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These patches originate from the Air Education & Training Command. In aerial combat training (dogfights) the USAF Aggressor Squadrons flying the AT-38 or "SMURF" are the "bad guys" purportedly flying the Russian MIG thus the markings on the patches. Pilots flying the AT-38C aircraft with PMP modifications refer to it as "Pimped Out". The AT-38 has a long and excellent tradition.
With thanks to Ed Walsh, USAF Retired, Defenders Of The Force
The remaining text is courtesy of Jim Flaviani, USAF Flying Training Patches, an awesome site with pictures of over 11000 USAF patches. My thanks go to Jim for his help in understanding the origin of these patches and for the use of his pictures (where indicated).
USAF Student Pilots, "Studs", have to complete primary pilot training in either the T-37 "Tweet" or the new T-6A "Texan II" aircraft. After they do this, they then go through "Track Select". This is where they get selected for their aircraft assignment. Those that are going to fly Cargo/Tanker type aircraft go to follow-on training in the T-1A "Jayhawk" aircraft. Those that get selected for Fighter or Bomber go to follow-on training in the T-38B or T-38C aircraft. This is known as "IFF" (Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals).
All the T-38 patches, especially the round or comrade ones, are morale patches for the instructor pilots ONLY. They are not worn by the "Aggressor" pilots at Nellis, but by the Instructor pilots at Randolph AFB, Vance AFB, Sheppard AFB and Laughlin AFB. The title of Comrade Major, Comrade General, etc are just fun names and not real. The hours tab on the bottom show how many flight hours they have in the program in that aircraft and that is real.
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Comrade-President
AT-38B
Smurf Aggressor
1500++ Hours |
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Comrade-General
AT-38C
Smurf Aggressor
1000 Hours |
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Comrade-Colonel
AT-38B
Smurf Aggressor
750 Hours |
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Comrade-Major
AT-38B
Smurf Aggressor
500 Hours |
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AT - 38C
Smurf Aggressors |
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AT - 38C
Smurf Aggressors |
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AT - 38B
Smurf Aggressor |
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AT - 38C
PiMP Driver |
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AT - 38B
Smurf Driver |
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AT - 38B/C
Smurf Aggressors |
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 Graduate
HMN AFB
Smurf Weapons School
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Graduate
Smurf Weapons School |
Nametags: the wings without anything on top is the "Basic" rating. The wings with the star on top are the "Senior" rating and is for being a rated pilot with over 6 years experience. The wings with wreath and star are the "Master" rating for over 12 years. Again, they are worn by the instructors only and would have their name and rank embroidered on them. They would also get another made with their nickname, again as a morale type item, for when they went cross country with students.
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88th FTS - Sheppard AFB (ENJJPT)
"Smurf Driver" Nametag
Basic rating |
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88th FTS - Sheppard AFB (ENJJPT)
"Smurf Driver" Nametag
Senior rating |
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88th FTS - Sheppard AFB (ENJJPT)
"Smurf Driver" Nametag
Master rating |
Wanted Patches:
The photos used in this section have been reproduced with the kind permission of Jim Flaviani, USAF Flying Training Patches. Jim retains the copyright to these pictures. Under no circumstances may these pictures be taken or used without his written consent.
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Sheppard AFB
1st GAF Training Squadron USA |
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AT - 38C
Aggressors of the North |
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