Squadron patch/insigna

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RCAF, 414 Squadron

Nickname: Sarnia Imperials , Black Knight

Motto: TOTIS VIRIBIS - "With all our might"

 

Its Badge, over a cloud a knight on a charger. The squadron became unofficially known as the Black Knight Squadron. The knight connotes fair but mortal combat. The cloud indicates that the fighting is in the air. Black is the customary garb of the night fighter, coupled with the white horse and red trimmings it gives the squadron tricolours.

 

Battle Honours: Defence of Britain 1941-43, Fortress Europe 1942-44,France and Germany 1944-45, Dieppe Normandy 1944, Arnhem Biscay 1943

 

Background: The War Years

 

No. 414 Squadron formed in August 1941 at Croydon as army co-operation squadron. No. 414 Squadron flew Curtiss Tomahawk aircraft for nearly a year before it received its first North American Mustang Mk I's, employing these over Dieppe on the 19th August 1942, where the first aerial victory ever claimed by a Mustang pilot was credited to the unit. The Mustang's continued to be used in an offensive manor during 1943 on 'Rhubarbs', and 'Roadsteads', as well as reconnaissance sorties. During the year the unit became part of the 2nd TAF (Tactical Air Force) and in June 1944 was serving with No. 39 (Reece) Wing, operating from Odiham and undertaking sorties on behalf of the army over the front line area. August saw re-equipment with Spitfire Mk IX's due to the shortage of early versions of the Mustang and a move was made to French soil. In April 1945 the unit received Griffon-engine Spitfire Mk FR XIV, which it operated from German airfields up to the wars end. Despite not being a fighter squadron as such, frequent engagements had ensued and while 'defending' themselves, the Squadron's pilots had claimed 28 victories. The squadron aircraft carried the code letters RU until early 1943, after which only the individual aircraft letters were carried.

 

 

 

Representative Aircraft

 

Lysander III (August 1941 - June 1942)

Tomahawk I/II (August 1941 - September 1942)

Mustang I (June 1942 - August 1944)

Spitfire IXC (August 1944 - May 1945)

Spitfire FR XIVE (April 1944 - August 1945)

 

 

Background: The Cold War

 

Re-activated at RCAF Station Rockcliffe in 1948 for photographic duties and flew Dakotas until being disbanded in November,1950. In November l952, it was again re-activated at Bagotville, P.Q., this time as a fighter squadron and was equipped with F-86 Sabres. The squadron left Uplands in August of 1953 and arrived at Baden-Soellingen, Germany, in September, serving there until being disbanded in June 1957. Re-formed in August of 1957 at North Bay, No. 414 AW (F) Squadron was equipped with CF-100 all-weather jet interceptors. In 1962, the squadron was re-equipped with CF-101B Voodoos.

 

 

Representative Aircraft

 

Sabre

CF-100 Canuck

CF-101 Voodoo

 

 

Background: Unification

 

Upon unification of the forces No. 414 Squadron became the electronic warfare squadron of the Canadian Forces and was equipped with the CF-100 Canuck Mk5D, CC-117 Falcon, ET-133 Silver Star, CF-101 Voodoo and EF-101 Voodoo. The squadron was based CFB Uplands (Ottawa), Ontario and later at CFB North Bay, Ontario. No. 414 was the last operational squadron of the F-101 Voodoo in the World.

 

In 1992 414 squadron split in two with one part going to CFB Comox as 414 Composite squadron and the other going to Greenwood as 434 Composite squadron. It changed its name to 414 Combat support squadron in 1993 and was equipped with the CT-133 Silver Star.

 

Representative Aircraft

 

CF-100 Canuck

CC-117 Falcon

CT-133 Silver Star

EF-101 Voodoo

CE-144 Challenger

 

 

Background: The Present

 

Nos 414 and 434 Squadron are currently inactive following the retirement of the CT-133 Silver Star and CE/CP-144 Challengers.

[Blue Sky]

 

This is the color version of the "Friday" patch for the 77th Fighter Squadron stationed at Shaw AFB, SC.

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RCAF, 415 Squadron

Nickname: Swordfish

Motto: AD METAM - "To The Mark"

 

A Swordfish, and motto indicates the squadron's operational duties in attacking enemy shipping.

