VC-12/VFC-12 |
Point of Contact = Squadron Duty Officer (SDO). See FAQ/Research/Contact link under [SA] in the menu. |
 from Anna Vanderpool |
 from Anna Vanderpool |
 VC-12 Omars |
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Patch Aggressor patch was born when the Omars became the Fighting Omars flying Skyhawks in the aggressor role. |
Sources David Weber Harry S. Gann. Frank J. Mirande Frank Jackson |
| Handle
Omars Fighting Omars Heritage 06 OCT 1943: VC-12 established. 07 JUN 1945: VC-12 dis-established 06 JUL 1948: Established as Carrier Air Early Warning Squadron Two. 1948: Renamed to Fleet Composite Squadron Twelve (VC-12). 29 SEP 1953: VC-12 decommissioned. 01 SEP 1973: VC-12 commissioned. 01 JUN 1988: re-disignated VFC-12 |
Home Ports
01 SEP 1973: NAF Detroit Michigan 02 JUL 1975: NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach VA. |
| Aircraft
1 September 1973- - - - - Douglas A-4L Skyhawk 7 August 1970 - - - - - - Douglas TA-4F Skyhawk. 23 May 1976 - - - - - - - Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk. 16 January 1983 - - - - - * Douglas A-4F Skyhawk. 21 August 1984- - - - - - * Douglas A-4E Skyhawk. 1994- - - - - - - - - - - F/A-18 Hornet. * Some Echo and Foxtrot Skyhawks modified to "Mongoose" configuration. For A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit see lower in this page: |
Air Wings
No info yet |
| Deployments
1944: USS Card No known deployments with the Skyhawk. |
Commanding Officers
No info yet. |
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Awards CNO Aviation Safety Award; 1978, 1980 and 1981. Noel Davis Trophy; 1984 and 1985. |
No additonal info. |
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Events September 1, 1973: VC-12 established at NAF Detroit, Mt. Clemens, Michagan as the first Reserve Composite Squadron in USN history. August 25, 1986: Unknown pilot escaped injury when he ejected safely from a TA-4 (BuNo 155077) attached to VC-12 based at NAS Oceana. The plane crashed in woods near Elizabeth City, NC, about 4:25 p.m. Monday said PAO Lt. Ed Barker. The pilot was transported to Portsmouth Naval Hospital by a USCG helicopter. Daily Press (Newport News, VA), Tuesday, 26 August 1986. VFC-12 TA-4J BuNo 155077 was destroyed at Elizabeth City when aircraft developed uncontrollable left roll. 25 August 1986. Pilot ejected safely. Naval Safety Center via Jim Winchester. 01 JUN 1988: VFC-12, assigned to Commander - Fleet Logistics Support Wing, provides for training Naval Reservists for mobilization while also providing a/c services in support of operations of Regular and Reserve Navy units. Services include Adversary, Air Combat Maneuvering, Dissimilar Air Combat Training,Air Intercept Training, Air Search, Fire Control Radar Tracking and Aerial Target Towing. February 15, 1990: Cdr. Dale G. Vezey (USNR) with Fighter Composite Squadron 12 at NAS Oceana was killed Thursday when his A-4F Skyhawk (BuNo 154989) collided with a F/A-18 Hornet during training exercises off the coast of Florida. The pilot of the Hornet, Cdr. David R. Miller, was rescued by helicopter and taken to University Hospital in Jacksonville, FL. Daily Press, February 16 1990. unknown pilot was killed around noon Thursday when his NAS Oceana