Air Force patches are symbols of pride and are designed to build spirit de corps among those fortunate brave men who serve in the Air Force. Unlike any of the other major armed forces who serve this country, the Air Force had to battle with the other armed services to become a recognized fight unit. Going back as far as the civil war, the airborne brigades of hot air balloonist were under the command of the U.S. army.
As late as the first word war, the flyboys were thought of as being laggards that the army had to put up with. Many brave fliers lost their lives doing reconasent missions to give the army generals information on troop movements. The first emblems appeared on the aircrafts for identification purposes. As time passed emblems began appearing on flight jackets and on uniforms. Some of the patches worn on the shoulders of airmen today originated with the emblems paint on the old vintage World War I aircrafts. In 1932 an official process was put in place for the USAF organizations to be recognized and have emblems and patches.
Currently there are over 14,000 emblems that are approved for airmen and their service to the air corp. In addition to these 1400 official emblems and patches sewn on uniforms there is an estimate tens of thousands of patches and emblems that are not recognized by the USAF. These unofficial emblems and patches are living reminders to the other service of their hard earned efforts to become thought of as a legitimate fighting force. These unofficial patches in design range from the simple and innocent patches to those that are thought of as risqué. Collectively these emblems and patches are unique pieces of history that serve to remind us of these men and women who have served this country and their nation with pride and distinction.
The air force patches are more than just emblems. They serve as name badges, distinguish rank and status, the specialist and their qualifications for their job, In addition to these items USAF emblems have become collector items.
There are many different sites on the internet that can give you an opportunity to collect the history of flight and aviation in the United States. It is hoped that those who collect these emblems and patches will treat them with respect and honor.
