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Squadron Twelve (HM-12) Sea Dragons |
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The crew of the last HM-12 AMCM mission.
3 June 1994
AMHAN Handley/AMH2 James/CDR Dewey/ENS Zwolski/LTJG Oakes
AMSC Tollison/AEC Williams/AMS1 Porcuna
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Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Twelve was established on 1 April 1971 at the Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA. The first Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) Squadron in the world, HM-12 was originally formed as HC-6 det 53 in 1970 until its formal establishment as HM-12 in 1971. The Sea Dragons functioned as an operational AMCM unit for the next 7 years. Subsequent to a major reorganization and redistribution of squadron assets during 1978, HM-12 became the H-53 Fleet Replacement Squadron and two new fleet AMCM squadrons were formed - the HM-14 Vanguard and the HM-16 Sea Hawks. The HM-12 Sea Dragons now provided replacement training for all H-53 pilots, air crew and maintenance personnel in the U.S. Navy until its disestablishment on 30 September 1994. The first major test of the Sea Dragons operational capability came in November 1972 during Operation ENDSWEEP, with the clearing of mines from the harbors and coastal waters of North Vietnam. With only ten days notice, the entire squadron deployed to the Western Pacific as part of Task Force Seventy-Eight. The first live mine was detonated on 09 March 1973. The squadron returned to Norfolk in August 1973 and immediately began transitioning to the Sikorsky RH-53D "Sea Stallion" helicopter, the first helicopter expressly designed and built for AMCM. 
In April 1974, HM-12 participated in mine clearing operations in the Suez Canal during Operation NIMBUS STAR, and again in July 1975 along the northern coast of the United Arab Republic during Operation NIMBUS STREAM. In October 1976, HM-12 conducted the first RH-53D Vertical Onboard Delivery (VOD) operations in support of the SIXTH FLEET in Sigonella, Sicily.In May 1979, the Sea Dragons accomplished another aviation first when an HM-12 crew flew an RH-53D non-stop from NAS Norfolk, Virginia to NAS North Island, San Diego, California. Utilizing five air-to-air refuelings from a C-130 Hercules aircraft and logging 18.5 flight hours, the crew established a precedent for long distance non-stop flights and demonstrated the long range self deployment capability of an AMCM squadron. In the spring of 1983, HM-12 took delivery of the Navy's first CH-53E Super Stallion aircraft, the largest and most powerful aircraft in the Western world. The Super Stallion was used as a VOD aircraft, responsible for carrier battle group support around the globe. From December 1983 to April 1987 the squadron served as home base for HM-12 Sea Detachment, an independent contingent of personnel tasked with providing logistic support to the fleet units along the East Coast and throughout the Caribbean. Operating two CH-53E aircraft, the "Hawlin Hogs" served with distinction, receiving two Meritorious Unit Commendations within the brief span of three years. In the Spring of 1987 the Sea Detachment personnel and aircraft merged with elements of neighboring units to establish HC-2, a composite fleet support squadron. May 28, 1987 marked yet another significant milestone in the squadron's history with the arrival of the first MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter. Technologically superior to its aging predecessor, the MH-53E represented a quantum leap forward for the AMCM community, and a potent addition to the Navy's mine countermeasures arsenal. As a Fleet Replacement Squadron, the Sea Dragons trained and qualified 768 pilots, 1280 aircrew, and 11,900 maintenance personnel. Additionally, they logged over 75,000 mishap-free flight hours, and completed over 23 years of mishap-free operations, giving HM-12 an unsurpassed safety record in the helicopter community. HM-12 officially disestablished on 30 September 1994. Subsequent Fleet Replacement Training for H-53 aircraft is conducted by HMT-302, a joint Marine Corps/Navy team, located in MCAS New River, North Carolina. HM-12 left behind a long and illustrious history, which is best stated in the squadron's motto "WHERE THE FLEET GOES, HM-12 HAS BEEN." |
HM-12 Commanding Officers
| CDR DAVID W. HUMPHREYS | 01 APR 71 - 27 MAR 72 |
| CDR ROGER B. McPHERSON | 27 MAR 72 - 16 APR 73 |
| CDR JERRY M. HATCHER | 16 APR 73 - 12 APR 74 |
| CDR MELVIN A. RUNZO | 12 APR 74 - 28 APR 75 |
| CDR STEPHEN J. VADEN | 28 APR 75 - 30 APR 76 |
| CDR L. DAVID PRESNELL | 30 APR 76 - 11 JUL 77 |
| CDR E. EARLE ROGERS II | 11 JUL 77 - 20 OCT 78 |
| CAPT FRANCIS M. DREESSEN | 20 OCT 78 - 22 JAN 80 |
| CAPT JOHN M. QUARTERMAN, JR. | 22 JAN 80 - 28 MAY 81 |
| CAPT CHARLES E. BROOKS | 28 MAY 81 - 29 JUL 82 |
| CAPT ROBERT V. GOODLOE, JR. | 29 JUL 82 - 09 DEC 83 |
| CAPT RAYMOND M. CARLTON, JR. | 09 DEC 83 - 08 FEB 85 |
| CAPT FREDERICK T. MASSEY | 08 FEB 85 - 28 MAY 86 |
| CDR JAMES L. HUGHES | 28 MAY 86 - 24 JUL 87 |
| CAPT CHESTER F. HARRISON | 24 JUL 87 - 20 JAN 89 |
| CDR EDDIE L. DUCKWORTH | 20 JAN 89 - 21 JUN 90 |
| CDR JOHN W. TENNANT | 21 JUN 90 - 16 APR 92 |
| CAPT KEITH W. MARTELLO | 16 APR 92 - 22 JUL 93 |
| CDR BRIAN E. DEWEY | 22 JUL 93 - 30 SEP 94 |
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