Some B-52 patches

[hink441]

B-52 patches from Arkansas, all of these are on Velcro.

 

What does "R31" on the B-52 tail indicate?

 

[Salvage Sailor]

B-52 patches from Arkansas, all of these are on Velcro.

 

What does "R31" on the B-52 tail indicate?

 

image.jpeg

 

31st Test and Evaluation Squadron using the Tonopah AZ Test Range?

 

On 1 July 1986 the squadron was re-activated as the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Its mission was to support the General Dynamics F-111B medium bomber for Strategic Air Command and to test modifications and upgrades prior to the changes being sent to field units. It also performed testing for modifications to the B-52 and B-1B Lancer strategic bombers and SR-71 Blackbird strategic reconnaissance aircraft.

[Randy]

R-31 is the crew number. Each SAC crew was designated with a letter followed by a number. S was for select/lead crew (about 10% held this high rating), R for ready (most crews), NR for not ready. The numbers were for each crew in a wing, thus there could be an R-31 at each SAC base. In this case, Crew R-31 from Blytheville (later Eaker) AFB with the 97th Bomb Wing/340 BS.

 

Randy

[Salvage Sailor]

Thanks for the ID Randy, I was only off by a light-year or two this time.....

[hink441]

Great info.

 

Thank you very much for the explanation.

 

Chris