Squadron Patches

Within the United States Air Force pilot training programs, there are multiple classes a year, filled with about 30 student (“stud”) pilots. Each class builds a connection with their peers through trust, teamwork, hardships, and fun times. Based on these experiences, each class gets to design a patch that represents their time together. I had the honor and privilege of helping these young “studs” by designing patches commemorating their time together.

The patch designs featured below were created during my professional career for various squadrons in accordance with their experiences during their time in training. The patches were also required to include the planes that are flown during their training (the T-6 and the T-38), as well as their class number and all flags of the students’ respective countries that made up their class.

Patch Designs

Who: 23rd Wing at Moody AFB to celebrate Women in Aviation Week.

When: 2024

How: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Procreate

Women in Aviation 2024

The following patch design was created in celebration of Women in Aviation Week in 2024 for the 23rd Wing at Moody Air Force Base.

Who: Various Squadrons at Sheppard Air Force Base for the ENJJPT Program.

When: 2020-2022

How: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Procreate

Patch for the 23-01 Class

The following design was created for the 23-01 Class. They asked for their patch to be based on the infamous movie Forrest Gump.

Another Patch Design Option for 21-04

During the trial-and-error of creating ideas for an “all American” patch design, the class asked me to create one based on the image below.

The FAIP Patch

This patch was created for the First-Assignment Instructor Pilots (FAIP*) at ENJJPT. They wanted a patch that combined the “Air Education & Training Command” patch with their 89th Flying Training Squadron patch to wear for fun on Fridays.

*FAIPs are the pilots assigned to be instructor pilots for their first assignment as soon as they graduate pilot training.

An image of the 89th Flying Training Squadron patch:

An image of the Air Education & Training (AETC) Patch:

The images above were provided by the client.

The finished patch for the FAIPs at ENJJPT:

AETC Version of the FAIP Patch:

FAIP Patch with the words changed to “Air Education & Training Command” for the other pilots who were excited about this patch design and wanted one for their division!

Name Tag Patches

These name tag patches for designed for the 23-03 Class, with reverse color schemes for each of the two flights within the class.

The theme of these name patches was based on their class theme and class patch, which incorporated elements from the Baywatch movie about lifeguards.

The “PILOT” text is a placeholder for each pilot’s name.

One of the students in this class decided to have a design created for future students in their flight. So he asked me to help him clean up the design that he mocked-up.

The client’s design mock up to be cleaned up before sending to the embroidery company.

The cleaned-up image I created for the client.

Mock-Ups:

  • Women in Aviation 2024

  • 23-01 Patch: Sticker

  • 23-01 Patch: Embroidered Material

  • Elvis Name Tag Patch

    Elvis Name Tag

  • 21-04 Patch: PVC Material