The first Fighter Squadron Composite Twelve was originally commissioned VC-12 on 6 October 1943 at NAS Sand Point, Seattle, Washington. The squadron operated the F4F "Wildcat" and TBM-1 "Avenger" aboardUSS Card (CVE-11) in the western Pacific until the carrier changed homeport to Norfolk, Virginia in 1944. In the Atlantic theater, VC-12 flew combat missions against German U-boats, logging 34 engagements. On 7 June 1945, VC-12 was decommissioned.
Second VC-12
On 1 September 1948, Carrier Air Early Warning Squadron Two, based at NAS Norfolk, was redesignated Fleet Composite Squadron Twelve. VC-12 operated TBM-3 "Avengers" from Atlantic Fleet carriers. During the Korean War, VC-12 saw combat while operating from USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31). The second VC-12 was decommissioned on 9 September 1953.VFC-12 was awarded the Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award in 1978, 1980, 1981, 1992 and 1998. VFC-12 was awarded the Noel DavisTrophy for squadron readiness for 1980, 1984, 1985, 1995 and 1998. In January 1989, the "Fighting Omars" 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.
