United States Air Forces in Europe

Tactical Air Command

3rd Air Force

(Left) Submitted by Terry Horstead. (Right) Submitted by Nigel Dawe, The Ridgeway Military & Aviation Research Group.

20th Fighter Wing

Motto: "Victory By Valor" (Left) Submitted by Terry Horstead. (Center) Submitted by Mike Kaplan. (Right) Submitted by John Double.

20th Tactical Fighter Wing

98th Strategic Wing

Image of patch submitted by Terry Horstead. European mission The wing was inactivated on June 25, 1966 at Lincoln AFB, but activated the same day at Torrejon Air Base, Spain replacing the 3970th Strategic Wing. The 3970th SW was established on 1 February 1964 at Torrejon as a provisional SAC MAJCOM Wing with a mission to support B-47 and KC-135 elements from SAC CONUS-based units deployed to Europe as part of REFLEX deployments and provide a refueling mission to USAFE tactical fighters. In 1966, in order to retain the lineage of its provisional wing at Torrejon, Headquarters SAC received authority from Headquarters USAF to discontinue its MAJCOM wing and activate a regular AFCON wing which was inactive at the time which could carry a lineage and history of the mission at Anderson. On 5 June 1966, the 3970th SW was redesignated as the 98th Strategic Wing. For the next decade, the 98th had no tactical aircraft components assigned to it, but rather used attached KC-135 tankers and crews furnished by other SAC wings to provide air refueling support for the operational, alert exercise commitment of SAC, TAC, USAFE and NATO. These aircraft were deployed for 30 Day Temporary Duty as the Spanish Tanker Task Force. It’s operational area included the Eastern Atlantic Ocean, most of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The Wing maintained a detachment at RAF Upper Heyford 1966-1970 and relocated to RAF Mildenhall April 1970 to December 1976 supporting RC-135 Reconnaissance Aircraft, and supporting KC-135 Tankers forwarded deployed from the Spanish Tanker Task Force. Source: www.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/98th_Range_Wing.

3918 Strategic Wing

"The host unit for B47 & B36 Reflex units at Upper Heyford." Submitted by Terry Horstead.

6th Strategic Wing

Motto: "PARATI DEFENDERE" — (Ready To Defend) "The 6 SW was the Home unit for part of our SAC Recon operation at UH. RC135's would deploy to Upper Heyford from Eielson AFB, Alaska. We also operated RC-135's from the 55th SRW at Offutt." Submitted by Terry Horstead.

66th TAC Recon Wing

Submitted by Terry Horstead.

Motto: "OMNIA CONSPICIMUS" — (We Observe All)

17th Tactical Recon Squadron

"The 17th TRS flew RF101C Voodoo's and converted to RF4C's in the summer of 1968." Submitted by Terry Horstead.

18th Tactical Recon Squadron

Motto: "Seek, Sight, Strike" "The 18th TRS flew RF-101C's for the entire tour at Upper Heyford." Submitted by Terry Horstead.

RF-101 VooDoo

Submitted by Terry Horstead

Royal Flush Patches

(Left) Royal Flush XII "The Eyes Of NATO" May 1967 - Submitted by Terry Horstead (Center) NATO Royal Flush XIII - Submitted by Jeff Arnold, 66th A&E, July 1967 to January 1970. (Right) Royal Flush XIV "The Eyes of NATO" - Submitted by Jeff Arnold.

66th FMS - 66th CAMS

"The Patch Identifcation is (Unit designatation is based on the Age of the patch) 66th Field Maintenance Squadron. The last time this unit was active it was under the designation of the 66th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Sembach AB, Germany. The CAMS is almost always an option for a small maint unit that is linked to the Field Maintenance Squadron Lineage (Note: There are exceptions to that rule that I know of and they DO NOT apply in this case). I was assigned to a different unit within the 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing while it was at Upper Heyford during that time period, only our two flying squadrons wore squadron insignia, however I do not know about the period of time the unit was assigned to Laon AB, France and the first tour of duty at Sembach in the 1950's. My belief and it on is speciulative that it was designed and used while the unit was at Shaw AFB nad possiblely on it's early years in Europe. Thu Unit was assigned to the 66th Tactical reconnaissance Wing and served at: Shaw AFB, SC, 01 Jan – 25 Jun 1953; Sembach AB, Germany, 07 Jul 1953; Laon AB, France, 10 Jul 1958; RAF Upper Heyford, England, 01 Sep 1966 – 01 Apr 1970. Sembach AB, Germany, 1 Jun 1985 – 31 Mar 1992. (I am not sure if the unit was / is active at:) Hanscom AFB, MA, 01 Oct 1994 –. While at RAF Upper Heyford beside supporting the standard Field Maintenance functions, it supported the C-47 / T-29 / C-54 maintenance functions for assigned to Det 1 66th TRW at RAF Northolt & all 3rd AF units as well as the 322nd AD (MAC) at RAF High Wycombe. The 322nd AD Commander's T-29 was based at RAF Upper Heyford attached to the 66th FMS." Terry L Horstead Submitted by Terry Horstead.

