USAF 48th Tactical Fighter Wing TFW Patch F-4D Phantom II OMS 1972 – Variant B1

USAF 48th TFW OMS Patch Organizational Maintenance Squadron Tactical Fighter Wing USAFE F-4D Phantom II 1972 RAF Lakenheath 3 Inch Variant B1

USAF 48th Organizational Maintenance Squadron OMS Tactical Fighter Wing

Validation – Tangible authentic and original

Manufacturer – British Made, Bryant and Tucker

Manufacture – Schiffli type factory machine embroidered on blue twill with black fabric stiffener, cut edge, white cotton return thead

Visibility – colour

Condition – very good has not been sewn to uniform

Size – 88mm by 78mm

Approximate imperial size – three and one half inches by three and one eighth inches

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48th TFW Organizational Maintenance Squadron OMS 

This original 48th Tactical Fighter Wing Organizational Maintenance Squadron patch is from the period the Wing transitioned to the legendary F-4D Phantom II. At this time it was based at RAF Lakenheath United Kingdom. This US-made tabbed disc variant represents an important chapter in USAFE fighter history. It identifies a further stage of 48th TFW modernising its combat capability in support of NATO operations across Europe.

Following years of operating the F-100D Super Sabre, the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing began conversion to the F-4D Phantom II in 1972. The aircraft were transferred from the 81st TFW at RAF Bentwaters, marking a major upgrade in interceptor and strike capability. Consequently, the final F-100D Super Sabres departed RAF Lakenheath in August 1974 as the Phantom era became fully established. 48th TFW continued its frontline tactical nuclear USAFE and NATO mission during a period of heightened Cold War tension in Europe. The Wing operated the F-4D Phantom II for five years from 1972 to 1977.

RAF Lakenheath became one of the most important USAF fighter bases in the United Kingdom. From there 48th TFW maintained a rapid-response combat readiness and participating in NATO exercises and deployments throughout the region. The F-4 Phantom II remains one of the most iconic Cold War fighter aircraft ever operated by the United States Air Force.

This 3-inch Variant B1 patch is highly collectible among USAFE, RAF Lakenheath and F-4 Phantom II aviation memorabilia collectors. A tangible item, preserves the heritage of one of the USAFE’s most famous tactical fighter wings during the Phantom era.

48th Organizational Maintenance Squadron

Timeline

48th Organizational Maintenance Squadron

• 48th Organizational Maintenance Squadron was activated at RAF Lakenheath on 14 May 1964 assigned to 48th Tactical Fighter Wing.
• 48th OMS was inactivated on 1 January 1966.
• 48th Organizational Maintenance Squadron was reactivated on 1 February 1972 assigned to 48th Tactical Fighter Wing.
• 48th OMS was redesignated 48th Aircraft Generation Squadron AGS on 31 August 1981

48th Aircraft Generation Squadron

• 48th Aircraft Generation Squadron AGS was activated on 31 August 1981 on the redesignation of 48th Organizational Maintenance Squadron
• 48th Aircraft Generation Squadron was reassigned to 48th Fighter Wing on 1 October 1991 when 48th TFW was redesignated 48th FW.
• 48th AGS was inactivated on 31 March 1992.

 

Emblem  –

Description – A blue disc edged white with sixteen stars around perimeter pink hand holding yellow Statue of Liberty torch with red flames superimposed on red diagonal lightning bolt.

Significance – The emblem is symbolic of the unit, the Air Force, and the national colors. The color blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations, and yellow to the sun and the excellence of personnel in assigned tasks. The hand is representative of Air Force personnel carrying the torch of freedom. The stars allude to the aerospace medium in which Air Force operations are carried out. The lightning bolt represents the striking power of the United States Air Force. (Approved, 14 Nov 1972)

Motto – Uses Unit title 48th OMS

 

 

This 48th TFW OMS patch dates from 1972 from the early F-4D Phantom II era