VAW-12
{{short description|US Navy squadron}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 12
| image= Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 12 (US Navy) patch 1967.png
| image_size = 200
|caption=
|dates= 1956– 1 April 1967
|country= United States of America
|allegiance=
|branch= {{nowrap|Image:United States Department of the Navy Seal.svg United States Navy}}
|type= Airborne Early Warning
|role=
|size=
|website=
|command_structure=
|current_commander=
|garrison=
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|nickname= "Bats"
|patron=
|motto=
|colors=
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|battles=
|anniversaries=
|aircraft_electronic= E-2 Hawkeye
WF-2 Tracer
AD-5W Skyraider
}}
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 12 (VAW-12), nicknamed the "Bats", was a U.S. Navy Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron. The squadron was disestablished on 1 April 1967.
Squadron history
On 6 July 1948, VAW-2 (Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron TWO) was established at NAS Norfolk. The squadron quickly moved to NAS Quonset Point, and was redesignated VC-12. In succession, it operated the TBM Avenger, AF Guardian, and the AD-5W Skyraider.{{cite web | url = http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/vaw120/community/Pages/default.aspx | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101018024014/http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/vaw120/community/Pages/default.aspx | url-status = dead | archive-date = 18 October 2010 | title = History of VAW-120 Greyhawks | accessdate = 2014-02-02}}
In 1956, the squadron was re-designated VAW-12 (Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron TWELVE) and acquired a new aircraft, the "Guppy" version of the Skyraider. In 1961, the WF-2 Tracer, affectionately called the "Willie Fudd", arrived, and the following year the squadron returned to NAS Norfolk.
File:AD-5W Skyraiders of VAW-12 fly over USS Forrestal (CVA-59) on 25 April 1960.jpgFile:E-1B VAW-12 on cat of USS FD Roosevelt (CVA-42) 1961.jpgIn July 1966, VAW-12 received its first E-2A Hawkeye and was supplying detachments using two different aircraft aboard ten aircraft carriers of the Atlantic Fleet, as well as training personnel for those detachments. The squadron had grown to over 200 officers and 800 enlisted personnel, and VAW-12 was reorganized as an air wing.
On 1 April 1967, VAW-12 was disestablished and Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing Twelve was formed to command all Atlantic Fleet Airborne Early Warning (AEW) efforts. Replacement Airgroup Squadron RVAW-120 was formed to train aviators and enlisted personnel in carrier-based AEW aircraft. VAW-121, VAW-122, and VAW-123 were formed on the same day from former VAW-12 operating detachments.{{cite book | last1 = Arnisted | first1 = Leigh | title = AWACS and Hawkeyes: The Complete History of Airborne Early Warning Aircraft | chapter = AEW Reaches its Potential | publisher = Zenith Imprint | year = 2002 | pages = 62–63 | url = https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0760311404 | accessdate = 2014-02-02}}{{Cite web |title=Command History |url=https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/Organization/COMACCLOGWING/VAW-121/Command-History/ |access-date=26 June 2024 |website=Official website of Naval Air Force Atlantic (U.S. Navy)}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{US Navy navbox}}
{{United States Navy Aircraft Squadrons}}
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