10th Air Base Wing

The 10th Air Base Wing is the host wing for the U.S. Air Force Academy, handling base support functions that include communications, security and civil engineering.

CCLD

The Center for Character and Leadership Development is charged with transforming basic cadets into leaders of character during their four years at the Air Force Academy.

Cadet Squadron 38

The patch, shaped like a shield and outlined in black, has five white stars on a blue background in its upper portion. The nickname "ALL STARS" leaves blue contrails as it flares from the red and white vertical stripes of the lower portion. The blue numeral "38" sits to the upper left of the nickname. The patch resembles the American flag and the Air Force shield and symbolizes the qualities of patriotism, courage and devotion to duty. "ALL STARS" is testimony to the excellence with which each squadron member performs his duties and responsibilities. The five stars stand for the five ideals of the squadron: character, discipline, devotion to duty, excellence and pride. This second patch of the squadron was approved in 1972.

Cadet Squadron 37

The current patch is yet another in the evolution of the squadron's emblem and, technically, another color variation of the original. Its predominant color is royal blue, with gold bordering the circle. In the center, a gray knight with a blue shield, a red and white coronet, and a winged helmet is mounted on a large, gray and white stallion. The knight holds a silver, white and gray lance. A large, cratered, sliver moon and the red numeral "37" are in the upper right hand area. Gold is used for the knight's spur, the saddle girth and the horse's front hoof. This variation, the third major color change, has been used since 1976. It is possible to find examples of this patch without the red on the knight's coronet or headban.

Cadet Squadron 34

The patch is a circle with a gold border. The top half of the background is blue with a white "34" in the upper tight. The lower half of the filed has alternating red and white stripes converging at the center of the patch. A gray A-10 Thunderbolt II with a P-47 Thunderbolt immediately below it dominates the center. A bolt of lightning, gold with a white border, extends from the upper left to the lower right. A gray and purple armored hand holds the bolt, and Polaris lies immediately below the hand. The dominate colors represent the four classes at the Air Force Academy. Though both aircraft are nicknamed "Thunderbolt," the A-10 symbolizes the modern American Air Force while the P-47 serves as a reminder of its rich heritage. The thunderbolt shows the strength and power of the Air Force, and the arm poised to throw the thunderbolt serves as a warning to potential aggressors that America is ready and willing to use military might to maintain its freedom and society. The thunderbolt patch, the squadron's third, was designed by Tracy M. Murakami, and approved for use in September 1981.

Cadet Squadron 33

The patch is a white circle outlined in gold. Two black falcons, diving in formation, leave blue contrails. The black numeral "33" is located in the patch's upper right portion. The two spacecraft-like falcons represent the mascot of the Air Force Academy, the bird of prey noted for its speed, keen eyesight and fierce fighting spirit. They fly in formation to show the teamwork of the members of the cadet wing and the Air Force. This is the squadron's original patch.

Cadet Squadron 30

The patch is a circle with a knight's helmet, topped with a four-color plume, in the center. A stylized black and white aircraft leaves a contrail on a blue field to the helmet's left. To its right, the red numeral "30" sits amid red-highlighted yellow flames on a black field. The knight's helmet represents the military profession--cadet's heritage. The four-colored plume symbolizes the four classes. The flames stand fro war, to which the helmet is impervious. The ascending aircraft on the left suggests freedom of the skies and a peaceful contrast to the flames of war. This is the squadron's original patch. It may be found with variations in the blue colors.

Cadet Squadron 29

The patch is a white circle with a gold border. The central figure, a black panther, crouches on the top horizontal bar of the red Roman numeral "XXIX." The black panther represents the quick strength and cunning of the Air Force; its crouched stance is a reminder that the Air Force is always ready. The white background symbolizes the virtue and nobility of humankind. The red Roman numeral symbolizes the fact that war has existed since antiquity, and the mission of the Air Force is to defend the country. This is the squadron's original patch.

Cadet Squadron 26

The patch depicts Snoopy wearing a gold World War I flying helmet and sitting on his sliver dog house atop a bright green hill. The large red numeral "26" is displayed on a blue sky above Snoopy. White clouds form above the numerals. "BARONS" is written in red letters at the bottom of the patch. Charles Schulz' familiar comic strip character was chosen because of his doggedness in getting the job done--despite constant setback in his pursuit of the Red Baron. Snoopy continually comes back for more, setting a fine example for the cadets of the 26th. The patch also represents the Air Force's air power heritage and contains the four class colors. This is the squadron's original patch. A variation may exist without the "BARONS" tab.

Cadet Squadron 25

The patch is a circle containing a blue field bordered in gold. At the base of the circle is the squadron's number expressed in a red Roman numeral accented with black. A black cat with one red eye stands atop the numeral. Two fighters, flying in formation from right to left across the patch, execute a climbing turn and leave gold contrails. The 25th Squadron is nicknamed after the Redeye missile; the black cat with a single red eye symbolizes this. "Redeye" typifies the unerring accuracy of the squadron in reaching its goals. The blue background symbolizes the sky. The two fighters in formation signify comradeship. The gold contrails left by the fighters indicate that this comradeship is long-lasting and follows cadets into the Air Force. This is the squadron's original patch.

Cadet Squadron 22

The patch is a triangle with a three-dimensional "22" in the upper part of its red field. A saber with navigator wings on its center and globe on the end of its hilt points toward the center of the field. Eight red, gold, blue and silver rays emanate from the center of the patch. The emblem's triangle shape compares the squadron's strength and solidarity to one of the sturdiest geometrical shapes--the triangle. The dominate red color symbolizes courage. The saber, with the navigator's badge and globe, represents strength and readiness. The colored light rays, converging to a point on the horizon, signify unity among the four classes of the cadet wing. This is the squadron's original patch.

