United States Air force Squadron, Wing, command and Deployment patches are a great collectable item.  These patches illustrate the history of the unit and show its mascot or colors or symbols.  It is a great way to show support for a loved one who is serving or has served our country as a member of the Armed Services.  These patches are small and easily displayed so your collection will not take over your life or your house!

When bidding on these patches, there are several distinctions:

First:  Is it a Squadron patch?  These patches show the actual individual flying or training unit and must be cleared by the Air Force history office before they can be designed.  They will likely show the unit history and be in the unit colors.  They ALL have a story behind them.  Some will date all the way back to the beginning of military flight. 

Second:  Is it a Wing patch?  For those who do not know the organization of the USAF.  Aircraft sortie out usually in flights of 2 or 4.  In the Squadron groups of aircrews or pilots are organized in flights and have their own flight commander for administrative purposes.  The flight commander authorizes leave,  schedules flight assignments, additional duties and handles discipline.  The flights (usually 4) are then grouped into a squadron.  Squadrons have from 16 to 32 aircraft for fighter squadrons and fewer for transport or "heavy" squadrons.  These squadrons are grouped together (usually 3 or more) into Wings.  These wings usually are the deployable group for wartime.  In other words, and entire wing will move as one as they go to war.

Third:  Is it a Command patch?  types of aircraft are grouped into commands.  commands are also grouped by locale.  Tactical Air Command (now Air Combat Command) had all the tactical fighter aircraft located in the continental United States.  Pacific Air Forces had all aircraft stationed in the Pacific ocean theater etc.

Fourth:  Is it a deployment patch?  Units had special "not authorized" patches made to document deployments, events, or special events.  these patches are usually very colorful, sometimes whimsical and always interesting.  The history behind these patches make them a collector's dream!

Fifth:  Is the patch "bright flash"  or "dim steady"?  "Bright flash" patches are in full color and very attractive.  tehy show the unit's distinctive colors and demonstrate the history in great detail.  "Dim steady" patches are in subdued coloring so the individual can wear them in a deployed combat location.  They are subdued so they do not provide a bright "spot" on the flight suit which could be used as a sniper's target.  obviously fight crews would make a "juicy target"!  "Dim Steady" patches were not made in large numbers as the unit only needed them if they deployed to a combat location.  Many units did, however, have these patches made for local exercises, so research is needed to find out if the "dim steady" patch was worn in combat or exercises only.

Sixth:  Is the patch sewn on "male" velcro?  Patches were on velcro for tactical aircrews so they could be removed to "sanitize" their flight suits before combat flights.  This allowed the aircrew to have a flight suit with nothing on it if the aircrew had to "bail out" and came down in enemy territory.  This made the flight suit all green for easier concealment and if the aircrew was captured, then their units were not displayed to the capturing enemy.  Older flight suits had the patches sewn directly on them and some heavy units also had patches directly sewn on.

Lastly:  Is the patch from the owner's personal collection?  Did the seller wear the patch while flying?  While in combat or deployed?  Does the seller know the history?  All this information makes the patch more valuable and more interesting for your collection!

Good luck with your bidding and your collecting!