USAF 48th Tactical Fighter Wing TFW Patch F-111F SPG 7348th Security Police Group 1985 – Variant A1a

48th TFW 7348th Security Police Group SPG Patch USAF Tactical Fighter Wing USAFE F-111F Aardvark RAF Lakenheath 1985 (3 Inch) Subdued Variant A1a

48th TFW 7348th Security Police Group was in existence for only three years 1985 to 1988

Validation – Tangible authentic and original

Manufacturer – Taiwan made

Manufacture – fully embroidered through black twill and white gauze backing with the rear locking threads white synthetic and a cut edge

Visibility – subdued olive green low visibility

Condition – very good has not been sewn to uniform

Size – 76mm by 76mm

Approximate imperial size – three inches by three inches

Free Shipping

48th Tactical Fighter Wing F-111F Aardvark

This original 48th TFW 7348th Security Police Group SPG patch is from the famous F-111F Aardvark era of the Liberty Wing. Operating from RAF Lakenheath during the height of the Cold War the Wing flew advanced F-111F Aardvark fighter bomber from 1977. 48th Tactical Fighter Wing became one of the most combat-capable tactical strike wings in USAF in Europe and NATO.

In 1977 the 48th TFW exchanged its F-4D Phantom II aircraft for the F-111F Aardvark transferred from the 347th TFW at Mountain Home Air Force Base. The successful transition earned the Wing its third Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. The Wing’s flying Squadrons remained the 492nd, 493rd and 494th Tactical Fighter Squadrons. Equipped with the long-range strike capability of the F-111F, the Wing immediately expanded operational deployments and exercises throughout Europe and the Middle East, including Italy, Iran, Greece and Pakistan.

The Wing’s operational strength increased further when the 495th Tactical Fighter Squadron was activated on 1 April 1977.  Acting as a replacement training unit, the 495th TFS helped maintain combat readiness across the Liberty Wing. By 1979 the 48th TFW had flown the highest number of flying hours ever recorded by an F-111 unit in a fiscal year. The Wing passed  its USAFE Operational Readiness Inspection and NATO Tactical Evaluation in 1980 and received its fourth Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

During the 1980s the F-111F became internationally recognised through its precision strike capability and frontline NATO role. The 48th TFW deployed temporarily to RAF Sculthorpe in 1983 while RAF Lakenheath’s runway was resurfaced.

Operation El Dorado Canyon

In 1986 the Wing participated in the long-range strike mission against Libyan targets in Tripoli during Operation El Dorado Canyon. The attack was undertaken alongside the United States Navy Sixth Fleet. Although one aircraft and crew were lost, the Wing received the US Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation for the operation.

Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm Gulf War

The Wing again entered combat during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Deploying as 48th TFW (Provisional) to Taif Air Base, Saudi Arabia, the 492nd, 493rd and 494th Tactical Fighter Squadrons flew 2,500 combat sorties. They achieved more than 2,200 target hits using the F-111F Aardvark and and dropped 7.3 million pounds of precision-guided munitions. 48th TFW (P) executed the first combat drop of the GBU-28 “bunker buster” bomb on 27 February 1991 and is credited with destroying hundreds of Iraqi tanks. The Wing returned to RAF Lakenheath in May 1991 and soon began restructuring under the USAF Objective Wing Organization program.

On 1 October 1991 the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing was redesignated the 48th Fighter Wing, while the Tactical Fighter Squadrons became Fighter Squadrons. The 495th FS was inactivated in December 1991 followed by the 493rd FS in December 1992, marking the end of the famous F-111F era at RAF Lakenheath.

This original USAF 48th TFW 7348th Security Police Group SPG patch is highly collectible among RAF Lakenheath, USAFE Operation Desert Storm and Cold War aviation memorabilia collectors, preserving the heritage of one of the United States Air Force’s most important combat fighter wings.

 

Timeline

48th Air Police Squadron 1952-1967

• 48th Air Police Squadron was activated with 48th Fighter Bomber Wing at Chaumont Semoutiers AB France on 10 July 1952 assigned to 48th Air Base Group.
• 48th Fighter Bomber Wing was equipped with F-84G Thunderjet aircraft
• The Wing transitioned to F- 86F Sabre aircraft in November 1953 and reequipped with F-100D Super Sabre aircraft in late 1956
• The Wing was redesignated 48th Tactical Fighter Wing on 8 July 1958
• 48th APS relocated with 48th TFW to RAF Lakenheath England on 15 January 1960.

48th Security Police Squadron 1967-1997

• 48th Air Police Squadron was redesignated 48th Security Police Squadron on 1 May 1967 when USAF changed the designation of all Air Police and Combat Defence units.
• The Wing reequipped with F-4D Phantom II in 1972
• The Wing reequipped with F-111F Aardvark fighter bombers in 1977
• 7348th Security Police Group was activated on 1 August 1985 and was assigned 48th Security Police Squadron to manage the increasing Base security requirements with ongoing CND demonstrations at RAF Lakenheath.
• 7348th Security Police Group was inactivated and replaced by 48th Security Police Group on 21 October 1988.
• The Wing was redesignated 48th Fighter Wing on 1 October 1991
• The Wing began its transition to F 15 Eagle aircraft on 15 February 1992
• 48th Security Police Group was inactivated on 31 March 1992 and 48th SPS was reassigned to 48th Support Group.

48th Security Forces Squadron 1997-Present

• 48th Security Police Squadron was redesignated 48th Security Forces Squadron on 1 July 1997.
• The Wing began its transition from F 15 Eagle aircraft to F 35A lightning aircraft on 15 December 2021.

 

Squadron and Group Emblem

The emblem is symbolic of the squadron and its mission. The encircling olive branches depict honor and the red rim valor. The two shades of blue in the background represent 24-hour night and day protection. The armored fist alludes to power and protection, the sword to justice, the lightning bolts as a striking force. The wings depict peace and the 48 stars allude to the number of the unit. The emblem bears the US national colors, red, white and blue, to reflect patriotism and the Air Force colors, ultramarine blue and golden yellow, to indicate the unit is an integral part of the United States Air Force. Approved 23 Apr 1964.

Squadron Motto

Latin – Parati Pro Re Improvisa – Prepared for the Unexpected

 

This patch dates from 1985 with 7348th Security Police Group was in existence for only three years to 1988.