Tuesday, October 15, 2013

USAF 2157th ARS / 4028th SRS / Operation Crowflight Patch Set






































USAF 2157th Air Rescue Squadron / 4028th Strategic Recon Squadron / Operation Crow Flight 1958-60' Patch
Original US Air Force 2157th Air Rescue Squadron pocket patch for Operation Crow Flight, 1958-1960. Patch measures approximately 5 inches in diameter.

The 2157th ARS provided support to the 4028th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (U-2 planes), involved with the High Altitude Sampling Program (HASP) that was designed to sample the radioactive debris in the upper atmosphere following the detonation of Russian, Chinese and French Nuclear weapons. Unofficially this program was called "Crowflight", and missions were initially flown from Ramey AFB Puerto Rico (Detachment 3), and Plattsburgh AFM New York State (Detachment 4).


Operation Crowflight was held at various places around the world, Minot, Alaska, Australia, Argentina and Puerto Rico. A support aircraft took off before the U-2 and flew along the route to supply rescue help if required. Crowflight ops with U-2’s stopped in 1964 as the U-2’s were reconfigured for operations in Vietnam   But RB-57 and RB-57F continued to perform Crowflight ops till 1966. There would have been support / rescue aircraft at any of the Crowflight OL’S.


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6 comments:

  1. I was assigned to 2157th ARSqdn had 2 TDY,s to Argentina. (grampyaf@yahoo.com

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  2. Like to visit with any member of 2157th ARSqdn stationed @ Ramey AFB Porta Rico !!!!!!!!

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  3. I think my Grandfather was he raised me was sergeant major sergeant I think I was told am not all knowledgeable with the terms, He help with the U2 but to find out about this banner he also has photo with him and other with the same banner....if your knowledgeable enough would love to send you a pic of banner just email me let me know

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  4. Where was the C-54 pic taken? Maybe Ramey or Ezeiza Argentina?

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    Replies
    1. Not sure, but I guess it was a Military Base in Argentina, probably the 6th or 7th Brigade of the Argentinean Air Force.

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    2. Thank you. Published materials ID the Argentine airbase site for Crowflight as Ezeiza. My father shuttled to and from there on HASP missions in C-54s from Ramey AFB.

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