GLOSSY EAGLE
Introduced here is a rare patch, that of the 55th SRW GLOSSY
EAGLE TEAM. I received this patch in late December 2000 from Thomas Chevallier,
Tyndall AFB who at that time was an A1C assigned to the 55th and was part of the
"Glossy Eagle" Team. Thomas informed me that the illustrated patch is actually
flawed to the extend that the "WE" is missing on the bottom where is should read
"WE GIVE OLD PLANES NEW LIFE". However he also told me that this patch is quite
rare and not very many were made. During the month of December 2000 Thomas
shared whatever information he had about the Glossy Eagle Team and even
forwarded me the nose art picture of that particular EC-135 (# 3583) in January
2001.
The Glossy Eagle Team refurbished that EC-135 working long hours and days. Phase 1 took 36 days and included the complete overhaul of the cockpit - everything was torn out, cleaned, fixed, rewired and put back in. The first Glossy Eagle Team of the 55th SRW consisted of TSgt Robert Allen, SSgt Timothy Reed, Sgt Arthur Day, Sgt Jeff Holstein, Sgt Chico Jimenez, Sgt Ron Merrill, A1C Thomas Chevallier and A1C Jonathan Rummel.
According to Thomas, the patch was designed by Sgt Ron Merrill although the entire team contributed design ideas. The main idea was to show the EC-135 aircraft in a row like an assembly line process. The motto "We give old planes new life" came from the General Electric saying "We bring new things to life". The eagle represents pride and power in one and was part of the Glossy Eagle image. In his closing statement, Thomas told me that he was definitely proud to have been part of the original Glossy Eagle Team and the history of the Fightin' 55th!
