The Contrails: Cadet squadron nicknames, patches

  • Published
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs

Editors note -- This week's excerpt  from The Contrails is seen exactly as shown on page 30 and 31 in the 2015 edition of this cadet guidebook

 

When the first class entered the Academy in the Summer of 1955, they were divided into four squadrons. In the years following, the number of squadrons gradually increased at an average of four to eight per year. By 1970, the size in the cadet wing reached its peak of 40 squadrons. The number of squadrons dipped from 40 to 36 in 1999 but returned to its current strength of 40 squadrons in 2006.

 

The current nicknames for each squadron are listed below.

1. Mighty Mach One

2. Deuce

3. Dogs of War

4. Fightin’ Fourth

5. Wolfpack

6. Bull Six

7. Shadow Seven

8. Eagle Eight

9. Viking Nine

10. Tiger Ten

11. Rebeleven

12. Dirty Dozen

13. Bulldawgs

14. Cobras

15. War Eagles

16. Chicken Hawks

17. Stalag 17

18. Nightriders

19. Wolverines

20. Trolls

21. Blackjacks

22. Raptors

23. Barnstormers

24. Phantoms

25. Redeye

26. Barons

27. Thunderbirds

28. Blackbirds

29. Black Panthers

30. Knights of Thirty

31. Grim Reapers

32. Road Runners

33. King Ratz

34. Loose Hawgs

35. Wild Weasels

36. Pink Panthers

37. Animalistic Skyraiders

38. All-Stars

39. Campus Rads

40. Warhawks