Old is New: 326th Airlift Squadron traces history to make updates to patch

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Steve Lewis
  • 512th Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Old is new again for members of the 326th Airlift Squadron. In June, the former squadron patches on their flight suits were replaced with ones originally worn in 1944.
 
In October 2006, the Air Force chief of staff asked major command historical operations and the Air Force Historical Agency to review units Air Force-wide to ensure current emblem designs were consistent with what's on file at The Institute of Heraldry. Once Air Force Reserve Command's portion of the review was complete in September 2007, the 326th AS was identified among other Reserve units to be wearing unauthorized patches.
The squadron quickly began work to correct their patch and bring the design back to its original standards. Two 326th AS members, Capt. Lawrence Dingle and Senior Master Sgt. Kathleen Lambert, volunteered to take on the endeavor. 

"We got involved, because we saw something that needed to be done," said Sergeant Lambert. "We didn't want to lose part of our heritage." 

The original emblem, which featured a C-47 ridden by Disney cartoon character Max Hare has been updated numerous times since the 326th AS was first constituted in 1944 as the 1st Combat Squadron. 

"Walt Disney originally designed the patch for the 1st Combat Squadron," said Captain Dingler. 

He said there are very few patches existing today that have been designed by Disney. 

"That's what makes this patch so special," said Capt. Dingler. "It's exclusive." 

Tracing their roots back to the squadron's constitution, Captain Dingler and Sergeant Lambert found out the first patch was approved in July 1944. The then 1st Combat Squadron wore the badge while they flew C-47s during airlift missions in World War II. Flying over The Hump, or the nickname given for the eastern end of the Himalayan Mountain, the squadron helped transport troops and supplies to bases in China and India. 

In order to bring the patch back to its original design and correct the errors found during the emblem review, Captain Dingler and Sergeant Lambert worked for over a year, but they weren't alone. Along with using specifications from an Air Force Instruction on organizational heraldry, they also had the help of AFRC's Director of Historical Services. 

"The redesign had to be exactly set to Air Force standards," said Captain Dingler. "It was hard finding a manufacturer to work with the specifications." 

Once the work was finished and approvals were reached, the patches arrived at the squadron in June. 

"There was a bad reaction in the squadron at first," said Captain Dingler. "Everyone had opinions just because of change." 

From the original pen and ink drawing to a final manufactured product, Captain Dingler and Sergeant Lambert said they were both happy to retain the squadron's heritage with the new patch. 

"One thing's for sure," said Sergeant Lambert, "we are correct to Air Force specifications."