Air Force Patches ... Can anyone ID ?

[sprite63]

These two patches were given to me in Sendai Japan between 1952 and 1954. Can anyone identify them or point me to a research site?

 

[F-89J]

Patch on the right is the 196th, a unit of the California Air National Guard. At various times it was the 196th Fighter Squadron, 196th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 196th Tactical Air Support Squadron, 196th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 196th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 196th Air Refueling Squadron and currently the 196th Reconnaissance Squadron a part of the 163rd Reconnaissance Group. The Squadron was formed in 1946 at San Bernardino Army Air Base (later Norton AFB), moved to Ontario Airport and finally March Air Force Base now March Air Reserve Base.

 

The patch should be rotated 180 degrees with the globe in the lower left.

 

I was a member of the 196th during the Tactical Reconnaissance (RF-4C) years.

 

The 196th was called up for the Korean War and sent to Missawa Air Base arriving on 25 Jul 1950 flying the F-84E. The unit officially returned home on 20 Jul 1952. That may account for you getting the patch in Japan. Hope the info helps fill in the blank spots.

[Johnny Signor]

One on the left could be a FIS also , possibly the 159th.

[skio]

The 169th patch is most likely the 196th Fighter Bomber Sq as they returned to Japan in early 1952 after flying in Korea. The 159th patch may also be a fighter bomber patch as the 159th FBS was also assigned to the same 116th FBGp as the 169th FBS.

 

[firefighter]

I think the one on the right is the 159th F-BS/FIS.Below is a wikipedia page and it shows the new sq insignia.But you can see the same missile in both patches.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/159th_Fighter_Squadron