VAW-123

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron One Two Three


caption=VAW-123 Insignia
dates= 1 April 1967 - Present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= US Navy
type= Reconnaissance
role=
size=
command_structure= Carrier Air Wing One
garrison=
garrison_label= NAS Norfolk
equipment= E-2C Hawkeye
equipment_label= Aircraft
nickname= "Screwtops"
patron=
motto=
colors=
colors_label=
march=
mascot=
battles=Operation Desert Shield
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Deny Flight
Operation Deliberate Force
Operation Southern Watch
Global War on Terror
anniversaries=
decorations= Battle Efficiency Award (11)
Safety “S” Award (9)
battle_honours=
current_commander=
current_commander_label=
ceremonial_chief=
ceremonial_chief_label=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
colonel_of_the_regiment_label=
notable_commanders=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=
identification_symbol_2=
identification_symbol_2_label=

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 123 (VAW-123) also known as the World Famous "Screwtops" is a United States Navy Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron based at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia. The "Screwtops" are an operational fleet squadron flying the E-2C Hawkeye. They are attached to Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) deployed aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65).cite web
title = Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron One Two Three
work = US Navy
publisher = Global Security.org
url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/vaw-123.htm
accessdate = 2007-01-25 ]

History

The history of VAW-123 begins in 1945 with the commissioning of VC-12, officially known as Composite Squadron Twelve. VC-12 was redesignated VAW-12, Carrier Airborne Warning Squadron Twelve, in 1956. During its history, the organization of VAW-12 changed internally many times. The last change resulted in the establishment of Carrier Early Warning Wing Atlantic and the commissioning of all E-2A detachments as independent squadrons. As a result of this reorganization, VAW-12 Detachment 59 was commissioned VAW-123 in April 1967.

Initially attached to CVW-17 aboard the USS Forrestal (CV-59), the squadron became an integral part of CVW-3 aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-60) and remained there throughout the 1970s. In October 1980, the squadron transferred to CVW-11 aboard the USS America (CV-66). Following a 1981 Indian Ocean deployment, VAW-123 transferred to CVW-1 on 12 November 1981. Since that time, the Screwtops have made several extended Indian Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and North Atlantic deployments as an integral part of the CVW-1/CV-66 team, until the decommissioning of the USS America in the Spring of 1997.

Throughout the years, VAW-123 has consistently been at the forefront of the Airborne Early Warning community. In addition to being recipients of many awards, including eleven Battle "E's" and nine "Safety S's," the eleventh Battle "E" being awarded for 1999. Highlights of the command's history include the successful employment of the E-2C in 1973 and the first operational deployment of the E-2C ARPS (Advanced Radar Processing System) in 1978. In March 1996, the Screwtops became the first E-2 squadron on the East Coast to transition to the E-2C Group II aircraft, with its significantly upgraded avionics and engines. In November 1998, the Screwtops again led the way by becoming the first operational squadron on the East Coast to accept delivery of the Navigation Upgrade E-2C Group II's.

The Screwtops have successfully met many challenging assignments and maintained a watchful eye on world events, ever ready to support national policy. The Screwtops were key participants in the 1986 Gulf of Sidra operations off the coast of Libya, and were directly involved in the first combat use of the HARM (High speed Anti-Radiation Missile) and Harpoon weapon systems. The Screwtops supported Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and were the only E-2 squadron to operate in both the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. The Screwtops have also flown in support of Operations Deny Flight and Deliberate Force over Bosnia-Herzegovina and Operation Southern Watch over Iraq.

The Screwtops, along with the rest of Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1), attached to the USS George Washington (CVN-73) for one deployment cycle, returning home on 2 April 1998.

On 18 May 1998, Carrier Air Wing One transferred off the USS George Washington, bringing the Screwtops to their a home aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). During July and August 1998, VAW-123 detached to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, in support of the United States' ongoing efforts to stem the flow of narcotics through the Caribbean.

In November and December 1998, the Screwtops detached to the newly commissioned USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75) in support of her shakedown cruise and Orange Air operations against the USS Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group.

The Screwtops are currently deployed aboard the USS|Enterprise|CVN-65.

References

Concerning the exercise/operation start-end dates given for this group, some are in error. According to the Department of the Navy, several activities quoted as taking place in 1998 actually took place in 1996. This includes the group's participation in the commissioning of the Harry S. Truman, which date (1996) is accurate in your entry for that ship. This information was obtained@ http://209.85.165.104/searchq=cache:u1hDQCh7T4MJ:www.history.navy.mil/sqdhist/vaw/vaw-123 (address runs off my printout here, but it's obviously almost there.) Thanks, John H.

VAW 123 Made a 7 month deployment on the USS Enterprise in early 2006 and retuned in November 2006.VAW-123 is no longer deployed with the USS Enterprise. They Retuned December 2008. This Information was obtained by me, as I made that deployment. They Also have 13 Battle "E"'s. Thanks AM3

See also

*List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons

External links

[http://www.vpnavy.com/vaw123.html US Navy Patrol Squadrons]