USAF 11th Tactical Missile Squadron E Flight Patch BGM-109G GLCM RAF Greenham Common (3 Inch) – Variant A

USAF Patch USAFE GLCM 11th TMS Tactical Missile Squadron E Flight RAF Greenham Common UK 1985 501st Tactical Missile Wing Variant A

USAF 11th TMS E Flight USAFE patch from RAF Greenham Common during the Cold War Ground Launched Cruise Missile GLCM era. This example dates from 1984 and was issued to personnel of the 11th Tactical Missile Squadron, part of the 501st Tactical Missile Wing USAFE.

• Date 1985
• Visibility full colour
• Embroidered on twill with merrowed edge
• Size: 76mm diameter
• Approximate size: 3 inches diameter
• Taiwan manufactured
• Free shipping

Examples of patches for Flights of 11th Tactical Missile Squadron very rare making these particularly interesting to collectors of Cold War USAFE insignia.

Squadron History – 11th Tactical Missile Squadron

11th Tactical Missile Squadron was activated at RAF Greenham Common on 1 October 1982 as the operational missile squadron of 501st Tactical Missile Wing. The Squadron operated the BGM-109G Gryphon Ground Launched Cruise Missile system introduced by NATO in response to Soviet SS-20 intermediate-range nuclear missile deployments across Eastern Europe during the Cold War.

The first GLCMs arrived at RAF Greenham Common in November 1983. The Squadron controlled 96 missiles organised into six operational flights designated A through F. Each flight operated:

• 2 Launch Control Vehicles
• 4 Transporter Erector Launchers TELs
• 16 missiles per flight

During periods of increased tension, the missile flights dispersed from RAF Greenham Common to pre-surveyed launch locations throughout the British countryside. These deployments involved camouflage positions, mobile security units, radar intrusion detection systems, and simulated launch operations.

The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces INF Treaty signed in December 1987 resulted in the removal of all NATO ground-launched nuclear missiles from Europe. 11th Tactical Missile Squadron became the final operational GLCM squadron to be inactivated on 31 May 1991 following the withdrawal of the BGM-109G system.

The Jiggs Squadron Emblem

The Squadron traces its lineage back to WWI and adopted the famous “Jiggs” emblem showing the cartoon character carrying a bomb under his arm. The design was created by Squadron pilot George McManus, creator of the popular comic strip Bringing Up Father. The emblem first appeared on Squadron DH-4 bombers at Maulan Aerodrome in France during September 1918, leading to the unit becoming known as the “Jiggs Squadron”.

This USAF 11th TMS E Flight patch dates from 1985 during the early operational deployment period of the RAF Greenham Common GLCM force.

Visit our knowledge section for the Cold War and view other patches from the period.