"24th RS"
"Cobra Ball - Cobra Eye"

This patch was created after the addition of the COBRA EYE aircraft to the squadron sometime after 1989. The COBRA EYE aircraft (61-4128) was originally built as an EC-135B and was used as a Telemetry / Range Instrumentation Aircraft (T/RIA) from 1967 on, flying out of Patrick AFB, FL in support of USAF's and NASA's space programme before being rebuilt to the RC-135X (which in turn was later modified into an "S" model and "W" model). Another noteworthy fact is that 61-4128 was equipped with an Air Refueling Receiver, meaning this C-135 model could be air refueled by another KC-135 for example. The aircraft was equipped with the OAMP (Optical Airborne Measurement Program) Sensors which gathered imagery of Soviet missile tests for the SDI "Star Wars" program of the United States and flew missions under the BURNING WIND Program. The purpose of the OAMP was to gather optical identification of Soviet ballistic missile reentry vehicles at the Klyuchi impact site on the Kamchatka Peninsula. This program was run jointly by the US Air Force and the US Army. The modifications to 62-4128 began in July 1983 at E-Systems facilities in Texas and the aircraft was finally delivered to the 24th SRS after six (!) years on 16 July 1989 as the sole RC-135X aircraft. The first operational COBRA EYE mission was flown on 15 August 1989 and despite technical difficulties right before the event time was deemed a full success. To reduce glare, the right (starboard) wing as well as engine struts and nacelles were painted in matte black. The aircraft was withdrawn on 22 February 1993, flown to E-Systems where it was remodified into an RC-135S. Not only was COBRA EYE added to the patch but also the seeing eye triangle to the ball of the cobra. This is actually the second version of this patch - the first had COBRA EYE COBRA BALL on the scroll so the COBRA BALL crews had this patch made to ensure that COBRA BALL took it's rightful place in front of COBRA EYE. Since the designation is "RS" instead of "SRS" it means that this patch was done sometime after late 1991 when the USAF redesignated many units. Patch information again come from Major Greg Ogletree (USAF Ret.) while aircraft information have been taken from Don Logan's book on the C-135 series aircraft and from Robert Hopkins' book on the Boeing KC-135. I suggest both books for the interested reader. Don Logan's book contains many beautiful full color pictures of every C-135 type ever built or flown while Robert Hopkins' book on the Boeing KC-135 contains many rare b&w pictures and a wealth of previously unpublished information and details covering the various aircraft types and programs right down to serial numbers and individual modifications! Both books are highly recommendable and well worth their price.

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."