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9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing was activated on May 1st 1949at
Fairfield-Suisan( present day Travis ) AFB the wing inherited the 9th
Bombardment Groups lineage and honours.
First equipped with the SR-71
Blackbird in 1966 and then in July 1976 U-2's were amalgamated into the
9th SRW. Following de-activation of the SR-71 in 1990 the 9th was re-designated
the 9th Wing for a brief period before the taking the present title of
the 9th Reconnaissance Wing operating the U-2.
Patch Origins
Shield: Per pale vert and sable a pallet wavy argent fimbriated, Or,
over all on a fess of four crosses patee of the second (sable).
Crest: On a wreath of the colors (argent and vert) a rattlesnake
entwined about a prickly pear cactus all proper.
Motto: Semper Paratus (Always Ready).
Significance: The shield, in black and green, represents the old colors
of the Air Service parted by a wavy line representing the Rio Grande
River. On the gold band are four black crosses representing four WWI
offensives, Aisne-Marne, Champagne-Marne, Meusse-Argonne, and St. Mihiel,
in which squadrons later assigned to the 9th Wing fought. The crest
recalls the service in Mexico.
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