55th SRW "Fightin' 55th" gaggle patch
Illustrated is the
first ever version of the so called "gaggle" patch for the then-55th SRW, Offutt
AFB. The shield shaped patch dates back to the 1980s and was worn as an
unofficial "morale" patch by some members of the wing staff who flew aboard the
wing's aircraft. This version and style shows the four flying squadrons assigned
to the wing at that time, the 1st ACCS (upper right), 2nd ACCS (lower right),
the 38th SRS (upper left) and the 343rd SRS (lower left). After the AF wide
reorganization in 1991-1992 this emblem was changed like so many other emblems.
Unfortunately it was not recorded who designed this particular patch and when
exactly it was designed. While the patches illustrated here was submitted via
MSgt Andreas Hunold (GEAF, ret.) it should be noted that this particular one
comes actually out of the collection of Thomas Chevallier of Panama City, FL who
has this one in his personal collection. Andy Hunold is looking for a patch just
like this (either to purchase or to trade for) and if anybody "out there" might
have an extra TEAM 55 gaggle patch, please contact Andy Hunold. Any assistance
might be welcome. Background information are taken again from Major Greg
Ogeltree (USAF, ret) ASMIC Trading Post article, Winter 1994 issue, pages 39-42,
while the actual patch belongs to Thomas Chevallier. Thanks Thomas for sharing
this patch with us.
"Fightin' Fifty-Fifth"
Patch and information submitted by Andy Hunold, MSgt
(GEAF) Ret.
About Andreas Hunold: Andy is a retired German AF MSgt, now working at the NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany as a local civilian and his hobby is the U.S. AIR FORCE! "I'm interested in just every USAF unit and I collect everything from fact sheets to base guides, photos and of course cloth patches! At present I have slightly over 10,000 USAF patches in my collection and quite a few from the 55th SRW."
About Andreas Hunold: Andy is a retired German AF MSgt, now working at the NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany as a local civilian and his hobby is the U.S. AIR FORCE! "I'm interested in just every USAF unit and I collect everything from fact sheets to base guides, photos and of course cloth patches! At present I have slightly over 10,000 USAF patches in my collection and quite a few from the 55th SRW."