A-4F Skyhawk collided with a F/A-18 Hornet during a training exercise 70 miles SE of Jacksonville. The pilot of the Hornet, Cdr. David R. Miller, 39, was rescued and taken to a hospital. The Star Press, Friday 16 February 1990. Cdr. Dale G. Vezey (USNR) from NAS Oceana was killed Thursday when his A-4 Skyhawk collided with a F/A-18 Hornet during training exercises about 70 miles SE of NAS Mayport. Cdr. Vezey was flying one of two A-4's that were playing the role of enemy jets against two FA-18 Hornets based in Jacksonville. Vezey didn't acknowledge a "knock it off" command that signaled the combat training exercise was over and collided with VFA-106 F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 163428 piloted by Cdr. David R. Miller who ejected an instant before impact. The crash came four seconds after VFA-106 instructor Lt. Dennis E. Fitzpatrick announced the end of the dog-fight. The groups flight leader saw the impending crash and radioed "You see each other! Eject, Eject, Eject" Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Thursday, 04 October 1990. VFC-12 A-4F BuNo 154989 was destroyed at Cecil Field when two aircraft collided midair during ACM sortie. 15 February 1990. 1 fatality. Naval Safety Center via Jim Winchester. June 27, 1991: unknown pilot ejected safely after his A-4 Skyhawk caught fire during training maneuvers Thursday and crashed into the Gulf of Mexico about 8 miles N of NAS Key West at about 5:15 p.m. News Press, Friday, 28 June 1991. Unknown pilot ejected safely … VFC-12 A-4F Buno 154971 was destroyed at Key West when aircraft fire warning came on after takeoff. Pilot ejected, aircraft in ocean. Naval Safety Center via Jim Winchester. 2005: VFC-12 and VFC-13 provide adversary support. |
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Unit Photos 03 May 1974: BuNo.147669 VC-12 Fighting Omars A-4L JY-6. Photo by Scott VanAken. 1975: VC-12 Omars A-4L Skyhawks BuNo 149516, JY-3, BuNo 147706, JY-5, BuNo 149591, JY-4, BuNo 147827, JY-8, and BuNo 149518, JY-2,, location unknown. Photographer unknown. 1976-1987: BuNo 153492 TA-4J conversion, on the ramp. Gary Verver. 04 JUL 1976: Right rear view of VC-12 Omars TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 158092, JY-12, on the ramp, Andrews AFB, 04 July 1976. Copyright R.W. Harrison. 1977: Fighting Omars Skyhawk BuNo 155077, #17, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection. 21 MAY 1977: Left front view of VC-12 Omars TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 153680, JY-11, on the ramp next to VC-12 TA-4J BuNo 158456, JY-14, Otis AFB, 21 May 1977. Copyright R.W. Harrison. Date unknown: An KA-6B Intruder (BuNo 152626, AG-517) aircraft of Attack Squadron Forty Six (VA-46) refuels a TA-4J Skyhawk (BuNo 153528, JH-8) aircraft of Composite Squadron Twelve (VC-12). VC-12 is based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. Photographer unknown, from Gary Verver. 14 OCT 1978: Right side view of VC-12 Omars TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 158098, JY-13, on the ramp, NAS Oceana, 14 October 1978. Copyright R.W. Harrison. BuNo 152850, VC-12 JY-16, on the ramp. OCT 1978: VC-12 TA-4J BuNo 158092, JY-12. Photographer unknown from Gary Verver Collection.
