View source for VFC-12

{{More footnotes needed|date=April 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= Fighter Squadron Composite 12
|image= File:VFC-12 Super Hornet.jpg
|image_size=300
|caption= A squadron [[F/A-18E Super Hornet]] at [[NAS Oceana]] in 2021
|dates= 1 September 1973 – present
|country= {{USA}}
|allegiance=
|branch= {{navy|USA}}
|type= Adversary Squadron
|role= 
|size=
|command_structure={{nowrap|[[File:Seal of the United States Navy Reserve.svg|30px]] [[United States Navy Reserve]]}}
*{{nowrap|[[File:Naval Air Force Reserve.png|30px]] [[Naval Air Force Reserve]]}}
**{{nowrap|[[File:TSW Emblem.svg|30px|Tactical Support Wing Insignia]] [[Tactical Support Wing]]}}
|current_commander= 
|garrison= {{nowrap|[[File:NAS Oceana Emblem.svg|30px|NAS Oceana Insignia]] [[NAS Oceana]]}}
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|nickname= "Fighting Omars"
|patron=
|motto= Kill the Fleet
|colors=
|march=
|mascot=
|battles= 
|anniversaries=
|aircraft_fighter=[[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|A-4 Skyhawk]]<br>[[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18A/A+/B/C/D Hornet]]<br>[[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet]]
|identification_symbol=[[File:VFC-12 Emblem.svg|165px]]
|identification_symbol_label=Squadron insignia
}}
'''Fighter Squadron Composite 12''' ('''VFC-12'''), also known as the "Fighting Omars", is a [[United States Navy Reserve]] fighter squadron based at [[NAS Oceana]]. It provides [[Aggressor squadron|adversary training]] to East Coast Navy air wings. VFC-12 reports to [[Tactical Support Wing]], a component of the [[Naval Air Force Reserve]]. The "Fighting Omars" are manned by selected reservists, full-time reservists (FTS) and active duty personnel.

The squadron's radio callsign is "Ambush" and its tailcode is ''AF''. In late 2012, the unique adversary blue [[camouflage]] paint scheme on squadron aircraft was replaced with the Su-35 Flanker Prototype 2 Arctic Splinter Camouflage in late 2012 when the unit transitioned to the F/A-18A+. The Splinter Camouflage paint scheme was designed by a veteran, former AD3 Darrall W. Taylor, Jr.

==History==
Three distinct squadrons have been designated VC-12. The third of these was redesignated VFC-12 and is the main subject of this article. Officially, the US Navy does not recognize a direct lineage with disestablished squadrons if a new squadron is formed with the same designation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq6-1.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000526122918/http://history.navy.mil/faqs/faq6-1.htm |archive-date=2000-05-26 |title=Naval Aviation Squadron Lineages}}</ref> Often, a new squadron assumes the nickname, insignia, and traditions of an earlier, corresponding squadron.

===First VC-12===
The first Composite Squadron Twelve was established as VC-12 on 6 October 1943 at NAS Sand Point, [[Seattle, Washington]]. The squadron operated the [[Grumman F4F Wildcat|F4F Wildcat]] and [[Grumman TBF Avenger|TBM-1 Avenger]] aboard {{USS|Card|CVE-11|6}} in the western Pacific until the carrier changed homeport to [[Naval Station Norfolk|Norfolk, Virginia]] in 1944. In the Atlantic theater, VC-12 flew combat missions against German [[U-boat]]s, logging 34 engagements. On 7 June 1945, VC-12 was disestablished.

===Second VC-12===
On 6 July 1948, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron Two (VAW-2) was established at NAS Norfolk. On 1 September 1948 it was re-designated Fleet Composite Squadron Twelve (VC-12). VC-12 operated detachments of [[Grumman_TBF_Avenger | TBM-3W Avengers]], [[Grumman_AF_Guardian | AF-2W Guardians]] and [[Douglas_A-1_Skyraider | AD-5W Skyraiders]] from Atlantic Fleet carriers. During the [[Korean War]], a VC-12 detachment saw combat while operating from {{USS|Bon Homme Richard|CV-31|6}}. In July 1956 this second VC-12 was redesignated [[VAW-12]]. On 1 April 1967 the squadron was disestablished and its detachments were established as separate VAW squadrons [[VAW-121]], [[VAW-122]] and [[VAW-123]].