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 18

The patch is a light blue circle bordered in red, superimposed on a black and white equilateral triangle. A large black unicorn with a white mane, red horn and green eye is within the circle. A green Arabic numeral "18" highlighted in red sits to the unicorn?s left. A red rook is below the numeral and "ATTENDEZ LES ETALONS" is emblazoned in green across the bottom half of the circle. A large white cumulus cloud stretching across the horizon is located above the line. The unicorn symbolizes strength, endurance and matchless spirit. The rook represents the academy as a fortress of knowledge. The three points on the triangle signify the three aspects of academy life: Military, academic, and athletic. The clouds show the military and aerospace careers open to graduates of the academy. "Watch for the stallions" is the English translation of the French "ATTENDEZ LES ETALONS." This is the original squadron patch.

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 14

The patch, a rounded white trapezoid with a light blue border, shows the upper body and head of an aroused cobra rising from the lower left to the upper right corner. The snake?s head and prominent features, such as the scales on the head, body, tongue and eyes, are outlines in black. Its head is rust and gold; the body and border on the small head flanges are gold; the eyes and tongue are dark red. A simulates advanced manned strategic aircraft circles from right to left behind the cobra?s head, crossing in front of the left hood flange and middle of the planed outlines in black. The Arabic numeral "14," in light blue with white shading, sits against the right flange of the cobra. The cobra was chosen for its lightning speed and ability. The colors represent the four classes. The ever-increasing effectiveness of the Air Force is depicted by showing the aircraft eluding the blinding speed of the cobra. It serves as a reminder to beware of the speed and abilities of one?s opponents. This third patch was adopted by the squadron in August 1971.

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 10

The patch is a circle of sky blue bordered in black. It shows the head of snarling tiger at its center. Four white lightning bolts spring from the tiger?s head. A white cloud sits immediately above the tiger?s head, and a white Arabic numeral "10" is a the bottom of the patch. The tiger, the supreme symbol of tenacity and aggressiveness, was chosen by the 10th Squadron to symbolize the tradition of the Flying Tigers of World War II. The lightning bolts and cloud symbolize power and the horizons open to members of the squadron. This is the original squadron patch. There may be a distinct color variation -- a dark blue background -- on one version.

Cadet Squadron 09

The patch is an octagonal-shaped emblem. Within it, a Viking ship sails away on a bright orange-rayed sun in the background. A royal blue flag flies from a mast stretching upward from the deck of the ship. "VIKING," printed in royal blue, is to the left of the flag. A large white sail, bordered in black, billows from the mast. The Roman numeral "IX" is centered on the sail. The keep of the ship has the design of a green dragon. The "IX" represents the Ninth Cadet Squadron. The dragon symbolizes the power and tenacity that characterized the Vikings, early explorers of the vast seas. The Vikings often sought adventure and were courageous in their exploration of uncharted lands around the globe. This third patch in the squadron?s history was approved for wear in January 1978.

Cadet Squadron 06

The bright red patch, a circle bordered in white, shows a large, boldly printed white "6_ located in the center. A ferocious black bull, snorting a white cloud, leaps through the circular opening at the bottom of the six. The huge black bull, the Sixth Squadron?s mascot symbolizes strength, courage, determination, perseverance and tenacity. The bright red background adds to the glory of the bull. This is the original squadron patch.

Cadet Squadron 05

The patch is a white circle bordered in blue. A blue semicircular field, placed at an angle on the upper half of the patch, shows a camouflaged F-4 Phantom jet. A snarling gray wolf?s head rests on the cockpit of the aircraft, and a red numeral "5" is located on the fuselage to the right of the wolf. "Wolfpack" is written on the white field below the aircraft. The patch signifies the squadron?s association with the famous "Wolfpack" Fighter wing, led in Southeast Asia by Brigadier General Robin Olds; the fierceness, professionalism and dedication to duty demonstrated by the wing is emulated the Fifth Squadron Cadets. The F-4 and the wolf indicate the cunning and tenacity used by Gen Olds? forces and the high degree of spirit they demonstrated. This is the second patch in the squadron?s history. Design by James Bisher, class of 1978, it was approved in January 1976.

Cadet Squadron 02

The patch is a large circular emblem with a thin silver border. A banner inscribed with the word "DEUCE" sits on top of the circle. From a white contrail on a black field emerges the Roman numeral II. A red and blue contrail, produced by two jet aircraft frame the white contrail. The red, white and blue contrails represents the colors of the American flag. The "II" identifies the Second Cadet Squadron. The black background signifies the vastness of space. The planes originating from the top of the field denote humanity?s conquest of space. The three contrails represent the three areas in which all cadets strive to excel: Military, academics, and athletics. This patch, designed and first used by the Second Cadet Squadron in 1972, is the third patch worn by its members.

Cadet Squadron 01

The emblem in the shape of a spearhead and bordered in black, has two colored fields, the upper green and the lower black. A black diagonal strip edged in white separates the fields. A black Maltese cross trimmed in white is on the green field and a gold griffin is on the black field. "First Takes Care of its Own" is written in black letters on a gold scroll beneath the black field. The griffin, a creature in Greek mythology, seeks hidden treasure while protecting its own treasure from intruders. The griffin symbolizes the search for the treasure from intruders. The griffin symbolizes the search for the treasure of knowledge in areas yet unknown and unexplored. The Maltese Cross, awarded to the bravest and most courageous military men, indicates a devotion to duty and a dedication to success. The cross, positioned above the black diagonal strip, indicates a higher ideal in life to which one should strive. The emblem is fashioned after the famous 1st Fighter Wing, the original squadron sponsor. The colors green, gold and black, the Maltese Cross and the diagonal strip are similar to the 1st Fighter Wing emblem. This is the original Cadet Squadron One patch.