (VFC-12) at NAS Fallon, Nevada - April 2015  F/A-18A Hornet (VFC-12) at NAS Key West, Florida - November 2014  F/A-18A Hornet (VFC-12) at NAS Key West, Florida - June 2014  F/A-18C Hornet (VFC-12) during Exercise Northern Edge 2011 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska - June 2011  F/A-18C Hornet (VFC-12) during Exercise Northern Edge 2011 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska - June 2011  F/A-18C Hornet (VFC-12) during Exercise Northern Edge 2011 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska - June 2011  F/A-18C Hornet (VFC-12) during Exercise Northern Edge 2011 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska - June 2011  F/A-18C Hornet (VFC-12) during Exercise Northern Edge 2011 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska - June 2011  F/A-18C Hornet (VFC-12) during Exercise Northern Edge 2011 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska - June 2011  F/A-18C Hornet (VFC-12) at Andersen AFB, Guam - February 2008  F/A-18C Hornet (VFC-12) at Andersen AFB, Guam - February 2008  F/A-18B Hornet (VFC-12) aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - August 2005  F/A-18B Hornet (VFC-12) aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - August 2005  F/A-18B Hornet (VFC-12) at NAS/JRB Fort Worth, Texas - April 2005  F/A-18A Hornet (VFC-12) at NAS Oceana, Virginia - April 1994  F/A-18A Hornet (VFC-12) at NAS Oceana, Virginia - April 1994  TA-4F Skyhawk (VFC-12) at NAS Oceana, Virginia - 1990  A-4F Skyhawk (VFC-12) at NAS Oceana, Virginia - 1989  A-4F Skyhawk (VFC-12) at NAS Oceana, Virginia - 1989  TA-4J Skyhawk (VFC-12) - undated Fleet Composite Squadron 12 (VC-12)  A-4F Skyhawk (VC-12) - 1987  TA-4J Skyhawk (VC-12) - 1987  TA-4J Skyhawk (VC-12) over Washington, D.C. - 1980  TA-4J Skyhawk (VC-12) - undated  TA-4J Skyhawk (VC-12) near Puerto Rico - 1970's  TA-4J Skyhawk (VC-12) - undated |
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Fighter Squadron Composite Twelve was
originally commissioned VC-12 on 6 October 1943, at NAS Sand Point,
Seattle, Washington. The squadron operated the F-4F "Wildcat' and
TBM-1 "Avenger" aboard USS CARD (CVE-11) in WESTPAC until 1944 when
the ship was reassigned to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. VC-12
saw action against German U-boats in 24 engagements in 1944, and was
decommissioned 7 June 1945. On 6 July 1948, Carrier Air Early Warning Squadron TWO was commissioned at NAS Norfolk, Virginia. The squadron was redesignated Fleet Composite Squadron Twelve on 1 September 1948. VC-12 operated TBN "Avengers" from most of the Atlantic Fleet carriers active at the time. The squadron saw action in Korea aboard the USS BON HOMME RICHARD. VC-12 was again decommissioned on 29 September 1953. On 1 September 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 location at NAS Oceana, Virginia. In June 1988, VC-12 was redesignated Fighter Squadron Composite Twelve to more accurately describe the squadrons mission of Dissimilar Air Combat Training. During Fiscal Year 1994 the squadron was reassigned 11 F/A-18A and 2 F/A-18B aircraft, 33 officers and 180 enlisted members. The command is recognized as a highly professional unit and has earned the respect of Reserve and Fleet units alike throughout the Navy. VFC-12 is an outstanding example of the integration of Reserve Forces to develop and maintain the combat capabilities of regular Navy units. VFC-12 was awarded the Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award in 1978, 1980, 1981, and 1992. VFC-12 was awarded the Noel Davis Trophy for squadron readiness for 1980, 1984, 1985 and 1995. In January 1989, the OMARS received a Meritorious Unit Commendation for sustained superior performance form 1 April 1987 to 31 March 1988. In 1995 VFC-12 added the Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program (SFARP) mission to its lengthy list of responsibilities. The Omars were awarded the 1995 Battle "EM,Noel Davis award, being recognized as the best squadron in category for Airwing 20. Nearing the end of 1995, ADM S.T. Keith, Commander Naval Air Reserve Force, recognized VFC-12 with an Aviation Safety Citation for achieving another year of Class A mishap-free flying. In 1996 VFC-12 conducted five Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program (SFARP) exercises for Fleet F-14 squadrons. The Omars flew 818.9 hours and 642 sorties in direct support of SFARP events. VFC-12 along with Strike Weapons and Tactics School Atlantic has led the way in the development of a single SFARP syllabus for all Navy and Marine Corps Strike Fighter Squadrons. The Omars assisted SWATSLANT in their transition as the "Keepers of SFARP" by providing Mission Commander as well as RTO training to the Strike Fighter Tactics Instructors (SFTI'S). VFC-12 maintains its vigilance as the "Threat Experts" by providing as in-depth lecture series covering Threat Aircraft, Threat Tactics, and Threat Weapons. The Omars are also the only fleet adversary unit providing advanced "Electronic Warfare" training with the ALQ-167 in conjunction with all NAS Oceana conducted SFARP exercises. October 1996, during the traditional change of command, CDR C. E. Overcash relieved CDR R. S. Dadiomoff as Commanding Officer. The ceremony was held at VFC-12's home station, NAS Oceana, Virginia. The guest speaker was CAPT W.R. Mocock, USNR (Retired). As always, the "Fighting Omars" spent a considerable amount of time away from home in support of fleet training. VFC-12 coordinated nine air combat detachments: NAS Fallon, NAS Cecil Field, NAS Key West. VFC-12 flew 2907 sorties and 3634.3 flight hours in CY-96, representing 98% of the original flight hour program, 2834.7 flight hours were dedicated to fleet support. The Omars have been a key element in the successful transition to an all Reserve Navy Adversary program. In 2004, the A's were upgraded to the A+, which included upgraded mission computers and weapons capabilities. In 2006, VFC-12 traded these F/A-18A+ models (which had low arrested landing fatigue life) for F/A-18Cs from VFA-87. Finally, in 2012, VFC-12 traded jets again with VFA-87 so that VFC-12 operated the F/A-18A+. In 2021, the squadron converted to the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Mission: The squadron's primary focus is support to the Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program (SFARP), which trains operational fleet F/A-18 squadrons. SFARP is an intense, three-week training exercise conducted by the Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic that allows fleet strike fighter aircrews to hone their warfighting skills against a realistic adversary prior to deploying. In addition to the SFARP program, VFC-12 supports the F/A-18 fleet replacement squadrons at NAS Oceana and with detachments to NAS Key West. VFC-12 often averages more than 200 days a year on detachments. |
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