424th & 420th

424th Air Base Squadron

In April 1995 the 7020th ABS was re-designated the 424th Air Base Squadron (424th ABS)

The 3 elements of the patch that are represented are the bomb on the bottom right (for the munitions unit at Welford),
the runway (one of the longest in the UK at the time) and the globe (symbolizing global reach).

Coins

420th Air Base Group

On 14 January 2004, the 420th Air Base Group (420 ABG) was established at RAF Fairford

Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the
primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of
Air Force personnel. The red cross denotes the Cross of St. Michael, symbolic of England, host
to the units under this command. The Air Force roundel is a reminder of the group’s Second
World War roots and its long, proud history of mission accomplishments. The polestar
represents the single true course followed by the unit, the vital role it plays in the success of
NATO.

Coins

The 420th Air Base Group was officially de-activated on Tues 6th Oct 2009

 

420th Air Base Squadron

Activated 12th May 2005 – RAF Fairford
Assigned to 420th ABG

Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the
primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of
Air Force personnel. The globe and flight line supported by the armored hands represent the
squadron’s mission: to support flight operations as part of Air Force global reach. The motto
“Animis Opibusque Parati” in Latin translates to English “Ready for Anything.”

Coins

Stickers

 

 

420th Civil Engineer Squadron

Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the
primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of
Air Force personnel. The knight signifies the unyielding determination of squadron personnel,
their will to fight and their might to make it happen. The runway alludes to the unit’s forward
operating location and its ties to NATO.

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420th Munitions Squadron

Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the
primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of
Air Force personnel. The Anglo-Saxon battle axe alludes to the geographical location of the
RAF Welford relative to the nearby town of Wantage, which stands in isolation amid the English
countryside. The Anglo-Saxon Thorn Rune on the battle axe signifies “Silent Strength Waiting
to be Unleashed”. The MK 84 JDAM missile signifies the explosive power and the era of
Precision Engagement. The enflamed bomb shell represents the squadron’s unyielding
determination and might for mission successes.

The 420th Munitions Squadron, realigned under the 422 ABG July 1 2009.
It remains in place at RAF Welford

420th Security Forces Squadron

420th SFS

Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the
primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of
Air Force personnel. The rampant griffin symbolizes security forces guarding Air Force
personnel and resources. The unit’s Latin motto “IN OMINA PARATUS” in English means
“Prepared for all Things.”

Coins

420th Logistics Readiness Squadron

Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the
primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of
Air Force personnel. The lightning bolt represents the speed of Combat Agile Support being
displayed on the Supply, Vehicle Maintenance, Transportation and Logistics Plans duty badges.
The wrench symbolizes the largest mission of maintaining War Reserve Material assets in
support of NATO’s only Global Power Forward Operating Location. Collectively, all elements
combined represent the motto, “Global Support.”

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From 2010 the 420th ABS was assigned to the 422nd ABG located at RAF Croughton

420th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron

420th Expeditionary Air Base Sq

The 420th Air Base Squadron have had to bring more crews from elsewhere to support the current 99th ERS deployment – designated as the 420th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron.
The patch is designed by a guy in the Fairford Air Traffic Control it contains the 420th patch on the bottom with Fairfords runway. The top is a torch and dragon representing the 501st wing holding the torch for the dragons.

Coins

420th Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE)

The 420th (AGE) is responsible for mission essential ground equipment also taxiway assist “follow me” and marshalling

 

 

 

Unknown Squadron Coins

 

darren@raf-fairford.co.uk