22nd Squadron          Activated 1961

1962

1962          "Raptors"

Description: On a triangle, one point up, the base arched with the upper portion red and the lower in white, the Arabic numeral “22” stands out. The numeral is blue with a white base on the red field. On the white field, eight light beams in gold, blue, silver, and red radiate from the base of the numeral. The rays are surmounted by a silver gray sabre, palewise in perspective, pointing to the numeral 22. The hilt is garnished with a Navigator’s badge and the pommel with a globe. The globe shows the water areas in dark gray with the borders in black. The triangle is bordered in blue and white.

Significance: The red background is for courage. The light rays use the colors of the four classes as they converge to a point indicating the unity of purpose among all ranks of the Cadet Wing. The sabre, bearing the Navigator’s Badge and globe, represents strength and readiness.

History: This is the squadron’s original patch, adopted in 1962.

Nicknames: "Double Deuce"   "Raptors"

  1965 –

 

Request for Approval

Sijan Hall October 2005

Since its formation in 1961, the 22nd Squadron has produced many distinguished officers. Former Double Deuce graduates carried the tradition and spirit of the squadron to Southeast Asia. Three were among returned POWs: Tom Browning, Tom McNish, and Ed Mechenbier. Also from the squadron came the outstanding twice All-America center, Orderia Mitchell. The 22nd is sponsored by the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Offutt AFB, Nebraska.  – C3C Douglas Ford, Class of 1976, Falconews, 29 March 1974

Twenty-Second Squadron’s patch has some very interesting symbolism. The red background symbolizes the courage shown in aerial combat. The light rays, each of a different color, symbolize each of the four classes at the Air Force Academy. These colors converge with the sabre to a point that indicates the unity of the Cadet Wing. The sabre, bearing the Navigator’s badge and globe, represents strength and readiness.  – 1975 Polaris

Extra

"If memory serves me well, CS17 became CS22 as we started my Third Class year in 1961. The new patch was designed by a committee that included Butch McGhee and myself. It was also Butch and I who cut and laid the tile in the floor and painted the patch on the window. I’m sure we had upper class help on the design and believe that came from Jim D’Entremont, Class of 1962. If no one steps forward with a different version, you can accept this as gospel."  – Edward Mechenbier, Class of 1964 (December 2002)