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PITFU! DBAP! RAGE! PUNKS RULE!

I was stationed at Hahn AB from 1987-1989 and we transitioned from the "hooded falcon" patch to the "cave canem" patch while I was there. I have both patches!!

61st TAC FTR TNG SQN was at MacDill AFB in the 80's. The 56 TFW had the 61st, 62nd, 63rd, and 13th assigned in 80's before the base was closed nad the aircraft and mission were moved to Luke AFB.

says "13th Fighter Squadron"

I'm not sure what year this patch is from but the 496 patch we had at Hahn from 1984 to1986 had a hooded Falcon resting on a gloved arm and a lightning bolt.

They are official!

Are these official patches or Eye Candy??? A popular USAF patch site has a thread and references these as repro's

Are these official patches or Eye Candy???

Are these official patches or Eye Candy???

Shredder Mosley had this made for the 13FS Panthers (part of the 35FW) in 2005. We took it to Cope North and Cope India in 2006.

http://www.kimoskorner.com/13fs.html 13 FS

ADMIN NOTES: I don't believe this patch is from the 35th FW. Can anyone confirm the origins of this patch.

ADMI NOTES:- re-established March 11, 2004 at Edwards AFB, CA the 445th FTS does all the test support for air refueling, chase aircraft, target support aircraft and minor testing that doesn't fall under any Combined Task Force.

Older version, pre F-16 days. see notes at: http://www.usafpatches.com/forum/index.php?topic=4474.0

ADMIN NOTES:- Patch issued & supplied by General Dynamics. Note in center of patch, a single F-16, rather than later examples which contain 4 F-16's in the Diamond formation.

Luke AFB F-16 patch.(1986) My return assignment from RAF Alconbury's F4Cs. Glad to be back on the mini jets!

MacDill AFB F-16 patch. After the 13th was deactivated we got this patch upon arrival of the F-16s. "Don't F&^% with the Parakeet" Was the motto.

You are correct. MacDill was my first duty assignment and I was in the 13th Panther Pack crewing F-14s. Awesome unit to work in.

I was in the 527th from 1980-1983 flying F-5E's. Supposedly this patch was never officially approved - and supposedly there was a diplomatic complaint by the Russkies about it. The red ring shows a radar lock on at 500 ft in guns mode (but the original design had it at 800 feet).

I was in the 69th flying Phantoms. The very original patch had gray highlights in the dragon. The black made it much improved.

Produced by Progressive Specialties. We did this patch on a whim. The squadron never bought it (from us).

ADMIN NOTES: Coronet Warrior II May 10th - June 8th 1988, Shaw AFB, SC. Told only 200 made, but not confirmed. If you have info please add comments

Bill, hence the word VARIATIONS of the patch. Lt. Col White wanted to use a image from a vietman era patch in 13FS history. Whether the patch was ever official or a variation of the pilot's party patch from that era, after looking at several different versions, Lt. Col White chose this version for use. Congress, or whoever deems what patches a USAF unit wears was a patch with a yellow background and the panther facing right. (and many at the 13FS considered that panther, LAME) When the 13th was a Macdill AFB during the F-4 years and then again in Misawa Japan with F-16 Wild Weasals, the white background shield shape with several different panther head variotions were used, to include the head from the offical patch during the F-4 years. These unauthorized white shield patches were used as 13FS squadron patches on everyone's uniform until the USAF deemed around 1996/97 that all squadrons go back to the circle and banner design that all units are supposed to wear today. Well this patch, although the panther is facing to the LEFT, is basically another twist on the official patch, and is probably is also an UNAUTHORIZED patch just like the white shield patch was for years. From what I recalled, I do beleive that the patch was supposed to be the same officially since 1974. This patch, maybe in the pilot's minds at Misawa was another way to comply with the circle and banner, yet have there way since many were in protest of losing the white shield patch. It resembeled the correct patch and was used instead. Another twist on the story is when the 13FS Life Support person took the design to the local Japanese contractor to make the patch, he hade the vendor make the patch LARGER than that of the 14FS. So when a 14FS pilot stood next to a 13FS pilot. the patch was much larger. The story goes on that it was months before the 14FS realized it. Supposed the next batch of 14FS patches were made the same size and the 13FS also. The original ploy by the 13FS Life Support person was another boo-hoo'ing of the fact we had to get rid of the white shield patch. Not many wanted to go back to the yellow patch and not many like the 1974 version of the panther either. Again HENCE the VARIATIONS; sort of a squadron protest to USAF compliance.

Dbarker, you are correct. Sqrdn.commdr: Col. Brown. I worked flight records and was transfered to the 13th while we still flew F-4's

Produced by Progressive Specialties. Also a desert version.