55th Strategic Reconnaisance Wing

Motto: "VIDEMUS OMNIA" - (We See All) "[This] emblem is the for the 55th SRW, that provided RB47H's and RC-135 aircraft to Det 1, 98th SW at Upper Heyford until Jan 1, 1970 when it was transfered RAF Mildenhall." Submitted by Terry L Horstead.

F-100 Super Sabre

Submitted by Terry Horstead.

Phantom Phixer

Submitted by Terry Horstead.

Fighting 55th Aircraft Maintenance Unit

Submitted by Mike Kaplan, 520th Aircraft Generation Squadron, 55th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Jan 1986 - Jan 1988; 55th Fighter Squadron Flight Control and Instrument Systems Specialist, Aug 1990 - Jan 1994.

Fighting 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron

77th Aircraft Maintenance Unit

Submitted by Nigel Dawe of The Ridgeway Military & Aviation Research Group.

77th Fighter Squadron
1950's era leather patch. Submitted by Jim Underwood, son of Col. Paul G. Underwood.
77th Fighter Squadron 75th Anniversary Submitted by Duane Park.	77th Fighter Squadron Submitted by Rene W. Kleingeerts.	77th Fighter Squadron 75th Anniversary Submitted by Rene W. Kleingeerts.	77th Fighter Squadron The World's Greatest Submitted by Rene W. Kleingeerts.

77th Tactical Fighter Squadron

(Left) Submitted by Norm Ivins, TSgt, 77TFS, NCOIC Radar Intelligence, 1975 - 1978. (Left Center) Submitted by Mike Cahill, 20th Supply, May 1987 - 1989. (Center) Submitted by Duane Park. (Right Center) Submitted by Duane Park. (Right) Submitted by Duane Park.

Submitted by Art Sevigny, MSgt. (Ret), Gambler 77th TFS, Jul 1980 - Jun 1987 Squadron Historian

79th Aircraft Maintenance Unit

79th Tactical Fighter Squadron

20th Aircraft Generation Squadron

Motto: "PRIDE IN PERFORMANCE" Left: Submitted by Terry Horstead. Center: Submitted by Ian Warner. Right: Submitted by Duane Park.

520th Aircraft Generation Squadron

Left: Submitted by Dale "shlog" Wollschlager, 55th AMU Weapons/20TFW Load Barn, Apr 1987 - Apr 1991. Right: Submitted by Rene W. Kleingeerts.

20th Avionics Maintenance Squadron
Motto: "UT VIRI VOLENT" - (So The Strong May Fly) Submitted by Ian Warner.	I designed and had 10 of these made in 1975 for the night shift Avionics C-Shop crew (Comm-Nav-Electronic Counter Measures). They measure 9 inches by 7 inches. Submitted by Roy Chismar, 20th Avionics Maintenance Squadron, 1974 - 1976.

20th Civil Engineering Squadron

Motto: "PROUD, PROFESSIONAL, POSITIVE" Provided courtesy of Kimo.

20th CSG Consolidated Base Personnel Office

Motto: "ACHIEVERS THROUGH EXCELLENCE" Submitted by Ian Warner.

20th Component Repair Squadron

Motto: "MANY TASKS, ONE MISSION" Left: Submitted by Marvin Wingett, 20th Component Repair Squadron, 1991 - 1992. Left Center & Right Center: Submitted by Ian Warner. Right: Submitted by Roy Chismar.

20th Comptroller Squadron

Motto: "COST OF FREEDOM" Submitted by Ian Warner.