 

Battle Honours: Atlantic 1942, English Channel & North Sea 1942 - 1945, France & Germany 1944 - 1945, Ruhr 1944 - 1945, Rhine German Ports 1944 - 1945, Normandy 1944, Biscay 1942 - 1943

 

The History

 

No. 415 Squadron was formed at Thorney Island, Hampshire, on August 20, 1941, and until the summer of 1944 had a torpedo-bomber role and served with Coastal Command. From its inception until November 1943, it flew Hampdens and during this period-operating, at different times, from Thorney Island, St. Eval, North Coates, Wick and Leuchars-made numerous bomb and torpedo attacks on enemy shipping, enemy-occupied ports and port installations. In October, 1943 the squadron re-equipped with Wellington's and Albacore's. Operating from Bircha Newton, soon became expert in tracking down E- and R-boats. Many E-boats were destroyed or damaged and, eventually, night patrols in connection with preparations for the invasion of Normandy were flown over the Channel. In the actual D-Day operations No. 415 assisted in laying smoke screens for the Allied Naval Forces. In July, 1944 came the transfer to No. 6 (RCAF) Group of Bomber Command and RCAF station East Moor. Equipped with Halifax III's the squadron now assumed a heavy-bomber role and renewed operations on the 29th of July, attacking Hamburg. In July of 1944 the squadron was transferred to Bomber Command and flew the Halifax Mk III and Halifax Mk VII on 104 missions in just 9 months of operational flying. The squadron was disbanded May 1945. No. 415 Squadron reformed as a Maritime Patrol unit at Summerside, Prince Edward Island on 1 May 1961 as the fourth and last squadron formed in Maritime Air Command, the unit flew Argus aircraft on the East Coast Upon integration into the Canadian Armed Forces No. 415 Squadron was a long-range anti-submarine/maritime patrol squadron based at CFB Summerside, PEI. The squadron was equipped with the CP-107 Argus until 1981 when it was replaced with the 'Canadianized' version of the P-3C Orion the CP-140 Aurora.

 

On July 1, 1981 the squadron moved form CFB Summerside to CFB Greenwood where it remains today flying the CP-140 Aurora and CP-140A Arcturus.

 

Representative Aircraft

 

Beaufort I (September 1941 - February 1942)

Hampden I (January 1942 - September 1943)

Wellington XIII (September 1943 - July 1944)

Albacore I (October 1943 - July 1944)

Halifax III/VII (July 1944 - May 1945)

CP-107 Argus

CP-140 Aurora

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[Blue Sky]

 

This is the color version of the squadron patch for the 78th Fighter Squadron stationed at Shaw AFB, SC.

 

 

This is the desert version of the squadron patch for the 78th Fighter Squadron stationed at Shaw AFB, SC.

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RCAF, 416 Squadron

Nickname: City of Oshawa, Lynx

Motto: AD SALTUM PARATUS - "Ready to Leap"

 

Its Badge, in front of the maple leaf a lynx leaping down. The lynx is a fierce and dangerous opponent, indigenous to Canada.

 

 

 

Battle Honours: Defence of Britain 1942-44, Arnhem Fortress Europe 1942-44, English Channel and North Sea 1943, Dieppe Normandy Rhine France and Germany 1944-45, Gulf War 1991

 

 

 

Background: The War Years

 

No. 416 Squadron formed at Peterhead in November 1941 with Supermarine Spitfire Mk II's, moving to Dyce in March 1942 when Spitfire Mk V's were received. The unit stayed at various Scottish bases until June, when a move to the south began. Martlesham Heath became the main base of operations until February 1943, with Hawkinge and Redhill used as forward airfields. A move was then made to Kenley where in March Spitfire Mk IX's became available. In May however the Squadron withdrew to the Digby sector, reverting to Spitfire Mk V's until January 1944, when re-equipping with the Mk IXb's took place. A return to Kenley followed in February 1944 to join No. 127 Wing of the 2nd TAF(Tactical Air Force). This was followed by a move to Tangmere in April for operations over the Normandy beachhead. The Squadron deployed to France on 16 June and thereafter the unit was much involved supporting and covering the armies on the ground. By the autumn the wing had moved up to Belgium and here the unit received Spitfire Mk XVI's in December. Operations with these aircraft continued until the end of the war, by which time the Squadron had claimed 75 victories. The squadron aircraft carried the unit code DN during this period.

