492nd TFS F-4 Phantom II Tactical Fighter Squadron Patch RAF Lakenheath 48th TFW mid 1970s (5 Inch) – Variant C

492nd TFS F-4 Phantom II Tactical Fighter Squadron Patch RAF Lakenheath 48th mid 1970s

This UK Made Uniform removed 492nd TFS F-4 Phantom II patch is fully embroidered cut edge 127mm by 90mm five inches by three and one half inches, this variant has a grey background.

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Provence and Authenticity

This patch dates from the early 1970s and commemorates the final years of the 492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron’s F-100 Super Sabre operations at RAF Lakenheath before conversion to the F-4D Phantom II.

Insignia Elements

• Red and blue eagle – symbolizes the 492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron and American air power.
• Torch of Liberty – reflects the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing’s “Statue of Liberty Wing” heritage.
• Lightning bolt – represents tactical strike capability and readiness.
• “Madhats” scroll – refers to the squadron nickname “Madhatters”, used since World War II.

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492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron – The Final Super Sabre Years

This colourful patch dates from the final years of the 492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron’s long association with the North American F-100D Super Sabre. The squadron formed part of the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, the famous “Statue of Liberty Wing”, based at RAF Lakenheath.

Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s the 492nd TFS maintained NATO strike readiness against the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact. Aircraft and crews regularly took part in USAFE and NATO exercises and tactical evaluations, preparing for conventional and nuclear strike missions in support of Allied forces in Europe.

The squadron also participated in deployments throughout Europe and the Mediterranean, including exercises in Turkey, Italy and Spain.

The Madhatters

The 492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron was known as the “Madhatters”, a nickname dating back to the Second World War. Their distinctive red and blue insignia featuring an eagle carrying the Statue of Liberty torch reflected their membership of the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, whose emblem incorporated the Statue of Liberty after the Wing’s years at Chaumont Air Base, France.

The lightning bolt represents tactical air power, while the torch symbolizes the Wing’s famous “Statue of Liberty” heritage.

Transition to the Phantom II

By 1972 the strategic situation in Europe had changed and the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing was relieved of its permanent NATO commitments in preparation for a major equipment change.

Beginning in 1972, the 492nd TFS started converting from the F-100D Super Sabre to the McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II, receiving aircraft transferred from the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Bentwaters. The last F-100s departed RAF Lakenheath in August 1974, ending nearly eighteen years of Super Sabre operations with the Wing.

Only a few years later, in 1977, the squadron would convert again, this time to the General Dynamics F-111F Aardvark, beginning another famous chapter in the unit’s history.

Collector’s Notes

This patch represents one of the last insignia designs associated with the 492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron during the F-100 Super Sabre era. Produced during the early 1970s, it commemorates the final years before the squadron’s transition to the F-4 Phantom II.

Patches from this period are increasingly difficult to find and represent an important link between the classic Super Sabre years and the later Phantom and F-111 eras of the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing.

Squadron History

492 Fighter Bomber Squadron was reactivated after its wartime service on 10 July 1952 at Chaumont Semoutiers Air Base France with F 84 Thunderjet fighter bombers as part of 48 Fighter Bomber Group under 12 Air Force The Squadron supported NATO and USAFE activities with operational readiness exercises tactical evaluations training and improving bombing and gunnery skills with the US Seventh Army. 492 FBS frequently deployed to Wheelus AFB Libya for live firing bombing and gunnery training. In November 1953 the Squadron received F 86F Sabre fighters. On 4 July 1954 the mayor of Chaumont bestowed on to 48 FBW the honorary title of the Statue de la Liberte Wing. In late 1956 the 492 FBS reequipped with F 100D Super Sabre fighter bombers and on 8 December 1957 was reassigned to 48 FBW when it assumed direct control of the combat flying Squadrons with the inactivation of 48 Fighter-Bomber Group tier.

48 FBW was reassigned to USAFE on 1 January 1958 and 492 FBS redesignated 492 Tactical Fighter Squadron on 8 July 1958 with 48 FBW becoming 48 Tactical Fighter Wing. The nuclear weapon capable F 100D caused disagreements with France concerning atomic storage and custody issues within NATO and relations between France and the US deteriorated resulting in French President Charles de Gaulle demanding the removal of NATO forces from the country. Under project Red Richard USAFE relocated its units from France. At the same time the advent of the inter continental ballistic missile had reduced US dependence on European based airborne medium and long ranged bombers leaving SAC Air Bases available for the USAFE units. On 15 January 1960 492 TFS with the rest of 48 TFW redeployed RAF Lakenheath England which underwent conversion to a permanent base to support fighter operations.

The Berlin Wall crisis in 1961 and the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis increased Cold War tensions and the Squadron continued its NATO training and tactical evaluations to maximise its tactical bombing capability in the event of war with the Soviet Union. In 1 September 1962 following a number of switches between 17 and 3 Air Forces 48 TFW came under the operational command of Third Air Force. During this period the Squadron also conducted deployments to Turkey Italy Spain and across the United Kingdom and maintained its readiness by participating in a number of USAFE and NATO exercises training to react to possible aggression from the Soviet Union and undertook a series of NATO tactical evaluations.

In 1972 the 48 TFW was stood down from its NATO commitments and the Squadron began conversion to F 4D Phantom II fighters transferred from 81 TFW at RAF Bentwaters with the last F 100 departing in August 1974. In 1977 the Wing exchanged its F 4s for F 111F Aardvark fighter bombers transferred from 347 TFW Mountain Home AB. The transition to F 111Fs took place very quickly and without any significant problems and almost immediately the Squadron began a series of monthly exercises and deployments to Italy Iran Greece and Pakistan.

On 14 and 15 April 1986 492 Tactical Fighter Squadron participated in Operation El Dorado Canyon the long range air raid on Tripoli Libya. On 25 August 1990 Liberty Wing began its deployment to Taif AB Saudi Arabia as 48 Tactical Fighter Wing Provisional for Operation Desert Shield Desert Storm with the 492 493 and 494 TFSs 66 F 111F Aardvarks in place by December 1990 and the Squadron successfully executed many combat missions during Operation Desert Storm. The Squadron returned to RAF Lakenheath with the Wing on 13 May 1991 and on 1 October 1991 the Squadron was redesignated 492 Fighter Squadron with 48 Tactical Fighter Wing becoming 48 Fighter Wing.

In the midst of organizational changes following lessons learnt during the campaign over Iraq the Squadron reequipped with F 15E Strike Eagle in early February 1992 and the mission changed from air to ground strike attack to the air to air role. The Squadron was reassigned to 48 Operations Group on 31 March 1992 and has participated in numerous deployments to Southwest Asia during which after 1 October 1994 it is designated 492 Expeditionary Fighter Squadron while it supports Air Expeditionary operations as part of the ongoing Global War on Terrorism including Operations Provide Comfort Northern Watch Iraqi Freedom OIF Enduring Freedom OEF and also Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya in March 2011 as well as Baltic Air Policing

USAF 492 TFS Squadron Patch USAFE 48 TFW F 4 Phantom

This patch dates from the mid 1970s

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