VAW-123 Screwtops Squadron Patch
Aviators! Are you looking for a high-quality patch you'll proudly wear or display? Look no further than the VAW-123 Screwtops Patch!

4" patch
Embroidered
US Naval Aviator Owned Business
Sew On
Plastic Backing (increases rigidity; the patch lasts longer and stays flat)

The history of VAW-123 begins in 1945 with the commissioning of Composite Squadron Twelve (VC-12), redesignated Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron Twelve (VAW-12), in 1956. On 1 April 1967, VAW-12 was disestablished and Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing Twelve (CAEWW-12) was formed to command all Atlantic Fleet AEW efforts and all E-2A detachments were established as independent squadrons.
1960s
As a result of the reorganization, CAEWW-12, Detachment 59 was commissioned VAW-123 on 1 April 1967, at NAS Norfolk, Virginia. The commissioning date of April 1, 1967 makes VAW-123 one of the oldest VAW Squadron in the United States Navy. In June 1967 VAW-123 set sail aboard USS Forrestal for Vietnam, thus becoming the first East Coast VAW squadron to go to war. On July 29, 1967 while serving in the Gulf of Tonkin, USS Forrestal suffered an onboard fire resulting in the death of 134 crew members, 161 injured, 21 aircraft damaged or destroyed and millions of dollars in damage to the ship. USS Forrestal returned to Norfolk with VAW-123 and the rest of the ship's crew and Airwing. VAW-123 had no loss of any personnel or have any personnel injured in the fire but some of the squadrons E-2A aircraft had very minor damage from the fire and explosions aboard the ship.
1970s
VAW-123 E-2B lands on USS Saratoga in 1972
Initially attached to CVW-17 aboard USS Forrestal, the squadron became an integral part of CVW-3 aboard USS Saratoga and remained there throughout the 1970s. In 1972 VAW-123 again made an extended cruise to Vietnam waters in the Tonkin Gulf before returning to Norfolk in 1973.