 

 

Representative Aircraft

 

Spitfire IIA/IIB (November 1941 - April 1942)

Spitfire VB (April 1942 - April 1943)

Spitfire IXC (April 1943 - May 1943)

Spitfire VB/VC (May 1943 - February 1944)

Spitfire IXC (January 1944 - December 1944)

Spitfire XVI (December 1944 - September 1945)

Spitfire XIVE (September 1945 - April 1946)

 

 

Background: The Cold War

 

The squadron was reformed at Uplands on 28 September 1952 and participated with Nos. 421 and 430 Squadrons in Leapfrog 2 across the Atlantic to Grostenquin, France. This was the first Wing effort as 56 Sabres were flown overseas. No. 2 (F) Wing was the first RCAF formation based in Continental Europe since March, 1946. No. 416 was disbanded on 31 March 1957 and reactivated as an AW(F) Squadron on 1 February 1957 and issued CF-100s. These were eventually exchanged for Voodoos where the Squadron flew them out of Chatham, N.B.

 

Representative Aircraft

 

Sabre

CF-100 Canuck

 

 

 

Background: Unification

 

Upon unification of the forces No. 416 Lynx squadron was an air defence squadron equipped with the CF-101 Voodoo interceptor. The squadron was based at CFB Chatham, New Brunswick.

 

Representative Aircraft

 

CF-101 Voodoo

 

 

 

Background: The Present

 

In 1985 the squadron moved from CFB Chatham, New Brunswick to CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, were it currently resides, and converted from the CF-101 Voodoo to the CF-18 Hornet Tactical Fighter. No 416 Squadron was the last squadron to transition to the CF-18 Hornet.

 

No. 416 TFS was consolidated with No. 441 TFS at CFB Cold Lake, Jul 6 2006 to form No. 409 TFS and its Battle Honours laid to rest.

 

Representative Aircraft

 

CF-18 Hornet

[Blue Sky]

 

This is the desert version of the current squadron patch for the 124th Fighter Squadron that flies the F-16 for the IA Air National Guard out of Des Moines, IA.

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RCAF 417 Squadron

Nickname: City of Windsor

Motto: SUPPORTING LIBERTY AND JUSTICE

 

Its Badge, in front of a palm tree eradicated a sword and fasces in saltire. This squadron operated with the 8th Army in North Africa, in the Sicilian landings, and in Italy in close support of the Army. The palm tree suggests the desert, the sword air support to the Army, and the fasces the fighting in Italy.

 

Battle Honours: Defence of Britain 1942, Egypt and Libya 1942-43, North Africa 1943, Sicily 1943, Italy 1943-45 Salerno Anzio and Nettuno Gustav Line Gothic Line

 

The History

 

No. 417 Squadron formed at Charmy Down on 27 November 1941 and was equipped with Supermarine Spitfire Mk IlAs in the following month. Although it became operational in February 1942, it then moved to Scotland (Tain) and a month later prepared for overseas deployment, arriving in Egypt (Kasfareet) in June 1942. It was not until September that it received some Hawker Hurricane Mk IIs for work- up, and with these on Suez Canal defence the squadron claimed its first victory, a Junkers Ju 88. It slowly re-equipped with Spitfire Mk VBs and Mk VCs, and in February 1943 moved to the Western Desert and offensive action, joining in the victorious advance through to Tripoli, resulting in many moves from one desert landing ground to another. In July 1943 the squadron moved to Malta (Luqa), from where it began patrols over Sicily in preparation for the invasion. This landing it fully supported, moving into Pachino and following on with close support for the invasion of Italy. By then it had received Spitfire HF.MK Vllls, and with these it fought out the war in Italy. Moving into Italy, No. 417 became part of the fighter force on the Adriatic coast, being particularly heavily involved in the Sangro river battle. It provided high-altitude cover for the landings at Anzio, a place where it remained on defence during the next six months, then moved north for armed reconnaissances ahead of the 8th Army. Close-support flying was No. 417's final contribution as the offensive drew to a successful close in 1945. At the end it moved into Treviso and was disbanded there on 1 July 1945.

 

No. 417 Squadron reformed as a Fighter Reconnaissance unit at Rivers, Manitoba on 1 June 1947, the squadron flew Mustang aircraft in close support training with army units until disbanded on 1 August 1948. Upon reunification No. 417 Squadron reformed as the operational training squadron for all CF-104 Starfighter squadrons. The squadron was based at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta. The squadron was disbanded in 1983 with the retirement of the CF-104 Starfighter from Canadian service.

