Cadet Squadron 21

The circular patch shows two playing cards, the ace of spades on top of the jack of spades, centered on a green field. The white numerals "21" sit beneath the cards. The patch has a black boarder. The ace and jack of spades form the winning combination of twenty-one in the card game, Black Jack, thus they note both the squadron's number and nickname. This winning hand symbolizes the ingredients of character necessary to attain success: skill, spirit, ability, and fellowship. The green background represents the combined colors of gold and blue, the colors of the two classes that were involved in the patch's design. This mixture provides the incentive for cooperation between classes. Grant D. Callin, class of 1963, was the principal designer of the emblem.

Cadet Squadron 20

The patch is a royal blue circle bordered in black. An aggressive, strong troll stands in the middle. The green troll wears black trousers highlighted in violet. He is striding forward, stepping over the bright red three-dimensional Roman numeral "XX." "TROLLS" is inscribed behind the troll. In Scandinavian folklore trolls were supernatural giants who lived in the mountains. The 20th Squadron?s troll, a robust character, symbolizes the aggressiveness and confidence of the squadron. It also symbolizes the desire to succeed while simultaneously maintaining a good attitude and sense of humor. The three- dimensional nature of the Roman numeral and the word "TROLLS" signify enduring spirit. The areas of the patch surrounding the troll contains the four class colors. This patch (20th Squadron's second) was adopted in 1972.

Cadet Squadron 17

The patch, a blue diamond-shaped emblem bordered in red, has a banner at its vertex. In the diamond, a clenched silver fist holds a silver torch with a bright orange and red flame. An emerald green wreath encircles both the torch and fist. The solid banner at the bottom contains the inscription "17th Squadron." The clenched fist signifies power and tenacity. The flaming torch represents the drive for knowledge and truth. The emerald green wreath encircling the fist exemplifies the laurels of athletic achievement. Each of the four class colors is represented to signify the importance of unity of all the classes at the academy. This is the original squadron patch.

Cadet Squadron 16

The patch, in the shape of a keystone edged in dark blue, consists of a silver and white hawk on a blue background. A gold lightning bolt is clutched in the bird's talons. The hawk's chest bears a small deep blue keystone with the squadron numeral "16" on it. The hawk, with its outstretched wings, expresses the freedom of flight. The bared talons clutching the lightning bolt exemplify the power that one must possess to maintain one's freedom. This serves as a constant reminder that the Air Force must maintain a high degree of readiness to use force, if necessary, to protect freedom. The blue keystone signifies the knowledge one must possess to remain free. This original squadron patch was designed in 1963 by David M. Connaughton, class of 1965.

Cadet Squadron 13

The patch has a bulldog emblazoned in the foreground of a sky blue circle outlined in black. A lightning bolt shoots across the sky behind the silver bulldog, outlined in black and wearing a spiked collar. On a white scroll at the bottom of the patch is written "13th SQ AFCW." The bulldog represents the full circle of qualities that make up an Air Force officer. It epitomizes the moral resolve and dogged pursuit of duty typical to the cadets of the 13th Squadron. The lightning bolt demonstrates the courage and dedication that characterizes all bulldog graduates. This is the original squadron patch. Early versions of this patch may have a darker blue background. Another possibility is a lighter blue background with a brown bulldog.

Cadet Squadron 12

The patch, an isosceles triangle of sky blue bordered in blue, is dominated by a black and white Polaris star. Behind the star, a jet plane takes off into the blue skies. The airfield below is a checkered design with black and silver squares in the foreground, blue and black squares in the second row, gold and black squares in the third row, and red and black going on into the distance. Printed in blue across the bottom of the triangle on a silver back is "12th Squadron." The Polaris provides a never-failing light to guide cadets on their flight through life. It also serves as a reminder that no goal in life is too high to attain. The aircraft in the background signifies the profession cadets have chosen; its position in flight symbolizes the beginning of their mission to defend and protect their country. The four colors represent the four classes. The checkerboard pattern is the traditional symbol of the original squadron sponsors, the 401st Tactical Fighter Wing. This, the original patch, was designed by William R. Povilus, class of 1963. Color variations of the patch may exist.