USAF 48th Tactical Fighter Wing TFW Patch F-4D Phantom II FMS 1972 – Variant A1b

USAF 48th TFW FMS Patch Field Maintenance Squadron Tactical Fighter Wing USAFE F-4D Phantom II 1972 RAF Lakenheath 3 Inch Variant A1b

USAF 48th Field Maintenance Squadron FMS Tactical Fighter Wing

British made tabbed disc variant

Validation – Tangible authentic and original

Manufacturer – British Made, Bryant and Tucker

Manufacture – factory machine embroidered on light blue twill with cream fabric back, cut edge, white cotton return thead

Visibility – colour

Condition – very good has been sewn to uniform and removed

Size – 67mm by 73mm

Approximate imperial size – two and five eighth by two and seven eighth inches

Free Shipping

 

48th TFW Field Maintenance Squadron FMS 

This original 48th Tactical Fighter Wing Field 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 British 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 A1b 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 MS FMS CAMS and EMS

Timeline

48th Fighter Bomber Wing 

48th Maintenance Squadron MS 1952–1954

• 48th MS was activated at Chaumont Semoutiers Air Base France on 10 July 1952 assigned to 48th Maintenance and Supply Group of 48th Fighter Bomber Wing.
• Initially with F-84G Thunderjet aircraft the Wing transitioned to F- 86F Sabre aircraft in November 1953.
• 48th Maintenance Squadron was redesignated 48th Field Maintenance Squadron on 15 November 1954.

48th Field Maintenance Squadron FMS 1954-1958

• 48th Maintenance Squadron was redesignated 48th Field Maintenance Squadron on 15 November 1954.
• The Wing reequipped with F-100D Super Sabre aircraft in late 1956
• Reassigned from 48th Maintenance and Supply Group to 48th Fighter Bomber Wing on 8 December 1957 with the removal of the Group tier of command following the organizational restructuring of the Wing.
• 48th Fighter Bomber Wing was redesignated 48th Tactical Fighter Wing on 8 July 1958
• 48th Field Maintenance Squadron was redesignated 48th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron on 15 November 1958

48th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron CAMS 1958-1964

• 48th Field Maintenance Squadron was redesignated 48th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron on 15 November 1958
• 48th Tactical Fighter Wing and its components relocated to RAF Lakenheath UK January 1960.
• 48th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron was redesignated 48th Field Maintenance Squadron on 1 July 1964

48th Field Maintenance Squadron FMS 1964-1981

• 48th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron was redesignated 48th Field Maintenance Squadron on 1 July 1964
• The Wing reequipped with F-4D Phantom II in 1972
• The Wing reequipped with F-111F Aardvark fighter bombers in 1977
• 48th Field Maintenance Squadron was redesignated 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron on 31 August 1981

48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron EMS 1981-Present

• 48th Field Maintenance Squadron was redesignated 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron on 31 August 1981
• 48th EMS assumed the functions of 48th Munitions Maintenance Squadron which was inactivated on 31 August 1981
• 48th Tactical Fighter Wing was redesignated 48th Fighter Wing on on 1 October 1991
• 48th EMS was Reassigned to 48 Logistics Group on 31 March 1992 on the reintroduction of the Group organisation tier
• The Wing reequipped with F 15E Strike Eagle aircraft in 1992
• 48th EMS was reassigned from 48th Logistics Group to 48th Maintenance Group on its activation on 25 September 2002.
• 48th EMS handed responsibility for munitions to 48th Munitions Squadron when it was activated on 24 January 2003
• The Wing began reequipping with F 35A Lightning aircraft in December 2021

48th FMS Emblem  –

Description – On a light blue disc from the lower right to the centre is a clenched fist and arm pink, grasping a set of scales with three lightning bolts radiating to top right top and top left in red yellow and dark blue and a yellow shooting star under all surrounded by a ring of white clouds with black details all within a dark blue border. Attached below the disc, a yellow scroll edged with a black border and inscribed “Soutien Pour Tous” in black letters

Significance – Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theatre of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The fist and arm symbolize strength and dexterity in the performance of mechanical duties, The three lightning bolts–blue, yellow and red–represent the fighter squadrons 492nd 493rd and 494th the unit supports. The balanced scales represent the motto Support for All. The white clouds relate to the primary theatre of Air Force operations.

Motto – French – Soutien Pour Tous meaning Support for All chosen while based in France

 

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