German Air Force Patch 44 LeKG 2 G 91 Gina 441 Staffel Heritage

German Air Force Patch LeKG 44 G 91 Gina 441 Staffel Heritage 1980s Reconnaissance Leipheim AB Embroidered on twill cut edge 99mm by 123mm three and seven eighth inches by four and thirteen sixteenth inches.

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History  

Leichtes Kampfgeschwader LeKG 44 was activated on 1 July 1965 at Leipheim AB on the redesignation of Aufkurungsgeschwader AG 53 Reconnaissance Wing 53 equipped with G 91 Gina light aircraft when fighter bombing was added to its Tactical Reconnaissance role following the NATO and German Air Forces decision to reorganise its Wings to dual role operations. LeKG 44 was assigned to 1 Air Division for NATO operations under 4 ATAF. 

The Wing comprises a Headquarters and three Groups namely Flying Group Technical Group and Aerodrome Group. Flying Group controls the two flying Squadrons of the Wing 441 Reconnaissance Staffel and 442 Fighter Bomber Staffel. Technical Group provides aircraft technical services including maintenance and repair weapons and ammunition survival equipment fuelling Aerodrome fire protection while Aerodrome Group provides non aeronautical activities and tasks including transportation supplies medical services Aerodrome security and defence runway and airfield repair. 

441 Reconnaissance Squadron participated in NATOs Royal Flush XI Royal Flush Competition in May 1966 and achieved the best German result. The Wing undertook a successful NATO verification tactical review TAC EVAL in 1966 and 442 Fighter Bomber Squadron participated in NATOs Air Tac bombing competition at RAF Wildenrath in 1967. 

The Wing undertook a Squadron Exchange deploying eighth aircraft to the Italian Air Forces 32 Stormo at Brindici AB Italy from 18 to 26 July 1968 and in September 1968 deployed to temporary field operating locations on sections of motorway for day and night missions while undertaking a squadron exchange to a Danish Squadron at Karup AB.   

LeKG 44 hosted a Squadron Exchange with the French Air Force 7 EC Mystere fighter bombers from Nancz AB in July 1970 and participated in the Sharp Shooter Competition in November 1972 at Decimomannu training area Sardinia with first place in all three categories bombing missile and cannon marksmanship. LeKG 44 achieved the best score in NATO TACEVAL in May 1973 received the Flight Safety Award and again won Best Team at the Sharp Shooter Competition in both 1973 and 1974.  

With the NATO and German Air Forces decision to reorganise its Wings for single role operations LeKG 44 was inactivated on 24 June 1975. 

This patch dates from the 1980s