Perrin Air Force Base 3556th Combat Crew Training Squadron - Cold War

[Salvage Sailor]

Perrin Air Force Base in the Cold War 1952 - 1971

 

On 1 April 1948, Perrin Field was reactivated under the newly established United States Air Force, hosting the 3555th Basic Pilot Training Wing from August 1948 to June 1952. A shortage of funds forced ATC to open the base with only a caretaker group on hand. Three months later, on 1 July, the base began training.  (Reference link below)

 

Training squadrons under the 3555th PTW were:

3556th Combat Crew Training Squadron
3558th Combat Crew Training Squadron

 

 

In July 1962, Perrin was transferred from ATC to the Air Defense Command (ADC) and the 4780th Air Defense Training Wing absorbed the ATC 3555th Training Wing which was inactivated. The 4780th conducted training in the F-102 and TF-102 Delta Dagger. The training squadrons were re-designated as follows, transferring personnel and equipment to the new units:

3556th CCTS --> 4781st Combat Crew Training Squadron
3558th CCTS --> 4782d Combat Crew Training Squadron

 

 

Anyone have the other squadron patches and/or insignia from Perrin Air Force Base, Sherman, Texas in the Cold War?

 

PERRIN AIR FORCE BASE Reference page with photos of patches

 

[Randy]

Well, I can help you! I did this for another forum a while back, so I'll post it here. These are all in my collection.

 

1. Possibly the 3556 FTS before becoming a CCTS in 1954

2. 4782 CCTS A Flight T-33

3. 3556 CCTS

4. 3558 FTS 52-54

5. 3558 CCTS This changed very soon after becoming a CCTS

6. 3558 CCTS

7. 3558 CCTS T-33 Instrument Instructor backpatch. Was given as an award to a select few.

8. 4781 CCTS first version

9. 4781 CCTS second version

10. 4782 CCTS second version, the first was chain stitched, which I don't have.

11. 4782 third version

12. 3251 PTS, PIT for ADC F-102/T-33 IPs in the T-37

13. 3555 CCTW 1955 Rocket Team

14. F-102 morale patch 100 missions North Mexico

15. 3558 CCTS William Tell 1961 team

16. 4781 F-102

17. 4782 F-102 Deuce patches could vary with details, but these were the colors used by each sq.

[Randy]

The Wing related ones:

1. 3555 FTW (Fighter) used 52-54

2. 3555 FTW (Interceptor) used in 58 only it seems

3. 3555 FTW (Advanced Interceptor) used late 58-62

4.-7. 4780 ADW (Training) 1962-1971. In 1962 the wing was renumbered/renamed from 3555 to 4780; the CCTSs were also renumbered to 4781 and 4782. Flew mainly T-33s, F-86D 52-58 and F-102 58-71.

The wing was a CCTW from 1954-1958. Outside if the 1955 Rocket Team patch, I have not encountered one using this designation.

[Salvage Sailor]

Very Groovy Randy,

 

I searched for Perrin AFB on the forum and found zilch.  

 

Seems that you have all of them and more.

[Randy]

Well, there are at least 5 others I know I'm missing. But, the thing about collecting patches is you will never have them all...

 

Randy