USAF Patch Training c 561 JTS Joint Tactics Squadron Air Warfare

USAF Patch 561 JTS Joint Tactics Squadron Air warfare Centre 57 Wing Patch 2007 Nellis AFB Velcro Fully embroidered merrowed edge 101mm by 81mm four inches by three and three sixteenth inches.

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Squadron History

561 Tactical Fighter Squadron was activated on 1 May 1962 at McConnell AFB Kansas as part of 388 Tactical Fighter Wing with F-105
Thunderchiefs and when 388 TFW deployed to Vietnam 23 TFW renumbered its squadrons the 560 561 562 and 563 TFSs.  23 TFW began rotational TDY deployments to Southeast Asia in November 1964 deployed to to Takhli in Thailand and Da Nang in South Vietnam. The Squadron upgraded to F-105Gs and the primary mission became Wild Weasel suppression of enemy air defense.

In April 1972 561 TFS deployed to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand when the US turned heavily towards air power and throughout Linebacker I and Linebacker II 561 TFS flew over 1900 combat sorties nearly 6,000 combat hours and was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat V for valor and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.

On 1 July 1973, the 561 moved to George Air Force Base and joined the 35 Tactical Fighter Wing. In 1978 561 TFS began conversion to F-4G Advanced Wild Weasel aircraft and the Squadron transferred to 37 Tactical Fighter Wing on 30 March 1981 reverting back to 35 Tactical Fighter Wing on 5 October 1989.

In August 1990 561 TFS F-4 Phantom Wild Weasels deployed to Sheikh Isa Air Base Bahrain and during Operation Desert Storm flew over 2,400 sorties logging more than 8,000 combat hours before returning to George AFB in March 1991. The Squadron was re-designated 561 Fighter Squadron on 1 November 1991 and was inactivated on 30 June 1992.

561 Fighter Squadron reactivated at Nellis Air Force Base on 1 February 1993 as part of 57 Operations Group and soon deployed to Incirlik Air Base in support of Operation Provide Comfort and returned to Southwest Asia at Dhahran Air Force Base in Saudi Arabia supporting Operation Southern Watch and Operation Vigilant Warrior.

In 1994 the 561 FS became the largest fighter squadron in the United States Air Force and the Squadron was also employed as an Aggressor squadron during RED FLAG exercises at Nellis AFB. 561 FS inactivated on 26 March 1996 with the retirement of the F-4G Phantom II and the Wild Weasel SEAD mission was assumed by F-16s in different squadrons.

The Squadron was reactivated as 561 Joint Tactics Squadron on 22 May 2007 at Nellis AFB assigned to 57 Wing. The Squadron is tasked with rapidly compiling and disseminating tactical lessons learned evolving tactics techniques and procedures in the battlespace.

Squadron members regularly deploy into combat theaters to identify emerging tactics techniques and procedures as well as gaps in warfighter support. The Squadron collates and prepares the information to improve capability designing training programmes to enable deploying Air Expeditionary Forces are kept current relevant and extremely well prepared for combat on day one in theater. 

This patch dates from 2007.