Received this patch on 04 December 1998 from AT1 Morgan '72-75'.   Keep that Spearteip info flowing.

Our data base for the Spear Tips is not that detailed.  We would appreciate a copy of the squadron logo and any aircraft/personnel pictures one may have;

Drop us a line at craw1@vigilante.org and we'll work out the details.

Established: July 1 1965

History:  

Commissioned as RVAH-12 on July 1, 1965, specifically
to operate the RA-5C, its homeport was moved from NAS Sanford to NAS Albany on May 1, 1968, and then to NAS Key West during January 1974. 
It was disestablished on July 2,1979.

RVAH-12 during the course of its Vigilante history was picked to serve as the short-term host unit for a little known, and at the time, highly sensitive project known as SNARE. SNARE was an articulated, infrared spectrum sensor installed in a turret just ahead of the vertical tail on the topside of two aircraft: BuNos. 148933 and 151727 . The Xerox-manufactured SNARE was hydraulic and controlled by the RAN.  A viewfinder for aiming was provided.  All of the system's electronics were contained in the basic module, which protruded approximately ten inches above the topside of the aircraft. Data from the unit was collected on a 16 channel tape recorder for later evaluation.  SNARE missions were flown from Independence  while  it operated on the North Atlantic very near to the Artic Circle.  Collection targets were  laser emitter and other related system data from special Soviet Badger, Bear, and Bison aircraft.  These long range bombers flying fleet observation missions from Russian soil were flown against the USS Independence battle group operating with NATO forces.  Following these very cold 1991 fall carrier ops off Norway,  RVAH 12 proceeded to the Med for the 1971/1972 cruise.

Decommissioned:  2 July 1979


Commanding Officers

1965

1967

1969

1971

1973

1975

1977

1979

Home