USAF 48th Fighter Wing Patch F-15 Eagle Surgical Sqn 2007 (3 Inch) – Variant A

48th FW Surgical Operations Squadron Patch Medical Group USAF F-15E Strike Eagle RAF Lakenheath 2007 (3 Inch) Variant A1

48th FW Surgical Operations Squadron Patch Medical Group USAF FW Fighter Wing F-15E Strike Eagle 2007. Returning to the use of smaller 3 Inch patches

This patch was issued to the newly activated 48th Surgical Operations Squadron of 48th Medical Group and is a representation of their official emblem.

Validation – Tangible authentic and original

Manufacturer – British Made, RAF Lakenheath Craft Shop

Manufacture – computer machine fully embroidered on white twill with a cut edge and thin black pressed fabric full backing sheet

Visibility – color

Condition – very good has not been sewn to uniform

Size – 81mm by 77mm

Approximate imperial size – three and three sixteenth inches by three inches

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48th Fighter Wing F-15 Eagle

This original 48th FW DCC Dedicated Crew Chief patch is from the beginning of the famous F-15E Strike Eagle era of the Liberty Wing.

The 48th Fighter Wing’s F-15 era represents the next chapter in a distinguished history stretching back to 1952. Originally activated as the 48th Fighter Bomber Wing at Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base, France, the Wing operated the F-84G Thunderjet, F-86F Sabre and F-100D Super Sabre before being redesignated 48th Tactical Fighter Wing on 8 July 1958. 48th TFW relocated to RAF Lakenheath, England, in 1960. During the Cold War the Wing became one of USAFE’s premier combat organisations, flying the F-100D Super Sabre, F-4D Phantom II and the famous F-111F Aardvark.

The Liberty Wing achieved international recognition during the F-111F era. Aircraft from the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing conducted the long-range strike against Libya during Operation El Dorado Canyon in 1986 and later flew 1,919 combat sorties during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Following the Gulf War, the Wing began restructuring under the USAF Objective Wing Organisation program and was redesignated the 48th Fighter Wing on 1 October 1991.

On 15 February 1992 the Wing began conversion to the F-15E Strike Eagle. The new aircraft combined precision air-to-ground attack capability with advanced air-to-air performance, ensuring the Liberty Wing remained one of the most capable combat units in United States Air Forces in Europe. The final F-111F aircraft departed RAF Lakenheath in December 1992, bringing to an end fifteen years of Aardvark operations.

The Wing’s fighter capability expanded further when the 493rd Fighter Squadron “Grim Reapers” was reactivated on 7 January 1994 equipped with F-15C and F-15D Eagle aircraft. While the 492nd and 494th Fighter Squadrons operated the strike-focused F-15E, the 493rd FS provided dedicated air superiority capability, giving the Wing a powerful combination of offensive strike and defensive fighter missions.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s the 48th Fighter Wing became USAFE’s lead Air Expeditionary Wing. Aircraft and personnel supported operations over Iraq, the Balkans and Afghanistan while maintaining NATO commitments across Europe. The Wing participated in Operation Allied Force over Kosovo in 1999 and later supported Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.

The Liberty Wing continued to play a major role in international security during the twenty-first century. Aircraft from RAF Lakenheath participated in Operation Odyssey Dawn over Libya in 2011 and later conducted combat operations against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The Wing also maintained regular deployments for Icelandic Air Policing, Baltic Air Policing and multinational NATO exercises throughout Europe and the United States.

In 2006 the Wing gained the 56th Rescue Squadron, adding dedicated combat search and rescue capability. This was followed by the activation of the 57th Rescue Squadron, strengthening RAF Lakenheath’s personnel recovery mission and expanding the Wing’s operational capabilities.

The next major development came with the return of the 495th Fighter Squadron. Reactivated on 1 October 2021, the squadron became the first F-35A Lightning II unit assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing. The first aircraft arrived at RAF Lakenheath in December 2021. In 2022 the 493rd Fighter Squadron transitioned from the F-15C Eagle to the F-35A, beginning a new era of fifth-generation combat capability at RAF Lakenheath.

Today the 48th Fighter Wing remains one of the most important combat wings in the United States Air Force. From the F-84 Thunderjet and F-100 Super Sabre to the F-111F Aardvark, F-15 Eagle and F-35A Lightning II, the Liberty Wing has maintained continuous frontline service in Europe for more than seventy years.

Patches from the F-15E Strike Eagle era are highly collectible among RAF Lakenheath, USAFE and modern military aviation collectors. Popular themes include F-15E Strike Eagle squadron patches, 493rd Fighter Squadron “Grim Reapers” insignia, Air Expeditionary Force deployments, Operation Allied Force, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom memorabilia, together with transition patches marking the arrival of the F-35A Lightning II.

 

48th Surgical Operations Squadron

48th Surgical Operations Squadron was activated on 19 July 2007 assigned to 48th Medical Group

Emblem –

Description – On a disc Azure, a cross in chief Gules, fimbriated Argent, issuing from base a flame of the second, edged Or, and a stylized eagle rising, wings displayed Sable, shaded Silver Gray, edged of the third, all within a narrow border Blue. Attached above the disc, a White scroll edged with a narrow Blue border and inscribed “Vitam Dare Salutem Restituere ” in Blue letters. Attached below the disc, a White scroll edged with a narrow Blue border and inscribed “48th Surgical Operations Sq” in Blue letters.

Significance – Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The red cross represents the Squadron’s core mission and competency as medics across all medical Air Force Specialty Codes. The flames allude to the fire of combat where the Squadron is required to bring its skills, the peril which its patients can be in that requires its intervention and the testing of its ability in delivering absolute superior health care. The eagle rising from the flames alludes to the mythological Phoenix representing the Squadron’s support of the 48th Fighter Wing’s primary mission and symbolizes the restoration of health and support of the United States Air Force mission.

Motto –

Latin “Vitam Dare Salutem Restituere” translates in English to “Delivering Life Restoring Health.”

 

This 48th FW Surgical Operations Squadron patch dates from 2007.