1978: BuNo 153492, TA-4J, JY-10 parked on the ramp. Another shot as JY-03. Gary Verver Collection. 10SEP78: right front view of Fighting Omars Skyhawk BuNo 158092, JY-12, parked on the ramp and configured with a centerline tank. Photo by G.B. Rhodes, G. Verver Collection. 10SEP78: 10 Sept 1978 BuNo 158098, JY-13, parked on the ramp. Photo by G.B. Rhodes, G. Verver Collection. 10SEP78: 10 Sep 1978 BuNo 152850, JY-16, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection. 15OCT78: Fighting Omars Skyhawk BuNo 158112, JY-15, undergoing minor maintenance on the flight-line. Robert Dorr. NOV78: BuNo 153680, TA-4J, JY-11 cockpit check. Gary Verver Collection. Date unknown: An EA-3B Skywarrior (BuNo 142650, GD-100) aircraft from Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Thirty-Three (VAQ-33) refuels TA-4J Skyhawks (JY-3 & JY-9) of Composite Squadron Twelve (VC-12) based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. Official U.S. Navy, from Gary Verver. 28APR79: BuNo 158098, JY-13, parked on the ramp. Photo by S. Miller, G. Verver Collection. 1979: BuNo 153680, JY-11, on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection. 01 JAN 1980: VC-12 TA-4J Sortie, possibly BuNo 158092 in the background. Aerial underside view of an EA-3B Skywarrior (BuNo 142650, GD-100) aircraft of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Thirty Three (VAQ-33) refueling a TA-4J Skyhawk aircraft of Composite Squadron Twelve (VC-12). An EA-3B Skywarrior (BuNo 142650, GD-100) aircraft of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Thirty Three (VAQ-33) refuels a formation of TA4J Skyhawk (JY-3) aircraft. of Composite Squadron Twelve (VC-12). VC-12 TA-4 tanking from an Intruder. VC-12 TA-4 with sunset. Official U.S. Navy, from Gary Verver. MAY80: BuNo 153680, JY-11, on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection. MAY80: BuNo 152850, JY-16, on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection. MAY80: BuNo 155102, JY-17, parked on the flight line. Left side view of VC-12 Fighting Omars TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 155102, JY-17, on the flight line with a pair of drop tanks, May 1980. Coast Guard UF-1G Albatross s/n 7213 (former 51-7213) in left background. Gary Verver Collection. 1980: Fighting Omars Skyhawk BuNo 158092, JY-12, parked on the line next to VA-204 River Rattlers A-7B Corsair BuNo 154443. Unknown photographer via W. Mutza. Douglas A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 142761. A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 142761 and side number Juliet Yankee 01 of the VFC-12 "Omars" stands gate guard duty at Naval Air Facility Detroit. USN photograph. 1982: BuNo 158092, TA-4J, VC-12 on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. 1983: BuNo 154200, A-4F parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. 1984-87: BuNo 156914, TA-4J, #16. Pretty sure this 156914. Pic2. Gary Verver Collection. APR 1986: VC-12 A-4F BuNo 154200, JY-1. Name below the canopy is CDR Jack Lewis. At right is VC-12 TA-4J BuNo 158113. Photographer unknown from Gary Verver Collection. 20MAR87: BuNo 155077, JY-00, and a Fighter Squadron 202 (VF-202) F-4 Phantom II aircraft in formation. An air-to-air right side view of VC-12 Omars TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 155077, JY-00, and VF-202 Superheats F-4B Phantom II BuNo 152277, AF-201, in formation, 20 March 1987. U.S. Navy Photo. 1988: TA-4J Omar Skyhawk. TA-4J BuNo. 159798 and side number Juliet Yankee 11 of the VFC-12 "Omars", at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, seen at Naval Air Station Atlanta in December 1988 as she taxies by the photographer. Photograph by Frank J. Mirande. 1988: TA-4J Omar Skyhawk detail. TA-4J BuNo. 159798 and side number Juliet Yankee 11 of the VFC-12 "Omars", tail detail. Originally assigned the tail-code, "JY", when part of the Fleet Logistics Support Wing, the "Omars" were transferred to CVWR-20 in 1992 and re-coded "AF", which they continue to wear on their Hornets to the present day. For some reason, "low-vis" A-4's never carried the assigned "JY" tail-code but did carry the "AF" code. Photograph by Frank J. Mirande. MAY88: left side view of Blue Aliis Skyhawk BuNo 154209, JY-00, parked on the ramp in an overall grey scheme, El Paso, TX, May 1988. Gary Verver Collection. 