Patches of Zweibrucken AB

The United States Air Force has specific rules and regulations governing the design and approval of unit patches. The art of designing a patch is known in military circles as heraldry.. The shape of Air Force Patches and design specifics are set forth here. Each color, symbol and word on a unit insignia has meaning.

The 26th Security Police Squadron patch incorperates three distinct symbols common in both medieval and modern military heraldry.

The castle or keep, which signifies safety and protection; the sword, which symbolizes justice, military honor and virtue in warlike deeds; and the open eye, which symbolizes providence in government. The sword is facing to the right of the wearer (dexter) which indicates righteous pursuit and progress.

The 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing patch incorperates the Air Force colors, ultra marine blue and golden yellow.

Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theatre of Air Force operations. Yellow symbolizes the sun and the excellence required of personnel in their daily tasks. The focal point of the emblem is a green eye which symbolizes the penetration of radar and radio. The blue background represents the sky; the light green, the sea; and the dark green, the earth.

Motto: SABER ES PODER- (spanish) Knowledge is Power.

The 10th Military Airlift Squadron patch depicts a caricatured airman in a blue flight suit and helmet, winged yellow, in flight, affonte, holding a yellow box tied in black with his right hand and carrying a smaller paratrooper by a yellow parachute, dressed the same, carrying a map and rifle in his left hand and towing a third paratrooper by a large rope affixed between the two.

The large caricatured airman represents the the squadrons airlift mission. The paratroopers represent the support of combat troops. The red cross on the sleeve of the wing-airman and the package represent the squadron's mercy flight to fly supplies to the partisan troops in WWII and its role in the Berlin Airlift.

The United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) patch is an ultramarine blue disc, 2 5/8 inches in diameter, a white star 1 inch in diameter charged with a red disc in the center and with golden orange stylized wings; issuant behind upper point of star, a sword erect proper flamant red.

The sword was copied from the insigne of the United States Forces in the European Theater (USAFET), USAFE's parent command in 1947. Its use with the insigne of the Army Air Forces indicated USAFE's relationship to USFET and the AAF. The upright position of the flaming sword symbolized readiness to strike in the nation's defense. Although the Air Force later deleted shoulder patches from its uniforms, the USAFE insigne continued to be the official emblem of record at Headquarters USAF. The background color changed to blue applique and the size of the star increased in a version adapted to the organizational flag on 22 April 1954.

USAFE MOTTO: "Vigilance for Freedom"

The 26th Security Police Squadron alternate patch. Designed by Tom Aumack.

The blue and yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theatre of operations of the Air Force. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel managing to wreck vehicles. The tower, representative of a dungeon, and sword raised in the commanders self defense indicate the options open to discipline vehicle operators. The key in the doorway to the tower represents the keys the accident drivers will never see again. The vehicle in contact with the tower is representative of the security police vehicle fleet, usually wrapped around something. The white vehicle color refers to the professed innocence or lack of recallwhen appearing before the commander. The eye symbolizes vigilance and refers to the alertness of the security force in identifying those situations that would result in maximum damage to the vehicles.

The bloodshot veins are the result ofof lost sleep from the numerous calls at odd hours. The green eyelids are symbolic of the envy ofdrivers who have yet to dent a vehicle. Blue and black represent the ability to dent vehicles 24 hours a day and the color of the driver's skin after taking his or her lumps from the commander. The G and D to the left and right of "The Fender" refers to MOGAS on the right and diesel on the left and holds special meaning for Military Working Dog handlers.