Pat Daniels Posted February 12, 2020 Share #1 Posted February 12, 2020 Here are some neat SR-71 cloth insignia that I have collected over the years. The top center 3 are Operating Location patches from Kadina Air Base, Okinawa Japan from 1968 - 1974. These were worn by the flight crew. The details of each is listed on the attached information sheet. These are a bit scarce but the really killer one is the "376 S.W. OKINAWA G.B.T.T.F". in the upper right corner. This was the "Giant Bear Tanker Task Force" which consisted of KC-135Q tankers which carried the SR-71's special fuel. They "supported" the HABU (note the habu snake on the back of the bear). The 376th Strategic Wing only existed from Apr. 1970 - Aug. 1973. All 4 patches are Okinawan made. The 3+ Test Force in the upper left corner is a reproduction. It's a hole filler until a good one surfaces. The DET 1 ichi ban and 3+ merrowed edge in the bottom row are, most likely, collector copies. All others are genuine. The PSD (PHYSIOLOGICAL SUPPORT DIVISION) in the lower left corner is also a neat one. Thanks for looking and any additional information would be greatly appreciated! Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ragbag Posted February 12, 2020 Share #2 Posted February 12, 2020 Great post! I live 2 miles from the Castle Air Museum where there is an actual A-12 type 1 on display amongst other aircraft. They also have one of the largest squadron patch displays in the U.S. Hope you can make it out to the West Coast one day to see them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillock Posted February 12, 2020 Share #3 Posted February 12, 2020 Hi Pat This patch is from a friend given to him by one of his missile students as he had just been transported from Okinawa (OL-8) where he was a SR-71 fuel technician. Phill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Daniels Posted February 12, 2020 Author Share #4 Posted February 12, 2020 Hello Phil, That is a great one which I have never seen before. Thanks for sharing it! If I ever retire, a tour of military related museums will certainly be on the list! Thanks for the tip! Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted February 12, 2020 Share #5 Posted February 12, 2020 Nice set. Your SR-71 3+ diamond patch looks ok from here though. I've had a few of the older US made ones and yours appears to match them. Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Daniels Posted February 13, 2020 Author Share #6 Posted February 13, 2020 Thanks Randy, I am overly suspicious with all of the fakes floating around. Here are scans of both patches in question. I would really appreciate your thoughts on them. Any one else's input on them would also be quite welcome! THANKS! Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawkALSE Posted February 13, 2020 Share #7 Posted February 13, 2020 I love the 3+ patches, always been a fav of mine. Saw one on display at the Pima museum years ago, always wanted to find a real one myself. Def a ton of fakes out there, Im not an expert but yours looks pretty good to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted February 15, 2020 Share #8 Posted February 15, 2020 Both good! Yes, lots of fakes out there, but you are good to go with both of those. Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Daniels Posted February 15, 2020 Author Share #9 Posted February 15, 2020 That is GREAT news. Thank you so much Randy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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