27 AUG 1988: BuNo 154977 with VFC-12, probably in "Mongoose" configuration on the Buckley ANG ramp, 27 August 1988. Photo by R. Greby. OCT 1988: VFC-12 A-4F BuNo 155022, #6, OCT 1988. Name on the canopy looks to be CDR "Doc" Ryan. Photographer unknown from Verver Collection. Date unknown: BuNo 153497, TA-4J, as 06. Gary Verver Collection. 08 OCT 1988: BuNo 153498, TA-4J, on the ramp at Oceana. Stephen Miller. JAN89: BuNo 158113, #10, assigned to LCDR John Werner. Photo by D. Brown, G. Verver Collection. MAY89: BuNo 151060, #1, parked on the ramp in an engine gray paint scheme. Photo by R.E. Kling, G. Verver collection. Circa 1989: BuNo 154977, side no. 2 tied down on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection. 01AUG89: Fighting Omars Skyhawk BuNo 158112, AF-15, in a side-by-side take off from NAS Oceana with BuNo 153498, AF-16. U.S. Navy photo, PH2 Bruce Trombecky. 01AUG89: Fighting Omars Skyhawks BuNo 153498, AF-16 and BuNo 158112, AF-15 take off side-by-side. U.S. Navy by Bruce Trombecky. 01 JAN 1980: An air-to-air left side view of two Fleet Composite Squadron 12 (VC-12) TA-4J (BuNo 158092, and BuNo 158098, #13) Skyhawk aircraft in formation over Washington DC. Photographer unknown, from Gary Verver. 1990: A-4F Skyhawk. A-4F BuNo. 154971 and side number 7 of VFC-12 "Omars" based at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia. The "Mongoose" is painted in gloss engine gray, although it appears olive drab due to lighting conditions and film rendition. This Skyhawk was photographed June 8, 1990 at Naval Air Station Atlanta while displayed at an air-show. Photograph by Frank J. Mirande. 1991: BuNo 155092, VFC-12 no. 14 parked on ther ramp with power yellow gear nearby. Gary Verver Location. 30APR91: Fighting Omars Skyhawk BuNo 154977, #2, parked on the flight line and painted an overall dark gray. Photo by C.L. Baldwin, Gary Verver Collection. 30APR91: Fighting Omars Skyhawk BuNo 154996, #4, parked on the ramp. Photo by C.L. Baldwin, Gary Verver Collection. 26JUN92: BuNo 155022, #6, parked on the ramp . Photo by Craig Baldwin via Scott Van Aken. 1993: A-4F "Mongoose" Skyhawk. A-4F Mongoose 154976, Alpha Foxtrot side number 7, of VFC-12 "Omars", NAS Oceana, VA, seen at NAS Atlanta on May 9,1993. Finished in overall Engine Gray, it displays the "AF" tailcode resulting from the transfer of the "Omars" from the Fleet Logistics Support Wing to Carrier Air Wing 20. This marking configuration lasted only about a year-and-a-half on their A-4's before they started to receive F-18's. By coincidence, this aircraft bears the same side number as that seen 3 years earlier at the NAS Atlanta air-show, but is not the same plane. Photograph by Frank J. Mirande. 26MAY93: Fighting Omars Skyhawk BuNo 154970, AF-1, assigned to CDR "Schlaef" Schlaefer parked on the ramp and painted engine grey. W. Munzenmaier. 1993: BuNo 154200, A-4F VFC-12 no. 1 tied down next to no. 00. 154200 date unknown. Gary Verver Collection. Fighting Omars Skyhawk BuNo 154971, AF-7 parked on the ramp and painted engine grey. W. Munzenmaier. BuNo 154971, Pic1 and Pic2. Gary Verver Collection. 26MAY93: Fighting Omars Skyhawk BuNo 154976, AF-7, assigned to LCDR "Gibby" Gilbert parked on the ramp and painted engine grey. W. Munzenmaier. 26MAY93: BuNo 154977, AF-2, parked on the ramp and painted engine grey. W. Munzenmaier. 26MAY93: Skyhawk BuNo 155009, AF-5, assigned to LCDR "Slugger" Compton parked on the ramp and painted engine grey. W. Munzenmaier. 26MAY93: Skyhawk BuNo 155022, AF-6, assigned to LCDR "Spike" Overcash parked on the ramp and painted engine grey. W. Munzenmaier. 26 MAY 1993: BuNo. 155036 at NAS Oceana. Name on the canopy is CAPT Bob Hathaway, CAG. Photo from W. Munzenmaier. 26 MAY 1993: VFC-12 A-4F BuNo 155066, AF-3, at NAS Oceana.Name below the canopy rail is CDR "Geyser" Anderson. Photo from W. Munzenmaier. Off-Duty Photos None yet. |
A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit:
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