 

Reformed April 1, 1993 as 417 Combat Support squadron taking over the duties of the Cold Lake Base Flight equipped with the CT-133 Silver Star and CH-146 Griffon helicopter.

 

Representative Aircraft

 

Hurricane IIB (September 1942 - October 1942)

Hurricane IIC (September 1942 - January 1943)

Spitfire VB/VC (October 1942 - September 1943)

Spitfire VIII (August 1943 - April 1945)

Spitfire IX (April 1945 - June 1945)

Mustang

Harvard

CF-104 Starfighter

CT-133 Silver Star

CH-146 Griffon

[Blue Sky]

 

This is the desert version of the aircraft patch for the 175th Fighter Squadron "Lobos" that flies the F-16 for the SD Air National Guard.

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RCAF, Utility Squadron VU 32

Motto: Nihil Quam Arduum (Nothing Too Difficult)

 

VU 32 squadron served as the RCN's east coast fixed wing utility squadron performing such duties as Training, Naval Gunnery Target Towing, Transport, Carrier Onboard Delivery, Search & Rescue. Upon unification of the forces in 1968-69 the squadron was integrated in the Canadian Armed Forces as Utility Squadron VU 32. The squadrons designation of VU 32 was implemented in 1954 following the US Naval system. The squadron was disbanded in June 1992 with No. 434 Squadron assuming its duties.

 

The squadron has operated the following aicraft during it tenure:

 

Grumman Avenger

Beechcraft Expeditor

Grumman CS2F-1/2 / CP-121 Tracker

Canadair CT-133 Silver Star

Douglas Dakota

Bell CH-135 Twin Huey

[Blue Sky]

 

This is the color version of the new Friday patch for the 389th FS Mountain Home AFB. They went back to their WW II/Viet Nam design. It is for wear on Fridays.

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RCAF, 880 Maritime Reconnaisance Squadron

Motto: Repérer Et Détruire (To Seek And To Destroy)

 

 

The squadron served as one of the Royal Canadian Navy's Anti-Submarine squadrons flying from the carriers HMCS Magnificent and HMCS Bonaventure as 825 Squadron. When the requirement for ASW was minimized the squadron was renumbered and its role changed in May 1951 and it became Utility Squadron VS 880 under the US Naval system of numbering in November 1952. Upon unification of the Forces the squadrons role was changed to that of Martime Reconnaisance which included sovereignty patrols, fisheries patrols, pollution control and fleet support. The squadron continued in this role until the closure of it base, CFB Summerside, in 1990. The squardron still exists as zero-strength squadron and has not been officially disbanded.

 

The squadron has operated the following aicraft during it tenure:

 

Fairey Firefly

Grumman Avenger

CP-121 Tracker

[Blue Sky]

 

This is the subdued version of the squadron patch for the 79th Fighter Squadron stationed at Shaw AFB, SC.

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RCAF, 3055 Technical Training Unit (Aux)

Motto: Non Omnis Moriar (I shall not entirely perish)

 

The lamp is symbolic of the unit's function of imparting knowledge. The motto, taken from the Odes of Horace, implies that, although the trainees leave the unit on graduation, the technical skills which they have acquired are a permanent contribution to the Service and therefore the Training Unit never wholly dies.

 

Formed at Vancouver on 15 October 1950, the Unit provides technical training in numerous trades for Auxiliary and Primary Reserve grounderew personnel.

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This is the color version of the 389th FS's "young 'uns" that formed their Lt. Protection Agency (LPA) and are stationed at Mountain Home AFB, ID.

[Blue Sky]

 

This is the desert version of the 421 Expeditionary Fighter Squadron's Operation Iraqi Freedom Det patch.

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This is the color version of the most recent "FLAG" patch put out by the 149th Fighter Wing based out of Kelly Field, TX.

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RCAF, Electronic Warfare Unit

 

 

 

Sir Winston Churchill called electronic warfare "The Battle of the Wizards" during the Second World War. This wizardry is practiced by one of the air force's newest units: the Electronic Warfare Unit (EWU) which will soon be moving its main base from St. Hubert to Uplands.

 

The field of electronic warfare has two major divisions: electronic countermeasures (ECM) and electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM). ECM is the art of rendering communications and radar ineffective by presenting false information to these systems or "jamming" the true information. ECCM is the art of nulifying the effects of ECM by means of special devices and training.