NOTE: according to 'Dictionary of American naval Aviation Squadrons, Vol 1' VC (composite squadrons) were not named Fleet Composite Squadrons until 1965. This error occurs in many articles on VC squadrons.

===Current VFC-12===
[[File:F-18B VFC-12 CVN-76 2005.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A VFC-12 [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18B]] lands on the {{USS|Ronald Reagan|CVN-76|6}} in 2005]]
On 1 September 1973, at NAF Detroit, Michigan, the current squadron was established as VC-12, the Navy's first Reserve Fleet Composite Squadron. The squadron employed the single seat [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|A-4 Skyhawk]] and dual seat TA-4Js in providing multiple support services, including air intercept and dissimilar [[air combat maneuvering]] (ACM) training for Atlantic and Pacific fleet units.

In 1975, VC-12 moved to its current home at [[NAS Oceana]], [[Virginia Beach, Virginia]]. In June 1988, VC-12 was re-designated '''Fighter Squadron Composite Twelve (VFC-12)''' to more accurately describe the squadron's mission of Dissimilar Air Combat Training.

On 1 October 1992, the squadron was assigned to [[Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20]] (CVWR-20, renamed Tactical Support Wing in 2007). It was previously assigned to the [[Fleet Logistics Support Wing]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January–February 1993 |title=For the Record... |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/Naval%20Aviation%20News/1990/pdf/jf93.pdf |magazine=Naval Aviation News |publisher=[[Naval Air Systems Command]] |page=14 |access-date=2023-01-06}}</ref>

On 16 July 1993, the squadron flew its last mission with the A-4 Skyhawk.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September–October 1993 |title=For the Record... |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/Naval%20Aviation%20News/1990/pdf/so93.pdf |magazine=Naval Aviation News |publisher=[[Naval Air Systems Command]] |page=5 |access-date=2023-01-06}}</ref>

In 1994, the unit transitioned to the [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18A/B Hornet]]. 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 [[arresting gear|arrested landing]] [[Fatigue (material)|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]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunter |first=Jamie |date=2021-11-01 |title=Inside The Navy's Top Aggressor Squadron That Is About To Trade Its Hornets For Super Hornets |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/37590/how-the-super-hornet-is-about-to-change-the-navys-premier-aggressor-fighter-squadron |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=The Drive |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunter |first=Jamie |date=2021-11-01 |title=U.S. Navy Adversary Unit Reveals Super Hornet Masquerading As Russia's Top Fighter |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/41187/u-s-navy-adversary-unit-reveals-super-hornet-masquerading-as-russias-top-fighter |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=The Drive |language=en}}</ref>

==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 squadron]]s at NAS Oceana and with detachments to [[NAS Key West]]. VFC-12 often averages more than 200 days a year on detachments.

==Awards==
VFC-12 was awarded the [[Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award]] in 1978, 1980, 1981, 1992 and 1998. VFC-12 was awarded the [[Wooster and Davis|Noel Davis]] Trophy for squadron readiness for 1980, 1984, 1985, 1995 and 1998. In January 1989, the squadron received a [[Meritorious Unit Commendation]] for sustained superior performance from 1 April 1987 to 31 March 1988. In 1998, VFC-12 was awarded the [[Battle "E"]], Noel Davis award for recognition as the best squadron in category for Carrier Air Wing Twenty. Also in 1998, Commander Naval Air Reserve Force recognized VFC-12 with an Aviation Safety Citation for achieving another year of Class A mishap free flying.

==See also==
* [[Modern US Navy carrier air operations]]
* [[Naval aviation]]
* [[List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons]]
* [[List of Inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons]]

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090517044831/http://navyreserve.navy.mil/Public/Staff/Centers/Forces+Command/Centers/Commander+Tactical+Support+Wing/Centers/VFC-12/WelcomeAboard/default.htm VFC-12 Official Website]

==References==
* https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/vfc-12.htm
<references/>

{{US Navy navbox}}
{{United States Navy Aircraft Squadrons}}

[[Category:Fleet fighter composite squadrons of the United States Navy]]