USAF 32d Tactical Fighter Squadron Eagle Swirl Patch F-15 Eagle Soesterberg 1985 (3 Inch) – Variant A

32nd TFS Eagle Swirl USAF Patch USAFE Tactical Fighter Squadron Wolfhounds F-15 Eagle 1985 Camp New Amsterdam Soesterberg AB Netherlands

This original 32nd TFS Eagle Swirl USAF Patch is embroidered on twill merrowed edge 98mm three and seven eighth inches diameter.

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Product Description

This original 32nd TFS Eagle Swirl USAF F-15 Eagle patch dates from 1985, when the squadron operated the McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle from Camp New Amsterdam, alongside Royal Netherlands Air Force Base Soesterberg in the Netherlands.

Unlike the squadron’s traditional Wolfhound insignia, this design celebrates the arrival of the F-15 Eagle. The patch features the head of a bald eagle within a sweeping blue and white swirl, symbolising speed, power and air superiority, together with the silhouette of an F-15 Eagle in flight. The modern design reflects the squadron’s transition to one of the world’s most capable air superiority fighters during the Cold War. This patch would have been worn in addition to the traditional Wolfhound insignia.

The 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron was the only permanently based United States Air Force flying squadron in the Netherlands. Operating from Camp New Amsterdam, the squadron formed an important part of NATO’s integrated air defence system, maintaining continuous readiness to intercept aircraft approaching Western European airspace.

Originally equipped with the F-86 Sabre, the squadron later flew the F-102 Delta Dagger and F-4 Phantom II before receiving the F-15A Eagle in 1978. The Eagle transformed the Wolfhounds into one of USAFE’s leading air superiority units, providing exceptional performance, advanced radar capability and long-range interception during the final decade of the Cold War.

During its history, the squadron earned an outstanding operational reputation. The Dutch Government honoured the unit in 1959 by authorising the addition of the Royal Crown and Orange Wreath to its official Wolfhound emblem, recognising its contribution to the defence of the Netherlands. Earlier, while operating the F-102 Delta Dagger, the squadron won the prestigious Hughes Trophy on three occasions as the United States Air Force’s outstanding fighter interceptor squadron.

This 1985 F-15 Eagle patch represents the squadron during the height of NATO’s Cold War air defence mission and is highly collectible among USAFE, F-15 Eagle and Camp New Amsterdam collectors.

Squadron History

In 1954 the Dutch government entered into an agreement with the US to the stationing of a US Air Force fighter squadron in the Netherlands to augment Dutch air defense. Royal Netherlands Air Base Soesterberg was chosen as the location for the fighter squadron.

512 Fighter Day Squadrons relocation to Soesterberg Netherlands in 1954 was well underway when the 512 designation was transferred to RAF Bentwaters in September 1955. Aircraft personnel and equipment remained at Soesterberg and activated as 32 Fighter Day Squadron a designation linked with the Netherlands via its anti submarine defense of Dutch Caribbean possessions in WW2. 32 Fighter Day Squadron Wolfhounds reported to 36 Fighter Wing at Bitburg Air Base West Germany. The Squadron was the only USAF flying unit at Soesterberg occupying a portion of the base which the Squadron named Camp New Amsterdam after the first Dutch settlement in America New Amsterdam which later became New York City.

The Squadron was redesignated 32 Tactical Fighter Squadron on 18 July 1958 remaining part of 36 Tactical Fighter Wing. In 1959 in recognition of the Squadrons contribution to the Cold War defense of The Netherlands the Squadron was awarded the Dutch Royal Crest in 1959 with the honour of adding the Royal crown and oranges wreath to the Wolfhound emblem designed by Walt Disney Studios in WW2 based on its war service of hunting of German U Boat Wolfpacks. The Squadron was renamed 32 Fighter Interceptor Squadron FIS on 8 July 1959. F 102 Delta Dagger interceptor aircraft were received in 1960 and the 32 Wolfhounds were recognized as the most outstanding fighter interceptor squadron in the United States Air Force winning the Hughes Award three times.

Control of 32 Fighter Interceptor Squadron was transferred to Seventeenth Air Force at Sembach West Germany on 1 November 1968 and the Squadron was redesignated 32 Tactical Fighter Squadron on 1 July 1969 reequipping with F 4 Phantom II fighters. F 15 Eagle fighter aircraft were received in 1978 with the Squadrons F 4 Phantoms reassigned to 86 TFW at Ramstein AB.

In 1989 the Dutch Government permitted USAFE to upgrade its headquarters unit at Soesterberg from squadron to group status. The 32 Tactical Fighter Group was activated on 16 November 1989 taking over the functions 32 TFS HQ element and support detachments.

32 TFS Wolfhounds was deployed to Incirlik Turkey from August 1990 to March 1991 for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and were credited with the destruction of an Iraqi Mig on 28 January 1991. Additional deployments continued for Op Provide Comfort April 1991 to April 1993. The Squadron was redesignated 32 Fighter Squadron on 1 November 1991.

In spring 1994 HQ USAFE used the 32 designation for the new 32 Air Operations Group with 32 Fighter Squadron being renamed 32 Air Operations Squadron on its move from Camp New Amsterdam Soesterberg to Ramstein on 1 July 1994 as part of USAFE Theater Air and Space Operations Center at Kapaun Air Station. 632 Air Base Squadron was activated at Soesterburg to complete the base closure. 32 AOG operated as the USAFE Theater Air and Space Operations Center consolidating operational command and control of air space and cyberspace forces. When employed for joint or coalition operations 32 AOG was known as a joint or combined air operations center for coalition operations. The Group largely planned and provided the operational execution of Operation Allied Force NATOs bombing of Serbia Former Yugoslavia. The 32 Air Operations Squadron was inactivated on 1 November 2005.

This patch dates from 1985.

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