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

USAF 48th TFW Transportation Squadron TS Patch Tactical Fighter Wing USAFE F-4D Phantom II 1972 RAF Lakenheath 5 Inch Variant B1

USAF 48th Transportation Squadron TS Tactical Fighter Wing

Validation – Tangible authentic and original

Manufacturer – US Made, Company unknown possibly Denmark’s, NS Meyer

Manufacture – Schiffli type factory machine embroidered on blue twill with white gauze stiffener, cut edge, white synthetic return thread

Visibility – colour

Condition – very good has not been sewn to uniform

Size – 113mm by 90mm

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

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48th TFW Transportation Squadron TS 

This original 48th Tactical Fighter Wing Transportation 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 5-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.

USAF 48th TFW Transportation Squadron

Timeline

48th Motor Vehicle Squadron 1952-1957

• 48th Motor Vehicle Squadron activated at Chaumont Semoutiers Air Base France on 10 July 1952.
• 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 48th MVS was assigned to 48th Maintenance and Supply Group part of 48th Air Base Group with responsibility for Base support.

48th Transportation Squadron 1957-2002

• 48th Motor Vehicle Squadron changed its name to 48th Transportation Squadron on 8 December 1957.
• The Wing was redesignated 48th Tactical Fighter Wing on 8 July 1958
• The 48 Maintenance And Supply Group inactivated on 8 December 1957 and the newly redesignated 48th Transportation Squadron reassigned directly to 48th Air Base Group.
• 48th ABG was renamed 48th Combat Support Groupon 15 January 1962.
•  The Squadron was reassigned from 48th CSG on 24 June 1974.
• The Wing reequipped with F-4D Phantom II in 1972
• The Wing reequipped with F-111F Aardvark fighter bombers in 1977
• 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
• Reactivating 48th Maintenance and Supply Group redesignated as 48th Logistics Group on 31 March 1992. At the same time 48th Transportation Squadron was reassigned to 48th LG.
• 48th Logistics Group was redesignated 48th Maintenance Group on 25 September 2002. On the same day 25 September 2002 48th Transportation Squadron was inactivated.
• Now the transportation role is undertaken by 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron using its Vehicle Maintenance and Vehicular Operations Flights.

Emblem  –

Description – A blue disc edged black with green globe bottom right showing yellow latitude and longitude lines with stylised aircraft and trail around the globe and four white stars upper left with yellow tabs top and bottom of disc edged black, top tab with black lettering “48th Transportation Squadron” bottom tab with black lettering “We move the World”

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 Globe is representative of the Squadrons reach the aircraft for the Air Force. The stars allude to the aerospace medium in which Air Force operations are carried out. The tabs denote the unit and its motto.

Motto –

“We move the World”

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