100 Regional Support Group

Motto: "PROVIDING THE BLAST" A very, very rare sticker (no patches issued) for the 100 RSG, (Regional Support Group) the Welford outfit that was administered from UH at that time. The Welford C.O. Lt. Col. S. Kaufman moved to 20th TFW to facilitate closure of UH, then on to 3rd AF HQ. The 100 RSG was commanded by Capt. Rod Mason, who took over from Lt. Col. (then Major) Kaufman at Welford during the UH closure and the "downsizing" of Welford. Welford has since been expanded almost back to "normal". Submitted by Nigel Dawe, The Ridgeway Military & Aviation Research Group.

2168th Communications Squadron

Motto: "STRIVING FOR PERFECTION" Submitted by Tim Lucas, 2168 Comm Squadron Communications Electronics Readiness Team (CERT) Sep 1986 - Feb 1991. On 1 May 1991, eight months after it was assigned to the 20th TFW, the 2168th Communications Squadron was redesignated the 620th Communications Squadron.

20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron

Motto: "STRENGTH THROUGH SUPPORT" Left: Submitted by Ian Warner. Right: Submitted by Kelly Vaz, 20th EMS, 1988 - 1991.

20th Field Maintenance Squadron

Motto: "STRENGTH THROUGH SUPPORT" "Here is the 20th FMS Emblem, that was approved for FMS when it transfered to Upper Heyford April 1970." - Submitted by Terry Horstead.

20th Medical Group

Motto: "NON VINCITUR PARATUS"

20th Munitions Maintenance Squadron

(Left) Submitted by Rick Belt, 20th MMS, from The Vanguard, February 16, 1979. (Center) Submitted by Ian Warner. (Right) Submitted by Ian Warner.

320th Munitions Maintenance Squadron

Motto: "PEACE THROUGH CAPABILITY" Submitted by Terry Horstead.

20 Operations Support Squadron

Left: Submitted by Ian Warner. Right: Submitted by Duane Park.

20th Organizational Maintenance Squadron

Motto: "PRIDE IN PERFORMANCE" Submitted by Terry Horstead.

66th Air Police Squadron

Submitted by Terry Horstead.

620th Security Police Group

Motto: "FOR PEACE, PREPARE FOR WAR" Submitted courtesy of Rene W. Kleingeerts.

20th Security Police Squadron

Motto: "AEQUA JUSTITIA" (Left) Submitted by Duane Park, 20th SPS, 1976 - 1978 (Right) Submitted by Colin Thurston.

7320th Security Police Squadron

Motto: "FOR PEACE, PREPARE FOR WAR"

20th Supply Squadron

Motto: "DECIDIT SUPPEDITATIO" (Left) - Submitted by Terry Horstead (Right) - Submitted by Dennis Smith, 20th Supply Squadron, 1989 - 1991.

66th Supply Squadron

Motto: "PREPARED, OBEDIENT, LOYAL" Submitted by Terry Horstead, 66th Supply Squadron.

20th Transportation Squadron

Motto: "SWIFTLY AND SURELY" Submitted by Ian Warner.

66th Electronic Combat Wing

"The 42nd Electonic Combat Squadron based at RAF Upper Heyford was Adminstrately Assigned to the 66th Electronic Combat Wing (USAFE) at Sembach AB, Germany / however Operationally Attached to the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing (USAFE) at RAF Upper Heyford." Terry Horstead.

42nd Electronic Combat Squadron

(Left) "Here's a sticker I got from the 42nd ECS." - Submitted by Mike Cahill, 20th Supply, May 1987 - 1989.

Submitted by Dave Korb.

42nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit

Left: Submitted by Mike Kaplan. Right: Submitted by Duane Park.

MRW Division (Morale Welfare & Recreation)
My apologies; I've lost the e-mail of the submitter of this patch.	"This patch was given to me while working part time as a cook." Submitted by Rob "Saffron" Soriano, Honorary Sous-Chef Sept 1989 - Sept 1993; TSgt (E-6), 20th Supply Sq (War Readiness) Bldg 3135 Flightline Sept 1987 - Sept 1993.

1986 North Africa Bomb Competition

Left: Submitted by Terry Horstead. Right: Submitted courtesy of Rene W. Kleingeerts.