 

Air-dropping bundles of "chaff" (pieces of foil which reflect radar energy) is one common ECM method. Wartime bomber crews will recall this as "window", hurled into the night sky to make enemy scope- watchers see thousands of blips in- stead of the tell-tale one caused by their bomber as it approached the target. ECM is also accomplished by transmitting various types of signals at the frequencies of both air and ground communications and radar systems.

 

The Electronic Warfare Unit's job is two-fold. Primarily, it must train the personnel who operate our ground and airborne radars in methods of countering enemy ECM; secondly, it must provide the maximum of practice to enable the operators to adopt the proper procedures as a reflex action. EWU's job is done by repetitively duplicating all actions an enemy might be expected to adopt.

 

To support this training role the unit flies specially-equipped C-119G Boxcars and CF-100 Canucks. With these aircraft EWU has the task of training aircrews of the five CF-101B Voodoo squadrons and ground radar operators, in recognizing and countering electronic countermeasures.

 

The C-119 aircraft, their normal cargo space packed with electronic equipment and a chaff dispenser, provide airborne ECM emissions which, directed against Pinetree Line, Newfoundland and Labrador radar sites, simulate enemy ECM action. The ECM-equipped CF-100s perform a similar function for our interceptors. A detachment stationed at Comox, equipped with CF-100s without an ECM capability, provides aerial targets for units on the west coast. The CF-100s, minus their familiar rocket pods, are provided with tip tanks for longer range and greater endurance and wing-mounted chaff dispensers. Occasionally a requirement occurs, principally for the Comox detachment, to exercise USAF bases in the northwestern United States. In addition to the unit's electronic warfare role, EWU is committed to providing target (or "faker") aircraft for radar tracking and interception practice.

 

Electronic warfare in the RCAF got its start in 1955 when five radio officers of No. 104 Communications Unit at St. Hubert formed an ECM training section within the unit. At that time a very basic type of ECM training was provided for crews flying CF-100s, by throwing chaff by hand from special windows cut into two C-47s. This had to suffice until the arrival in 1956 of the first of three C-119s and the first specially-equipped CF-100. By late 1957 ECM personnel had more than doubled and No. 104 KU began to bulge with its new infant. The official birthdate of EWU is 1 April 1959, the RCAF's 35th anniversary, when the personnel and aircraft which had been operating since 1955 as No. 104 KU's ECM section became an independent unit.

 

With its formation under the command of S/L G. D. Fowler, more air and ground crew began to arrive. In late 1960 additional ECM-trained aircrew arrived to operate the unit's CF-100 ECM aircraft. The buildup continued under its present officer commanding, W/C J. D. W. Campbell, until today EWU is one of the major flying units in the RCAF.

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RCAF, Photographic Establishment

 

Motto: Knowledge from the Skies

 

Clutching a scroll, a mythical two-headed raven of the Tlingit and Haida Indian tribes. In the mythology of these West Coast Indian tribes, the raven is reputed to have brought light and knowledge to the world. The scroll suggests the use of aerial photography in "unrolling the map."

 

The first operations carried out by the Air Board in 1920 were for aerial survey, and this work has been continued by the R.C.A.F. down to the present day. The Pho- tographic Section was located in Ottawa until January 1936 when it moved to a new building especially built for it at Rockeliffe, and thereupon became the Photographic Establishment. The P.E. has remained at Rockeliffe ever since. During the war it was known for a time as No. 1 Photographic Centre (September 1942 to May 1944) and then as No. 1 Photographic Establishment. In February 1952 the numeral was deleted and it became the R.C.A.F. Photographic Establishment.

Modificato 5 Gennaio 2009 da intruder

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[Blue Sky]

 

This is the latest patch from the Weapons School for the B-1. It is the 10th Anniversary of the B-1 division of the USAF's hardest, but best school. This is definitely going to be a collector's item, and I could only get a few.

[Blue Sky]

 

This is the desert version of the current squadron patch for the 160th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, the Viper unit that is forward deployed to PSAB (I think?).

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Federazione Russa, squadre antiterrorismo dell'FSB

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USAAF, 446^th BG

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This is the LPA (Lt. Protection Agency) patch worn on the sleeve of the aircrew for the 336FS out of Seymour Johnson that fly the F-15E Strike Eagle. This patch does not come with velcro attached.

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USAAF, 394^th BG