Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 12

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 12, commonly designated VAW-12 and nicknamed the “Bats,” was a United States Navy aviation unit responsible for airborne early warning support for Atlantic Fleet aircraft carriers. Its mission was to extend the fleet’s radar coverage, detect and track aircraft and other threats beyond the range of shipboard sensors, support carrier battle-group air defense, and provide trained personnel for detachments operating from aircraft carriers. The unit originated on 6 July 1948, when Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 2 was established at Naval Air Station Norfolk. It soon moved to Naval Air Station Quonset Point and was redesignated Composite Squadron 12, or VC-12. During this earlier period, the squadron operated several aircraft types associated with the development of carrier-based airborne warning capability, including the TBM Avenger, AF Guardian, and AD-5W Skyraider. In 1956, VC-12 was redesignated Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 12. Under the VAW-12 designation, it received the “Guppy” version of the Skyraider, an aircraft modified for airborne early warning duties. In 1961, the squadron began operating the WF-2 Tracer, informally called the “Willie Fudd.” The Tracer provided a more specialized airborne radar platform, and the squadron returned to Naval Air Station Norfolk the following year. A major modernization occurred in July 1966, when VAW-12 received its first E-2A Hawkeye aircraft. By then, the organization was supplying detachments equipped with two different aircraft types to ten Atlantic Fleet aircraft carriers while also training personnel for those detachments. Its growth reflected the increasing importance of dedicated airborne early warning in carrier operations; the squadron reportedly exceeded 200 officers and 800 enlisted personnel. The Navy reorganized the unit on 1 April 1967. VAW-12 was disestablished and replaced at the organizational level by Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing Twelve, which assumed responsibility for Atlantic Fleet airborne early warning activities. Former operating detachments were used to form VAW-121, VAW-122, and VAW-123, while RVAW-120 was established to train aviators and enlisted personnel in carrier-based airborne early warning aircraft. Accordingly, VAW-12 is a historical naval aviation unit rather than an active brand, commercial enterprise, or currently operating squadron.

VAW-12 developed from a postwar United States Navy effort to provide carrier forces with airborne radar surveillance. On 6 July 1948, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 2 was established at Naval Air Station Norfolk. The unit soon relocated to Naval Air Station Quonset Point and was redesignated Composite Squadron 12, or VC-12. Its early aircraft included the TBM Avenger, AF Guardian, and AD-5W Skyraider, reflecting the Navy’s progression from adapted wartime aircraft toward more specialized airborne early warning platforms. The squadron received its definitive VAW-12 designation in 1956, when it became Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 12. It subsequently operated the “Guppy” version of the Skyraider, modified to carry equipment for airborne warning and control missions. This role was important to carrier operations because an aircraft operating at altitude could detect and report contacts at greater range than shipboard systems alone, helping fleet commanders manage air defense and coordinate carrier aviation. In 1961, VAW-12 added the WF-2 Tracer, a dedicated airborne early warning aircraft widely known within the Navy by the nickname “Willie Fudd.” The arrival of the Tracer represented a further step toward specialized radar aircraft. In 1962, the squadron returned to Naval Air Station Norfolk, where it continued supporting Atlantic Fleet carrier operations. The unit entered a significant transition in July 1966 with the receipt of its first E-2A Hawkeye. VAW-12 then supported detachments using two different aircraft types aboard ten Atlantic Fleet aircraft carriers. In addition to operating and supplying detachments, the squadron trained the aviators and enlisted personnel assigned to them. Its responsibilities and manpower expanded substantially, with more than 200 officers and approximately 800 enlisted personnel reported by this period. Rather than continuing as a single large squadron, the Navy reorganized the Atlantic Fleet airborne early warning structure on 1 April 1967. VAW-12 was disestablished, and Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing Twelve was created to command Atlantic Fleet airborne early warning efforts. The former squadron’s operational detachments were reorganized into VAW-121, VAW-122, and VAW-123. RVAW-120 was established as a replacement air-group squadron responsible for training aviators and enlisted personnel in carrier-based airborne early warning aircraft. The reorganization separated command, operational, and training functions and marked the end of VAW-12 as an active squadron.

• 1967

  VAW-12 is disestablished

  [1]VAW-12en.wikipedia.org

  On 1 April, VAW-12 was disestablished and its command and operational functions were reorganized into a wing, replacement air-group squadron, and numbered VAW squadrons.

• 1966

  First E-2A Hawkeye received

  [1]VAW-12en.wikipedia.org

  In July, VAW-12 received its first E-2A Hawkeye and supported detachments aboard ten Atlantic Fleet carriers.

• 1962

  Return to Naval Air Station Norfolk

  [1]VAW-12en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron returned to Naval Air Station Norfolk.

• 1961

  WF-2 Tracer enters squadron service

  [1]VAW-12en.wikipedia.org

  VAW-12 received the WF-2 Tracer, known informally as the “Willie Fudd,” for airborne early warning operations.

• 1956

  Redesignation as VAW-12

  [1]VAW-12en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron became Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 12 and adopted the VAW-12 designation.

• 1948

  Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 2 is established

  [1]VAW-12en.wikipedia.org

  The unit was established at Naval Air Station Norfolk on 6 July 1948 as Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 2.

• 1948

  The unit moves to Quonset Point and becomes VC-12

  [1]VAW-12en.wikipedia.org

  After relocating to Naval Air Station Quonset Point, the squadron was redesignated Composite Squadron 12.

A specialized United States Navy carrier aviation unit focused on airborne early warning, fleet surveillance, and the provision and training of personnel for Atlantic Fleet carrier detachments.

• Carrier aircraft

  TBM Avenger

  The TBM Avenger was among the early aircraft operated by the unit’s predecessor during the initial development of the Navy’s carrier airborne early warning capability.

• Carrier aircraft

  AF Guardian

  The AF Guardian was operated during the squadron’s early Composite Squadron 12 period as part of its airborne warning aircraft inventory.

• Airborne early warning aircraft

  AD-5W Skyraider

  The AD-5W Skyraider served as an airborne early warning platform before and after the unit’s transition to the VAW-12 designation. The squadron later operated the modified “Guppy” version, equipped for radar surveillance duties.

• Airborne early warning aircraft · 1961

  WF-2 Tracer

  Introduced to VAW-12 in 1961, the WF-2 Tracer was a specialized carrier-based airborne early warning aircraft. Navy personnel commonly referred to it as the “Willie Fudd.”

• Carrier-based airborne early warning aircraft · 1966

  E-2A Hawkeye

  The E-2A Hawkeye was the squadron’s principal late-period modernization aircraft. VAW-12 received its first example in July 1966 and used the type while supporting Atlantic Fleet carrier detachments and training their personnel.

• 1967

  Reorganization of Atlantic Fleet airborne early warningStrategy

  Background

  By 1966, VAW-12 had expanded to support detachments on ten Atlantic Fleet aircraft carriers and had grown to more than 200 officers and 800 enlisted personnel. Its combined command, operational, and training responsibilities had become large enough for structural reorganization.

  Action taken

  On 1 April 1967, the Navy disestablished VAW-12, formed Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing Twelve, created RVAW-120 for training, and formed VAW-121, VAW-122, and VAW-123 from former operating detachments.

  Aftermath

  The reorganization ended VAW-12 as a squadron while preserving and distributing its Atlantic Fleet airborne early warning, carrier-detachment, and training functions across successor organizations.

  Source

1. 1VAW-12en.wikipedia.org