Red Flag

(Left) Submitted by Ian Warner. (Center) Submitted by Art Sevigny, 77th TFS, asst. NCOIC Aircrew Life Support, July 80 - Sep 87. Currently the 20th FW Association Archivist. (Right) Submitted by Duane Park

Gunsmoke 1991

"Offical 1991 Gunsmoke patch showing all competing aircraft. UH was the USAFE F-111 representitive, and beat Cannon Air Force Base for Best F-111 Unit." Submitted by Craig Happ, MSgt, 77th AMU, later 77FS Specialist Flight Chief, Sep 1990 - Aug 1993. Member of 1991 Gunsmoke Team.

Submitted by Craig Happ, MSgt, 77th AMU, later 77FS Specialist Flight Chief, Sep 1990 - Aug 1993. Member of 1991 Gunsmoke Team.

More!

British made printed patch for Falcon 1. This was the USAF Falconry unit at RAF Upper Heyford during the F-111 era. The team flew falcons over the base to scare away other birds in an attemt to reduce the number of bird strikes.

(Left & Left Center) Submitted by Ian Warner (Center Right, Right & Far Right) Submitted by Duane Park

(Right) Submitted by Kersti Canon, Ssgt. 20th AGS, 42nd AMU, Dec 1986 - Dec 1990, and Robert W. Canon, Tsgt. Ret., 20th EMS, AGE, 79th CAT, Aug 1987 - Dec 1990.

"This patch was for the F-111E Avionics Modernization Program. 77FS was the first squadron to get AMP jets. UH had approximately 50 or so of the modified jets before shutdown I believe. To the best of my knowledge, none of the EF-111A's at Upper Heyford had been upgraded with AMP prior to the closure of the 42nd ECS." Submitted by Craig Happ, MSgt, 77th AMU, later 77FS Specialist Flight Chief, Sep 1990 - Aug 1993. Member of 1991 Gunsmoke Team.

"This patch was used for units assigned to Incirlik AB after the war. Upper Heyford EF-111's from the 42 ECS were assigned to this operation right up until deactivation of the unit. Cannon assumed the aircraft in place at Incirlik when the EF-111's were reassigned to the 27th TFW." Submitted by Craig Happ, MSgt, 77th AMU, later 77FS Specialist Flight Chief, Sep 1990 - Aug 1993. Member of 1991 Gunsmoke Team..

"Patch commemorating the farewell of the F-111's from UH." Submitted by Craig Happ, MSgt, 77th AMU, later 77FS Specialist Flight Chief, Sep 1990 - Aug 1993. Member of 1991 Gunsmoke Team.

"This was the unit at Incirlik Air Base that had operational control of any Upper Heyford (or any other unit) assigned to support Operation Provide Comfort after the end of the Gulf War. Upper Heyford EF-111's from the 42nd ECS were at Incirlik until deactivation and assumption of aircraft ownership by the 27th FW, Cannon AFB, NM." Submitted by Craig Happ, MSgt, 77th AMU, later 77FS Specialist Flight Chief, Sep 1990 - Aug 1993. Member of 1991 Gunsmoke Team.

"This patch was worn by UH personnel assigned to Incirlik during Desert Storm. Both EF-111 and F-111E aircraft participated." Submitted by Craig Happ, MSgt, 77th AMU, later 77FS Specialist Flight Chief, Sep 1990 - Aug 1993. Member of 1991 Gunsmoke Team.

Miscellaneous
Heyford Hikers "The Heyford Hikers 1st Anglo American Walking Club. I did one of the walks organised by the club, I can't remember the date but it was around 1986-88, starting from the base it was a circular family walk down to the village and around the immediate countryside". Martin Pratt Andover, Hampshire, England.	Aero Club "This was a patch that John Hatfield ("worked" for me running the UH Aero Club) and I came up with right before I left UH. It's a one of a kind I do believe." Submitted by Al Pinto, Chief, Special Services Division, 20CSG, 1971 - 1973.
USAF F-111 Helmet Bag Patch.
Gone But Not Forgotten patch. Created by Charlie Barnes.

If you have an electronic image of a patch or patches you wore during your Tour Of Duty at RAF Upper Heyford and don't see them here, send them in and I will add them! Submit your Patch image(s) to: Duane Park.

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This page was last updated on 15 October 2012.