Sunday, February 17, 2013

WANTED!: USAF Pedro / Maintainer Patch

USAF Pedro / Maintainer Patch

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Friday, February 15, 2013

USAF CCT Beret Badge Set

USAF Combat Control Team Beret Badge Set
The first of the CCT badges photoed is extremely rare and only 100 of the badges were produced. It is considered the first design CCT badge. This badge was unofficially used in Vietnam from 1968 to 1973. The following info. is from the book by Robert K. Suchke, ¨USAF Parachute Badges¨; "In 1968 the CCT unit assigned to Vietnam was located at Tan Son Nhut Air Base at Saigon. With the valuable help from the 7th Air Force Graphics Department (also located at Tan Son Nhut), a distinctive CCT beret badge logo with the parachute canopy, lightning bolt and compass rose and the FIRST THERE / COMBAT CONTROL motto was designed. A one-time order was placed with a Japanese company for 100 badges in silver metal and enamel. These badges were worn only in Vietnam where there were very few restrictions on the wear of newly designed unit insignia. This beret badge design and composition was sent to the USAF Dept. of Heraldry to have it accepted as the official CCT beret badge for all CCT units. When the final official product was manufactured and issued to CCT members worldwide in the early 1970s, it had no enamel and consisted of a dark silver metal disk in a round design." The first design of only 100 badges was used in Vietnam for a very short period of time. The other two CCT badges in this lot are considered the third and fourth design which was based on the first design. By having the 1st, 3rd and 4th design badges, one will be two badges shy of the entire five badge set. However, the hardest to find is the design one badge as there was only 100 produced. The design two and five, high gloss versions, are easy to find. The fourth design badge in this lot is the only to have any maker marks on the rear. It is marked NS Meyer with the 22M designation.

The USAF Combat Controllers (CCT) (are ground combat forces specialized in a traditional pathfinder role while having a heavy emphasis on simultaneous air traffic control, fire support and command, control and communications in covert or austere environments. Assigned to Special Tactics Squadrons,  Combat Controllers are an integral part of USAF Special Operations Command (AFSOC), the Air Force component of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).  Combat Controllers are often assigned individually or as a team to Pararescue, Army Special Forces, Ranger and Navy SEAL teams to provide expert air support coordination and communications capabilities.


Yeah, this is a USAF Rescue collection but it's impossible to forget the great job these guys do and the close relation between the CCT's and PJ's, plus the joint training they receive during their process to become operators in both fields. Great collector’s piece!

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USAF TACP Beret Badge Set

USAF Tactical Air Control Party Beret Badge Set
Vintage/Rare Badge Set. The larger was the first design and has the maker mark G23 on the rear. The smaller one is the second design and the smaller high gloss is the most contemporary badge. Neither of the smaller badges has maker marks. The larger badges measure approximately 1 5/8 inches in diameter. The smaller is approximately 1 3/8 inches in diameter.

U.S. Air Force tactical air support can mean the difference between a victory and a loss when ground forces are engaged in battle. Providing and guiding air support is the primary mission of the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) and Air Support Operations Center (ASOC) operations. Trained in all types of warfare, the TACP operators deploy to battlefield forward areas and serves as the primary adviser and advocate the ground force commander. With expertise in TACP weapons, field equipment and signaling devices, the TACP operator enables the Combat Air Forces to integrate their advanced technologies and weapons systems with the efforts of the troops on the ground.

Yeah, this is a Rescue collection but it's impossible to forget the great job these guys do and the close relation between the TACP with CCT's and PJ's, plus the joint training they receive during their process to become operators in both fields. Great collector’s piece!


Got information about it? Got it? Want to sell or trade? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!

PJ / MedEx Express / Morale DCU Patch

PJ / MedEx Express / Morale DCU Patch

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USAF Pararescue / Cheshire Cat Patch

USAF Pararescue / ¨We're all MAD, You Know¨ / Cheshire Cat Patch
This is another version of the popular Pararescue patch possibly worn by the 1730th PRS. Made in Vietnam. 

The Cheshire Cat is a fictional cat popularized by Lewis Carroll's depiction of it in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Due the crazy behavior of this character in this depiction, the PJ's adopted this cartoon as a logo for this patch to represent the dangerous nature of their missions which not everyone would be capable to go; only someone MAD...

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Thursday, February 7, 2013

USAF 347th. Rescue Group - Stan/Eval Patch

USAF 347th. Rescue Group -Standardization/Evaluation  Patch
The United States Air Force's 347th Rescue Group is an active combat search and rescue unit assigned to the 23d Wing at Moody AFB, Georgia. The 347th Rescue Group directs flying and maintenance of the one of two USAF active-duty Groups dedicated to Combat Search and Rescue. Responsible for training/readiness of 1,100 personnel, including a pararescue squadron, two flying squadrons (Lockheed HC-130/HH-60 Pave Hawk), and an operations support squadron. Deploys worldwide in support of National Command Authority takings. Provides operational support for AETC tenant group (T-38 Talon/T-6 Texan II).

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USAF / ¨Help from Above¨ Patch

Unidentified USAF Patch with phrase ¨Help from Above¨, the design is pretty much like the Air Rescue Service emblem, but couldn't identify it yet.

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USAF 106th Rescue Wing / ERQS / Green Feet Patch

USAF 106th Rescue Wing / Expeditionary Rescue Squadron / Green Feet / Search & Rescue Patch

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USAF Air & Land SAR Vintage Patch

USAF Air and Land Search & Rescue / ¨That Others May Live¨ / Vintage Wool made Patch
This is a very rare patch obtained from a private collector and not yet identified that belongs to a unit or squadron, but it seems to be from early 60's. 

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Monday, February 4, 2013

USAF ARS Vintage Patch

USAF Air Rescue and Recovery Vintage Patch / Circa 60´s

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USAF ARRS / Service Badge

USAF Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service / Service Badge / Circa 1960/5.
US Air Force ARRS service badge made by GEMSCO. This badge was authorized in the 1960s but only worn by individuals who were directly involved with the rescue and recovery of space capsules and astronauts. The design of the badge is totally different from the design used for regular pararescue service except for the guardian angel embracing the world. In order to wear this badge, the individual (in addition to regular pararescue qualifications) had to also be qualified for space capsule and astronaut rescue and recovery. Very few of these badges were issued to a select group of qualified people.

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WANTED!: USAF 31st RQS / Got Rescue? Patch

Possibly from USAF 31st RQS / Got Rescue? Patch

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Friday, February 1, 2013

WANTED!: 33 ARRS / Duckbutters Patch

33 ARRS / Duckbutters Patch

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USAF 31st ARRS / King Rescue / TS-101-Clark '72 Patch

USAF King Rescue / TS (Transport Squadron?)-101-Clark '72 Patch
This unofficial patch was designed by the 31st ARRS (HC-130 unit) which deployed to Vietnam in 1972 to support air rescue during the Easter Offensive. The callsign "Crown" was first used by HU-16's Albatross. When the HC-130's arrived in SEA, they began using the "Crown" callsign and then ¨King¨ (for ¨Combat King¨) callsign. Its a VERY RARE and HARD TO FIND Patch!

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USAF Moody AFB / AFSOC Challenge Coin

USAF Moody Air Force Base / AFSOC / C-130 / Pave Hawk Challenge Coin

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