USAF 24th STS / Tier 1 / Blue Team Patch

USAF 24th Special Tactics Squadron / Tier 1 / Blue Team / Cheshire Cat Patch

This is probably one of the top 5 most difficult/impossible to get patches on my collection. Got it from a retired MSgt member of this legendary unit assigned to 24th STS (1997-2013). This is a super rare patch; so rare they are not even being sold anywhere and this is the first one shown to public knowledge. The image has been protected to avoid reproductions.

The 24th Special Tactics Squadron is one of the Special Tactics units of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The 24th STS provides Special Tactics Teams, including Combat Control Teams, Special Operations Weather Technicians, Pararescuemen and Tactical Air Control Party personnel for JSOC operations. 24th STS members are highly trained to conduct highly classified and clandestine operations such as antiterrorism, counter-insurgency, hostage rescue and special reconnaissance. They are the Air Force's Tier 1 unit, equivalent to the Army's DELTA Force (1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta) and the Navy's DEVGRU (Naval Special Warfare Development Group, Seal Team Six); this three are only three acknowledged Tier 1 SMUs (Special Mission Units). The Blue Team is one of the operational teams of the 24th STS.

Original Sketch from the 24th STS Cheshire Cat

The 24th Special Tactics Squadron participated in the United States invasion of Panama in 1989. The 24th STS deployed 11 personnel including the unit commander, Lt. Col. Jim Oeser, as part of JSOC's Task Force Ranger during Operation Restore Hope in 1993. Due to their actions during the Battle of Mogadishu multiple decorations were awarded to the airmen. Pararescueman (PJ) TSgt Tim Wilkinson received the Air Force Cross and fellow PJ MSgt Scott Fales received the Silver Star, both for providing lifesaving medical care to wounded soldiers. Combat Controller (CCT) SSgt. Jeffrey W. Bray also received the Silver Star for coordinating helicopter attack runs throughout the night around their positions.

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